Tourism creates jobs for local people in Kenya and people can learn new skills in tourism services and construction 6. Visitors get an insight into local customs and traditions.
Foreign companies may bring foreign workers to do the skilled jobs; so local people only do low skilled, poorly paid work. Important projects for local communities might be side lined as infrastructure developments are focused on tourists. Pollution and disruption to wildlife habitats could occur if tourism isn't sustainable. The Kenyan people are warm, friendly and hospitable. The unique culture of some of the ethnic groups, especially the Maasai, is a great experience to be enjoyed.
These, together with many other animals that are unique to Africa, can be seen at the national parks and game reserves throughout Kenya. A Natural wonder of the world The wildebeest migration in Maasai Mara is one of the natural wonders of the world. Lamu is known for being the best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa. Other World Heritage Sites include Fort Jesus in Mombasa, a historical monument built by the Portuguese in , and the Ruins of Gedi, built in the 14th century to encourage the Arab-African trade and other unexploited gems of Kenya scenery that include the Kerio Valley escarpment — a popular destination for Paragliding.
Thee are just a few reasons why you should come visit. If these are not reasons to visit Kenya and even become a citizen: , i do not know what is : :. Home City Guides. Voyager Beach Resort, Mombasa. Desert Rose Lodge, Samburu. See All. The Ark, Aberdare National Park.
Sanctuary Olonana ,Masaai Mara. Scorpio Villas,Malindi. As the wildebeests become more restless, you know that the time is growing close. Suddenly, without any warning, the first gnu stumbles down the ledge, its body twisting and contorting.
With a final desperate jump, it lands in the muddied water of the Mara River. With eyes wide from panic, the animal begins its solo journey across the river. Thousands more wildebeests follow in an onslaught of movement, transforming the swirling river into a frenzy of splashing water, drowning calves and battling prey and ferocious predator like crocodiles.
The river fills with carcasses of the hundreds that were too weak or slow to make the crossing, and gigantic vultures begin to feed on the bodies at the banks. Joy fills your heart, though, as you see a mother help her exhausted calf climb the slippery slope on the other side of the river. Its parks, reserves and private conservancies are home to some of the highest and most diverse populations of wildlife on the planet.
Traveling across vast landscapes bathed in soft morning light, your African dreams unfold before your eyes. Visit the grassy plains and swamplands of Amboseli National Park to see an iconic scene — elephants silhouetted against the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro on the border of northern Tanzania. Flanking these elegant animals are graceful giraffes, energetic antelopes, buffalos, zebras, hippos, warthogs and many other herbivores. High concentration of predators abounds in Masai Mara National Reserve!
Lions, leopards, cheetahs and other powerful hunters thrive on resident prey animals year-round, and the wildebeest migration brings a greater bounty to the plains. Laikipia in northern Kenya offers you the second highest density of wildlife in Kenya, including the Big 5 — elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, lions and leopards. Mane-less lions, hyenas and cheetahs elegantly stalk their prey of gazelles, elands, impalas and other small creatures from the cover of tall grasses in Tsavo East and West National Parks!
Stand along the shores of the famous alkaline Lake Nakuru where millions of flamingos gather to devour over , kilograms of the algae that lends to their brilliant pink plumage. These lesser and greater rosy-colored feathered creatures mingle amongst one of the highest concentrations of long-crested eagles, as well as cormorants, goliath herons, African fish eagles, pink-backed pelicans and other speckled birds, all accounting for only a small sample of the more than recorded species.
Like Lake Nakuru, the lake attracts millions of Lesser and Greater flamingos, but the raptors steal the show in fresh waters lakes like Baringo. Soaring high above you, powerful winged hunters scan the water for fish and other edible delights. In a flash, a tawny, steppe or fish eagle swoops down and grabs a twitching prey with its immense talons. Yet another cornucopia of avi-fauna is yours to explore at Lake Naivasha , a freshwater lake that is situated at an elevation of meters.
Set amidst a volcanic landscape, the lake attracts many of the most-desired birds — black herons, great white egrets, black-lored babblers, kingfishers and many other of the over species that have been recorded at the lake.
Another smaller alkaline lake is Elementaita , sandwiched between Naivasha and Nakuru. The conservancies encompass vital habitats and migration paths that would otherwise be lost. As a guest of AfricanMecca Safaris, you have access to the inimitable safari experiences that are available only in these private conservancies. The possibilities are almost endless in what you may discover. The conservancies that surround Masai Mara take you into remote areas of the ecosystem with limited number of camps and guest vehicles.
Venture out under the cover of darkness to watch a pride of lion feast upon their night kill, and watch the delightful antics of bush babies in a wooded outback. Walk with a Maasai warrior through the bush to locate signs of animal activity, such as scat, tracks, carcasses and slumbering areas.
As you engage in the tiny world of blossoms and insects, you listen to ancient folklore and learn the medicinal uses of plants. You can even hike to a secluded location in a conservancy and fly camp amidst the wildlife and wilderness, or float above the plains in a hot air balloon!
Your adventurous exploration of Kenya continues at private conservancies in Laikipia , from Lewa in the eas t to Mugie in the north.
Imagine delving into the Kenyan outback on horseback or while riding a camel. See the flora, wildlife and terrain from the seat of a bi-plane, and take a helicopter ride to an isolated location to camp overnight!
If you feel the need to maintain your physical fitness, you can mountain bike across the savannah where giraffes, elephants, zebras, rhinos, varied antelopes and other animals graze and forage. For even more action-packed excitement, you can trek up Mount Kenya and quad bike in Borana Conservancy! AfricanMecca arranges authentic village visits that go beyond mere scripted tours!
Any question asked of a tour operator in advance is likely to be met with a very satisfactory answer. Asking the tour operator for the contacts of someone who has been on, say, a homestay before, so you can call and talk to them about their experience would be useful.
Culture clash: the rise of sex tourism As in many countries where wealthy tourists exist alongside impoverished local communities, sex tourism has long been an issue in Kenya, particularly along the coast in areas such as Malindi, Mombasa and Diani.
Disturbingly, children under the age of 18 are engaged in commercial sexual exploitation. Some have been forced into this through poverty and the need to support their families; others have been trafficked.
This practice is illegal in Kenya, and some progress has been made in recent years to tackle it. In , Kenya's parliament passed a national policy on the elimination of child labour and the Kenyan police established a Child Protection Unit to investigate child exploitation. Sadly, child labour is still prevalent. Hunting for a solution? Always ahead of the game in African tourism, Kenya banned trophy hunting in , as it became clear that wildlife could be worth more alive than dead thanks to its growing tourism industry.
Drought and a wave of violence in Laikipia County, involving armed herders invading properties and killing wildlife, are having a huge impact. In several other African countries where controlled hunting is permitted including Zimbabwe and Namibia wildlife is on the increase and high trophy hunting fees have been reinvested in wildlife conservation.
Inevitably, there has, therefore, been talk of introducing hunting permits in Kenya. This would be a highly controversial move, not only amongst animal welfare groups, but with those who feel that this would be a step backwards for conservation. There are concerns about the potential for corruption and the ability — and conflicting interests — of the KWS to manage the permits, as well as the negative image this would bring to the tourism industry.
In May , a new, Chinese funded high speed rail link between Mombasa and Nairobi was opened, and a huge port and dams are some of the projects being planned, mainly funded by Chinese state-owned companies. Not only has China been regularly accused of siphoning off the natural assets of developing African nations for its own gain which could be said of many Western nations, too , but its environmental record is deplorable. While China claims to oppose poaching and has led campaigns against illegal ivory, their actions do not match their words; Chinese officials are well-known in East Africa as being the largest purchasers of ivory.
Local communities have not been consulted and indigenous groups have lost land to the project, without their agreement or compensation. Longer term, the emissions from these new projects contribute further to pollution and to climate change, which has been largely responsible for the droughts which have ravaged East Africa in recent years — , and were all drought years — when the resulting crop failure and famine killed thousands.
Responsible tourism tips. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust was set up in memory of the game warden and conservationist by his wife Daphne, who died in Its main role is as an elephant orphanage; taking in rescued, captive elephants who cannot be reintroduced into the wild, as well as babies who may have been orphaned due to poaching.
Your money will make a difference. This is an overpopulated, lawless district with hundreds of thousands of people living in squalid conditions, surrounded by hazards such as open sewers. While the benefits of these tours is questionable, tourists are putting themselves in a dangerous position, as well as exploiting local residents who understandably resent being stared at or photographed while going about their daily lives.
You are not going to turn up as a westerner and have any meaningful impact there, in a safe way. To make a difference the organisations have to commit and be there long term.
While Kenya Wildlife Service has run sessions for boat drivers on codes of conduct for these tours, be aware that there are no regulations regarding dolphin tourism in Kenya, and tours are generally run by local boat drivers rather than experienced guides or marine biologists.
If you do decide to book a tour, ask plenty of questions to find out how responsible it is.
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