Kenya
East Africa
East Africa
With an altitude range from sea level to 17300 feet above sea level, being the summit of Mt. Kenya, and despite being on the Equator, Kenya enjoys a very comfortable temperate climate and as such is a prime year-round destination. Its many different ecosystems include probably the most spectacular section of the Great Rift Valley, dotted with extinct slumbering volcanoes and beautiful saline and fresh water lakes.
Other habitats include the rolling grasslands associated with the great grazing hordes of wild game, such as the Maasai Mara, whilst the highland steppes and walls of the Great Rift Valley are clothed in montane forest with an interesting outlier of the vast tropical forests of central Africa occurring in the West of the country.
Coastal lowland forests harbour many endemic species and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean bathe a beautiful palm fringed coastline where early Portuguese and Arab influence is of historical interest graphically reflected in the towns of Mombasa, Malindi and most notably, Lamu.
A highlight of a Kenyan safari experience is the opportunity to interact with the colourful and proud Maasai and Samburu tribal people whose culture has changed little over time.
Kenya’s tourist infrastructure is sophisticated and developed to international standards, offering everything from deluxe hotels and lodges, to tented lodge destinations and mobile camping safaris, plus home stays in private houses that reflect an advanced range of tourism offerings unmatched on the continent.
East Africa: Tropical Rainforest, Savannah Grasslands, Dramatic Semi-deserts, Stunning Wildlife Migrations, Indigenous Cultures, The Great Rift Valley, Soda and Fresh Lakes, Deserted Beaches and Coral Reefs shape the extraordinary landscapes that make up East Africa.
Eastern Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania & Rwanda) is probably the first option for a safari destination in Africa. Its spectacular range of altitude offers incredible climatic diversity; its wildlife spectacle is unparalleled and varied, its wild places with a wealth of wildlife unspoilt and natural, with nothing contrived, and it harbours some of the world’s oldest and most colourful cultures, all of which fuse together to form the richest African tapestry.
East Africa has so much to offer that it would be difficult to combine all five countries in one itinerary; they need to be considered separately and carefully before settling on an itinerary that will include all the options on offer.
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe: Wetlands Teeming with Wildlife, Tribal Cultures, Scenic Winelands, Uber-luxury lodges, Vast Deserts, Secluded Beaches, The Cape of Good Hope and Historic Cape Town shape the extraordinary landscapes that make up South Africa.
Southern Africa offers literally a world in one block of countries, so varied is the landscape, even within the different countries that comprise this package. The most ancient desert in the world, the Namib of Namibia, is unique in that here is the only place where towering sand dunes touch the ocean along the desolate Skeleton Coast; well named, since ships have foundered there over the centuries, and lie like stark skeletons on the lonely sands where the icy Atlantic caused by the cold Benguela current contrasts dramatically with the heat of the abutting desert dunes. Botswana incorporates the stunning and vast wetland system of the Okavango Swamps, harbouring a rich diversity of life, whilst the lush winelands and sophistication of South Africa with its 300 year long historical background offers a particularly rich cultural heritage in a sophisticated first world setting. The great gold, diamond and mineral deposits of Southern Africa combined with South Africa’s European first world influence has resulted in a sophisticated tourist infrastructure for destinations in this part of Africa, making it a very attractive proposition for all travellers and offering a wide perspective of pleasurable opportunities.
This vast region is emerging from the shadows to become an exciting location to expand our safaris to a very different experience. Primarily covered by tropical rainforest, these regions are prime locations for viewing lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants, the rare bongo antelope as well as a host of other forest dwellers. Trips to this region involve a lot of forest walking, however the massive rivers in the area also provide a different experience in exploring by boat & canoe. There are also some grasslands, as well as deserts in the region that offer some more conventional game viewing.
The Indian Ocean off the East Coast of Africa has some incredible experiences to offer. From your idyllic tropical Island Paradise such as the Seychelles and the Maldives, to another totally different experience such as Madagascar’s Lemurs, plus its tropical forests & its semi-desert baobab forests, there is much to see and do.
