Kenya
Romance-in-Travel
Gliding in a hot air balloon on a Kenya safari, viewing the herds moving beneath you, is a firsthand drone-like experience in slow motion and without equal. With Mt. Kilimanjaro as its magnificent backdrop, a Kenya safari offers visitors to Africa a spectacular front seat to some of the best adventures in Africa nature offers.
INTRODUCTION
You can follow in Hemingway’s footsteps and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, or, in addition to mountaineering or ballooning, consider a horseback safari, bird watching safari, or a walking safari. For us a trip to Kenya isn’t complete without visiting the young adults we sponsor at the Harambee Center school and check in on the computer lab we’ve helped fund. Take a half day to visit one of Kenya’s largest slums and see how America Shares is making a difference, or immerse yourself in the traditional lifestyle of one of the tribes still living off the land in the back country, as they have for millennia.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
For many who want to see the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, you'll want to visit during the peak months during the dry season from July to September. Off season, in the rainy season, is also a good time to travel to Kenya, as there are fewer visitors and the fauna is green.
TRANSPORTATION
Outside of Nairobiu, transportation to safari camps is done by motor vehicle or small planes. Arranging your transport is part of curating your Kenya safari experience.
CUISINE
Don’t miss out on the local cuisine in Kenya! Ugali is an East African staple, a cross between polenta and mashed potatoes, and served as an accompaniment to a stew. Karanga is a beef and potato stew. Kuku Paka is chicken in a coconut curry. Nyama choma is roasted meat, and eaten with your hands. Chips Mayai is a combo of French fries and an egg omelet. Sukuma wiki is a dish made of collard greens, sautéed along with onions and tomatoes. Pilau is rice cooked in a flavored broth with meat, chicken, or vegetables. Kachumbari is a salad made of fresh tomatoes, onions, green chilies, coriander and lemon juice. Mandazi is an African doughnut, commonly found throughout East Africa.…and don’t forget to order some Tusker beer with your meal!
SUGGESTED READING
Unbowed (W. Maathai)), The Tree Where Man Was Born (P. Matthiessen), West with the Night (B. Markham), My Maasai Life: From Suburbia to Savannah (R. Wiszowaty), The Elephant Dropping (B. Trzebinski), A Grain of Wheat (N. wa Thiong’o).
SUGGESTED VIEWING
Out of Africa, Born Free, The Constant Gardener, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, Cry Freedom, Nowhere in Africa, The First Grader, Unbowed, The Flame Trees of Thika.
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