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Ebola typically kills most of those it strikes through massive blood loss, and has no cure or treatment. It is spread through direct contact with the blood or secretions of an infected person, or objects that have been contaminated with infected secretions. I have a friend who has the same symptoms of Ebola, does it mean it has come to Kenya?????? Scared!!!!!!!

Kenya Safaris are among the most exciting adventures the world over. The vast wildlife, the many sunny beaches, the different people groups all add up to a worthwhile investment and a luxury not found in many places. Kenya Safaris have proved to be a very popular byword in the tourism sector. Following are some of the highlights of travel to Kenya..

Coast Safaris

Indian ocean coast of Kenya - This is one of the most popular tourist destination along Kenya’s coastal border. It is situated in the famous Mombasa town and adjacent to towns such at Malindi, Lamu and others. It is here that you can engage in various watersports such as water polo, wind surfing, water-skiing and snorkeling. Beach Safaris to the coast are a sheer delight. You also get an opportunity to tour the coastal town of Mombasa. See our page on Kenya tours for more information and details. Also known as beach safaris, these are the most popular and highly treasured of the many Kenya expeditions.

Nairobi Safaris and Travel

Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya. While here, tours to various places of interest such as the National Museum, giraffe park, the animal orphanage, the snake park, and the ostrich farm can be arranged. These are just but afew of the places you should make a point of visiting. And of course, you must eat out - , try out the ‘Carnivore Experience’ at the Carnivore Hotel. The only dining of it’s kind in Africa!

Country Tours Safaris/Wildlife Safaris

While in Kenya Travel upcountry to the various sight seeing adventures where you will get a chance to tour several national parks and view Kenya’s vast wildlife and rich cultural way of life. Learn about the various people groups, their cultures and traditions. Among the wildlife you will see in such Country tour drives includes lions, elephants, cheetahs, Wildbeest, tigers, Buffalos, , zebras, giraffes - the list is endless!

In brief, Kenya is a major attraction for travellers to Africa. It is one of the finest–and undoubtedly one of the most famous -safari destination in the world. Wildlife safari, however, is by no means the only reason to visit Kenya. The attractions of its rich culture and diverse environments are considerable.

Kenya lies along the equator. On the southeast is its coastal region and to the east lies Somalia. Ethiopia is to the north, Sudan to the northwest, and Uganda to the west. The southwestern border of the country is lined by Lake Victoria, and southward lies Tanzania. Kenya’s geography is spectacular and varied. While much of northeastern Kenya is a flat, bush-covered plain, the rest of the country comprises pristine beaches, scenic highlands and lake regions, the Great Riftvalley, and the magnificent Mountainous regions of Kenya.

Seasonal Tours and Safaris

Travel statistics indicate that some seasons are more preferable than others. Kenya has a wide variety of climatic conditions although there are no great extremes. The temperature remains comfortably warm year-round except for a month or two when it can get very cold - though nothing compared to Winter! Much of Kenya experiences heavy rainfall from March through May and, to a lesser extent, from October through December. The best season for most outdoor acitivities like safaris and mountain climbing is during the dry season (June-September). This is the most ideal time to travel to Kenya.

Kenya’s People/Cultural Safaris

Kenya has known the presence of mankind since the very earliest development of known human species. Moreover, the region has for a long time been a migratory path, passed through by wave upon wave of peoples from all over Africa and later on from the Middle East. By the 10th century or thereabouts, the region had developed its own language- Swahili -which is a Bantu language which has borrowed heavily from Arabic.

Kenya’s Rich Cultural History

The Portuguese arrived at the coastal region at the end of the 15th century and therefore the East African coastal region was dominated by Europeans for a long time. However, in 1729 the Portuguese were expelled and were replaced by two Arab dynasties. Arab rule lasted until the end of the 18th century, when Kenya came under the British sphere of influence. The country attained independence in 1963. Although it has experienced its share of internal and external strife, Kenya has in recent years made great strides in enhancing democracy and good governance not just in the country but in Africa at large.

Kenya’s population today stands at almost 30 million. 97 percent comprises people of African descent, though that group is composed of over 40 different tribal groups. Among the most significant are the Kikuyu, Kamba, Gusii, Kalenjin, Luhya, and Luo. Kenya’s official language is English and Swahili is the national language. Tribal languages abound especially in the rural areas.

African Kenya most feared lions of Tsavo. A case of testosterone overdrive makes the African lion of Tsavo aggressively territorial. Two African lions ate over 140 railway workers in 19th century in Kenya. The Tsavo male lions don’t have a mane but are gigantic and very aggressive. Read on how they have managed to terrorize people over the years-Don’t ever mess with a Tsavo Lion.

The only Maneless African lions

The lions of Tsavo national park are unique in many ways. For a start, the males lack the typical mane that usually distinguishes this species, a fact often attributed to the dense thorn-filled vegetation of their habitat, which makes long hair a real hindrance to free movement. As an earth watch study recently revealed, they are also the only lions known to move in social groups with just one single male-most normal prides have one or two younger hangers-on as well as the alpha male.

A case of too much Testosterone

Remarkably, scientists now believe there may be a single cause for all these idiosyncrasies; testosterone. When tested, Tsavo Lions showed remarkably elevated levels of the male sex hormone, which could well be responsible for their hair loss and increased territorial behaviour.

140 killed in one year by 2 male Tsavo Lions

This theory would also explain the famed aggression of the Tsavo lions, which earned has them the lions a reputation as the fiercest predators in Africa. The best known story concerns just two lions, who ate their way through 140 railway workers in a single year during the 19th century! The surviving workers soon decided that the lions had to be ghosts or devils.

A series of ever more ingenious traps was devised by the chief engineer, Colonel J.H. Patterson, but each time the lions evaded them, striking unerringly at the week points in the camp defenses.

The ghost and the darkness finally fall

Patterson was finally able to bag the first lion by hiding on a flimsy wooden scaffold baited with the corpse of a donkey. The second man-eater lion was dispatched a short time later, although it took six bullets to bring the massive beast down. Research has shown that the lions had badly damaged teeth, which may have driven them to abandon their normal prey and become man-eaters.

Patterson wrote a best-selling book about the experience, ‘the man-eaters of Tsavo’, which was later rather freely filmed as the Ghost and the Darkness.

Don’t mess around with the African Tsavo Lion

Although there’s been nothing to compare to this since, quite a few local people have been attacked over the last decade, so be a little cautious when walking at Chaimu Crater, Mzima Springs or Luggard Falls. Hormonal or not, Tsavo lions are not to be trifled with.

How to go hunting for elusive Tsavo lions

Tsavo African lions are also very elusive and one will need a lot of patience and animal tracking knowledge to be able to see a pride. The larger vegetation of the Tsavo also hinders sighting of the lions. The most important tell tale sighs of a presence of a predator in an area within the park are:

• Excited vultures cycling in the air • Sudden rush by other scavenging predators like Hyenas • Sudden warning bird cries while flying off • In forest areas, a concerted group shrieks and shifting around uncomfortably by monkeys on tree canopies might be an indicator of presence of a leopard. • Look at lion footmarks besides the dirt roads, sometimes these guys like trudging along the road away from the tall encumbering grass. • Sudden flipping of gazelle’s ears and a sudden straight upright posture. • Also look beneath the many of the bushes and rocky outcrop areas, lions will most likely hide from the sun underneath bushes or bask in the sun on raised ground.

So look out for these signs and you may be luckier than the next group. Have a lovely Tsavo lion safari experience.

 The endless plains of east Africa are the setting for the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle - the 1.5 million animal ungulate (wildebeest) migration. From the vast Serengeti plains to the champagne colored hills of Kenya’s Masai Mara over 1.4 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra and gazelle, relentlessly tracked by Africa’s great predators, migrate in a clockwise fashion over 1,800 miles each year in search of rain ripened grass.

There is no real beginning or end to a wildebeest’s journey. Its life is an endless pilgrimage, a constant search for food and water. The only beginning is at the moment of birth. An estimated 400,000 wildebeest calves are born during a six week period early each year - usually between late January and mid-March.

A look into the Migration Path

DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH The Serengeti National Park / Ngorongoro Conservation Area is arguably the most impressive wildlife sanctuary in the world. During the months December through March the seemingly unending plains of the southern Serengeti and the Conservation Area are inhabited by enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra. The great herds graze on rain ripened grass.

In the calving season (late January through mid March) the herds concentrate at the Ndutu and Salei plains (Southern Serengeti / Ngorongoro Conservation Area) attracting the attention of predators like lion, cheetah and hyena.

During this period the migration is best observed from Ndutu Safari Lodge, Kusini Camp or any of several private tented camps used by mobile safaris such as our “Classic Tanzanian Tented Safari”. These include campsites in the Ndutu/Naabi area.

APRIL, MAY During the months April and May the depleted plains are unable to sustain the endless herds. The migration, sweeping west and north, moves from the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti / Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the long grass plains and woodland of the Serengeti’s western Corridor, almost to Lake Victoria.

This period is during the long rains and is considered off season for wildlife viewing in east Africa as roads are often impassable. Ndutu Safari Lodge, Kusini Camp and the Serengeti Serena Lodge are fine for wildlife viewing during this time. So are campsites in the Ndutu/Naabi area.

JUNE By the end of May the wildebeest have exhausted the Western Corridor’s best pastures and the herds must move further north. Entering the Lamai Wedge and the Mara Triangle breeding occurs May through June.

This is a transitional period between the rains and the dry season. The Serengeti Serena is a central, easily accessible lodge for viewing the migration at this time. Grumeti River Camp, Migration Camp and Kirawira Camp are also options. Seronera and Moru area campsites are best.

JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER By July the countless herds have amassed along the swollen Mara River - a final barrier from the short sweet grasses of the Masai Mara. Sometimes the crossing place they have chosen is shallow allowing the majority of animals to pass safely. In other areas the waters boil with drowning wildebeest and slashing crocodiles.

Between July and October the wildebeest reside in the Mara. We recommend Governor’s Il Moran Tented Camp as the leading safari camp in the Masai Mara. Other tented camps include Governor’s Main Camp, Little Governor’s Camp, Bataluer Camp, and Mara River Camp. Tanzanian lodges recommended during this time include Kirawira Tented, Migration Camp, and Grumeti River Camp. Kirawira and Moru area campsites are best.

NOVEMBER The arrival of the short rains call the migration southward. During the short rains of November the wildebeest migration is best viewed from either Lobo Wildlife Lodge or Klein’s Camp. Campsites in the Lobo area are best.

As November ends the migration is making its way back to the southern Serengeti and early in the year they once again give birth. The circle of life is complete.

Facts about Animal Migration
Migration is the periodic movement of an animal from the place where it has been living to a new area and its subsequent return journey to the original home. When animals migrate, it is usually to find abundant food and a good place to breed.

These seasonal movements of animals are one of the most incredible elements of nature.

Migrating animals usually use the same routes year after year–from generation to generation. Land animals cross mountains, rivers, and vast tracks of land. Birds, bats, and insects fly long distances, sometimes crossing entire continents or oceans. Swimming animals frequently migrate half way across the world.

The movement of migratory animals usually corresponds with seasonal changes. Many animals migrate to northern regions during summer months. The long summer days in the northernmost portions of the world ensure a good food supply. As fall and colder weather approaches, many animals migrate south to find warm winter weather and available food.

Some animals migrate annually with an outward and a homeward journey made in a single year. Some animals’ patterns of migration are linked to weather patterns—their movements are dependent on rainfall and the availability of green vegetation. A few animals take several years to complete their migratory cycles.

Many scientists view animal migration as an adaptation. Animals that have learned to move to optimal environments are the ones who have survived to continue their species.

Sample some of the following activities to learn more about animal migration.