Christmas well spent adventuring the picks of Mount Kenya and a great view of the country Kenya.
I did a five days tour of Mount kenya just about two days before x-mass.I left Nairobi for Nanyuki to start of my adventure trip,on an early and beautiful day sunny and clear sky.
I was in one of Kenya's travel mini bus refereed to us the Matt 'MATATU' which i boarded from the Accra street in down town Nairobi at the junction of River road and Accra road ,it was at around 8:00 in the morning and streets were busy so does the bus stop as lots of people were traveling up country to cerebrate x-mass with their families .
I was lucky that a friend and a guide from the African home adventure tours and safaris ,had arranged to have me book a trip with them and was SO well organized.I talked to a tall guy from the airport refereed to as ''One people'' Alberto a very friendly and serious guy he recommended that i take a tour of the mountain as a first time traveler in an African country ,an idea i did not object to knowing very well that as a Kenyan he would actually recommend something of intrest and fun to a point that it would never fade my memory.
As we took off from the Nairobi busy area that i was really scared of being the only white man,i was not sure of my safety but my guide kept on assuring me that all is well and no cause for alarm i trusted him and gained the confidence to get going.
Some few minutes after half eight in the morning we were in the outskirts of the city heading to Thika where lots of pineapples are grown by an American firm delmonte a very vast land and beautiful looking i could not believe its Africa as all my life i thought Africa was all jungle but here i am SO green fresh air the feel was incredible to me.
As we descended the very central part of Kenya ,and viewing the mountain from a distance some where at a district called Muranga'MAKUYU' the view of the mountain was SO gorgeous that i could not believe the feel and view with the beautiful jacaranda trees,coffee trees,vegetables and fresh fruits sold by the road side .Its when i realized that the central part of Kenya as refereed to for agriculture,i saw the reality of serious farmers and pulling out their yields by the road side to sell what they grow as a way of supplementing their income ,as we stopped for a while at a place known as Kiangwachi ,Ngwachi refereed to as sweet potatoes, i could not believe the no of women mostly though a few young men were present approached our bus with all kinds of fresh fruits,vegetables some i had never seen in my life and my friend guide bought a few assorted fruits that we ate on our way up they were indeed very sweet and cheap too.
We drove up as we ascended a small town known as Karatina which has one of the biggest open air market our driver drove by it and i saw it for myself and is indeed a big market with all sorts of food items and very busy indeed i think it was a market day though i did not ask.
We proceeded on to wards nyeri town,which is in Nyeri district a very green area beautiful trees,coffee,tea and other crops huge cabbages that i have never seen all my life Nyeri produces quite allot to the country economy as in agriculture.
An hour later i was alighting my bus at a town called Nanyuki where i was to start off with my tour.i was booked in a hotel in the town centre,very clean and cheap nice food and good people .its here that i meet a group of travelers also from the top of the mountain and heading north of Nanyuki to isiolo on to the Samburu park.
I had a brief chat with the travelers and they assured me of the wonders of the mountain.
I decided to relax in the late hours of the afternoon and had dinner at six thirty in the evening we went out with some friends of my guide for drinks and disco at a nearby pub it was great .later on we retired to bed ready for the next morning.
I was up early the next morning due to excitement and we checked out of our hotel room after breakfast and took of to the base of mt Kenya we arrived there at around ten thirty and started with our trip up it was Little cold but later was warm we went all the way to makinders camp for an overnight ,we had dinner and slept in the bundas next morning was up and proceeded up i had my binoculars with me and camera took pictures all the way as i viewed the country from the to of the mountain at Christmas eve i really felt great and most thankful to my guide Mwangi.
I owe African Home Adventure Tours And Safaris a big thank for a great and memorable trip specially for Christmas. i really enjoyed it i would not hesitate to recommend African home adventure to any traveler keep up happy trials and peace on earth the website is www.africahomeadventure.com or www.yhak.org info@yhak.org
Muraguri James Gichohi


TOURING KENYA (AFRICAN HOME ADVENTURE TOURS AND SAFARIS
Touring Kenya
Wild Kingdom
Kenya's wildlife heritage is for many people its prime attraction. The bes known wildlife areas are Amboseli National Park, which is dominated by the snow covered Mount Kilimanjaro and Masai Mara National Reserve, famous for its abundance of game and its many predators. Other impressive wildlife areas are the three national reserves in the north east, set in arid bush country along the banks of the area's only river, the Ewaso Nyiro: they are Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba.
These reserves are notable for the unusual species they contain, the endangered Grevy's zebra, herds of beisa oryx, the long necked gerenuk and the very striking reticulated giraffe. To the south and east of the country lie Tsavo East and Tsavo West national parks which are bisected by the main Nairobi-Mombasa highway. Together, the parks form one of the largest wildlife areas in the entire world-20,812km2(8035 sq miles) in contrast to the tiny Saiwa Swamp which is only 2km2(half a square mile) in size, and is possibly the world smallest national park. Another park deserving a mention is Lake Nakuru, very famous for its spectacular flamingos:sometimes as many as 1.5million make their home there.
Kenya's numerous and varied birdlife(1080 species) is attracting increasing numbers of ornithologists and bird-watchers, and is fastest growing sectoir of the tourist industry. Sixty six different birds of prey have been recorded(excluding owls);among these are 19 eagles from the mighty martial to the tiny pygmy falcon. Of the 11 species of vulture found in Kenya, the more commonly seen are the palm nut, African white backed, Ruppell's hooded, Egyptian, lappet-faced and white-headed species, and finally, the rarest, the lammergeyer.

Conserving Kenya's Natural; Heritage
Like every other African country, Kenya wildlife areas,forests and special habitats are continuously being threatened, mostly by an expanding population's need for more land, by increasing urbanisation and industrialisation.
Where to spot the BIG FIVE
Lion is a nocturnal hunter but easiest cat to see in the Masai Mara during the day.
Leopard: shy nocturnal, it can however usually be seen in the Masai Mara, Samburu, Lake Nakuru reserves early in the morning and later afternoon drives.
Elephant: seen in most wildlife areas, except Nairobi and Saiwa National Parks, best place is Amboseli around swamps at midday.
Buffalo: most dangerous of Africa's animals, can best be seen in the Masai Mara and Aberdare national parks.
Rhino: both black and white species most confined in Nairobi, Nakuru and Abedare parks; Solio Ranch and Lewa Conservancy.
website www.yhak.org
email info@yhak.org
James Muraguri Gichohi


HINTS AND TIPS FOR VISITORS TO KENYA
Tourist Office Nairobi:
Kenya Tourist Board
Kenya Re Towers, Ragati Road
Upper Hill
P.o. Box 30630
Nairobi
Tel: +254 020 2719924/26/28/31
Fax: +254 020 2724169
Airport in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International airport is about half an hour's drive from the city center or from the Youth hostel. Taxis, Airport metro shuttle buses by Kenya Bus Services are readily available. Confirm prices for transfer before getting into the vehicle. Avoid people who misdirect you about the hostel. Call the hostel to arrange pick up or drop off at the airport.
Public Transport
City buses do operate in Nairobi and upcountry at very reasonable rates, so does the small minibuses referred to as MATATUS 14 or 30 seater buses. Fare is usually paid to the conductor.
Trains
There are train services to Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri and are extending to other towns in Kenya. Tickets can be obtained in advance; the second class has accommodation available.
Postal Services
Post Offices are identified by the word Posta Kenya and mail-posting boxes are red in the post offices or main streets. You can get stamps mainly at post offices, stationers, some hotels, and souvenir shops. Hours of business from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to noon at main offices.
Telephone Services
The Telkom Kenya provides advanced telecommunication services that include voice data, Internet and multimedia, whilst Safaricom provides cellular mobile services (0722,0721,0720) and Kencell communications (0733,0734,0735). Public payphones both coin and card operated are available in most major towns.
Currency
Kenya's unit of currency is the shilling (Kshs) divided into:
? Cooper coins of 50c and Kshs 1
? Silver copper coin of Kshs 5, Kshs 10, Kshs 20, Kshs 40
? Bank notes available in Kshs 5, Kshs 10, Kshs 20, Kshs 50, Kshs 100, Kshs 200, Kshs 500 and Kshs 1000
Banking Hours
Banks in most towns are open from 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 11am on first and last Saturday of every month, with the exception of the airport.
There are very few bureaus. Most banks in Kenya have 24hr access to your account and can be facilitated by the ATM's countrywide.
Traveller's cheques are readily recognizable and accepted in most places.
Credit Cards
All major international credit cards are accepted in Kenya and most ATMs accept international VISA and MASTER credit cards.
Voltage
All regions in Kenya are supplied with 240volts AC. The plug in use throughout Kenya is of the three square pin, 13amp type.
Security
It is advisable to always hand in your valuable items like passports, traveller's cheques excess money and other valuable items at hotel reception desks for safekeeping. Some hotels have safety deposit box in rooms.
It is sensible precaution not to walk alone in isolated areas of most towns or beach areas particularly after dark. Seek advice from your hostel/hotels management always on local security.
Tipping:
Tipping is not mandatory but not forbidden. It is at your discretion and most hotels and restaurants include a 10% service charge to the bill.
Water
Nairobi and Mombasa hotels are safe for drinking water. However, if in doubt, a variety of bottled water is available in most places. It is advisable to conserve water as much as possible due to inadequate rainfall.
Visas
All in coming visitors in Kenya, whether for business or pleasure, now require a visa irrespective of nationality. Multiple and single entry visas are available at a fee of $ 50.or equivalent in local currency and can be obtained on arrival.
You may be able to apply for a visa at certain Kenya High Commission prior to travelling to Kenya. For more information contact you're nearest Kenya High Commission office.
Public Holidays
Jan 1 st New Years Day
May 1 st Labour Day
June 1 st Madaraka Day (Self rule)
October 10 th Moi Day
October 20 th Kenyatta Day
December 12 th Uhuru/Jamuhuri Day (Independence/Republic)
December 25 th Christmas Day
December 26 th Boxing Day
N.B:
Public holidays falling on Sunday, the following Monday is observed as the official holiday. Good Friday, Easter Monday and Idd-ul-fitr are moveable dates.
Safari Companies
There are many safari companies in Kenya whose price and service vary tremendously. You are advised to use only ones that are members of KATO (Kenya Association of Tour Operators). If in doubt contact KATO:
Jubilee Exchange Building,
Mama Ngina Street
Tel: +254 020 225570
Fax: +254 020 188402
Smart cards:
To enter any national park, a smart card is now required. These can only be obtained at a national parks main entrance or at the Smart Card office, KWS HQ, Nairobi.
Health Requirement:
Visitors from, or who have recently passed through a yellow fever zone must have a valid international certificate of vaccination. Rules regarding health change regularly when planning your trip, therefore check with your airline for the latest information

James Muraguri gichohi
Kenya youth hostels association
www.yhak.org
email info@yhak.org
AFRICAN HOME ADVENTURE TOURS AND SAFARIS
http://www.africahomeadventure.com