Holiday upcountry

Ever thought there’s very little to enjoy on a holiday in Kenya’s upcountry? Think again. Visit little known Kesses village, near Eldoret town, in North Rift Kenya. This is about 300km from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. One diverts from the Eldoret-Nairobi highway to Kesses at Cheptiret, about 25km to Eldoret. The main economic activity here is farming.

The dam covers an area of nearly 3km squared. Its shores have an extensive growth of papyrus reeds. It is an eye catching scene, of vast clear waters with tiny waves. On the main side of the dam, there is a picnic site with well kept grass and several round wooden shelters with grass roofs. This presents a perfect spot to have lunch or some quiet time as you enjoy the breathtaking view.

To spice up your experience while there, you can enjoy a boat ride. The boats can carry a maximum of 30 people. However, it is necessary to wear a life jacket, especially if you do not know how to swim. The life jacket keeps you floating while in the water. Local tourists and residents like to take a plunge from the boats into the water. A swim here is an unforgettable experience as one tries to beat the current because the water flows slowly as it was built along river’s course.

There is also some fishing that takes place, though not on a large scale and at times sport fishing. On a lucky day, you can find some kayaking going on. At times kayaking competitions are held here.

Hotels where one can enjoy his or her time while in Eldoret include Hotel Sirikwa, Poa Place among others. Both of these have swimming pools, posh lodging facilities and ample parking space.

KIBO SAFARI CAMP

Amboseli National Park is located in Loitoktok, Rift-valley Province. The park covers 392km2 and was established in 1974 as a national park. Amboseli National Park is famous for its free-ranging elephants. While you are on a visit to Amboseli you can enjoy your stay at Kibo Safari Camp; which derives its name from the Kibo Peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro; which is located 5 minutes drive to Kimana Gate.

Kibo Safari Camp is a luxury tented camp located at the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The camp offers a soothing atmosphere for a weekend getaway or even a short budget holiday to chill out and relax. On arrival you are welcomed by a glass of cold fruit juice by the staff there before being ushered to your respective tents. The camp’s all 71 tents are self-contained with both a flushable washroom and a hot shower bath-room within it; the beds are comfortable and spacious and they also have family tents with a capacity of 8 people. After freshening up and settling in the rooms you head out for your lunch which in my own opinion is something to long for as the dining area is well organized making it more attractive, the food is well prepared for the guest’s to sample whatever they feel like eating be it traditional, modern or vegetarian food as all of that is well catered for at the camp; if your partner has a birthday while on your safari you can arrange with the camp to make it a surprise to him/her during evening meal time as this will just blow them off and make your safari in Kenya even more memorable. Kibo offers a variety of activities which you may undertake. They include game viewing, bird watching, team building, and holding conferences, among others. There is also an alternative of cultural tourism where you visit the Masai village to sample some of their culture, songs and dances. The location of the camp makes it ideal for the breath taking morning and evening view of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The drive to Kibo Safari Camp takes 4 hours while using Nairobi- Mombasa road as it is tarmac up to Emali (166 Km) and murram from Emali to Kimana Gate(91Km). In between your morning and evening game drives you can enjoy a cold swim in the Jumbo swimming pool or just sunbathe as you enjoy the cool breeze blowing. The Hakuna Matata massage parlor offers some quality massage manicure and pedicure services which will make your body feel more revitalized for the next few days of the safari. With Acacia trees located just outside it, the camp’s Karibu bar is the best place to enjoy a drink as it offers a wide range of alcoholic drinks such as cocktails wine and beer and it’s opened till late. Before retiring to bed you can enjoy an evening dance from the Masai dancers around the campfire.

As you wind up your stay at the Camp get a souvenir at the gift shop to act as a reminder of the adventure you had on your safari in the Amboseli National Park.

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Tanzania Travel Tips

Tanzania is a land of tropical forest, savannah, grasslands, mountains, shimmering lakes, sandy beaches and coral reefs. It is one of the world’s last great wildlife refuges. Tanzania also has fascinating mix of people and cultures living on the mainland and residing on the islands of Zanzibar including Masai.

Bagamoyo Town

Bagamoyo town was the centre of the 19thcentury slave trade. The name Bagamoyo is derived from the Swahili bwaga moyo, which means "where the heart lays down its burden".

Many of the European explorers passed through here, including Burton, Speke, Grant, Stanley and Livingstone.There are unlimited tourist attractions within easy reach of Dar es

Salaam, the arrival City. These include the Islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia located in the range of 50 – 100 km away; national parks,which include Mikumi, Selous, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. The permanently snow capped Mt. Kilimanjaro (the highest in Africa) is also within reach from Arusha and Moshi Towns.

Getting in and around Dar es Salaam /Tanzania

By Air - Dar es Salaam is approachable through International Airlines flying into Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Air Port which is thirty minutes drive from the City Centre. These include British Airways, KLM, Swiss Air, Air Tanzania, Precision Air, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Malawi, Gulf Air, Emirates,Yemen Air and South African Airlines among others. Connections can also be made through Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) which is forty five minutes fly to the Dar es Salaam City and thirty minutes drive from the Arusha City.

By Bus - Dar es Salaam, is about 900 kilometres (twelve hours drive) from Nairobi, Kenya. Intercity buses abound, and you can reach almost any town, big or small, by bus.

Car Hire – There are many car hire companies in Dar es Salaam, Arusha

and other major towns. They can be hired with or without drivers. An International Driver’s License is required, and the driving is on the left hand side of the road.

Languages

Swahili and English is spoken in major towns and tourist areas, a visitor should be able to get along quite well with English only.

Widlife and excursions

Sightseeing - Tanzania is indeed unsurpassed Africa in the bounty of its wildlife and the beauty of the land: Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain; all of Africa’s Great Lakes; the best game parks in the world; hiking and nature trails such as the Usambara Mountains; the fabulous island of Zanzibar.

Shopping - Locally made products are available at good prices: batiks, Tingatinga paintings, carvings (especially the Makonde artwork), basket ware, jewellers of all kinds, textiles, and more.

Climate

The Tanzanian climate is tropical with temperatures averaging 26.6°C. The central plateau is dry and arid with hot days and cool nights, while the northwest highlands are cool and temperate. June to September is the cooler season. The “long rains’ are from-March to

May and the “short rains” are between October and December. The hottest months are between October and February with temperatures averaging 32°C. .

Clothing

In Dar es Salaam the coast, summer wear would suffice. For safaris in the north, during the day, light clothing. Sturdy shoes are recommended. Canvas hats. For Kilimanjaro or other treks, check with a mountain specialist before departure. To bring: sunscreen, lotions, sunglasses, mosquito cream and binoculars.

On safari, avoid brightly colored clothes, they may alarm the animals, browns, beiges and khaki are preferred. Short-sleeve shirts/blouses and shorts are ideal, but pack a sweater, it can be chilly in the early morning and in the evening.

Currency

The basic unit is the Tanzanian shilling. It advisable to carry American dollars. Bureau dechange also accept the major convertible currencies. Travelers’ cheques are exchangeable in some places. Major credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels.

Electricity 230 volts AC, 50 Hz

Zanzibar

Travelers may enter Zanzibar directly by air or by sea (e.g., cruise ships). There are frequent air and ferry services from Dar es Salaam, and some services from Tang

Prices for Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing 2008 Safaris

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