A trip to Lamu Island
Lamu Island is just but a small town in Kenya located on Lamu Island. It is one of Kenya’s oldest surviving towns which happen also to be the original home for the Swahili people.
Lamu Island has a combination of people from different Ethnicity. For example accounts of Chinese ships of Zheng He fleet sinking around Lamu Island in Kenya back in the 14 century have recently been confirmed by archeologists. The survivors settled in Lamu Island and married local women. DNA tests have proven that some inhabitants of Lamu actually have Chinese origins.
A trip to Lamu Island will give you a glimpse of the port of Lamu which has been in existence for not less than a thousand years.
Major Attractions
Popular tourist sites in Lamu Island include Swahili architecture and since this ancient city is officially listed as having the best preserved Swahili settlement in the whole of East Africa.
Tourists visiting Lamu Island are requested not to wear very short cloths or bikinis since majority of Lamu Islanders are Muslims.
Lamu Museum is another must visit facility. It is home to the island’s Ceremonial horn. Other must visit sites are:-
Lamu Fort
This historic fort was built by Fumu Madi ibn Abi Bakr who was the Sultan of Pate to protect members of his unpopular government. The Sultan died in 1809 before he completed the fort, it came to be completed in the early 1820. Today is has become a popular tourist destination. It is definitely a site to behold.
Riyadha Mosque
This is the home of Maulidi or cultural festivals. Maulidi or cultural festivals. Maulidi festivals celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed. The festival takes place every other November. It is during this time you get to interact with Muslims from the wider East Africa region as they sing praises of Prophet Mohamed. Lots of other fun activities including donkey and dhow racing, Swahili dances, locals exhibiting crafts such as canoe building and wood carvings
Donkey Sanctuary
Lamu Island has no motor transport, lots of transportation is done with the help of donkeys. Approximately 2000 – 3000 working donkeys are found in this historic island. This facility provides treatment for all the working donkeys free of charge.
Lamu Island is has a blend of different ethnicity due to the fact that it a was a center for slave trade. Since the town was frequented by the Arabs most of the population here is mainly Muslim.
Backpackers looking for an extraordinary authentic experience, Lamu Island is the place to be.
At the end of the entire world….Lies the great Lamu Island!!
Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge
The Lodge has a capacity of 70 rooms all en suite, with each room having a private balcony. the lake draws a number of game at the shores including the buffalo, colobus monkey and giraffe.
Facilities & services
Swimming pool
Tennis court
Gift shop
Gymnasium
Sauna and massage services
Outdoor activities
Bird watching
Game drives
Nature walk
boat rides
Fishing
Eden Roc Hotel
Eden Roc hotel is situated in Malindi About 120 kilometers north of Mombasa town, and only 5 minutes from Malindi airport. it is build on a coral rift and composes of two main buildings with 150 self contained rooms and 15 luxurious suits. The culinary delights range from local to international cuisines with two restaurants specializing in sea foods.Facilities include kids swimming pool,sea water swimming pool, fresh water swimming pool,flood lit tennis court,business center,spacious tropical gardens, satellite TV room, open air disco, conference center with 80 sitting capacity.
Adams Arcade
Adams arcade is a small shopping complex that has been around for more than 15 years, it is located along ngong road about 4 kms from the city center, there are a number of shops that have recently been upgraded and other new ones opened which attract between 2 to 5000 visitors a day, who mainly come to shop and use other facilities in the complex,
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some of the outlets that attract more people include the Tuskys and Uchumi supermarket, Java restaurant and the Mc frys restaurant.
The shopping area has gained much popularity that the whole area has been named after it, including the opposite side which has nothing to do with the place.
If you are visiting for the first time, you might want to check out the curio shop next to the parking lot just behind the petrol station, it has great collection from the maasai market which includes carvings, african materials, kiondos, hats, bangles etc. at affordable prices.
Outlets
Tuskys Supermarket
Uchumi Supermarket (behind the center)
Mpesa agent
Mc frys restaurant
Java Coffee house
Kitengela Glass shop
KPLC office
Butchery (fish, beef, chicken)
etc.
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Kabiria Satelite
Kabiria covers an area of about 4 sq kms, it is a small residential area 10 kms from the Nairobi city center and about 5 kms from Karen. the population is about 40,000, with 2 public primary schools, 1 public high school and 3 colleges one being named after the the great Paramount chief Kinyanjui.
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Majority of the people in this area are poor, living under 5 dollars a day, access to clean water is a major challenge and most families depend on bore hole water.
Despite the few challenges that the area suffers from there is still a lot to see and different ways contribute.
The kivuli center which is a home to more than 100 orphaned children and others from poor families started by Father Kizito is a great place to spend a day playing and teaching the children. other activities include basketball and soccer playing, drama, aerobics etc. behind the center is the Ngong forest, home to hundreds of bird species and great sites to see.
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Accomodation near Lake Nakuru National park
Lake Nakuru National park which is located about 140 kilometers north west of Nairobi covers an area of about 188 sq kms, it has over 50 mammal and over 400 bird species.
The greatest attraction in the park is Lake Nakuru with its hundreds of thousands of flamingos. The lake which is shallow and salty was created in 1968 in an effort to protect flocks of flamingos that live along the shoes of the lake and feed on the algae.
Accomodations
Since the park is only 2 hours from the capital city Nairobi, it is possible make a day trip and back, however if you are looking for that peace of mind and a quiet and more wild experience there are a few places to consider.
Overlooking the lake is an accommodation facility that will offer you more than quality service, it has 67 rooms with 24 hour service, laundry and dry cleaning services, gift shop,restaurants and a bar,currency exchange, outdoor pool, baby sitting or child care plus other great facilities.
The Lodge offers a perfect location to view and take photos of the flamingos feeding along the beautiful shoes of the lake, it is set in a quiet, warm and relaxed atmosphere.There is a nice view from the upstairs rhino paddock cocktail bar overlooking the lake.
Facilities
A gift shop
Conference room
internet
photocopy services
outdoor swimming pool
Facilities
A gift shop
Conference room
internet
photocopy services
outdoor swimming pool
A Night at Keekorok Lodge
About 280 kilometers from Nairobi lies lies the great Maasai mara, one of the seven wonders of the world, the unique game reserve which is home to thousands of creatures will leave you speechless as you drive through it, the behavior of the animals will entertain and teach you lessons of a lifetime. Within the park is an accommodation facility offering the exclusive services you will find in most major hotels and more, the Keekorok lodge. with over 45 years of service to visitors, you wont expect them to go wrong.
The Lodge has 89 double rooms, 8 superior rooms and 4 suites. other facilies and services include a gift shop, game ride,conference facilities,beauty therapy and massage,laundry,mosquito nets,telephone and fax,Tv lounge and a swimming pool.
Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort Mombasa
It is set in one of the largest stretch of coastline in Mombasa and covers an area of about 22 acres of land; it is situated along Mombasa Malindi highway, it is only ten minutes drive From the city center and about 15 from the largest airport in the coast province. Next to this beach resort is the largest animal sanctuary in Mombasa, the Haller Park.
The facilities and services include 4 restaurants, 3 bars, a TV lounge, internet access, conference facilities, currency exchange facility, massage and spa treatment, a hair salon and room laundry service. Children are also not left out; there is a special swimming pool, water slides, mini playground, children buffet and special meal requests for infants.
The hotel has a total of 338 spacious and well serviced rooms with a 24 hour check out and room service, mini bar, deposit box, WLAN access, telephone, King sized or double beds, air conditioning, hair dryer and a Mini bar. For outdoor activities, there is water sports center, volleyball and beach volleyball, jet skiing, wind surfing and canoeing.
The hotels’ location and facilities makes it ideal for both business and holiday guests with its quick accessibility and a well equipped leisure resort
10 Must Visit Places in Nairobi
Welcome to East Africa's dream city,also known as the heart of east Africa. Apart from the luxurious hotels and other great modern facilities there are a lot of great places that you will find interesting, the Parks and Museums are just but part of these.
Located about 7 kilometers from the city center, the park offers a great variety of animals, the most common being the Lion,black rhino, cheetah, buffaloes, hyena,wilder beast and many others including hundreds of bird species. The park is unique as it is the only one in the world to be located close to the city center. the city's skyscrapers can be clearly seen from the park, presenting a beautiful scene of urban mixed with nature.
Arrange with your travel agent or a friend to get to these exciting places.
1. Maasai market
Located within Nairobi's city center, maasai market is the place to find all sots of African products like curios, African garments,paintings, jewelery, shoes and many others. if you fall in love with Africa, this is the place to visit and buy a special gift to carry home for yourself or that special someone in your life.You will need to carry cash since its an open air market and no electronic machines are available but you wont need to worry, its probably the safest open air market in Kenya if not the second.
For specific directions and guide please email mugwandia@gmail.com
2. Karen Blixen museum
Have you watched the famous movie Out of Africa? then you are closer than ever to the true story, this used to be the home of the author of this great work. Karen, a Denmark national, who lived most of his life in Kenya at the foot of Ngong hills. Most of the original furniture, books and journals are still in the museum.
3. Nairobi national park
Located about 7 kilometers from the city center, the park offers a great variety of animals, the most common being the Lion,black rhino, cheetah, buffaloes, hyena,wilder beast and many others including hundreds of bird species. The park is unique as it is the only one in the world to be located close to the city center. the city's skyscrapers can be clearly seen from the park, presenting a beautiful scene of urban mixed with nature.
4. Kenyatta international conference center
Named after the former head of state and freedom fighter Jommo Kenyatta, the building is used for major international and local conferences. the main conference hall has a capacity of over 4,000
delegates. it is located in the city center opposite the parliament and between 2-5 minutes drive from major 5 star hotels. the design is very unique and visible from most parts of the city. There is also a revolving restaurant at the top where you can enjoy your meal as watch the city's skyscrapers.
5. Ngong hills
Found in the great rift valley with Maasai huts visible from a distance, you only need to bring your camera,hiking shoes and a bottle of water for your way to the top.A view of the whole city can easily be captured on top of this ridge located 30 mins away from the city center.
6. Snake Park
Adjacent to the national museum in Nairobi is this beautiful park, home to hundreds of snakes of different species, size and color. within its compound,there is also a pond that is home to African crocodiles and fish.You can also get a close look at some of the largest tortoises ever that just roam around the park and make friends to the visitors.
7. National Archives
It is located in the city center, just opposite the Hilton hotel, it holds historical documents, photos, tribal photographs,musical instruments and many other exhibits that give you complete facts about the history of the people of Kenya.
8. Girraf center
Located about 6 kilometers from the Nairobi city center, this is probably the only place to get up close and personal with the giraffes. you need to get to the park and experience just how much fun it is to feed and pet them.
9. David Sheldick Foundation
Experience the wildlife-human friendship in this home where
orphaned and wounded animals are taken care of before being released into the wild. it is run by a charitable organization started by a famous naturalist David sheldick.
10.African Heritage House
Located at carnivore just a few minutes drives from the city center is this great shopping complex rich in African traditional goods, from textiles to jewelery, purely made by hands from all over Africa.
Garissa
Garissa is a town in north eastern side of the country, it is the capital of the Garissa district and has a population of about 150,000. it is manly a semi desert area with major economic activity being pastoralism, however there is a lot to see around.
Majority of the inhabitants here are the Ethnic Somalis with different clans and sub-clans, who sometimes fight over grazing lands.
Garissa is sorounded by great national Parks, one of them being Kora National reserve where you can get a clear view of the hippos, elephants, cheetahs and many others.
Other Parks include the Arawale national reserve,Rahole National Reserve and south Kitui National reserver.
Some of the towns bordering Garissa include Irange to the north, Abarat and Korokora to the South.
www.5cense.com
Accomodation
Garissa Guest house
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