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Kenyan Golf Safari – Off the Beaten Track to New Golfing Adventures

November 10th, 2009 No comments

Long greens over hills, scenic outdoors and bunkers in the heart of Africa; Kenya is a golf holiday destination like no other. While on Safari there couldn’t be a better way to let days pass. It is no wonder the country bagged the undiscovered golf destination award of the year 2009. Teeing off at dawn over her panoramic landscapes is an experience where safari has never been this beautiful.

There are numerous courses of varied difficulty and splendor, strewn all over in some of Kenya’s most exclusive getaways. From its capital Nairobi, in the high range lands of Mt. Kenya, further inland along the Rift valley, by the Lake Victoria and to the Western Rift. There are a lot more in the low lying fairways at the coast.

Golfing in Kenya among the best in Tour Safaris

The country has 40 golf courses twelve of which are’-holes and ten are used for championship events. Six are located within a 20 mile radius of the lively capital Nairobi. The numerous courses are of varied difficulty and splendor, from high in the range lands of Mt. Kenya to the low lying fairways at the Kenyan coastline. There are also some that are located further in land by the Lake Victoria and the Western rift.

An exceptional destination on the city outskirts is the Windsor golf resort. It is listed among the ‘Great Golf Resorts of the World for its wide fairways and fast greens. Like all resorts in Kenya, Windsor too is blessed with teaming birdlife in its flora and fauna. With that, your breaks from golfing at Windsor can be taken up by bird watching which is a core feature in the Kenyan tourism industry.

Tee off at the Mt. Kenya Safari club located in the slopes of the majestic Mount Kenya. This is Africa’s second largest mountain, which offers a magnificent view on a clear day from the Club. In between teeing time, enjoy trekking and taking in resplendent view of the snow capped mountain, the only spot of snow in the Kenyan republic.

In the Rift valley wide ranging landscapes and grand lakes await adventurers. One renowned golfing location in this geological wonder is the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort in Naivasha, home to an exciting golf championship course. The resort is surrounded by wildlife and excursions to Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate and Lake Nakuru are within easy reach.

Kenya’s coast has a myriad of golf courses to choose from including Nyali Golf Course, Leisure Lodge Beach and Golf Resort and the newest addition Vipingo Ridge Golf resort on the North coast of Mombasa. At a maximum–0 meters above sea level, the ridge overlooks a lake and conservation area. Its two courses were built to meet international standards. With the weather being golf and travel friendly all year round, golfers have twelve hours of daylight each day to indulge in their favourite getaway.

As most golf clubs in Kenya are members only, there are specialized operators who are on hand to facilitate personalized service and golf itineraries. They will enable you to plan your golf holiday tours and ensure you secure tee times in advance to avoid inconveniences.

Take full advantage of your holidays in Kenya to see the wildlife. Safari is a must in between tee-times; take a moment to see the land and its wonders. Imagine heading off on Safari to catch a glimpse of the big five in near proximity. Play, relax and unwind on your safari and that is by Journeying Kenya and discovering her secrets on an unforgettable holiday.

Nyaruita Gateri, the Chief Adventurer at Journey Kenya has traveled the length and breadth Kenya for the last two decades and has compiled the most comprehensive guide using the Kenya map to show you the best places to enjoy Kenya culture, animals in Kenya, Kenya cuisine and never forgetting the Kenya safari.

Kenya Safari -Awesome Top 6 Coastal Attractions

January 17th, 2009 No comments

A traveler visiting the Kenyan coast has a range of options for sites to visit and activities. Watamu and Malindi are found in the coast of Kenya and they offer exciting activities like water sports, excursions on the pristine beaches, bird watching, game safaris and snake safaris among many others.

The traditional tourist safaris can be organized from Malindi or Mombasa. The closest wildlife parks are a mere 2 hours drive from Malindi. Kenyas parks offers the most rewarding and beautiful safaris that will leave you with memories of a lifetime. Other activities are-

Kitesurfing

Kite surfing is coordinated from the Che Shale, in Watamu. The pristine beach provides very conducive conditions for kite surfing both professional riders and beginners alike. The Che Shale hotel provides an array of courses taught by professional instructors, state of the art equipment, rescue boats and everything else needed to learn safely.

Indian Ocean Surfing

The number one spot on the Kenyan coast for surfing is Malindi. The outer reefs experience huge swell continually, but the swells become even larger especially during the months of June through August due to seasonal monsoon winds. Surfers are advised to bring along their boards and wax.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

There are several world-class dive sites on the North Coast. Diving is good all year round, although visibility lessens during July and August due to silting and high seas. One of the best sites are in the Watamu Marine National Park. These range from shallow coral gardens ideal for learners to spectacular outer reef walls. Sea life is always consistently abundant. Sightings of Whale, Sharks on outer reef dives along the Kenyan Coast in February-March each year are almost guaranteed.

The Ruins at Gede

The Gede Ruins date back to the late 13th century and was abandoned in the early 17th century. The exact reason as to why the town was abandoned is not actually known though it is assumed that the town was plundered and destroyed by unknown invaders in the 17th century. A Nature Trail of deciduous forests dominates the inner and outer walls of the ruins and a small museum has been set up to exhibit ancient Arab, Chinese and Phoenician porcelain excavated from the ruins.

Mida Creek

Its spans 32 square kilometers and is located on the Malindi ” Mombasa road. The creek is composed of mangrove forests and mudflats which attract a large selection of flora and fauna. Several species of mangroves can be seen along the estuaries and sheltered creeks, among them Rhizophora mucronata, Avicenia Marina and Ceriops tagal among others. Along the borders of the mangrove forests on the island of Sudi you will find the Osprey, the little egret, the pied Kingfisher and many others living there. The mudflats are breeding grounds for birds like the black headed herons, yellow billed Storks and the wooly necked storks. One can come across a wide range along the sandy regions.

Snakes Safaris

In December 2007, the world largest spitting cobra Naja ashei was found, and named after the late James Ashe, a prominent herpetologist and founder of Bio-ken. The Bio-ken Snake Farm is located about 2 kilometers north of Watamu and is internationally known for having the biggest collection of snakes in Africa, and almost half of the total number of species in Kenya.

The Large Brown Spitting Cobra Naja ashei is reasonably common in the Kenya lowlands but the area around Galana and South of Tsavo East is where they are most abundant and that makes this area a particular hot spot in Kenya.

You may also visit the African Snake Farm off Mombasa-Malindi road just after Malindi Airport. Other snake farms worth visiting include the snake and crocodile farm near Malindi Marine Park and the Francis Ngombo Snake Farm near Gede.

The Undiscovered Arabuko-Sokoke Forest

This forest is located near Watamu and is a reserve. It is home to an array of rare species of birds and animals including the Sokoke Owl, the Sokoke Cat and Golden Elephant Shrew. This is the ultimate bird watchers haven.

There is a lot more in the offing at Malindi and Watamu, I just hope that this article arouse your interest for this travel destination.

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Discover Kenya Great Places: The Amazing Gedi Ruins

January 3rd, 2009 No comments

The Kenyan Coast is indisputably one of the top tourism and travel destinations in Kenya, providing a great variety of tourist attractions. Among the popular coastal destinations are the Gedi ruins, the mysterious remains of an ancient Kenya coastal town, which lie about 100km North of Mombasa and 15km South of Malindi. Found deep in the Arabuko Sokoke forest, these 15th century ruins are among Kenya’s great unexploited treasures.

Apart from the common belief that the town was abandoned in the early 17th century, little else is known about this ancient coastal town that still puzzles both archaeologists and historians. The reason why the town was abandoned is not documented but one school of thought believes that unknown invaders destroyed the town in the 17th century. Many researchers dispute this theory because there is no evidence of any disturbance or battle in this ancient Swahili settlement whose population was estimated at 2500 people.

Another school of thought argues that the inhabitants of the town abandoned it after receding ocean waters depleted the available water from their wells. It is also alleged that the Portuguese brought the deadly Black Plague, with no known cure, wiping out the population.

A recent theory has it that the town was threatened by the approach of the Galla, an inland tribe known to be outwardly hostile at that time, and that the townspeople fled ahead of their arrival. Yet once again, local recorded history fails to mention any such large scale evacuation at this time.

In 1927, Gedi ruins were declared a historic monument. Since then, there have been many excavation and preservation works in the ruins. Many large areas of this ancient town have been revealed, including the palace, a great mosque, and the pillar tombs. Despite all this research work however, nobody knows with certainty what happened to Gedi and its inhabitants.

Excavations of the Gedi Ruins that were carried out between 1948 and 1958 uncovered porcelain from China, an Indian lamp, Venetian beads, Spanish scissors, and other interesting vestiges that show that some of Gedi?s past citizens were engaged some form of international trade.

The Gedi Ruins were declared a national park in 1948 and the area has since become one of the top tourist attractions along the Kenyan coastal region. Gedi remains a mysterious place to visit, especially with pillars and stone walls, ruined mosques and tombs lying among stands of trees.

Today, modern day villages surround Gedi, which, overgrown with plants and flowers, still remains an oasis tranquility. You can get to Gedi from Malindi, Mombasa, and Watamu. There is a small museum that exhibits ancient items retrieved through excavation work, including Arab wares, Chinese porcelain, and Phoenician artifacts. More artifacts from Gede ruins are also available at the Fort Jesus museum in Mombasa.

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