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KenyaMiddle East Travel Guide
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Contents..........................................................................................................................................................................................
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4. Tourist Map
5. Magical Kenya
6. Wildlife Safari
7. Culture and History
8. Kenya, a Land of Adventure
9. The Kenyan Coast
10. Nairobi
11. MICE
12. Kenya for Families
13. Flights to Kenya
14. Contacts
15. Gallery
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Tourist Map
© Javier Yanes/Kenyalogy.com
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Magical Kenya
Visitors to Kenya are spoilt for choice with the country’s versa-tility. Whether it be exploring the savannahs rich with game, experiencing cultures that have remained unchanged, or
activities ideal for adventure-seekers – Kenya has it all...
The main tourist hot-spots regularly visited by international and regional travellers are safaris in the many national parks and game reserves in Kenya. These provide nature lov-ers the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the abundant wildlife that enriches the Kenyan landscape. Other attrac-tions include Mombasa Great Rift Valley, coffee plantations at Thika, Mt. Kenya, the UNESCO heritage sites,
wildlife and its beaches along the coral reefs’ warm waters in the Indian Ocean. Amboseli National Park is also home to Mt. Kilimanjaro, where the best view is said to be from Kenya.Boasting a culture which stemsfrom countless resources, the region benefits from a long and complex history, dating back from early man to the present day.
Kenya’s prime wildlife view-ing areas can be accessed in a safari van or 4x4 using the country’s road network, or by short flight. The domestic aviation sector, largely based at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, is geared to handle this traffic with fleets of small aircraft suited for rudimentary bush airstrips.Apart from local operators such as Safarilink and Air Kenya, there are many char-ter flights as well, including: Amboseli, Tsavo West, Lewa Downs, Nanyuki (for Laikipia), Shaba, Meru and Samburu.
Airports & Airstrip
Kenya Fast Facts
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Population: 43,013,341
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Climate: Warm on the coast;
cool in the central highlands;
and hot in the north and east
Size: 586,600km2
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MAASAI MARA GAME RESERVEVisiting Season: All-Year-Round Plays host to the Great Migration which involves over 1.5 million animals.
NAIROBI NATIONAL PARKVisiting Season: March - April One of the few parks where a visitor can see a black rhino in its natural habitat.
SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVEVisiting Season - All-Year-Round Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, giraffe, gerenuk and the oryx call this reserve home.
LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARKVisiting Season - All-Year-RoundDuring peak season over one million flamingos congregate on the lake plus half a million pelicans.
MOUNT LONGONOT NATIONAL PARKVisiting Season - All-Year-RoundExtinct Volcano - Mt. Longonot, rises to 2,776m above sea level providing a view to behold, and a relatively easy adventurous climb.
MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARKVisiting Season - All-Year-RoundA UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park includes various habitats: higher forest, bamboo, glaciers, tarns and glacial moraines which are great for trekking.
ABERDARE NATIONAL PARKVisiting Season - All-Year-RoundThe Aberdares are an important water catchment area providing water to the Tana and Athi rivers and part of the Central Rift and Northern Drainage Basins.
MOMBASA MARINE NATIONAL PARKVisiting Season - All-Year-RoundColourful and prolific marine life and coral species.
NAIROBI ANIMAL ORPHANAGEVisiting Season - All-Year-RoundThe oldest animal orphanage in Kenya, recording over 200,000 visitors annually.
HELL’S GATE NATIONAL PARKVisiting Season - All-Year-RoundHell’s Gate is characterised by diverse topography and geological scenery and is an important home to rarely seen Lammergeyer Vultures.
LEWA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCYVisiting Season - All-Year-RoundSpanning 62,000 acres, Lewa is home to 10 per cent of Kenya’s black rhino population and over 14 per cent of its white rhino population.
K enya’s pristinewilderness and iconic wildlife has an extremely
high environmental standard which ensures a quality experience.
For more information, visit: www.kws.org
Wildlife Safari
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Culture and History
K enya has managed to develop itsown unique and diverse heritage andculture, which spans 42 tribes. This is
the nation’s greatest strength - the ability toblend the best of many worlds into a strong,singular identity.
Museums.....................................................................................
Museums offer an ideal platform to glimpse Kenya’spast and present cultural and historical heritage. Belowis a list of some of the country’s national museumswhich are of interest to the international traveller.
- Tamnach Museum
- Wajir Museum
- Nairobi Gallery
- Rabai Museum
- Malindi Museum
- Lofyangalani Desert Museum
- Hyrax Hill
- Meru Museum
- Gede Ruins
- Kariandusi
- Kabarnet Museum
- Kitale Museum
- Lamu Museum
- Narok Museum
- Kisumu Museum
- Kapenguria Museum
- Nairobi National Museum
- Karen Blixen Museum
- Nairobi Snake Park
MAASAI CULTURE
SAMBURU CULTURE
LAMU
The best way to experience and learn about Maasai life is to go on a tour to a Maasai village or Many-atta. Watch, learn and take part in Maasai beading and make traditional jewellery and after cook din-ner the Maasai way.
Tourists can take part in traditional chants and dances. In addition, tourists can also have the op-portunity to take part in Samburu beading.The best way to witness their culture is to stay in a lodge or camp managed by a Samburu community.
Lamu began life as a 14th century Swahili settle-ment, but the island has seen many visitors and influences, including Portuguese, Turkish and Omani Arabs. Tourists visiting here can take part in fishing, dhow making, henna art and learn local traditional cooking methods.
Please visit www.museums.or.ke to find out all about our museum offerings.
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GOLFFew places in the world offer such ingredients for a golf holiday. The opportunity to play the sport and to see wildlife sometimes on the course is an incredible experience. IAGTO has recognised Kenya as an un-disputed golfing destination. More info at www.kgma.co.ke/
WHITE-WATER RAFTINGThe Tana River is a drop pool river offering excitingwhite-water rafting, as does the Athi River that bor-ders Tsavo National Park. Mathoya River can offer arguably the most technically challenging water to be found across Kenya.
BALLOON SAFARIA morning flight will give you a bird’s eye view, offeringexceptional vistas such as the Great Rift Valley. Early morning is the ideal time to see wild animals on the plains. In the Masai Mara Game Reserve it is an unfor-gettable experience as you glide leisurely above.
MOUNTAIN CLIMBINGBoth Mt. Kenya and Mt. Longonot offer a route for every level of trekker and climber. It is not surpris-ing that trekking on these mountains is high on many travellers’ priority lists.
BUNGEE JUMPINGThe ultimate adrenaline rush can be combined as part of a safari in the north, or as part of a white water rafting experience at Tana River near Sagana.
A nation known around the world,famous for its culture, history andnatural beauty, Kenya is also an
adventure-seeker’s paradise. The secret of its success is its ability to combine each of these qualities with ease.
Kenya is a magical land ofbeauty and adventure.
Kenya, a Land of Adventure
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The Kenyan Coast
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With much of Kenya bordering the coast, visitors are spoilt for choice with pristinewhite beaches from the North to the South coast. Where the wilderness meets thesea, the areas are rich in history, with much to see and do. Access can be acquired
through Mombasa International Airport, which is the largest and busiest airport in Kenya.
FORT JESUS: Built in 1591 by order of King Philip I of Portugal, the fort is considered as one of the most well-preserved examples of 16th century Portuguese military fortifications. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
HALLER PARK: Known as one of the largest animal sanctuaries in Mombasa, Haller Park boasts a variety of animals, reptiles, insects and botanical gardens. LAMU TOWN: One of Kenya’s oldest towns, and is one of the original Swahili settlements on the East African coast. The town has hosted numerous Muslim reli-gious festivals and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. SWAHILI PEOPLE & CULTURE:Their name originates from the Arabic word, ‘Sawahil’, which means ‘coastal dwellers’, and are a Bantu ethnic group and culture found predominantly in East Africa. ARABUKO SOKOKE FOREST RESERVE: Home to many ani-mal species, including Sokoke Scops Owl, the Amani Sunbird and the Golden-Rumped Elephant Shrew. MOMBASA OLD TOWN: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town’s historical buildings add to its charm, combining Africa, Arabic and European influences. KIPEPEO BUTTERFLY CENTRE: A community-based en-terprise by the people living around Arabuko Sokoke forest, the centre has three houses of butterfly. MWA LUGANJE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY: A conservation area and park for elephants, the sanctuary is located adjacent to the Shimba Hills National Reserve. MALINDI TOWN: Popular among tourists, Malindi is near to Watamu resort and Gedi Ruins. Other at-tractions include the Sabaki River and Watamu and Malindi Marine National Parks.
DEEP SEA FISHING: These waters are some of the bestfishing grounds in the world; home to black, blue andstriped marlin, broadbill swordfish, mako sharks, sailfish and other species.
SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS: For a once in a lifetime experience, swim with these magnificent mammals whilst on board a Dolphin Dhow to Wasini Island or on a snorkelling and diving day excursion to Kisite Marine Park.
SAILING: Sailing trips can be arranged for mornings orevenings. Various sail companies offer trips at competitive rates. There are opportunities to sail in authentic Arabic dhows or take a boat trip to one of the various marine parks and reserves.
GOLF: Kenya is quickly becoming an international golfdestination, thanks to the efforts of The Kenya GolfMarketing Alliance. Clubs to choose from includeVipingo Ridge Golf Course, Nyali Golf & Country Club,and Leisure Golf Club, to name but a few.
NIGHTLIFE: Nairobi and Mombasa are home to some ofthe most popular nightspots in Kenya.
FOOD: With such cultural diversity, there is not one dish that encapsulates all of Kenya. Staples are maize and other cereals, ugali, sukuma wiki and nyama choma.
Coastal Attractions
Coastal Activities
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Nairobi is the only city in the world that borders a national park – The Nairobi NationalPark, and is serviced by Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport. Thecity’s F&B options take you on a culinary journey, and its internationally-recognised
hotel chains, museums, outdoor markets where one can buy wood carvings and khangas,nightlife, cultural festivals and theme nights whet the appetite of any discerning traveller.
THE GIRAFFE CENTRE: Located in Langata, the centrehas been set up as a breeding centre for the endan-gered Rothschild giraffe and operates conservation/education programmes for Kenyan school children.
MAMBA VILLAGE: Get up close to crocodiles and os-triches, as well as other species of wildlife in grounds that are spread over 30 acres. A campsite is also available for groups of up to 50 adults. GIRAFFE MANOR: Set across 12 acres of private landwithin 140 acres of indigenous forest near Nairobicity centre. A boutique hotel offering an unparalleledexperience of giraffes, as well as warthogs, bush -buck, dik dik and more than 180 species of birds. NAIROBI NATIONAL MUSEUM: Built in 1929, the museumhouses collections of Kenya’s history, nature, cultureand contemporary art, as well as its rich heritage. KAREN BLIXEN MUSEUM: Witness Kenya’s history, andsee the farm house which gained international famefrom ‘Out of Africa’, the Oscar-winning film based onKaren Blixen’s autobiography of the same name. THE NAIROBI RAILWAY MUSEUM: Trace the history ofKenya’s growth through its railway, arguably the life-blood and reason for the country’s evolvement.
DAPHNE SHELDRICK ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE: The orphan-age was founded and managed by Daphne Sheldrick, the widow of one of Kenya’s well-known game war-dens, David Sheldrick.
MWA LUGANJE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY: A conservation area and park for these majestic creatures, the sanc-tuary is located adjacent to the Shimba Hills National Reserve.
When in Nairobi...
Shopping Malls- THIKA ROAD MALL- THE VILLAGE MARKET- CAPITAL CENTRE- SARIT CENTRE- THE JUNCTION- PRESTIGE PLAZA- TUSKYS MALL
Nairobi
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MICE
Kenya is a popular destination of choicefor a variety of meetings, incentives,conferences and exhibitions. This is not
only true for the many city hotels, but alsolodges situated in parks and reserves, as wellas large coastal resorts.
MAGICAL KENYA TRAVEL EXPOwww.magicalkenyatravelexpo.com
KENYA AIRWAYS EAST AFRICAN SAFARI CLASSIC RALLYwww.eastafricansafarirally.com STANDARD CHARTERED NAIROBI MARATHONwww.nairobimarathon.com SAFARI SEVENS RUGBYwww.safarisevens.com RHINO CHARGEwww.rhinocharge.co.ke MAASAI MARA MARATHONwww.kenyaairwaysmarathon.com LEWA MARATHONwww.lewa.org/support-lewa/safaricom-marathon KENYA OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPwww.kenyaopengolf.com CAMEL DERBYwww.magicalkenya.com LOIYANGALANI FESTIVALwww.magicalkenya.com KENYA DERBYwww.kenyahorse.com
Venues
Key Events in KenyaSome venues have been designed specifically for lar-gescale conferences. The most notable is Nairobi’s Ken-ya International Conference Centre (KICC), with modern conference and exhibition equipment and seating for up to 4,000 delegates. It offers the ideal environment to discuss business or work with colleagues. Many hotels offer first-rate conference packages to international standards, with conference and venue prices deemed competitive. Moreover, most hotels have excellent facilities and modern technical support.
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Renowned throughout Africa as one of the continent’s friendliest countries, Kenya is considered ideal for families. With kids’ clubs in hotels and resorts, and with settings and nature bringing family together, it is also the perfect place for parents to relax. Moreover,
most hotels in national parks have activities for children to engage in, with child-friendly tented camps in most national parks and reserves.
KIDS’ ATTRACTIONS
ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
GIRAFFE CENTRE - WWW.GIRAFFECENTER.ORGThe Giraffe Centre, started in 1983, is a Non-Profit making organization whose main objective is to provide conserva-tion education for school children and the youth of Kenya. Children can interact with the Giraffes as well as feed them and learn more about conservation.
THE VILLAGE MARKET - WWW.VILLAGEMARKET-KENYA.COMThe complex is home to over 150 outlets covering 210,000ft2 retail space, 20,000ft2 office space and a rec-reation facility hosting a 12-lane bowling alley, Nu-Met-ro Cinema hall, 9 hi-tide waterslides amongst others.
NAIROBI ANIMAL ORPHANAGE - WWW.MAGICALKENYA.COMEstablished in 1964 as a refuge and rehabilitationcentre for wild animals found abandoned or injuredthroughout Kenya, the unique facility records over200,000 thousand visitors every year.
MAASAI MARA - WWW.MAASAIMARA.COMPerfect for families, Mara Intrepids offers a familyprogramme which provides a fun and exciting opportunity for children to learn about the wild from the Masai who specialise in plants, wildlife and survival skills.
LAKE NAKURU - WWW.MAGICALKENYA.COMBesides the flamingos that the lake is famous for, there are approximately 400 other bird species visiting the lake. Game can also be found in the park giving children a per-fect opportunity to witness them up close and be educated at the same time.
MT. KENYA - WWW.MOUNTKENYATRUST.ORGVisit the Sweetwaters Wildlife Sanctuary, host to the Jane Goodall Sanctuary where children can see chimps that are undergoing rehabilitation and visit the Morani Rhino Center to learn about Rhino conservation.
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Kenya for Families
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Flights to Kenya
Airline Frequency Departing CityEmirates Airline 14 flights weekly DubaiEtihad Airways 7 flights weekly Abu DhabiKenya Airways 10 flights weekly Dubai / Abu DhabiQatar Airways 18 flights weekly DohaSaudi Airlines 2 flights weekly JeddahAir Arabia 7 flights weekly SharjahRwandair 3 flights weekly
(to Mombasa)Dubai
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With the Middle Eastern airlines steadily increasing their presence in both Nairobi and Mombasa, reaching Kenya’s ever-alluring tourist attractions has never been easier. While Etihad Airways and Kenya Airways jointly provide conveniently timed services on
the Abu Dhabi-Nairobi route, Qatar Airways offers almost 20 weekly flights to the Kenyan capital from Doha. Turkish Airlines seamlessly links Ankara and Istanbul with both Nairobi and Mom-basa, while travellers from Jeddah can fly directly to the Kenyan capital with Saudi Airlines. And with flexible low cost options provided by Air Arabia, itineraries can be created for any budget.
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List of accommodation facilities in KenyaKenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caters (KAHC)www.kahc.co.ke
List of Tour Operators in KenyaKenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO)www.katokenya.org
Information on Parks and WildlifeKenya Wildlife Servicewww.kws.org
Information on Kenya’s tourism productMagical Kenyawww.magicalkenya.com
• http://www.kenyaembassy.ae/, Abu Dhabi 971-2-
6666300, Dubai 971-4-3428111
• http://www.kenyaembassydoha.com/,
Tel: 44931870 Doha
• http://www.kenyaembassy-muscat.com/,
Tel +968 24697664 Muscat
• http://www.kenyaembkuwait.com/,
Tel:+(965) 25353985 Kuwait
• http://www.kenyaembassyriyadh.com/,
Tel: 966-1-4881238 Bahrain
EMBASSY DETAILS
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Contacts
Gallery
The Travel CentreSheikh Zayed Road
DubaiUAE
PO Box 75142Tel: 00971 4 3166170Fax: 00971 4 3166565
Email: [email protected]: magical Kenya gcc
