African Rhino

The Rhinoceros is an animal found in Africa as well as Asia.In total there are five species of rhinos with two being found in Africa. The other three are found in Asia. Of the five species of rhinos three are actually in danger of extinction. The Javan, Sumatran and the Black Rhinoceros.

These animals have been long sort after and prized for their horns. The horn of a rhinoceros unlike other horned mammals, is made of keratin only and lacks a bony core.Keratin is actually the same protien responsible for our hair and finger nails. Read more

Egypt Tours- Holidays and Vacation Packages

Egypt has long been an African vacation spot, ever since Thomas Cook escorted his first Egypt tour in 1969 thereby inventing long - haul Egypt vacation package tourism. No other country is more stuffed with monuments and antiquities, all the more astonishing when you realize that 96 percent of Egypt is desert, relieved only by the Nile valley and its delta.

Egypt as one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, is rich in history and presents an astonishing sweep through five millennia: Read more

Useful tips for residents and visitors to Kenya

On arrival Jomo Kenyatta  International Airport, the airport is about half an hour’s drive from Nairobi city center.  Taxis are readily available, but establish the fare before getting in to one. Other taxis work on a fixed rate using reliable and clean vehicles, as do the black London Style cabs.Moi International Airport, Mombasa.  The airport is about 10 minutes from the city center. Allow an extra half an hour for your journey to the south coast because of the ferry crossing.

Visas.  Most visitors to Kenya require a visa.  Multiple and single entry visas are available.  Applications can be made at any Kenya High Commissioner or Embassy prior to traveling.  The single entry visa (obtainable upon arrival) is US$50 (correct at time of printing) or the equivalent in local currency.\r\n\r\nLost luggage.  Visit the lost luggage desk in the baggage hall before going through customs.

GETTING AROUND

Self – drive.

Most international car hire companies operate in Kenya (with offices at the airport).  Vehicles travel on the left – hand side of the road and most cars are right – hand drive.  A current driving license with photograph is accepted for up to a three month’s stay.

Public transport.  City buses operate at reasonable low rates.  Fares are paid to the conductor.  Matatus – private minibuses – are abundant but usually overcrowded.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Post office.  Open 8am – 5 pm weekdays, 9am – 12 pm on Saturdays.

Telephone services. Public pay phones (card and coin) are automated.  Phone cards may be bought from post offices or international call offices.  International calls can be dialed direct (code 000) or operator assisted. (dial 0195/6)

Mobile phones.
Use either safaricom or celtel.  All major urban areas and many coastal regions have reception.  Pay As You Go SIM cards are readily available.

Internet. Internet cafes are increasingly common.  Emails can also be sent from most hotels, as can faxes for business people if you have a blackberry or a 3 G phone getting online is possible through the many mobile service providers including safaricom which charges per download.

MONEY MATTERS

Currency.  Kenya currency shilling (ksh.) currently around Kshs. 75.45 per US$.

Currency regulations. There are no restrictions on the movement of currency into or out of Kenya for currency transactions.

Banking.  Foreign currency can be changed at banks, foreign currency bureaux or hotels.  Banks are open from 9 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am – 11 am on the first and last Saturday of each month. Bank in coastal towns open and close half an hour earlier.  Some airport banks stay open 24/7.

ATM. 24 hours access to your account can be found at most ATMs countrywide.  Most accept international VISA cards.

Credit Cards. All major international cards are accepted in most hotels and shopping malls in Kenya.

Travellers cheques.  TCs are accepted at most banks bureaux and hotels.

Hotel Bill Payment.  This can usually be paid in shillings or convertible foreign currency.

YOUR WELL BEING

Emergency services.  911

Hospital. Nairobi and Mombasa have good hospitals offering a causally services.

Medical expenses. Even with insurance cover, consultations and treatment will have to be paid for and the cost claimed back later.

GENERAL

Voltage. All regions in Kenya are supplied with 240 volts AC.  The plug in use throughout Kenya is of the three square – pin, 13 amp type.

Security. It is a sensible precaution not to walk alone in isolated towns or beach areas.  Particularly after dark.  Use common sense to prevent opportunistic theft.

Tipping.
Tipping is appreciated.  Most hotels and restaurants include a 10% service charge.

Water. The water in most city hotels is usually safe for drinking.  However, if in doubt, bottled water is available.  Most safari lodges provide filtered water.  Water is precious; your help in using it sparingly is appreciated.

Kenya Luxury Safaris

Governors` Camp was Africa`s first and most famous tented safari Camp. Almost a century ago this luxury camp in masai mara, was reserved, exclusively for Kenya’s colonial Governors.The setting of this Camp is magical. So much so that Governors’ Camp nestles in the forest along the winding banks of the Mara River, in the masai mara game reserve, whose waters teeming with bird-life, hippo and crocodile. Read more

Choosing a mate by the length of his tail

Swallows are migratory birds with European swallows spend the winter in Africa south of the Sahara where they can be found in countries like Kenya and Tanzania. Their British counterparts on the other hand prefer spending their winter in South Africa.

For a distance, male and female swallows are indistinguishable. On closer scrutiny the male seems to have longer streamers on his forked tail. It is not clear whether this gives him any special aerial advantage but the females seem to have a liking of it. Read more

Samburu National Park

Samburu National Park is located on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro river in Kenya; on the other side of the river is a popular Kenya safari spot. The Buffalo Springs National Reserve in Northern Kenya. It is 165 km² in size and 350 kilometers from Nairobi. Geographically, it is located in Samburu District of the Rift Valley Province.
In the middle of the reserve, the Ewaso Ng’iro flows through doum palm groves and thick riverine forests giving life and sustaining the eco system in an otherwise dry and arid area. Read more

The River Nile

At 6718km, the Nile is the world’s longest river. In the old colonial days, controlling its source was considered essential to controlling Egypt, because it is this river with its life giving floods that has sustained both Ancient and present Egypt. The problem for the early explorers was that although they’d found the source of the Blue Nile, Ethiopia’s Lake Tana, in 1622 they were ignorant as to the source of the greater part of this river’s flow, the white Nile. Read more

Watamu Marine Park

Watamu is an amazing paradise of sun and sand with an international reputation for its reef-protected beaches, offering safe sunbathing at both high and low tides all year round.

The natural feature most obvious to the visitor is of course the marine park. The park was created in 1968 and is part of the far larger Malindi-Watamu Marine Reserve, which includes Mida Creek. The Marine Park extends from Blue Lagoon in the North to Whale Island in the south and is mainly a lagoon habitat which deepens in the central channel up to 6 meters (approx 20 feet ), and some isolated holes by the Turtle Reef up to 12 meters (approx 39 feet). Fishing is totally banned in the park. Read more

Maasai people and culture

The Maasai of East Africa are the most photographed and famous of all of Africa’s tribal people. When it comes to tourism they are as important to an East African safari as lions and elephants.
When most foreigners talk of African culture they are usually refering to the likes of the maasai.

Although development through tourism has begun to change some aspects of their lives, and even some maasai men and women have being able to scale the corporate and political ladder, generally the majority of them have nevertheless manage to live a life close to the land and their traditional culture. Read more

Kenya’s coastal Town Mombasa

Mombasa Kenya’s oldest town is a place steeped in history. Vasco de Gama, the famous Portuguese explorer, first landed at the site where Mombasa now stands in 1498.

The island of mombasa is connected to the mainland by bridges and ferries. The town over looks a wide harbor, where commercial shipping mingles with traditional sailing dhows.

The true heart of Mombasa is found in the exotic old town, among the narrow winding streets and Arab architecture. The air here is always heavy with the scent of spices. Read more

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