Saturday, May 29, 2010

Kakamega forest region brought closer..

Kenya holiday safari: Kakamega forest

More and more visitors to Kenya are now using air services to the national parks to enable them spend maximum time in the parks as opposed to spending time cruising long road distances to the parks – a good choice when time in the destination is limited and you wish to see many of the country’s attractions. It is therefore evident that the beginning of this week was marked by one of the regional commercial event kicking off and opening doors to another fly-in destination, Kakamega.

Kenya’s rapidly expanding regional airline, and of course, the undoubted ‘region’s first true low-cost, low-fare airline’ Fly540, has spread its wings to Kakamega with the introduction of daily flights from Nairobi. This is great move in opening up Western Kenya to their growing domestic network, while at the same time opening it up more for tourism and business travel.

The Kenya Tourism Board has, in the recent past, created additional circuits in parts of the country less visited by overseas visitors including Western Kenya among others. Western and Nyanza circuits are suitable preferences for any one seeking off the beaten track African safari experience. The added air-link will no doubt lure tour and safari outfitters in Kenya and across East Africa to be more proactive when promoting these clandestine and offering tours and safaris to the opened up regions.

Western Kenya circuit is home to the well-preserved attractions including the famous only remnant equatorial forest in Kenya – Kakamega forest, the Mt. Elgon National park – famous for numerous salt-filled caves collectively know as Kitum – the caves offer one of the most panoramic elephant salt licking sights in Kenya. This is without mentioning Ndeere Island, the great islands of L. Victoria and the must-visit Impala sanctuary.

Kakamega forest is 15km from town and is home to over 300 bird species, 350 species of trees and 27 species of snakes. In addition, it is the habitat of over 400 species of butterflies, reptiles, molluscs and seven primate species. It is worth adding to your kenya safari itinerary.

Ruma and Saiwa swamp national parks offer the only known protected areas for the endangered yet attractive Roan antelope and Sitatunga respectively. In addition to wildlife, western Kenya is home unique shrines and historical monuments, the Kiti Mikayi and Timlich Ohinga forests, the Kapenguria jail where the first President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta had a stay.

Still on western Kenya safari circuit is Lake Victoria – the world second largest fresh water lake and source of the great River Nile is less that 20 minutes drive from Kisumu city. It also boasts Kogelo village – the paternal home of the US president Barack Obama.

There will be a Fly540 office in Holden Mall near Nakumatt Kakamega town to cover Western Kenya and an office at the Kakamega airstrip. The Fly540 Beech Craft 1900 aircraft will depart from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) each day at 7.00 a.m. The return flights will depart from Kakamega at 8.15 a.m.

Passengers will pay an introductory return fare of Ksh shillings 9,540 plus taxes. Tickets are available from travel agents and the Fly540 offices.

Fly540 commenced operations in November 2006 with a daily flight between Nairobi and Mombasa for local and overseas business and holiday travellers. The airline’s value for money flights won instant popularity and Fly540 now has nine destinations in Kenya with regional services to Bujumbura, Entebbe, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro, Manyara and Serengeti.

Adventure

Kenya Safari

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Camping in Kenya


No doubt, camping safari is the most flexible. You don’t have to follow strict pre-arranged schedules, lodges booked months if not weeks in advance, meal times and such services. Camping safaris go uncompromised. Indeed they are all permitting and you are in for real adventures.

How about camping part of the time, and lodge safari part of the time? You can use Camping safaris to spice up your holiday some more. And whats more, heey! that will also save you a few coins..

There is little impact on nature. Mainly because it does not require much permanent structures which can cause irreversible or long lasting impoverishment on mother nature. The extent here varies, but much lower compared to lodges.

Camping safari offers you a real natural uncompromised experience. Sit by the camp fire, and just listen to the African wildlife and many nocturnal creatures. It is just real nature!

It is an experience that gives a real feeling of adventure that not only brings you closest to the wilds, but also gives you the opportunity to learn a few words in some local languages, make mistakes in pronunciation and laugh together with the camp team. Visit amazing traditionally architected African villages and sample the authentic unsurpassed artifacts of African people.

On several occasions and upon requests to the cook, you get to taste great African cuisines. Some you may like and some you might not, but most importantly, the feeling of exploring is great.

In addition, friends, families or work mates who love outdoor evenings of fun, simple games, or those silly things we enjoy as friends or family, these camping are worth a try.

Camping safari is one of the few styles that will leave you appreciative of the value for your money. And apart from camping in the parks/reserves, Kenya coastal areas have nice beaches to camp too. But checking best locations in advance is always recommended to get more details.

Kenya safaridesk