Safari holidays are more traditionally based in Africa, though
they are now becoming more popular in unusual destinations, such
as tiger watching in India, whale watching in Iceland and
searching for the fauna of the Amazon. Southern Africa provides
a very different style of safari holidays. Safaris Botswana,
Namibia, Zambia and South Africa are all very different, from
the deserts of the Etosha pan, the great Elephant herds and
Okavango delta of Botswana to the tarmac roads of the enormous
Kruger National park.
East Africa is the best location for classic safari holidays,
with the great plains of the Masai Mara and the Seregeti
providing the worlds greatest safari spectacle with the great
migration.
Mount Kenya
Now something for the climbers. The best dates for climbing is
from January to February and then again from August to
September. Mount Kenya is a extinct volcano and lies across the
equator. You need to be an experienced climber and few make it
to the top; the highest peaks are Nelion and the slightly higher
Batian at 17,058ft, Lenana (16,354) is the most popular peak for
climbers and is easier for the less experienced. You are often
accompanied by a guide, just to make sure everything goes to
plan. There are huts which you can use to rest and catch your
breath, nowhere offers food so you should always take food,
water and extra clothes to be on the safe side. As you walk up
the mountain you experience the true beauty of the scenery which
is awe inspiring. There is also a varied amount of animals such
as baboons, black rhino, bongos, buffalo, hyena, leopards and
zebras
Tsavo East National Park
This is one of Kenya's oldest and largest parks, but huge
areas, mainly to the north of the Galana River, are completely
closed to the public . The southern accessible area of the park
includes the Kanderi Swamp and the Aruba Dam on the Voi river
and has large concentrations of game including hippo, giant
crocodiles lion, leopard, waterbuck, kudu, zebra and ostrich. It
is also home to the largest herds of elephant in Kenya, usually
covered in red dust. The park provides for excellent photography
with it's spectacular views such as Mudanda Rock and Yatta
Plateau (the world's largest lava flow)
As one of Kenya's oldest parks a lot of the areas (mainly to
the north of the Galana River) are closed to tourists mainly due
to poaching (but lately the warden has been allowing tourists to
certain parts). The areas that are certain to be open to the
public Mundana Rock, Yatta Plateau (the world's largest lava
flow) and Aruba Dam that is a perfect watering hole for hippos
and giant crocodile, while on land lions, ostrich and zebras
roam around. The park has vast herds of elephants which provide
an excellent viewing opportunity.
Tsavo West National Park
Set on the main Mombasa/Nairobi road Tsavo West National Park.
The Shetani Lava Flow (a huge lava bed) and caves, the caves can
be explored but you must make sure you take a torch and caution
must be taken as there are sharp rocks and brittle lava to
compete with. The Mzimba Springs is probably the main attraction
of the park which is home to crocodiles and hippos. The park has
three rivers winding through it (The Athi, The Galana and the
Tsavo) This means there are lots of game including buffalo,
cheetah, crocodile, giraffe, leopard, lion and zebra.
