-
Haller Park
This lovely wildlife sanctuary, part of the Baobab Adventure complex, includes a fish farm, reptile park and other green goodness. Guided walks around the park last about 1½ hours.
-
Maasai Cattle Market
If youre in the Amboseli area on a Tuesday, consider stopping in the town of Kimana (along the paved road between Emali and Loitokitok) for its weekly Maasai livestock market.
-
Lily Pond Arts Centre
This fascinating centre has many strings to its bow, among them some fascinating examples of contemporary African art. Its 3km south of town and signposted off the main highway.
-
Kirepwe Island
Mida Eco-camp organises day trips (KSh3500) to this quiet island just across the estuary. The ruins are atmospheric and you can visit a Giriama village and stop for a fishermans lunch.
-
Portuguese Church
This church gets its name because Vasco da Gama is reputed to have erected it, and two of his crew are supposedly buried here. It’s certainly true that St Francis Xavier visited on his way to India.
-
Sheldrick Falls
These pretty 21-metre-high falls are laced with lianas and greenery, and have a natural plunge pool. KWS-organised walks, lasting one to two hours, depart from the Sheldrick Falls ranger post several times a day.
-
Malindi Pier
This long tongue flicks out into the Indian Ocean. Its a low-key highlight of a stroll along Mama Ngina Rd. On weekends, families wander arm-in-arm and kids dress up and pose in makeshift photo studios.
-
Elephant Hill
The best viewpoint in the reserve, this hill is the place to see elephants and affords lovely views out over the valley towards the ocean. Armed rangers will escort you once you reach the entry point to the hill.
-
Swahili House
This preserved Swahili house, tucked away to the side of Yumbe House hotel, is beautiful, but the entry fee is very hard to justify, especially as half the hotels in Lamu are as well preserved as this small house.
-
Loyangalani Desert Museum
Standing on a bluff above the lake several kilometres north of town, this museum contains lots of photo-heavy displays, but it’s seriously overpriced. Opening hours are basically whenever an interested person comes along.
-
Market
Its worth poking your nose into the town’s municipal market. It operates every day but is at its loudest on Saturday and Wednesday mornings when, as if by magic, people appear from all over the surrounding countryside.
-
Old Law Courts
Dating from 1902, the old law courts on Nkrumah Rd have been converted into an informal gallery, with regularly changing displays of local art, Kenyan crafts, school competition pieces and votive objects from various tribal groups.
-
Shurr Community Conservancy
Established in 2103, immediately to the east of Marsabit. The conservancy has a lot of potential and theres more wildlife around here than many people realise but, despite the advertising signs, there are currently no visitor facilities.
-
Watamu Turtle Watch
All credit to the good guys: Watamu Turtle Watch provides a service protecting the marine turtles that come here to lay eggs on the beach. You can get up close and personal with various cutesy turtles at the trust’s rehabilitation centre.
-
Crying Stone of Ilesi
The Crying Stone of Ilesi is a local curiosity perched on a ridge 3km south of town. The formation, looking like a solemn head resting on weary shoulders, consists of a large boulder balanced atop a huge column of rock, down which tears flow.
-
Tsavo Gate & the East
Many visitors heading for Tsavo East National Park or Mombasa use this gate. Wildlife spotting in this eastern section of the park is challenging due to the quite dense foliage, but both leopards and lions are known to frequent the area.
-
Mandhry Mosque
Mandhry Mosque in Old Town is an excellent example of Swahili architecture, which combines the elegant flourishes of Arabic style with the comforting, geometric patterns of African design – note, for example, the gently rounded minaret.
-
Buffalo Springs National Reserve
The twin sister of Samburu National Reserve, which sits on the opposite, northern side of the river, Buffalo Springs has a wide variety of animals, including lots of elephants, but surprisingly few safari goers, which helps make it a joy to explore.
-
Sinet Delta
From Observation Hill, the northern route runs across the Sinet Delta, which is an excellent place for birdwatching. The vegetation is thicker the further south you go, providing fodder for giraffes and also framing some of the park’s best Kilimanjaro views.
-
Lake Amboseli
Away to the northwest from the delta, this ‘lake’ occupies a large swathe of the park, but it’s usually bone dry, except after extended rains. At other times it’s worth a journey out here if you’ve time to spare, not least because few vehicles make it out this way.
Total
224 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
4/12 20-travel/Page Goto:
