First ascended in 1899 by Halford Mackinder, a geographer and director of the London School of Economics, Mount Kenya, or Kirinyaga, is Kenya's highest mountain and has three separate peaks – Batian, Nelion and Point Lenana – of which, at 5,199m (17,057ft), Batian is the highest. It is also the second-highest mountain in Africa, after Kilimanjaro. Mount Kenya sits just south of the Equator, in central Kenya, around 150km north-east of Nairobi – and was the source for the Republic of Kenya's name.

Beasts of the Serengeti, exchanging pleasantries with the Maasai, camping out in the bush amid the acacias and elephant dung.

When it comes to activities in Kenya you might think you’ve heard it all before

Unlikely.

Read on for some lesser known experiences in Kenya by Philippa Stewart and originally published in CNN Travel.

 

 

Kenya has a great variety of activities to occupy even the most ardent adrenaline-junkie, from white-water rafting to skydiving. What's your fix?

The 10 to 4 is a downhill mountain bike challenge and fun ride that takes place annually on the slopes of Mt Kenya.
It raises funds for local communities and conservation efforts on Mount Kenya.
The SAX 10 to 4 Mountain Bike Challenge will take place on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd February 2013.

So the holiday is booked and the bags are packed and you are looking forward to a lovely vacation on the Kenyan Coast with the sun, sand and sea for company. However as we all know there comes a time when sun bathing gets a little dull so here are some cool things to do and experience on your holiday...

Have you ever wondered, whilst on safari or just at home, which animals fill these criteria - here is a brief glimpse at some record holders of the African bush.

Many safaris start and end in Nairobi and people are left wondering what to do?  There doesn't need to be a dull moment if that is the case, there are so many amazing things to do and see - our latest blog documents some of the options mostly in the Karen and Lang'ata areas.  So, read on.....

Recent official analysis of entry data received at Kenya's main international airports are seen to reveal an increase in tourism numbers in the first half of this year, but is this realistic and what are we really seeing on the ground?  From The SAFARI Company's point of view, yes we seeing an increase in bookings and an increase in amount spent on each safari but perhaps that is a reflection of the fact that we are marketing more and making a name for ourselves; we hear of other companies that are struggling.

‘Kenya’, a word that conjures up ideas of adventure, great expanses of land speckled with spectacular and truly ‘wild’ wildlife. Most intrepid travellers get to witness this once in their life from a safari vehicle, better known as a photographic safari. There is nothing wrong with a ‘photographic’ safari, clambering into a 4x4 vehicle and driving through the unspoilt lands of Eastern Africa is as intrepid or adventurous as many people would like to get, but for the bold and the brave, we can offer a more extreme safari experience.

Whether from the back of a camel or a horse, the seat of a motorbike, a bicycle or a quad bike or from an old fashioned Arabic trading boat floating on the Indian Ocean, here are some ways in which to witness Kenya, whilst being ‘closer’ to nature.

If you are needing a long weekend out of Nairobi and can't be doing with the coast, this is the perfect place for you.  It would also be a great place to relax for a few days in the middle of a safari. 

‘The Masai Mara’, these three words conjure images of genuine, authentic, original ‘safari’, Acacia strewn savanna, animals galloping across the African plains and nature at its most raw, wild and un-spoilt.

If you have been on safari but haven’t been to the Masai Mara, we feel your safari experience is indeed not complete. Why is the Masai Mara the essence of safari? The most obvious answer is because it is the smallest area in which to see the Big 5 at all times of year as well as the home to the natural phenomenon that is The Annual Wildebeest Migration, which is in evidence from July until November every year. Annually, hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Kenya to witness this wondrous cycle that has been happening for over a million years. The raw brutality of nature comes alive on the savannah and at the river crossings as the world watches, horrified, but fascinated as the wildebeest, zebra and crocodiles fight the battle they have fought for centuries.

It is obvious that visiting the Masai Mara is a must in everyone’s lifetime, and here is how to do it on the budget you have available:

Offbeat Mara Camp is traditional Safari at its very best- private and small, the camp offers excellent game viewing in one of the most famous safari destinations in the world. Just six tents, and a prime location means that they can provide a truly individual and tailored approach to your holiday. This small and exclusive tented camp offers game-viewing in both the serene and unspoilt Mara North Conservancy, and close access to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve.

Latest travel advisory from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office for Ethiopia.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Travel Summary and the Safety and Security - Political situation section (avoid large demonstrations and political rallies), the Safety and Security - Local Travel - River & Sea Transports section and the Entry Requirements - Visa section (need for biometric fingerprints and photographs).  The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are no travel restrictions in place in this travel advice for Tanzania.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Entry Requirements - Passport Validity section (updated).  The overall level of the advice has not changed; we advise against all travel to Karamjoa region except for trips to the Kidepo Valley National Park.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with editorial amendments to the Travel Summary and the Safety and Security - Terrorism section.  The overall level of the advice has not changed.  The FCO advises against all but essential travel to within 60km of the Somali border, to coastal areas within 150km of the Kenya-Somalia border (this includes the Lamu area), to Garissa district and to low income areas of Nairobi, including all townships or slum areas.

Uganda "The Pearl of Africa" has been listed by Lonely Planet as one of the best countries to travel to in 2012.

We are delighted to announce that Miss Nicola Butler has been appointed General Manager for The SAFARI Company and Advantage East Africa as of the 17th October 2011. 

The 9th Lamu Cultural Festival was a wonderful opportunity to experience the island's unspoiled beaches, medieval ambience, architecturally magnificent Old Town, gracious population and traditions of an enchanted island where history continues to live.

This year's festival is planned for the 24th - 27th November 2011.

As per the notice issued in the national newspapers over the weekend, the Narok County Council fees are increasing as of the end of February 2011.