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Tsavo River & the South
Running west–east through the park, this lovely year-round river is green-shaded and surrounded for much of its path by doum palms. Along with Mzima Springs, the river provides aesthetic relief from the vast semi-arid habitats that dominate the park. The trees all along the river a
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Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary
This sanctuary is a good example of community-based conservation with local people acting as stakeholders in the project. It was opened in October 1995 to create a corridor along an elephant migration route between Shimba Hills and Mwaluganje Forest Reserve, and comprises 2400 hect
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Saiwa Swamp National Park
North of Kitale, this small, rarely visited park, is a real treat. Originally set up to preserve the habitat of Kenya’s only population of sitatunga antelope, the 15.5-sq-km reserve is also home to blue, vervet and de Brazza’s monkeys and some 370 species of birds. The fluffy black
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Ndere Island National Park
Gazetted as a national park in 1986, this 4.2-sq-km island has never seen tourism take off. It is forested and very beautiful, housing a variety of bird species, plus occasionally sighted hippos, impalas (introduced) and spotted crocodiles, a lesser-known cousin of the larger Nile
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Ngong Hills Racecourse
Several Sundays a month, hundreds of Nairobi residents flee the noise and bustle of the city for the much more genteel surroundings of the Ngong Hills Racecourse, just east of Karen. The public enclosure is free to enter; entry to the grandstand is KSh150. There are usually three r
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Hells Gate National Park
Dry and dusty but infinitely peaceful, Hells Gate is that rare Kenyan park made for bicycles and exploring on foot. Large carnivores are very rare indeed, so you can cycle past grazing zebras and bison, spot rock hyraxes as they clamber up inclines and watch dust clouds swirl in th
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African Heritage House
Designed by Alan Donovan, an African-heritage expert and gallery owner, this stunning exhibition house overlooking Nairobi National Park can be visited by prior arrangement only. The mud architecture combines a range of traditional styles from across Africa, and the interior is fur
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Kalama Community Wildlife Conservancy
Eight kilometres north of Archer’s Post, and abutting the northern boundary of Samburu National Reserve, is the 384-sq-km Kalama Community Wildlife Conservancy, which opened in 2004. Although the conservancy is home to Grevy’s zebras, elephants and reticulated giraffes, among other
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Buffalo Circuit
A well-signposted track loops away to the south from close to the main Elsa gate, climbing up and over the hills before rejoining the main valley after 14km. En route, you’ll have some outstanding views of Mt Longonot, and there’s generally more wildlife here, including giraffes, v
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Ruma National Park
Bordered by the dramatic Kanyamaa Escarpment, and home to Kenya’s only population of roans (one of Africa’s rarest and largest antelope), is the seldom-visited, 120-sq-km Ruma National Park. Besides roan, other rarities like Bohor’s reedbuck, Jackson’s hartebeest, the tiny oribi an
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Chaimu Crater & Roaring Rocks
Just southeast of Kilaguni Serena Lodge, these two natural features offer stunning views of the Chyulu Hills and birds of prey circling high above the plains. The Roaring Rocks can be climbed in about 15 minutes; the name comes from the wind whistling up the escarpment and the pers
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Takwa Ruins
What sets the Takwa ruins, the remains of a city that existed between the 15th and 17th centuries, apart from other archaeological sites on the coast? Quiet. When you’re here and the light shatters in the trees, which have grown over some 100 ruined Mecca-aligned houses, you feel a
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Kisite Marine National Park
Off the south coast of Wasini, this gorgeous marine park, which also incorporates the Mpunguti Marine National Reserve and the two tiny Penguti islands, is one of the best in Kenya. The park covers 28 sq km of pristine coral reefs and offers colourful diving and snorkelling. You ha
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Lake Bogoria National Reserve
Lake Bogoria is backed by the bleak Siracho Escarpment, and moss-green waves roll down its rocky, barren shores. A road that becomes a rough track (and then peters out entirely) runs along the lake’s western shore, which is where flamingos gather. About halfway along the lake, hot
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South Island National Park
Designated a World Heritage site by Unesco in 1997, this 39-sq-km purplish volcanic island is completely barren and uninhabited, apart from large populations of crocodiles, venomous snakes and feral goats. Spending the night at a special campsite (US$35) makes for an even eerier tr
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Mara North Conservancy
Established in 2009, the 30,000-hectare Mara North Conservancy, which abuts the northwestern edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of the better known, more popular and, in terms of local people and wildlife gaining, one of the most successful of the Mara area conservanci
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Grave of Denys Finch Hatton
Close to Pt Lamwia, the summit of the range, is the grave of Denys Finch Hatton, the famous playboy and lover of Karen Blixen. The site is now almost completely overgrown and is difficult to find 4km up the hill from Kiserian; ask someone to show you the way from Kiserian, and expe
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Longonot National Park
Pull on your hiking boots and enjoy the rare treat of hiking through the Kenyan bush. But this isn’t just any hike. It takes between 1½ and 2½ hours to circumnavigate the crater; watch for occasional steam vents rising from the crater floor. The name ‘Longonot’ comes from the Maasa
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Crater Lake Game Sanctuary
Surrounding a beautiful volcanic crater lake fringed with acacias, this small sanctuary has many trails, including one for hikers along the steep but diminutive crater rim. The jade-green crater lake is held in high regard by the local Maasai, who believe its alkaline waters help s
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Bomas of Kenya
The talented resident artists at this cultural centre perform traditional dances and songs taken from the country’s various tribal groups, including Arabic-influenced Swahili taarab music, Kalenjin warrior dances, Embu drumming and Kikuyu circumcision ceremonies. It’s touristy, of
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