Why Eastern Africa
Eastern Africa encompasses the many iconic African experiences. It has breathtaking beauty and great diversity of landscapes, wildlife and cultures. If you think you have been to Africa, you really have not been until you have seen Eastern Africa!
Kenya
Kenya is at the heart of East Africa and showcases much of the diversity which stretches from the Indian Ocean coastal resorts, to the grassy plains of the Masai Mara, the desert of Rift Valley to the snow capped Mount Kenya. There are spectacular national parks and private reserves where you can experience stunning sunsets and have close encounters with wildlife.
The capital and the commercial centre is Nairobi. Other major centres are Mombasa – a centuries old trading port, Nakuru – an important agricultural centre, and Kisumu – a port on the shores of Lake Victoria.
The geography and climate vary from hot and arid semi-desert in the north, and the rolling central highlands with warm days and cool comfortable nights, to the relative humidity of the silvery coastline lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Specialist safaris in Kenya cater for almost every type of enthusiast. Year by year the network of cross-country roadways improves. New airports of international standard permit the safari arrival and departure of visitors by an increasing number of the world’s airlines. There are landing grounds for light aircraft all over the country. Flying safaris are becoming increasingly popular allowing great distances to be covered in the minimum time. Kenya has been geared for the last Forty years to offering visitors the most sophisticated of facilities, even in the heart of bush-country.
Tanzania
The name comes from a combination of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, united in March 1964. Kenya’s neighbour to the south – west, Tanzania is less developed than Kenya, but is as fascinating and exciting as any safari destination in the world.
Most commonly known is Tanzania’s “northern circuit” which includes Lake Manyara, the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater and the vast Serengeti National Park. But this is far more fascinating country, from the beaches and resorts of Zanzibar (The Spice Island) to the wild virgin bush of Ruaha and Selous with their abundant wildlife, and the highest free – standing mountain in the world, the snow-capped Kilimanjaro.
Tanzania is a modern, progressive state with a rich cultural and historical heritage that began almost four million years ago when our primitive ancestors first left the forest and walked upright on the plains. Spread across the vast topographical tapestry are twenty-six million people made up of more than 100 loosely defined “tribes”. Some of these cultural groups can trace their ancestry back to pre-historic times, while others are merely immigrants of the last 100 years.
Uganda
Uganda, known as “The Pearl of Africa”, boasts some of the most breath-taking scenery in Africa.
Kenya’s neighbour to the north – west and Tanzania’s neighbour to the north, Uganda is making a fast recovery from 30 years of Civil War, under the leadership of President Museveni. Dictator, Idi Amin ceased power by means of a military coup in 1971.
The most famous attraction for tourists is the “Bwindi Impenetrable National Park”, home to half of the world’s population of the incredible, elusive and treasured Gorilla. However, this is by no means the only tourist attraction, to mention but a few:
Murchison Falls National Park : An oasis for wildlife in the African bush, with the river Nile flowing through the middle, and the spectacular falls plunging hundreds of feet through a narrow gorge.
Queen Elizabeth National Park : In the western area of the Great East African Rift Valley. It is bordered on one side by Lake Edward, and on the other by Lake George, these are joined by the Kazinga Channel. A boat trip along the channel provides a memorable method of game viewing. The park covers 2000 square kilometers and includes a remarkable variety of eco-systems and an abundance of wildlife.
Lake Victoria : Lake Victoria is the second largest fresh water lake in the world. It is also the source of the river Nile. There is actually a monument near Jinja showing the place where the explorer Speke found the source of the Nile. It is from here that the river starts it’s 6,400 Kilometer. Journey through Sudan and Egypt to the Mediterranean. There are many little homestays and resorts on the side of the Lake and on small islands in the Lake.
The islands of Zanzibar stir the imagination and conjure up images of magical Arabian nights, the scent of spices on the evening air and spirit of ages gone by. The name Zanzibar has such a romantic and exotic ring to it that some visitors are easily led to a comparison with “the ancient Baghdad of Haroun el Rashid”. From a distance, the whitewashed buildings of the stone town apparently dancing on the waves of the Indian Ocean create the feeling of adventure and the excitement of going back in time.
Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania and is made up of a series of many islands, the main ones being Unguja and Pemba. Ungunja is better known as Zanzibar Island. Zanzibar (Unguja) is in the Indian Ocean about 40 kilometers off the Tanzanian mainland, a few degrees south of the equator. The island is about 85 Kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide at the widest point. Most of the population lives in the highly fertile North and West. The East of the Island is not suitable for farming and is covered in coral, but the beaches and reefs make it ideal for fishing villages and tourist resorts.
The people of Zanzibar are predominantly Muslim (about 95%) with their ancestory originating from Africa, Persia, Oman and Asia. The local economy is based on agriculture, fishing and more recently, tourism. The estimated population is 450,000, of which approximately 40% live in Stone Town. The literacy rate in Zanzibar is very high when compared to other African states in the region.
The islands if Zanzibar are fringed with white sandy beaches lined with palm trees swaying in the wind. Closed to tourism for many years, Zanzibar is now a welcoming and exciting destination for a relaxing or adventurous holiday. The name comes from a combination “Zanj” which in Arabian means “the land of black people” and “Bar” which means coast. The Islands truly deserve their nick-name “the spice islands”. Over forty of the most valuable, tropical, aromatic plants are grown here - introduced over the last two centuries by the Omani Sultans.
The Stone Town holds magic and mystery, where shafts of light joust with deep shadows creating a fascinating world in the narrow streets. It was recently declared by UNESCO as one of the world’s historic cities, and is thus now a protected area. Built only for pedestrian traffic, the streets wind between the tall buildings and open unexpectedly into ornamental squares.
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Kenya
Kenya is at the heart of East Africa and showcases much of the diversity which stretches from the Indian Ocean coastal resorts, to the grassy plains of the Masai Mara, the desert of Rift Valley to the snow capped Mount Kenya. There are spectacular national parks and private reserves where you can experience stunning sunsets and have close encounters with wildlife. The capital and the commercial centre is Nairobi. Other major centres are Mombasa – a centuries old trading port, Nakuru – an important agricultural centre, and Kisumu – a port on the shores of Lake Victoria.
The geography and climate vary from hot and arid semi-desert in the north, and the rolling central highlands with warm days and cool comfortable nights, to the relative humidity of the silvery coastline lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Specialist safaris in Kenya cater for almost every type of enthusiast. Year by year the network of cross-country roadways improves. New airports of international standard permit the safari arrival and departure of visitors by an increasing number of the world’s airlines. There are landing grounds for light aircraft all over the country. Flying safaris are becoming increasingly popular allowing great distances to be covered in the minimum time. Kenya has been geared for the last Forty years to offering visitors the most sophisticated of facilities, even in the heart of bush-country.
Tanzania
The name comes from a combination of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, united in March 1964. Kenya’s neighbour to the south – west, Tanzania is less developed than Kenya, but is as fascinating and exciting as any safari destination in the world.Most commonly known is Tanzania’s “northern circuit” which includes Lake Manyara, the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater and the vast Serengeti National Park. But this is far more fascinating country, from the beaches and resorts of Zanzibar (The Spice Island) to the wild virgin bush of Ruaha and Selous with their abundant wildlife, and the highest free – standing mountain in the world, the snow-capped Kilimanjaro.
Tanzania is a modern, progressive state with a rich cultural and historical heritage that began almost four million years ago when our primitive ancestors first left the forest and walked upright on the plains. Spread across the vast topographical tapestry are twenty-six million people made up of more than 100 loosely defined “tribes”. Some of these cultural groups can trace their ancestry back to pre-historic times, while others are merely immigrants of the last 100 years.
Uganda
Uganda, known as “The Pearl of Africa”, boasts some of the most breath-taking scenery in Africa.Kenya’s neighbour to the north – west and Tanzania’s neighbour to the north, Uganda is making a fast recovery from 30 years of Civil War, under the leadership of President Museveni. Dictator, Idi Amin ceased power by means of a military coup in 1971.
The most famous attraction for tourists is the “Bwindi Impenetrable National Park”, home to half of the world’s population of the incredible, elusive and treasured Gorilla. However, this is by no means the only tourist attraction, to mention but a few:
Murchison Falls National Park : An oasis for wildlife in the African bush, with the river Nile flowing through the middle, and the spectacular falls plunging hundreds of feet through a narrow gorge.
Queen Elizabeth National Park : In the western area of the Great East African Rift Valley. It is bordered on one side by Lake Edward, and on the other by Lake George, these are joined by the Kazinga Channel. A boat trip along the channel provides a memorable method of game viewing. The park covers 2000 square kilometers and includes a remarkable variety of eco-systems and an abundance of wildlife.
Lake Victoria : Lake Victoria is the second largest fresh water lake in the world. It is also the source of the river Nile. There is actually a monument near Jinja showing the place where the explorer Speke found the source of the Nile. It is from here that the river starts it’s 6,400 Kilometer. Journey through Sudan and Egypt to the Mediterranean. There are many little homestays and resorts on the side of the Lake and on small islands in the Lake.
Zanzibar
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Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania and is made up of a series of many islands, the main ones being Unguja and Pemba. Ungunja is better known as Zanzibar Island. Zanzibar (Unguja) is in the Indian Ocean about 40 kilometers off the Tanzanian mainland, a few degrees south of the equator. The island is about 85 Kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide at the widest point. Most of the population lives in the highly fertile North and West. The East of the Island is not suitable for farming and is covered in coral, but the beaches and reefs make it ideal for fishing villages and tourist resorts.
The people of Zanzibar are predominantly Muslim (about 95%) with their ancestory originating from Africa, Persia, Oman and Asia. The local economy is based on agriculture, fishing and more recently, tourism. The estimated population is 450,000, of which approximately 40% live in Stone Town. The literacy rate in Zanzibar is very high when compared to other African states in the region.
The islands if Zanzibar are fringed with white sandy beaches lined with palm trees swaying in the wind. Closed to tourism for many years, Zanzibar is now a welcoming and exciting destination for a relaxing or adventurous holiday. The name comes from a combination “Zanj” which in Arabian means “the land of black people” and “Bar” which means coast. The Islands truly deserve their nick-name “the spice islands”. Over forty of the most valuable, tropical, aromatic plants are grown here - introduced over the last two centuries by the Omani Sultans.
The Stone Town holds magic and mystery, where shafts of light joust with deep shadows creating a fascinating world in the narrow streets. It was recently declared by UNESCO as one of the world’s historic cities, and is thus now a protected area. Built only for pedestrian traffic, the streets wind between the tall buildings and open unexpectedly into ornamental squares.