NATIONAL PARKS & GAME RESERVES
NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The 117 km2 Nairobi National Park is unique by being the only protected area in the world with a variety of animals and birds close to a major city. As expected, the park is a principal attraction for visitors to Nairobi. The park also serves many residents and citizens living in the city.

The park has a diversity of environments with characteristic fauna and flora. Open grass plains with scattered acacia bush predominant. The western side has a highland dry forest and a permanent river with a riverine forest. In addition, there are stretches of broken bush country and deep, rocky valleys and gorges with scrub and long grass. Man-made dams have also added a further habitat, favourable to certain species of birds and other aquatic biota. The dams also attract water dependent herbivores during the dry season.

The park has diverse birdlife with 400 species recorded. However all species are not always present and much depends on season. Northern migrants pass through the park primarily during late March through April.

Nairobi National Park is one of the most successful of Kenya's rhino sanctuaries that is already generating a stock for reintroduction in the species former range. Due to this success, it is one of the few parks where a visitor can be certain of seeing a black rhino in its natural habitat.

To the south of the park is the Athi-Kapiti Plains and Kitengela Migration Corridor. These are vital areas for herbivores disperse over them during the rains and concentrate in the park in the dry season.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

• Black rhinoceros
• Diverse birdlife
• Large predators
• Aggregations of large herbivores
• Ivory Burning Site Monument
• Walking trails.
• Nairobi Safari Walk & the Orphanage.


WILDLIFE

Reptiles:
Python, Cobra, Monitor Lizard, Crocodile Terrapin, Tortoise, Lizard

Insects/arthropods:
Grasshopper, Butterfly, Moth, Beetle, Scorpions.

Major Animals:
Aardwolf; Ant Bear; Bat, Angola Free-tailed; Baboon, Olive; Bat, Banana; Bat, False Vampire; Bat, Hollow-faced; Bat, Lander's Horseshoe; Bat, Rousette Fruit; Bat, White-bellied Free-tailed; Bat, Yellow-bellied; Bat, Yellow-winged; Buffalo African; Bush Baby; Bushbuck; Caracal; Cat, African Wild; Cheetah; Civet, African; Colobus, Black and White; Dik-dik, Kirk's; Dog, Hunting; Dormouse, African; Duiker, Bush; Eland; Fox, Bat-eared; Galago, Greater; Gazelle, Grant's; Gazelle, Thomson's; Genet, Large-spotted; Genet, Small-spotted; Giraffe, Maasai; 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, Side-striped; Klipspringer; Leopard; Lion; Mongoose, Slender; Mongoose, Marsh; Mongoose, Slender; Mongoose, White-tailed; Monkey, Black-faced Vervet; Monkey, Sykes; Otter, Clawless; Porcupine, Crested; Rat, Cane; Rat, Giant; Reedbuck, Chanler's; Rhinoceros, Black; Serval; Shrew, Giant White-toothed; Shrew, Short-snouted; Squirrel, Bush; Squirrel, Striped Ground; Steinbok; Suni; Warthog; Waterbuck, Common; Waterbuck, Defassa; Zebra, Common.

Major Birds:
Dove, Emerald-spotted; Dove, Laughing; Dove, Namaqua; Dove, Pink-breasted; Dove, Red-eyed; Dove, Ring-necked; Dove, Tambourine; Drongo; Duck, African Black; Duck, Fulvous Tree; Duck, Knob-billed; Duck, Red-billed; Duck, White-backed; Duck, Yellow-billed; Eagle, African Fish; Eagle, Ayres' Hawk; Eagle, Bateleur; Eagle, Black-chested Harrier; Egret, Great White; Eremonela, Yellow-bellied; Falcon, Cuckoo; Finch, African Fire; Guinea-fowl, Helmeted...........


ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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

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 NATIONAL PARK

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Amboseli lays 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, which flood 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; Bush Baby; 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, Maasai; 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 NATIONAL PARK

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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, Maasai culture.


WILDLIFE

Reptiles: Python, Cobra.

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

Major Animals: Aardvark; Aardwolf; 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, Maasai; 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....


KAKAMEGA FOREST NATIONAL RESERVE

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Kakamega Forest Reserve covers an area of about 240 km2 and was established to protect the only mid altitude tropical rainforest in Kenya, a remnant and eastern limit of rainforests of Zaire and West Africa. Its West African affinities are unique in Kenya and the forest contains many species found nowhere else in the country.

The forest lies in the Lake Victoria catchment, about 40km north of Kisumu and just east of the Nandi Escarpment that forms the edge of the central highlands. It was first gazetted as a trust forest in 1933 and two small Nature Reserves, Yala and Isecheno were established within the forest reserve in 1967. In 1986 nearly 4,000ha of the northern portion of the forest together with the adjacent Kisere Forest were gazetted as Kakamega Forest National Reserve.

The forest is an important water catchment area with the Isiukhu and Yala rivers flowing through it. The terrain is undulating with often steep sided river valleys. The soils are well-drained, deep, heavily leached clay loams and clays of generally low fertility.

Location:

Kakamega district in Western Kenya and covers an area of 45km2.

Climate:

Annual rainfall over 2,000mm.Most of this rain falls between April and November with a short dry season from December to March. Rain falls mostly in the afternoons or early evenings and is often accompanied by heavy thunderstorms. Average temperatures remain similar between 15°C and 28°C.


MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Kenya’s only tropical rain forest with unique endemic and endangered species of mammals, birds, Butterflies, Snakes.

Activities:

Bird watching, Nature trails, Camping, Night game walks.


WILDLIFE

Reptiles:
Forest Cobra, Black Lipped Cobra, Jamesons Mamba, Rhinoceros-Horned Viper, Nile Monitor, Gabon Viper.

Insects/arthropods:
Goliath Beetle, Stick Insects, Fire flies, Leaf insect, Butterflies.

Major Animals:
Aardvark; Baboon, Olive; Bushbuck; Civet, African; Civet, African Palm; Colobus, Black and White; Duiker, Blue; Duiker, Common; Duiker, Red; Genet, Large-spotted; Hare, African; Hedgehog, East African; Hippopotamus; Hyaena, Spotted; Jackal, Side-striped; Leopard; Mongoose, Slender; Monkey, Black faced Vervet; Monkey, Blue; Monkey, de Brazza's; Monkey, Red tailed; Otter, Clawless; Pangolin, Tree; Pig, Forest Bush; Porcupine, Bush tailed; Porcupine, Crested; Potto; Rat, Giant; Rat, Mole; Shrew, Giant Water; Squirrel, Flying; Squirrel, Giant Forest; Squirrel, Red Legged Sun; Squirrel, Striped Ground.

Major Birds:
Babbler, African Hill; Barbet, Double-toothed; Barbet, Grey-throated; Barbet, Hairy-breasted; Barbet, Speckled; Barbet, Yellow-billed; Barbet, Yellow-spotted; Bee-eater, Blue-headed; Bee-eater, European; Bluebill, Red-headed; Boubou, Tropical; Bristle-bill; Broadbill, African; Bush Shrike, Doherty's; Bush Shrike, Grey-green; Buzzard, Mountain; Camaroptera, Grey-backed; Camaroptera, Olive-green; Chat, Blue-shouldered Robin; Chiffchaff; Cisticola, Chubb's; Coucal, Green; Crake, Buff-spotted Pygmy; Crake, White-spotted Pygmy; Crake, White-spotted Pygmy; Cuckoo, Emerald; Cuckoo, Klaas'; Cuckoo, Red-chested....


LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Lake Nakuru is a very shallow strongly alkaline lake 62 km2 in extent. It is set in a picturesque landscape of surrounding woodland and grassland next to Nakuru town. The landscape includes areas of marsh and grasslands alternating with rocky cliffs and outcrops, stretches of acacia woodland and rocky hillsides covered with a Euphorbia forest on the eastern perimeter.

The lake catchment is bounded by Menengai crater to the north, the Bahati hills to the north east, the lion hill ranges to the east, eburu crater to the south and the mau escarpment to the west. Three major rivers, the njoro, makalia and enderit drain into the lake, together with treated water from the town's sewage works and the outflow from several springs along the shore.

Lake Nakuru was first gazetted as a bird sanctuary in 1960 and upgraded to National Park status in 1968. A northern extension was added to the park in 1974 and the lake was designated as a Ramsar site in 1990. The foundation of the parks food chains is the cyanophyte spirulina platensis which can support huge numbers of lesser flamingo.

Location:
Central Kenya, 140km north-west of Nairobi, in Nakuru District of the Rift Valley Province. It covers an area of 188 km2.

Climate:
Ranges from Cold, Hot and Humid, Hot and Dry. Annual rainfall is 965mm


MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

• Flamingo (Greater and Lesser) and other water birds including a variety of terrestrial birds numbering about 450 species in total.

• Mammals: 56 different species including white rhinos.
• View-points: Lion hill, Baboon cliff and out of Africa
• Hills: Enasoit, Honeymoon, Lion hill ridge etc.
• Waterfalls: Makalia
• Unique vegetation: About 550 different plant species including the unique and biggest euphorbia forest in Africa, Picturesque landscape and yellow acacia woodlands.


WILDLIFE
Major Animals:
Aardwolf; Ant Bear; Baboon, Olive; Bat, African Mouse eared; Bat, African Trident; Bat, Angola Free-tailed; Bat, Banana; Bat, Epauletted Fruit; Bat, False Vampire; Bat, Hollow-faced; Bat, Lander's Horseshoe; Bat, Lesser Leaf-nosed; Bat, Long-eared Leaf nosed; Bat, Rousette Fruit; Bat, Yellow-bellied; Bat, Yellow-winged; Buffalo African; Bush Baby; Bushbuck; Cat, African Wild; Cheetah; Civet, African; Colobus, Black and White; 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, Rothschild's; Hare, African; Hippopotamus; Hyaena, Spotted; Hyrax, Rock; Hyrax, Tree; Impala; Jackal, Black-backed; Jackal, Side-striped; Klipspringer; Leopard; Lion; Mongoose, Dwarf; Mongoose, Marsh; Mongoose, Slender; Mongoose, White-tailed; Monkey, Black faced Vervet; Monkey, Sykes; Pangolin, Lesser Ground; Rat, Cane; Ratel; Reedbuck, Bohor; Reedbuck, Chanler's; Rhinoceros, Black; Serval; Shrew, Giant White-toothed; Shrew, Spectacled Elephant; Steinbok; Waterbuck, Defassa; Zebra, Common.

Major Birds:
Flamingo (Lesser and Greater), Egyptian goose, Great white pelican, Cattle egret, Blacksmith plover, Great white egret, Sacred ibis, Hammerkop, Sandpipers, Black winged stilt, Grey heron, Yellow billed stork, Little Grebe, Great cormorant, Hadada ibis, King fishers, African spoonbill, Green shank, African snipe, African Jacana, African fish-eagle, Marabou stork, Tawny eagle, European roller, Ox peckers, Bee eaters, Secretary bird, Ground hornbill, Ostrich, Augur buzzard, Martial eagle, Kori bustard, Fiscal shrike, Drongo, Starling, Guinea fowls, Yellow necked spurfowl, Mourning dove.



MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Maasai 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. 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 Maasai villages are located in the 'dispersal areas' and they have, over centuries, developed a synergetic relationship with the wildlife.


WILDLIFE

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, which lay in wait for a meal as the wildebeest cross on their annual quest to find new pastures. Every July (or sometimes August), the wildebeest travel over 600 miles (960km) from Tanzania's Serengeti plains, northwards to the Maasai Mara and the Mara River is the final obstacle. In October or November, once they have feasted and the grass has all but gone, they turn around and go back the other way.

Birds, too, are prolific. Including migrants, well over 450 species have been recorded, among them, 57 species of birds of prey.


MERU NATIONAL PARK

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Meru is a savanna National Park, 35km east of Meru town in the north eastern lowlands below the Nyambeni hills. Meru is part of a complex of protected areas along the Tana river that includes the adjacent Bisanadi and Mwingi National Reserves (to the east and south respectively), Kora national park and Rahole national reserve. The wetter North Western sector is hilly, with rich volcanic soils. The land flattens towards the East, where grey alluvial volcanic soils appear.

The area is crossed by numerous permanent streams, draining from the Nyambenes and flowing in parallel between tounges of lava, south eastwards towards the Tana River. As well as the many streams that cross it, the park is bounded by three large rivers: the Tana to the South, the Ura to the South West and the Rojeweru to the East. There are several prominent inselbergs of basement rock, notably Mughwango and Leopard rock. A section of the park has been designated as a wilderness area in which there are no roads. The park is part of the domain made famous by the writings of Joy Adamson.

Location:
East-north-east of Mount Kenya in Meru District of Eastern Province, coverig 870km2.

Climate:
Rainfall is 635-762mm in the west and 305-356mm in the east.

HOW TO REACH THERE

Roads:
Access from Nairobi (348 kms) is via Nyeri-Nanyuki-Meru or via Embu all weather roads. Access into the park from Maua to Murera Gate (35 km) and 348 km from Nairobi. The other access is via Embu to Ura Gate (120 km), 290 km from Nairobi.

Airstrips:
Main airstrip at Kina, Mulika airstrip next to Meru Mulika Lodge.

Park Roads:
The road network in the park has recently been upgraded. However due to the nature of soil, some roads are easily destroyed by vehicles during the rains.

Park Gates:
Murera Gate, Ura Gate.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

• Former home of Joy and George Adamson and Elsa the lioness,
• Views of Mt Kenya,
• Rivers and riverine habitats,
• Tana river and
• Adamson's Falls.

FACILITIES

Special Campsites:- (no facilities, prior booking with Kshs. 5000 needed).
Kampi Baridi; Kitanga; Makutano; Rojoweru; Mugunga; Ken Mare and Kanjoo.
Public campsite:- (with toilets and showers).
Bwatherongi.

ACTIVITIES

Game viewing.

WILDLIFE

Reptiles:
Python, Puff Adder, Cobra.
Insects/arthropods:
Scorpion, Dragon fly, Butterfly, Grasshopper.

Major Animals:
Aardwolf; Ant Bear; Baboon, Olive; Bat, Angola Free-tailed; Bat, Banana; Bat, Epauletted Fruit; Bat, False Vampire; Bat, Flat-headed Free-tailed; Bat, Hollow-faced; Bat, Lander's Horseshoe; Bat, Lesser Leaf-nosed; Bat, Pale-bellied Fruit; Bat, Rousette Fruit; Bat, White-bellied Free-tailed; Bat, Yellow-bellied; Bat, Yellow-winged; Buffalo, African; Bush Baby; Bushbuck; Caracal; Cat, African Wild; Cheetah; Civet, African; Dik-dik, Kirk's; Dog, Hunting; Dormouse, African; Duiker, Blue; Duiker, Bush; Eland; Elephant, African; Galago, Greater; Gazelle, Grant's; Genet, Common; Genet, Large-spotted; Genet, Small-spotted; Gerenuk; Giraffe, Reticulated; Hare, African; Hare, Spring; Hartebeest, Coke's; Hedgehog, East African; Hippopotamus; Hyaena, Spotted; Hyaena, Striped; Hyrax, Rock; Hyrax, Tree; Impala; Jackal, Black-backed; Jackal, Side-striped; Kudu, Lesser; Leopard; Lion; Mongoose, Banded; Mongoose, Dwarf; Mongoose, Large Grey; Mongoose, Marsh; Monkey, Black-faced Vervet; Monkey, Patas; Monkey, Sykes; Oribi; Oryx, Beisa; Otter, Clawless; Pangolin, Lesser Ground; Pig, Forest Bush; Porcupine, Crested; Rat, Cane; Rat, Giant; Rat, Naked Mole; Ratel; Reedbuck, Bohor; Rhinoceros, Black; Rhinoceros, Square-lipped; Serval; Shrew, Giant White-toothed; Shrew, Spectacled Elephant; Squirrel, Bush; Squirrel, East African Red; Squirrel, Striped Ground; Squirrel, Unstriped Ground; Steinbok; Suni, Small-spotted; Warthog; Waterbuck, Common; Zebra, Common; Zebra, Grevy's.

Major Birds:
Duck, African Black; Eagle, African Fish; Eagle, African Hawk; Eagle, Bateleur; Eagle, Black-chested Harrier; Eagle, Brown Harrier; Eagle, Long-crested; Eagle, Martial; Eagle, Steppe; Eagle, Tawny; Eagle, Wahlberg's; Egret; Egret, Great White; Eremonela, Yellow-bellied; Falcon, Pygmy; Falcon, Red-necked; Finch, African Fire; Finch, Jameson's Fire; Finch, Red-billed Fire; Finfoot, African; Fiscal, Long-tailed; Fiscal, Taita; Flycatcher, Ashy.........

COMMON VEGETATION

Most of the park is covered by bush, thornbush and wooded grassland of varying densities with Combretum prevailing in the north and Commiphora in the south. In the extreme north there is a small remnant outliner of rain forest, the Ngaia forest.

The vegetation on the ridges is Combretum wooded grassland, dominated by Combretum apiculatum. This grades into acacia wooded grassland to the east with acacia tortilis and acacia senegal on the rocky ridges, in riverine thickets and dotted over open country. To the west the Combretum merges into Terminalia wooded grasslands.

On the plains Sehima nervosa, Chloris gayana, Chloris roxburghiana, and other species of Pennisetum are the dominant grasses.

Dense riverine forests of doum and raffia palms Hyphaene and Raphia spp. grow along the watercourses and in the swamps near the rivers. Along the Tana river is found the Tana river poplar, populus ilicifolia. Other riverine trees include phoenix reclinata, ficus sycomorus, newtonia hildebrandtii, acacia elatior and acacia robusta. The red-flowered parasitic Loranthus grows on the branches of Acacia reficiens trees along the rivers.

There are numerous riverine swamps with sedges Cyprus sp. and grasses Echinochloa haplacelada and Pennisetum mezianum.



MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK & RESERVE

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Mt. Kenya is an imposing extinct volcano dominating the landscape of the Kenyan Highlands, East of the Rift. Mt. Kenya lies about 140 km North, North-East of Nairobi with its Northern flanks across the Equator. The mountain has two main peaks - Batian (5200m) and Nelion (5188m). The mountains slopes are cloaked in forest, bamboo, scrub and moor land giving way on the high central peaks to rock, ice and snow. Mt. Kenya is an important water catchment area, supplying the Tana and Northern Ewaso Ngiro systems.

The park includes a variety of habitats ranging from higher forest, bamboo, alpine moor lands, glaciers, tarns and glacial morains.

The park, which was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997 ans is also a Biosphere Reserve, covers 715 km2, and includes the Peaks consisting of all the ground above 3200m with two small salients extending lower down to 2450m along the Sirimon and Naro Moru tracks. Surrounding the park is Mount Kenya National Reserve with an area of approximately 2095 km2.

Climate:
Climate, flora and fauna on Mt. Kenya varies with altitude.

HOW TO GET THERE

Access Roads:
175 kms from Nairobi, the park can be reached on Nanyuki-Isiolo road via Sirimon Track or Nyeri-Nanyuki road near Naro Moru. The park is also reachable via Chogoria on the Embu - Meru road, about 150km north of Nairobi.

Airstrips:
The closest commercial airstrip to the park is at Nanyuki.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Pristine wilderness, lakes, tarns, glaciers and peaks of great beauty, geological variety, forest, mineral springs, rare and endangered species of animals, High altitude adapted plains game, Unique montane and alpine vegetation with 11 species of endemic plants.

FACILITIES

Huts:
Liki North Hut; Minto's Hut; Austrian Hut; Mackinders Hut (managed by Naro Moru Lodge); Judmare Hut; Shiptons Hut (managed by Mountain Rock Hotel).

Bandas:
Sirimon Bandas , Warden's Cottage .

Lodges:
Mountain Lodge ( Serena Hotels); Rutundu Fishes Lodge (book through Lets Go Travel)

ACTIVITIES

Mountain climbing, game viewing.

WILDLIFE

Reptiles:
Alpine Meadow Lizard; lizards and skinks; montane viper.

Major animals:
Baboon, Olive; Bat, Banana; Bongo; Buffalo African; Bushbuck; Cat, African Wild; Civet, African; Colobus, Black and White; Dog, Hunting; Dormouse, African; Duiker, Black-fronted; Duiker, Bush; Duiker, Red; Elephant, African; Genet, Large-spotted; Hare, African; Hog, Giant Forest; Hyaena, Spotted; Hyrax, Rock; Hyrax, Tree; Jackal, Black-backed; Jackal, Side-striped; Klipspringer; Leopard; Lion; Mongoose, Slender; Monkey, Sykes; Otter, Clawless; Pig, Forest Bush; Porcupine, Crested; Rat, Crested; Rat, Mt Kenya Mole; Reedbuck, Chanler's; Rhinoceros, Black; Serval; Shrew, Mole; Suni; Zebra, Common.

Major Birds:
Owl, Mackinder's Eagle; Owl, Cape Grass; Owl, African Wood; Owl, African Marsh; Owl, Abyssinian Long-eared; Oriole, Black-winged; Nightjar, Abyssinian; Martin, African Sand; Martin, African Rock; Lanner; Lammergeyer; Kite, European Black; Kite, African Black; Kingfisher, Grey-headed; Kingfisher, Giant; Kestrel, Lesser; Kestrel, European; Ibis, Green; Hornbill, Silvery-cheeked.........

COMMON VEGETATION:

This varies with altitude and rainfall, and there is a rich alpine and sub-alpine flora.

Between 1200m and 1850m, the vegetation is mainly dry upland forest comprising of Croton associations. Juniperus procera and Podocarpus spp. are predominant in the drier parts of the lower zone (below 2,500m), with rainfall between 875 and 1400mm (Naro Moru and Sirimon tracks on the western slopes). In wetter areas (over 2200mm/year) in the south-west and north-east, Cassipourea malosana predominates.

Higher altitudes (2,500-3,000m with rainfall over 2000mm/year) are dominated by a dense belt of bamboo Arundinaria alpina on south-eastern slopes, and a mosaic of bamboo and Podocarpus milanjianus with bamboo at intermediate elevations (2,600-2,800m), and Podocarpus at higher and lower elevations (2,800-3,000m) and (2,500-2,600m).

Towards the west and north of the mountain, bamboo becomes progressively smaller and less dominant. There are also areas in zones of maximum rainfall 2,000-3,500m with up to 2,400mm/year, where Hagenia abyssinica with Hagenia revolutum predominate.

Above 3,000m, cold (low temperatures) become a more important factor, tree stature declines, and Podocarpus is replaced by Hypericum spp. A more open canopy here results in a more developed understorey. Many of the trees are festooned with mosses. Grassy glades are common especially on ridges. High altitude heath between 3,000m and 3,500m is characterised by shrubs with small leaves like African sage, Protea and Helicrysum.

The lower alpine or moor land zone (3,400-3,800m) is characterized by high rainfall, a thick humus layer, low topographic diversity, and low species richness. Tussock grasses Festuca pilgeri, and sedges Carex spp. predominate. Between the tussocks there are Alchemilla cyclophylla, Alchemilla johnstonii, and Geranium vagans. Above the 3500m contour is the Afro-alpine zone, a moor land characterised by tussock grasses, senecios and lobelias.

The upper alpinezone (3,800-4,500m) is more topographically diverse, and contains a more varied flora. Many of the species here are bizarre, especially the giant rosette plants Lobelia telekii and Lobelia keniensis, Senecio keniodendron and Carduus spp.. Senecio brassica is found in both the lower and upper alpine zone.

There are a variety of grasses on well-drained ground and along the streams and river banks such as megaphytic Senecio battescombei and Helichrysum kilimanjari.

Continuous vegetation stops at about 4,500m although isolated vascular plants have been found at over 5,000m. There are 13 species endemic to Mount Kenya listed in Hedberg,(1951).

SHIMBA HILLS NATIONAL RESERVE

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Shimba Hills were gazetted as a National Forest in 1903, grassland areas were incorporated in 1924 and several subsequent extensions took place to bring the Reserve to its present size. In 1968 most of the Reserve was double gazetted as the Shimba Hills National Reserve. Two smaller areas to the west adjoining the reserve and almost entirely forested remain as Forest Reserves; Mkongani North and Mkongani West Forest Reserve. A fenced elephant corridor connects the Shimba Hills with Mwaluganje Forest Reserve to the North.

The Shimba hills are a dissected plateau that ascends steeply from the coastal plains, 30 km south west of Mombasa and just south of Kwale town. The surrounding escarpment rises from around 120m to 300m across the bulk of the plateau and as high as 450m at Marare and Pengo hills. The underlying rocks are the Triassic Shimba Grits and in the north central part near Kwale town Pliecone Magarini sands. Rivers flowing from the hills supply fresh water to Mombasa and the Diani/Ukunda area.

Location:
The reserve is approximately 33 km South of Mombasa, in Kwale district of Coast Province.

Climate:
The climate is hot and moist but is cooler than that at the coast with strong sea breezes and frequent mist and cloud in the early morning. Annual rainfall is 855mm-1682mm. Mean annual temperatures is 24.2 degrees Centigrade.

HOW TO GET THERE

Roads:
The reserve's main access is via Diani. - 56 kms from Mombasa

Airstrips:
The reserve has one airstrip which needs to be fenced, made wider, longer and all weather.

Park Roads:
Inside the Reserve is a 153 km road network that needs rehabilitation.

Park Gates:
Main gate, Kivumoni Gate, Kidongo Gate, Shimba Gate.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

• Scenic landscape comprising of hills and valleys extending beyond the reserve boundaries

• Sheldricks Falls
• Sable antelope
• Coastal rainforest
• Potential for bird-shooting outside the Reserve

FACILITIES

Shimba Hills Lodge
KWS Bandas
2 campsites

WILDLIFE

Reptiles:
Python, Cobra, Lizard, Gecko.

Insects:
Butterflies, Mosquito, Beetle.

Major Animals:
Antelope, Roan; Antelope, Sable; Buffalo, African; Bush Baby; Bushbuck; Colobus, Coastal Black and white; Duiker, Blue; Duiker, Bush; Duiker, Red; Elephant, African; Galago, Greater; Leopard; Lion; Monkey, Black-faced Vervet; Monkey, Sykes; Serval; Shrew, Black and Red; Shrew, Knob-bristled; Suni.

Major Birds:
Eagle, African Hawk; Falcon, Cuckoo; Guinea-fowl, Kenya Crested; Honeyguide, Greater; Hornbill, Crowned; Quail, Blue; Sunbird, Uluguru...

COMMON VEGETATION

The Shimba Hills hold one of the largest areas of coastal rain forest in East Africa after Arabuko Sokoke. The vegetation consists of forested scarp slopes and undulating grasslands interspersed with woodland clumps and ribbons of riverine forest in the steeply cut valleys.

The biggest single patch of the forest is in the south western sector. Tall milicia forest is found on the deep soils of the plateau top and the western escarpment and mature afzelia erythrophloeum forest cover much of the eastern and southern escarpment where the plateau drops to a low-lying area. On steep scarp slopes to both east and west is forest dominated by Chlorophora and Paramacrolobium, a relic forests from an era of much heavier rainfall in Kenya.

Further east and north the forest breaks up into a a mosaic interspersed with scrubland dominated by Lantana and Vernonia, wooded grassland with Syzygium and Hyphaene and open grassland with numerous species including orchids. In the lower western sector of the plateau is coastal bushland with Manilkara Combretum forest.

A total of 1100 plant taxa are recorded, around 280 of which are endemic to the area and 19 threatened tree species. Notable tree species include polyceratocarpus sp, uvariodendron sp, cephalosphaera usamabarensis, diospyros shimbaensis, phyllanthus sacleuxii, pavetta tarennoides, synsepalum kassneri, bauhinia mombassae.

Two Kayas (forests of spiritual and ceremonial significance) are situated within the National Reserve.

TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Tsavo East National Park covers an area of about 12,000 km2, 40% of Kenya's parks' total area. This vast park lies in low semi arid country at the eastern edge of the inland plateau, north of the main Mombasa-Nairobi road and railway. Much of the park is level, open country with scattered rocky ridges and outcrops. Due to its size, the park is one of the world's wildlife and biodiversity strongholds.

The Yatta plateau, a long, flat topped lava ridge, runs along the western boundary of the park. Beneath it flows the Athi river which joins the Tsavo river, just above the Lugard falls, to become the Galana river, a permanent river that cuts right across the park. The seasonal Tiva and Voi rivers are important features of the Northern and Southern sectors respectively. There are scattered seasonal pools, swamps and dams, but relatively few sources of permanent water.

One of the great spectacles of the park is the Mudanda rock between Voi and Manyani. This 1 1/2 km long outcrop is a water catchment area which supplies a natural dam at its base. In the dry season, hundreds of elephants come to drink and bathe here.

Location:
Southeast Kenya, inland from Mombasa; Taita District of Coast Province.

Climate:
The weather in Tsavo is pleasant most of the year. There are two rain seasons. The long rains generally come in March - May and the short rains from October - December.

HOW TO GET THERE

Roads:
From Nairobi via Voi through the Voi gate or Manyani gate. Similarly, from Mombasa via Bachuma gate. From Malindi, via Sala gate.

Airstrips:
There are six airstrips in the southern part of the park and thirteen in the Northern part.
There are no scheduled flights to the park but chartered light planes can be used.

Park gates:
Bachuma, Sala, Manyani.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

• Large herds of elephants and other wildlife.
• Popular legend of Tsavo "The man-eaters of Tsavo".
• Yatta plateau - it is about 290 Km long and is one of the worlds longest lava flows.
• Lugards Falls on the Galana river - This is not a true falls but a series of rapids. Visitors can walk down to the river to view the rapids.
• Mudanda rock - This is a long rock outcrop that is about 1.6Km long. There is a dam at the base. Animals can be seen drinking. Visitors can walk along the rock and enjoy a cool breeze as well as view wildlife at the base.
• Aruba Dam - was built in 1952 across the Voi river. The dam attracts many animals and water birds can be seen at this dam.
• Tsavo/Athi rivers confluence - when the two rivers join they form the Galana river.

FACILITIES

Lodges:
Voi Safari Lodge, Voi Wildlife Lodge.

Tented Camps:
Sala; Westerveld; Galdessa Camp; Epiya Chapeyu; Tsavo Safari; Mukwanju.

Campsites:
Kanderi; Sobo; Roka; Ndololo; Aruba; Ithumba; Rhino Bend; Kyulu Lugga; Tundari; Makoka; Mukwanju

ACTIVITIES

Game viewing; Walking Safaris along the Galana; Bird watching.

WILDLIFE

Reptiles:
Crocodile, Python, Gecko, Lizard, Puff Adder.

Insects:
Grasshopper, Butterfly, Beetle, Bee

Major Animals:
Aardwolf; Ant Bear; Baboon, yellow; Bats (several); Buffalo; Bush Baby; 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, Maasai; 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.

COMMON VEGETATION

Though the vegetation can generally be categorised as bushed grassland, the park has open plains alternating with savanna bush and semi-arid acacia scrub and woodlands. There are also belts of riverine vegetation. The vegetation is generally denser in the west where rainfall is around 450mm per year than in the drier east, which may receive only around 250mm. Along the rivers is a narrow fringe of woodland and thicket dominated by acacia elatior, the doum palm - hyphaene compressa and the shrub, suaeda monoica. The northern part of the park is predominantly more or less dense acacia commiphora woodland. South of the Galana, the park has been opened out over the years by fire and elephants to form open bushed grassland. Common shrubs here include species of Premna, bauhinia and sericocomopsis and scattered trees such as delonix elata and melia volkensii. The Yatta plateau has a cover of dense bushland with strands of Baobab - adansonia digitata.

And please get your Smartcard when visiting.

TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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 rivernie 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 Shaitani lava flow, an example of a recent volacano.

In the far south western corner on the Kenya Tanzania border is Lake Jipe, part of which is in the park. This very attractive lake is fed by runoff from Mt. Kilimanjaro and the North Pare mountains.

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.

HOW TO GET THERE

Roads:
The main access routes are through Chyulu Gate from Amboseli and Mtito Andei Gate from Nairobi (240 km) and Mombasa. Visitors from Mombasa also use Tsavo Gate near Manyani. The park can also be reached via Taveta-Jipe road.

Airstrips:
Kamboyo, Kilaguni, Tsavo Gate and Maktau airstrips are in good condition.

Park Gates:
Chyulu, Mtito Andei, Tsavo, Jipe, Maktau Gate, Kasigau Gate.

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.

FACILITIES

Lodges:
Lake Jipe Safari Lodge; Ngulia Lodge; Kilaguni Lodge; Bobby's Camp.

Campsites:
Lake Jipe (public); Kamboya (public); Royal Little (special); Lake Jipe; Chyulu Gate; Diani Camp; Finch Hattons Camp.

Bandas:
Lake Jipe ; Kitani; Ngulia.

Picnic Sites:
Poachers look out; Chaimu Crater; Shetani caves; Roaring Rocks.

WILDLIFE

Reptiles:
Python, Cobra, Tortoise, Lizard.

Major Animals:
Aardwolf; Ant Bear; Baboon, yellow; Bats (several); Buffalo; Bush Baby; 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, Maasai; 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.

COMMON VEGETATION

Most of the northern sector is acacia commiphora bushland with scattered trees such as baobabs - adansonia digitata and delonix elata. In the Ngulia area, a range of craggy hills reaches around 1800m and is heavily wooded. The southern sector consists of open grassy plains. The permanent tsavo river runs through the northern part of the park with a fringe of riverine acacia elatior and hyphaene compressa woodland. Lake Jipe is bordered by extensive beds to Typha and has large permanent swamps at its eastern and western ends. Mzima springs, is fringed by Raphia farinifera and Phoenix reclinata palms.

And please get your Smartcard when visiting.