Mount Kenya - Irresistible To Climbers and Trekkers

Mount Kenya straddles the equator and stands at 5199 meters high. Its beautiful snow-capped peaks and imposing height have attracted adventurous climbers and trekkers for years.

The mountain somewhat stands unjustly in the shadow of it's slightly loftier cousin Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters), as most people who conquer it after conquering Mount Kilimanjaro attest that it is more challenging.

Mount Kenya is the source of the name of the Republic of Kenya. Its highest peaks are Batian (5,199 m), Nelion (5,188 m) and Point Lenana (4,985 m). Batian and Nelion are only for technical climbers, whereas Point Lenana can be reached by trekkers.

The stratovolcano was created about 3 million years ago. Before glaciation it stood at 7,000 meters high. It was covered by an ice cap for thousands of years, resulting in its very eroded slopes and numerous valleys radiating from the centre.

Since 1900 the glaciers have been rapidly retreating and 7 out of 18 have disappeared.

Mount Kenya National Park, established in 1949, occupies an area of 2,800 sq km and protects the region surrounding the mountain. The park has an abundance of wildlife, mineral springs and unique montane and alpine vegetation with 11 species of endemic plants.

History
The first European to report seeing the mountain was Dr Johann Ludwig Krapf, a German missionary, from Kitui in 1849, a town 160 km away from the mountain. The sighting was made on 3 December 1849, a year after the discovery by Europeans of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The mountain was first climbed in 1899 by Halford Mackinder, with guides César Ollier and Joseph Brocherel. They reached the summit of Batian at noon on 13 September, and descended via the same route.

On 6 January 1929, Percy Wyn-Harris and Eric Shipton made the first ascent of Nelion. They climbed the Normal Route, and then descended to the Gate of Mists before ascending Batian.

In February 1938 Miss C Carol and Mtu Muthara became the first woman and African respectively to ascend Nelion, in an expedition with Noel Symington, and on 5 March the same year Miss Una Cameron became the first woman to ascent Batian.

In 1943 three Italian prisoners of war detained at POW Camp 354 near Nanyuki escaped to climb the mountain then returned to face the music. The mountaineering classic No Picnic on Mount Kenya by Felice Benuzzi tells their story.

On Kenyan independence in 1963 Kisoi Munayo raised the Kenyan flag at the top of Mount Kenya. He died in 2007 and was given a heroic funeral attended by Kenya's third president Mwai Kibaki.

Find out about climbing Mount Kenya and further information on Mount Kenya National Park tourist attractions and accommodation.

Article Source: Paul_M_Banks

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The Man Eaters of Tsavo

When one hears about the man-eaters of Tsavo, an image of marauding lions rampaging through villages in Africa immediately comes to mind. In fact, it is sometimes quite innocently assumed that all lions in the Tsavo National Park are man-eaters. Nothing can be further from the truth, but going by documented evidence, the man-eaters of Tsavo were a pair of male lions that wreaked havoc during the construction of a railway bridge across the Tsavo River toward the end of the 19th century, the victims being primarily Indian workers.

The combined total area of Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks is a little over 18,000 km2 of a savannah ecosystem located midway between Nairobi and Mombasa. These two parks boast of all the "Big Five" as well as zebra, giraffe, crocodile and hundreds of bird species. It is here that some of the Indian rail workers, imported to construct the Kenya-Uganda Railway in the late 1890'S, met their fate. Estimates vary as to the number dragged from their tents in the middle of the night to certain death. Patterson, famously known as the head of the railway construction project and the one who ultimately killed the lions, claims in his accounts that the dead number 135, but more scientific estimates that have since been conducted put this figure at a conservative 35.

The true number of devoured Indian workers and the reason for the attacks has never been clearly ascertained. Nevertheless, certain theories have been put forward. First, there may have been an outbreak of rinderpest disease, wiping out whole populations of prey that the lions depended on. Another theory is that lions became acclimatized to the sight and taste of human remains found floating in the Tsavo River, either caused by Hindu cremations, or the remains of dead slaves; Tsavo was along the slave caravan route.

Whatever the cause of this behavior, or the uncertainty surrounding the numbers who were killed by the two man-eating lions, what is certain is that the two lions, along with the books and documentaries that chronicle this episode in Kenya's history, have boosted travel and tourism to the park and the name of the country as a top tourism destination. Numerous lodges, bandas, guest houses, and campsites now dot both parks, providing accommodation to tourists who wish to view the game, explore the many caves, or simply camp in the wilderness of the Tsavo.

Fred Mucai is the owner of http://www.greaterkenya.com which features new and exciting tour destination packages to the East African Region

Article Source: Fred_Mucai

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Zimbabwe - The World Of Wonders

Zimbabwe's economy is largely dependent on exports of minerals, agriculture, platinum mining and tourism. It is a home to various cultures, beliefs and ritual ceremonies, craftsmanship in pottery, basketry, jewellery, carving, national parks, the great ruins, botanical parks, museums, the largest waterfall in the world, wildlife, and so much more. English is the official language apart from Shona and Ndebele. Set in the Southern part of the African continent, Zimbabwe is frequently visited by the visitors seeking solace away from the bustling city life.

Peak of Adventure!!

So if you want to be on-top-of-the world head to mount Inyangani (8504ft near the Inyanga National Park in eastern highlands of Zimbabwe), or the Vumba (lying 25 km in the south east of Mutare and Chimanimani mountain ranges) and treat yourself to a visual delight of lush green pine forests, ravines, sharp cliffs, shiny streams with sparkling trout and you might just get lucky to get a glimpse of rare wild life.

Moving down to the plains, the Hwange National Park (in between the Bulawayo and Vic Falls in Zimbabwe), offers hunting and safari expeditions adhering to the national conservation program can really test that 'adventurous' in you. Shoot with your lens [only]; leopards, antelopes, cheetahs and other exotic wild life.

History's Mystery

If you think history-is-mystery then visit the Khami (in the western part of modern city of Bulawayo), Dhlo-Dhlo (80 kms away from Gweru) and Naletale ruins (in Matabeleland north just 25 kilometres east of Shangani), and these ancient ruined cities are sure to capture your imagination, and if you want to indulge in something more spectacular and larger than life, the Victoria Falls is the place. 600 million litres of water per plunge, 1.5 miles wide, spray visibility 20 miles is sure to thrill the living daylights out of you.

Other attractions are the Modern Museum, Art Galleries, the Larvon Bird Garden, Ewanrigg Botanical Gardens, beautiful landscaped parks, and the Rhodes Matopos National Park, famous for its granite boulders jutting skyward from the bowels of the earth is sheer spectacle, and all this complemented with a pleasant climate makes Zimbabwe the 'Sunshine City'. Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second city and a major commercial, industrial hub and favourite with tourists for shopping local stuff.

Bon Appetite!

Cornmeal is the staple food for Zimbabweans, which is used to make porridge or locally known as Sadza, which is eaten with a side dish consisting of lamb, beef, chicken or vegetables. For the tourists it offers a huge palate of local and international cuisine provided you are game for it! Springbok [African Gazelle], Kudu [Large Antelope] Impala [Antelope] or how about some Crocodile Tail or Warthog, sounds yummy but folks don't worry there is aplenty for those with lighter taste-buds. Harare Restaurant in the 336 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare is ideal for tasting the delicacies including Warthog at the most exclusive rates.

Wild Geese Lodge, Amanzi's, Sopranos, Victoria 22, at Harare offer sumptuous, inexpensive meals and drinks, all with a colonial touch is sure to make your day and night! For the seafood lovers 'Fishmonger' is a must visit, gorge on lobsters, crabs, and fresh scallops and on your way back from the Victoria Falls, check out The Boma and enjoy being served beef, pork, fish and chicken on cast iron plates. Lager-lovers get blessed by the 'Witch Doctor', cheers!!

And if all this has failed to excite your insatiable appetite for adventure and fun, take a leap of the Victoria Falls [Bungee Jumping]. Zimbabwe will certainly not disappoint you as far as holidays are concerned. You can plan family holidays or honeymoon trip to Zimbabwe and can rest assured of the beauty and exquisiteness that you can view and experience.

So, go ahead and book your holidays now! Also, book well in advance to avoid any confusions at the end.

The author is an avid traveler who likes to write about travel destinations. She shares some exclusive travel tips and travel destinations on her blog http://detailedtravel.blogspot.in/. Get in touch for travel writing services.

Article Source: Prer_Malhan

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Interesting Facts About Mount Kenya

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Mount Kenya is one of the highest peaks in Africa, second only to Mount Kilimanjaro. At an elevation of 12,549 feet, the glacier-topped mountains provide an excellent source of water for much of Kenya. Here are more fast facts about the mountain that named the country.

1. Mount Kenya is an inactive stratovolcano. It has spewed out lava that quickly hardened, thus creating the conical shape it is famous for. If the mountain is cut crosswise, visible layers of lava, tephra, pumice and ash will be found according to the sequence and type of volcanic spews. The rich soil makes a perfect habitat for a variety of plants.

2. A 715 square-kilometer National Park sits around the center mountain. The park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 for its geologic characteristic. It is a famous tourist spot and it receives 16,000 visitors per year.

3. There are four ethnic groups that live around Mount Kenya. The Gikuyu are the growers or agriculturists. They take advantage of the high fertile soil at the western side of the mountain. The tribesmen build their houses with doors facing the mountain, as they believe that it is God's throne on earth. This practice is observed by the Embu tribe, who says that Mount Kenya is the sacred abode of God. The Ameru has made the east and north slopes their home, while the Maasai are semi-nomadic people occupy the northern part of the mountain with their cattle.

4. The center of the mountain has a similarity with the Alps' terrain. The peaks have a craggy nature and alpine plants grown in rock crevices. The peaks each have a name with the highest one reaching to 17,057 feet high, and it is called Batian. The first known climbers of Batian reached the summit in September, 1899. It took them three attempts before they successfully got to the top.

5. It is more difficult to climb Mount Kenya than Kilimanjaro. The first is listed in The Seven Summit, a popular bucket list for mountaineers around the world. It requires special equipment and tested rock climbing skills to get to the twin summits of Batian and Nelion.

6. This equatorial mountain has an equal number of hours for day and night. The sunrise and sunset occurs at 5:30 almost constantly every day. There's also just one minute of difference between the shortest and the longest days.

Kenya is definitely different from home. The country promises an adventure to all visitor, an experience that will be retold countless times. For more travel tips and adventure guide, visit Travelingeast.com

Article Source: Heather_J_Scott

Botswana Travel - A Crush Course on the Basics

Botswana is a landlocked country that is situated in the southern hemisphere. The country is landlocked and has a population of just below 2 million people. Today, Botswana is a leading tourist destination particularly for safari and desert tours. This has become the case in recent years as the economy has grown tremendously on the back of diamond revenues. Traveling to Botswana is fairly easy and straight forward if one is coming from major world cities.

Johannesburg is the hub is the southern African region when it comes to air travel. As a result, most flights to Botswana originate from South Africa. It is possible to get a direct flight from Johannesburg to Kasane a major safari region in the northern part of Botswana. Entry into Botswana for short stays of say 30 days at a time is usually a straight forward affair requiring no visa for most nationalities.

Tourists who arrive in Botswana by air via Gaborone, the capital, have an unending accommodation options. Accommodation types available in Gaborone range from lodges to hotels. Depending on how much one is willing to spend on accommodation there is available backpackers accommodation as well as high-end luxurious hotel accommodation.

Experienced hotels and lodges will be able to facilitate a wide range of activities once in Botswana. However, it is recommended and good practice to have a fairly good idea of what is available before touching down. This can easily be done by looking up reputable tour operators online. It is fairly easy to cross boarders once in Botswana into other countries. This is particularly the case when visiting Kasane in the North.

Kasane is essentially a border town with about 10000 inhabitants. It is at the geographical intersection of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Visits to the three nations bordering Botswana is a one day affair and a matter of hours by road. The road network is also fairly good and very efficient. The reason why many tourists travel to these bordering countries as part of the Botswana trip are the attractions. Zambia and Zimbabwe present the mighty Victoria Falls from different angles. Namibia has the Caprivi to offer which is very close to the Zambezi River.

In as far as safety is concerned, Botswana is generally a safe country to visit. Personal guns, the main weapon used when committing crime in neighboring South Africa are not widely available in Botswana. However, any tourist to any country must be wary and alert to prevent certain crimes be it petty or serious that target tourists. Apart from this, the people of Botswana are friendly and welcoming to visitors.

The writer is an experienced traveler to Botswana and has visited the country both by road and by air several times. He has also written a review on Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane and Gaborone Sun Hotel in Gaborone.

Article Source: Aurther_Shoko