| Africa. Just the mention of the word evokes mental images of a rural landscape, dominated by wild animals and indigenous tribe’s people, where the survival of the fittest is the law of the land. One country in particular, with a surface area of 582.650 km², perfectly fulfills this mental image and that is Kenya.
In the local language the word Kenya means “land of light”, and there is no better way of describing this place. Wherever you look, mountain, desert, jungle or coastline, the sun seems to beat down without apology, as if with the sole purpose of spotlighting the wonders that this land has to offer.
Visitors are treated to a destination that is visually both exotic and wild and it is these two characteristics that are the main reasons for tourists to visit. Kenya’s exotic side is represented by the cultural richness of its inhabitants, ancient indigenous peoples such as the Masai, who remain true to their traditions and retain their blood relationship with the earth.
Kenya is one of the few places on earth where visitors can still experience the traditional way of life in such communities. Rather than witnessing special shows put on for the entertainment of curious tourists, visitors to Kenya can be sure that they are seeing with their own eyes the day to day experience of men, women and children whose ancestors have lived on these same lands since earliest times.
The country’s towns and cities are no less exotic. The capital Nairobi has taken giant strides towards modernization but has not forgotten its past as the great center for African safaris. This aspect is ever present in one of its main attractions, the Nairobi National Park, home to entire herds of zebra, buffalo, giraffe and lion living peacefully together … just 20 minutes from the center of the city!
The other city that deserves special mention is Mombasa, built on an island connected to the continental mainland by a system of bridges. Mombasa is more traditional than Nairobi, retaining its Arab influenced architecture and seeming to give off the constant aroma of the spices sold in the local market. The city also evidences a high degree of religious freedom, with the presence of mosques and Hindu temples alongside Christian churches, presenting an eye-catching variety of religious beliefs.
Tourists find the island of Lamu equally exotic. The island appears to be trapped in time with its medieval style buildings, culture bearing witness to Arab, Turkish and Portuguese influences, and lifestyle that is so simple that friendly donkeys are used instead of cars as the official mode of transport. So it is not hard to understand why visitors feel they have entered a different world and why such high profile figures as Princess Carolina of Monaco have chosen this place as their favorite hideaway.
So much for Kenya’s exotic characteristics. Where do we find its wild side? This is as easy as joining one of the many safaris – either on terra firma or by balloon – that are available daily and will take you on a fantastic adventure.
A number of different destinations are available. One not to be missed is the Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya’s largest, which is home not only to the Masai tribe, but also to species such as zebra, giraffe, gazelle, monkey and birds. However, it’s most famous resident is the lion, which has ruled this area since time immemorial and has established itself as the primary predator. The Reserve is not called “The Kingdom of the Lion” for nothing.
Amboseli Park is another preferred safari destination, which has become famous as the “land of the giants”. This name has stuck thanks to two of its permanent residents – the elephant, and Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak which, although actually in Tanzania, can easily be seen from the park.
The third alternative is to take an underwater safari, and where better than the Indian Ocean that surrounds Kenya’s coastline. Its waters are so clear that visitors can easily appreciate the rich marine life that it harbors, jealously protected by many kilometers of coral reef. Here, beneath the surface of the sea, Kenya appears just as wild and exotic as on dry land, and demonstrates why it is a destination without equal on the face of the earth.
www.magicalkenya.com |
