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Adventures in Kenya
The Republic of Kenya lies on the eastern coast of African continent, nearly split in half by the equator. The terrain is extremely varied, with beautiful beaches on the Indian Ocean on one side of the country and some of the highest mountains in Africa on the other with dry grasslands and desert in between. This ecological diversity makes Kenya a great spot for adventure seekers and the government has taken steps to ensure these areas retain their natural rustic charm by creating large, open national parks. No wonder Kenya is considered a top destination for a safari!
The country gets its name from Mount Kenya, the 17,000-foot-tall peak in the central mountain range a few hours northeast Nairobi, the capital. Only Mount Kilimanjaro, in neighboring Tanzania, is taller on the entire continent. Its striking rock face was considered the home of Ngai, a Kikuyu tribal god. The higher peaks (Batian and Nelion) require a fair amount of climbing skill, but there are trails for hikers to reach the third-highest (Lenana) and mountainside huts for overnight camping. The glacial climate at the top gives way to lush forests below, fed by runoff that provides water for almost half the country and 70% of its hydroelectric power. On top of all that, the surrounding reserve has several lakes and springs populated by many species of wildlife, including monkeys, leopards and the tree hyrax.
Amboseli National Park, in southern Kenya, may be the most famous in the country. The 151-square-mile park is a grassy plain bordering Tanzania, allowing spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day. It is best known for two things: wandering elephants and the Maasai people. Travelers work their way around the park in vehicles along designated trails, observing the massive animals or visiting the legendary nomadic people who still farm cattle in the area. As with Kenya itself, the land is differs greatly from one end of the park to the other. In the northwestern corner, the dry lake bed of Amboseli lake cooks visitors on the salt pan. Meanwhile, closer to the center of the park, watershed from Kilimanjaro snow creates two large springs, creating swampland perfect for viewing hippos and water buffalos soaking to keep cool.
Of to the West, Maasai Mara National Park is the most-visited of Kenya’s National Parks. It is a continuation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, which allows a large number of animals to wander freely across the grasslands free from poachers. Though the large population of Big Cats is considered the major draw, many visitors come to this part of Kenya simply to see the Great Migration. In July, huge groups of wildebeests, antelopes and zebras move from one side of the border to the other looking for improved grazing lands – some estimate as many as 2 million animals make the trip.
Those in search of some history alongside splendid views of wildlife will probably like Lake Turkana, the largest permanent desert lake in the world. Many Nile crocodiles lie in wait for animals looking for a drink, so it’s possible you’ll see the circle of life at work. Out in the surrounding park, archaeologists and paleontologists continue to unearth fossils from early hominids, as Kenya is considered to be one of the longest-inhabited places for ancestral humans. Though off the beaten track, the combination of its stunning views and friendly neighboring tribes have made it a favorite for those who trek to this spot in the Great Rift Valley.
