Great Adventure Trips

Kenya

Walking Tours / Mt. Kenya Trek / Birdwatching / Lodging Info / Park Info
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Kenya Park & Reserve Features

Below is some information about what can be
seen at some of the various parks we visit

Aberdare National Park

The Aberdares are an isolated volcanic range that forms the eastern wall of the rift valley, running roughly 100km north south between Nairobi and Thomsons Falls. Soils are red and of volcanic origin, but rich in organic matter. There are two main peaks, Ol Donyo Lesatima (3,999m) and Kinangop (3,906m) separated by a long saddle of alpine moorland at over 3,000m. The topography is diverse with deep ravines that cut through the forested eastern and western slopes and there are many clear streams and waterfalls. The Aberdares are an important water catchment area providing water to the Tana and Athi rivers and part of Central Rift and Northern drainage basins. The National Park lies mainly above the tree line running along the 10,000ft contour with some forest and scrub at lower altitude in the 'salient' area near Nyeri with the boundary running down to the 7000ft contour. The unusual vegetation, rugged terrain, streams and waterfalls combine to create an area of great scenic beauty in the National Park. The park is surrounded by a predominantly indigenous forest, whose management is under an MoU between KWS and the Forest Department.

Location:
Central highlands, west of Mount Kenya; Nyeri District; Central Province; 766km2.

Climate:
Mist and rain occur throughout much of the year, with precipitation varying from around 1000mm yearly on the north western slopes to as much as 3000mm in the south east. Heavy rainfall occurs through most of the year.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Lesatima peak, Kinangop peak, waterfalls, walks in the moorlands, Twin hills, Elephant hills and Table mountains, Elephants, Second largest population of black rhinos in Salient and Northern Aberdares, Queen Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne at Tree-tops, The Kimathi Hideout, Night viewing of wildlife at the Ark & Treetops.

WILDLIFE

Reptiles
Green Mamba, Cameleon, Lizard, Mountain Viper, Rainbow and brown trouts.

Insects/arthropods
Butterfly, Dragon fly, Stick insect, Grasshopper.

Major Animals
Aardvark; Ant Bear; Baboon, Olive; badger, honey; Bat, Banana; Bat, Hollow-faced; Bat, Rousette Fruit; Bongo; Buffalo, African; BushBaby, Greater; BushBaby, Lesser; BushBaby, Thick tailed; Bushbuck; Caracal; Cat, African Wild; Cat, Golden; Civet, African; Civet, African Palm; Colobus, Black and White; Dik-dik, Guenther's; Dik-dik, Kirk's; Dog, Hunting; Dormouse, African; Duiker, Blue; Duiker, Bush; Duiker, Common; Duiker, Peters; Duiker, Red; Duiker, Yellow Backed; Eland; Elephant, African; Galago, Greater; Gazelle, Thomson's; Genet, Common; Genet, Large-spotted; Genet, Servaline; Hare, African; Hog, Giant Forest; Hyaena, Spotted; Hyrax, Rock; Hyrax, Tree; Impala; Jackal, Black-backed; Jackal, Side-striped; Klipspringer; Leopard; Lion; Mongoose, Banded; Mongoose, Marsh; Mongoose, Pygmy; Mongoose, Slender; Mongoose, White-tailed; Monkey, Black faced Vervet; Monkey, Sykes; Oribi; Otter, Clawless; Otter, Spotted Necked; Pig, Forest Bush; Porcupine, Crested; Rat, Crested; Rat, Giant; Rat, Kenya Mole ; Reedbuck, Bohor; Reedbuck, Mountain; Rhinoceros, Black; Serval; Shrew, Giant White-toothed; Shrew, Mole; Squirrel, Bush; Steinbok; Suni; Warthog; Waterbuck, Common.

Major Birds
Apalis, Black-breasted; Apalis, Chestnut-throated; Apalis, Grey; Bee-eater, Cinnamon-chested; Bee-eater, European; Bonbon, Tropical; Bulbul, Yellow-vented; Bunting, Golden-breasted; Bush Shrike, Black-fronted; Bush Shrike, Doherty's; Buzzard, Augur; Buzzard, Mountain; Buzzard, Steppe; Camaroptera, Grey-backed; Canary, Brimstone; Canary, Yellow-crowned; Chat, Hill; Cisticola, Aberdare; Cisticola, Hunter's; Cisticola, Tinkling; Cisticola, Wing-snapping; Citril, African; Cordonbleu, Red-cheeked; Cormorant, Long-tailed; Coucal, White-browed; Crake, African; Crane, Crowned; Crimson-wing, Abyssinian; Crow, Pied; Cuckoo, Didric; Cuckoo, Emerald; Cuckoo, Klaas'; Cuckoo, Red-chested; CuckooShrike, Grey; CuckooShrike; Dove, Emerald-spotted; Dove, Laughing; Dove, Lemon; Dove, Pink-breasted; Dove, Red-eyed; Dove, Ring-necked; Dove, Tambourine; Drongo; Duck, African Black; Duck, Red-billed; Duck, Yellow-billed; Eagle, Ayres' Hawk; Eagle, Crowned Hawk; Eagle, Long-crested; Eagle, Steppe; Eagle, Verreaux's; Egret, Little; Egret, Yellow-billed; Falcon, Cuckoo; Finch, Grey-headed Negro; Finch, Oriole; Finfoot, African; Flycatcher, Chin-spot; Flycatcher, Dusky; Flycatcher, European Spotted; Flycatcher, Mountain Yellow; Flycatcher, Paradise; Flycatcher, White-eyed Slaty; Francolin, Jackson's; Francolin, Montane; Francolin, Scaly; Goose, Egyptian; Goshawk, African; Grebe, Little; Greenbul, Fischer's; Greenbul, Olive-breasted; Greenbul, Yellow-whiskered; Greenshank; Hammerkop; Harder, Pallid; Harrier, European Marsh; Harrier, Montagu's; Heron, Black-headed; Heron, Buff-backed; Honeyguide, Greater; Hoopoe, White-headed; Hornbill, Crowned; Hornbill, Ground; Hornbill, Silvery-cheeked; Ibis, Green; Ibis, Hadada; Ibis, Sacred; Ibis, Wood; Kestrel, European; Kestrel, Lesser; Kingfisher, Giant; Kingfisher, Malachite; Kingfisher, Pied; Kite, African Black....

Amboseli

Amboseli lies immediately North West of Mt. Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania. Amboseli was established as a reserve in 1968 and gazetted as a National Park in 1974. The Park covers 392 km2, and forms part of the much larger 3,000 Km2 Amboseli ecosystem. Large concentrations of wildlife occur here in the dry season, making Amboseli a popular tourist destination. It is surrounded by 6 communally owned group ranches. The National Park embodies 5 main wildlife habitats (open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland) and covers part of a pleistocene lake basin, now dry. Within this basin is a temporary lake, Lake Amboseli, that floods during years of heavy rainfall. Amboseli is famous for its big game and its great scenic beauty - the landscape is dominated by MT Kilimanjaro.

Location:
On the border with Tanzania, Kajiado District, South Kenya; Covers 392km2

Climate:
The climate is mainly hot and dry. Amboseli is in the rain shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The maximum average temperature of the warmest month is 33°C during the day, while that of the coldest is 27-28°C. An annual rainfall of 300mm per annum is distributed in two seasons: April/May and November/December. Recurrent droughts and potential evaporation of 2200mm per annum typifies the region (KWS, 1991).

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Mt. Kilimanjaro , Mt. Meru , Observation Hill which allows an overall view of the whole park especially the swamps and elephants, , Contemporary Maasai culture and indigenous lifestyle

WILDLIFE

Reptiles
Python, Turtles, Tortoise, Black Mamba, Cobra.

Insects/arthropods
Scorpions, Butterflies, Dragon flies, May flies, Grasshopper.

Major Animals
Aardwolf; Ant Bear; Baboon, Yellow; Bat, Angola Free-tailed; Bat, Banana; Bat, Epauletted Fruit; Bat, False Vampire; Bat, Hollow-faced; Bat, Lander's Horseshoe; Bat, Lesser Leaf-nosed; Bat, Rousette Fruit; Bat, White-bellied Free-tailed; Bat, Yellow-bellied; Bat, Yellow-winged; Buffalo, African; BushBaby; Bushbuck; Caracal; Cat, African Wild; Cheetah; Civet, African; Dik-dik, Kirk's; Dog, Hunting; Dormouse, African; Duiker, Red; Eland; Elephant, African; Fox, Bat-eared; Gazelle, Grant's; Gazelle, Thomson's; Genet, Large-spotted; Genet, Small-spotted; Gerenuk; Giraffe, Masai; Gnu, White-bearded; Hare, African; Hare, Spring; Hartebeest, Coke's; Hedgehog, East African; Hippopotamus; Hyaena, Spotted; Hyaena, Striped; Hyrax, Rock; Hyrax, Tree; Impala; Jackal, Black-backed; Jackal, Golden; Jackal, Side-striped; Klipspringer; Kudu, Lesser; Leopard; Lion; Mongoose, Banded; Mongoose, Dwarf; Mongoose, Large Grey; Mongoose, Marsh; Mongoose, Slender; Mongoose, White-tailed; Monkey, Black-faced Vervet; Monkey, Sykes; Oryx, Fringe-eared; Porcupine, Crested; Ratel; Reedbuck, Bohor; Rhinoceros, Black; Serval; Shrew, Giant White-toothed; Shrew, Short-snouted ; Shrew, Spectacled Elephant; Squirrel, Bush; Squirrel, Striped Ground; Squirrel, Unstriped Ground; Steinbok; Warthog; Waterbuck, Common; Zebra, Common.

Major Birds
Apalis, Black-breasted; Apalis, Red-faced; Avocet; Babbler, Black-lored; Babbler, Northern Pied; Barbet, Brown-throated; Barbet, D'Arnaud's; Barbet, Red and Yellow; Barbet, Red-fronted; Barbet, Spotted-flanked; Bee-eater, Blue-cheeked; Bee-eater, European; Bee-eater, Little; Bee-eater, Madagascar; Bee-eater, White-throated; Bishop, Yellow; Bishop, Yellow-crowned; Bittern, Dwarf; Bittern, Little; Bonbon, Slate-coloured; Bonbon, Tropical; Brownbul, Northern; Brubru, Northern; Bulbul, Yellow-vented; Bunting, Cinnamon-breasted; Bunting, Golden-breasted; Bush Shrike, Grey-headed; Bush Shrike; Bustard, Black-bellied; Bustard, Buff-crested; Bustard, Hartlaub's; Bustard, Jackson's; Bustard, Kori; Bustard, White-bellied; Buzzard, Augur; Buzzard, Grasshopper; Buzzard, Honey; Buzzard, Lizard; Buzzard, Steppe; Camaroptera, Grey-backed; Canary, Brimstone; Canary, Kenya Grosbeak; Canary, White-bellied; Canary, Yellow-fronted; Chat, Anteater; Chat, Cliff; Chatterer, Rufous; Cisticola, Pectoral-patch; Cisticola, Rattling; Cisticola, Winding; Coot, Red-knobbed; Cordonbleu, Blue-capped; Cordonbleu, Red-cheeked; Coucal, Blue-headed; Coucal, White-browed; Courser, Heuglin's; Courser, Temminck's; Courser, Two-banded; Crake, Black; Crane, Crowned; Crombee; Crombee, Red-faced; Crow, Pied; Cuckoo; Cuckoo, Black; Cuckoo, Black and White; Cuckoo, Didric; Cuckoo, Emerald; Cuckoo, Great-spotted; Cuckoo, Klaas'; Cuckoo, Levaillant's; Cuckoo, Red-chested; Curlew, Spotted Stone....

Hell's Gate

Hell's Gate National Park covers an area of 68.25 km2 and is situated in the environs of Lake Naivasha about 90 km from Nairobi. The park is situated 14 km after the turnoff from the old Nairobi-Naivasha highway. It is characterised by diverse topography and geological scenery. It is an important home of the lammergeyer.

Location:
Hell's Gate or Njorowa Gorge is situated in Nakuru District, Rift Valley Province, covering an Area of 68 km2.

Climate:
Warm and dry.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Game viewing, Raptor nesting in cliffs, Spectacular gorge walk, hot springs, scenic landscape, the Geothermal Station, Masai culture.

WILDLIFE

Reptiles:
Python, Cobra.

Insects/arthropods:
Grasshoppers, Butterflies, Bees, Termites.

Major Animals:
Baboon Olive; badger, honey; Buffalo, African; Bushbuck; Caracal; Cat, African Wild; Cheetah; Civet, African; Dik-dik, Kirk's; Dog, Hunting; Duiker, Bush; Eland; Fox, Bat-eared; Gazelle, Grant's; Gazelle, Thomson's; Genet, Large-spotted; Genet, Small-spotted; Giraffe, Masai; Giraffe, Reticulated; Hare, African; Hare, Spring; Hartebeest, Coke's; Hippopotamus; Hyaena, Spotted; Hyrax, Rock; Impala; Jackal, Black-backed; Klipspringer; Leopard; Lion; Mongoose, Marsh; Mongoose, White-tailed; Monkey, Black faced Vervet; Otter, Clawless; Porcupine, Crested; Rat, African Mole; Reedbuck, Bohor; Reedbuck, Chanler's; Serval; Squirrel, Bush; Squirrel, Striped Ground; Steinbok; Warthog; Waterbuck, Defassa; Zebra, Common.

Major Birds:
Avocet; Babbler, Black-lored; Barbet, Red-fronted; Bee-eater, Blue-cheeked; Bee-eater, European; Bee-eater, Little; Bee-eater, Madagascar; Bee-eater, White-fronted; Bee-eater, White-throated; Bishop, Yellow; Bittern, Dwarf; Bittern, Little; Bulbul, Yellow-vented; Bunting, Cinnamon-breasted; Bunting, Golden-breasted; Buzzard, Augur; Buzzard, Steppe; Canary, Brixnstone; Canary, Yellow-rumped; Chat, Anteater; Cisticola, Pectoral-patch; Cisticola, Rattling; Cisticola, Winding; Coot, Red-knobbed; Cordonbleu, Red-cheeked; Cormorant, Long-tailed; Cormorant, White-necked; Coucal, Blue-headed; Coucal, White-browed; Courser, Temminck's; Crake, Black; Crane, Crowned; Crombec, Red-faced; Cuckoo, African; Cuckoo, Black; Cuckoo, Didric; Cuckoo, Emerald; Cuckoo, European; Cuckoo, Klaas'; Cuckoo, Red-chested....

Masai Mara

The Masai Mara is one of the best known and most popular reserves in the whole of Africa. Seasoned safari travellers, travel writers, documentary makers and researchers often admit that the Masai Mara is one of their favourite places. So why is that? Perhaps it is because of the 'big skies', the open savannahs, the romance of films like 'Out of Africa' and certainly because of the annual wildebeest migration, the density of game, the variety of birdlife and the chance of a hot air balloon ride. Also because of the tall red-robed Masai people whose lifestyle is completely at odds with western practices, and from whom one learns to question certain western values.

The Masai Mara lies in the Great Rift Valley, which is a fault line some 3,500 miles (5,600km) long, from Ethiopia's Red Sea through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and into Mozambique. Here the valley is wide and a towering escarpment can be seen in the hazy distance. Most of the game viewing activities occur on the valley floor, but some lodges conduct walking tours outside the park boundaries in the hills of the Oloololo Escarpment. The animals are also at liberty to move outside the park into huge areas known as 'dispersal areas'. There can be as much wildlife roaming outside the park as inside. Many Masai villages are located in the 'dispersal areas' and they have, over centuries, developed a synergetic relationship with the wildlife.

There are four main types of topography in the Mara: Ngama Hills to the east with sandy soil and leafy bushes liked by black rhino; Oloololo Escarpment forming the western boundary and rising to a magnificent plateau; Mara Triangle bordering the Mara River with lush grassland and acacia woodlands supporting masses of game especially migrating wildebeest; Central Plains forming the largest part of the reserve, with scattered bushes and boulders on rolling grasslands favoured by the plains game.

ANIMALS & BIRDS
In a short stay during the wildebeest migration you could see thousands of animals, at other times there are still hundreds. The plains are full of wildebeest, zebra, impala, topi, giraffe, Thomson's gazelle. Also regularly seen are leopards, lions, hyenas, cheetah, jackal and bat-eared foxes. Black rhino are a little shy and hard to spot but are often seen at a distance. Hippos are abundant in the Mara River as are very large Nile crocodiles, who lay in wait for a meal as the wildebeest cross on their annual quest to find new pastures.

The Mara birds come in every size and colour including common but beautiful ones like the lilac breasted roller and plenty of large species like eagles, vultures and storks. There are 53 different birds of prey.

SEASONS
Altitude is 4,875-7,052 feet (1,500-2,170 metres) above sea level, which yields a climate somewhat milder and damper than other regions. The daytime rarely exceeds 85°F (30°C) during the day and hardly ever drops below 60°F (15°C) at night.
Rainy Season: It rains in April and May and again November and this can cause some areas of the Mara to be inaccessible due to the sticky 'black cotton' mud.
Dry Season: July to October is dry and the grass is long and lush after the rains. This is a good time to come and see the huge herds of migratory herbivores.
Hottest time: The warmest time of year is December and January.
Coldest Time: June and July are the coldest months.

MASAI MARA SPECIALITIES
Wildebeest Migration, Hot Air Ballooning, Huge savannahs of golden grasslands
Big skies, Rift Valley escarpment, Lion sightings

FACTS
This is a malarial area
The reserve covers an area of ??m² (1,510 km²)
This is a Reserve rather than a National Park and it belongs to the Masai people

Mt. Longonot

The name Longonot is derived from the Masai word Oloonong'ot meaning mountains of many spurs or steep ridges. Longonot park covers 52 km2 most of it being occupied by Mt. Longonot a young volcano rising to 2,776 meters above sea level. The sides of the mountain have beautiful V-shaped valleys and ridges. The stony soils have little vegetation but the crater has an impenetrable forest.

Climate:
The climate is hot and dry. Mean annual rainfall is between 510 to 760mm. Rainfall reliability is poor and unpredictable. The annual mean maximum temperature is usually between 26 to 30c.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Extinct volcano and crater forest, Scenic Landscape, Views of lake Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley.

WILDLIFE

Reptiles:
Lizard, Puff Adder, Cobra, Rock Python.

Insects/arthopods:
Termites, Ants, Bee, Grasshopper, Termites.

Major Animals:
Buffalo; Cheetah; Eland; Fox, Bat-eared; Gazelle, Grant's; Gazelle, Thomson's; Giraffe, Masai; Hartebeest, Coke's; Jackal, Black-backed; Klipspringer; Leopard; Lion; Reedbuck, Bohor; reedbuck, mountain; Zebra, Burchell's.

Samburu

In the arid North of Kenya, water means life. The waters of the great Ewaso Nyiro river draw wildlife in great numbers to its banks, creating an oasis of green. This river flows through three great northern reserves, Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba. This is spectacular country, set against a backdrop of the mighty Mountain Ol Olokwe.

The verdant riverine forest is a stark contrast to the arid thorn studded plains. Samburu is visited by large herds of Elephants, drawn by the promise of water. In the dry season, the elephants use their tusks to dig deep into the dry river beds, unearthing precious water. These waterholes then become a focal point for other game.The Samburu region is the best place to find several endemic Northern species, including Gerenuk, the Reticulated Giraffe, and Grevy's Zebra.

The forests along the river banks are home to many birds, including local species such as the Palm Nut Vulture and the Vinaceous Dove. These forests are also home to many Leopards, often seen at dusk. The sight of one of these beautiful and elusive creatures is always a rare treat.

Lions are also frequently seen on the riverbanks, and Cheetah can be found on the open plains. On rare occasion, packs of African Hunting Dogs are sighted passing through the reserve.

The Ewaso Nyiro is also an important water source for the Samburu villages surrounding the reserves. The Samburu culture is a truly fascinating one, sharing a great deal of ancestral and linguistic ties to the Maasai. The Samburu are herders of Camels and Goats, and are often seen on the reserve boundaries bringing their animals to water.

The entire Samburu region is a place of breathtaking and magical beauty, a place where the vision of a deep red sunset silhouetting the doum palms along the river as a leopard emerges to hunt brings the perfect end to a day on safari.....

Tsavo West

Tsavo West national park covers 9000 km2, approximately 30% of Kenya's area under parks, and contains a diversity of habitats, wildlife and a mountainous scenic landscape. The park is a vast expanse of savanna stretching from the Athi river, North of the Mombasa-Nairobi road and south to the Tanzanian border. The North Eastern boundary along the Athi adjoins Tsavo East National Park, but Tsavo West has a more varied topography and a more diverse array of habitats than its neighbour.The park's habitats include open plains alternating with Savannah bush and semi desert scrub, acacia woodlands; rocky ridges and outcrops and more extensive ranges and isolated hills; belts of riverine vegetation; palm thickets and on the Chyulu hills, mountain forest. There are numerous rocky outcrops and ridges and part of the park, towards the Chyulu Hills, is of recent volcanic origin with lava flows and ash cones including the Shetani lava flow, an example of a recent volacano.

At Mzima Springs, in the North of the park, water that has filtered underground from the Chyulu Hills gushes from below a lava ridge into a series of clear pools.

Location:
South Eastern Kenya, inland from Mombasa, and the altitude ranges between 200 - 100m.

Climate:
Temperature ranges from 20 - 30o C and rainfall from 200mm - 700mm. Two ran seasons: Long rains - March/April & Short rains- Nov/December.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Recent volcanoes, lava flows and caves with potential for geological and cave exploration, and hiking. Mzima Springs & underwater hippo watching, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Jipe, Mt. Kilimanjaro, elephant and rhino.

WILDLIFE

Reptiles:
Python, Cobra, Tortoise, Lizard.

Major Animals:
Aardwolf; Ant Bear; Baboon, yellow; Bats (several); Buffalo; BushBaby; Bushbuck; Caracal; Cat, African Wild; Cheetah; Civet, African; Dik-dik, Kirk's; Dog, Hunting; Dormouse, African; Duiker, Blue; Duiker, Bush; Duiker, Red; Eland; Elephant, African; Fox, Bat-eared; Galago, Greater; Gazelle, Grant's; Genet, Large-spotted; Genet, Small-spotted; Gerenuk; Giraffe, Masai; Hare, African; Hare, Spring; Hartebeest, Coke's; Hartebeest, Hunter's; Hedgehog, East African; Hyaena, Spotted; Hyaena, Striped; Hyrax, Rock; Hyrax, Tree; Impala; Jackal, Black-backed; Jackal, Side-striped; Klipspringer; Kudu, Lesser; Leopard; Lion; Mongoose, Banded; Mongoose, Dwarf; Mongoose, Large Grey; Mongoose, Marsh; Mongoose, Slender; Mongoose, White-tailed; Monkey, Black faced Vervet; Monkey, Sykes; Oryx, Fringe-eared; Otter, Clawless; Pangolin, Lesser Ground; Porcupine, Crested; Rat, Cane; Rat, Giant; Rat, Naked Mole; Ratel; Reedbuck, Bohor; Rhinoceros, Black; Serval; Shrew, Spectacled Elephant; Squirrel, Bush; Squirrel, East African Red; Squirrel, Striped Ground; Squirrel, Unstriped Ground; Steinbok; Suni; Warthog; Waterbuck, Common; Zebra, Common; Zebra, Grevy's.

Major Birds:
Starlings, weaver birds, kingfishers, hornbills secretary bird and other raptors, rollers, herons, and stocks.