Kenya

Leisure and Sport

Hiking & Climbing
Horse Riding
Cycling & Mountain Biking
Golf
Scuba Diving
Watersports
White Water Rafting
Fishing
Motor Sports
Hot Air Ballooning
Bird Watching


Kenya's favourable climate is ideal for sports and recreation all year round. There are numerous companies offering is a wide range of leisure activities to suit people of all ages.

HIKING & CLIMBING

If you enjoy hiking Kenya has a lot to offer, the most favourable areas being, the Aberdare Mountains, the Chyulu Hills, Hell's Gate, Mt. Susua, Mt. Longonot, the Menengai Crater in the Rift Valley, Ngong Hills, located south-west of Nairobi, Cherangani Hill, Mt. Elgon and Mt Kenya.

Mt Kenya offers a rewarding hike as well as challenging climbs. There are eight routes up the mountain, three of them being the most popular and accessible to anyone of reasonable fitness. Naro Moru, lying to the west, is the easiest ascent with Sirimon to the north and Chogoria to the east being equally popular but you still need to be fit and properly equipped. Batian at 5,199mtrs is the summit and should only be attempted by experienced climbers.

You need to be accompanied by a porter or go with organised tour. Be careful of altitude sickness and hypothermia. The best time of the year for climbing is from mid-January to late February and from late August through September but it is accessible most year round.

You will need warm, wind proof clothing, strong comfortable walking boots, gloves, a tent and a good sleeping bag as well as a stove and high energy food and drinks. Several places hire equipment

5 Days Mt Kenya climb, Sirimon-Chogoria
This route ends with the eastern side of the mountain, it is undoubtedly the most beautiful of the access routes to the summit and easiest as far as gradients go. It requires good trekking experience.
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The Africa Guide's recommended book
		Lonely Planet Trekking in East Africa 3rd Ed - released Oct 2003 (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - UK East Africa has some of the world's most spectacular national parks and trekking routes. This guide, covering Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi and Zambia, provides practical information on how to prepare a trek, what to take, the best trails and how to hire a guide

HORSE RIDING

Kenya Horseback Safari - 11 Day
An evocative horseback and road safari taking in parts of the Great Rift valley at the foothills of the Mt. Longonot, as well as the Mara and Lake Nakuru Parks with plenty of game viewing on offer. No better way to view game and experience African culture than from the back of a horse.
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CYCLING & MOUNTAIN BIKING

Mountain Biking is becoming very popular in Kenya, but it is advisable not to take your own bike, as there are places you hire bicycles.

The Ultimate Biking Adventure
Travel at the pace of Africa on this 16-day mountain bike adventure through Kenya and Tanzania. Experience the culture, wildlife and landscapes of this amazing continent.

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GOLFING

As with many African countries golf is a popular sport, originating from colonial times. There are six high quality 18-hole and four 9-hole golf courses within a 20 mile radius of Nairobi. and there are 3 other main golfing circuits; the Central Highlands, the coast and the west. Most other main towns have a 9-hole course which are generally open to casual visitors on payment of a small green fee.

7 day Twiga Golf Safari
An exciting golf tour combining a luxurious 5 star golf resort in Nairobi to a safari experience in the Great Rift Valley and at the foot of Mount Kenya.
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11 Day Classic Golf Safari
A classic safari which includes the diverse golf and safari locations in Kenya. The tour visits safari and golf locations as well a the white beaches of the Kenyan coast for a relaxing holiday.
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6 Day Budget Golf Safari
A budget golf safari taking you to gamepark in Lake Nakuru and to one of the finest golf resort in the Great Rift Valley.
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14 Day Royal Golf Safari
A luxury golf tour combining a safari to the classic wildlife parks in Kenya, ending on the sunny white beaches of Mombasa
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SCUBA DIVING & SNORKELLING

Kenya boasts three beautiful marine parks with crystal waters, ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. Most coastal hotel have equipment for hire and offer reek trips in glass bottomed boats. Visibility is best in dry seasons - January to March and June to October and most the diving is drift diving. You need to be trained in order to dive, and you may be required to take a test. Take along your certificate. There are several companies offering recognised coursing and diving equipment for hire.

WATERSPORTS

Watersports of all types are very popular throughout Kenya . The warm sea water is ideal for swimming with none of the health risks that inland waters have, there is no danger from sharks or crocodiles. Windsurfing, parasailing and water-skiing are available at many coastal resorts.

Most hotels have swimming pools. It is not advisable to swim in lakes or rivers due to the possibility of being infected with Bilharzia or attacked by a crocodile.

WHITE WATER RAFTING

Kenya has three rivers; the Tana, the Athi and the Ewaso, suitable for rafting at all levels of competence up to exhilarating Class V white water. The experience is more rustic and less crowded than the Zambezi version

FISHING

Freshwater Fishing:
Excellent fly-fishing, particularly for trout can be had in the mountain stream of the Aberdares, Mau Escarpment and the Cherenganis. Lake Victoria is the best inland water for game fishing where Tiger fish and Nile perch are amongst species to be caught. You are required to purchase a fishing licence which can be obtained from Fisheries Dept in Nairobi

Deep-sea fishing:
Kenya is reputed for having some of the greatest sports fishing grounds in the world, with a long season running from August to May. The most popular species found in Kenyan waters include; blue, black and striped marlin, swordfish, sailfish, kingfish, dorado, barracuda, sharks and wahoo. To help with conversation and research, operators are encouraged to tag and release.

MOTOR SPORTS

The Safari Rally is a four-day event held yearly over the Easter weekend. This covers some 4,000 km of Kenya's roads and tracks and has become a major event on the international rally circuit. On the first weekend of June, the Rhino Charge is held, a rally event which raises money for rhino conservation.

The East Africa Motor Sports Club    Mombasa Road, PO Box 42786, Nairobi   Tel: +(254) 2 822843

HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARIS

A hot air balloon trip, although not cheap, the scenes from the air over the vast savannah plains and game reserves of East Africa, definitely make it worthwhile for a once in a lifetime treat. A lot of the safari companies offer it as an optional extra.

BIRD WATCHING

Kenya has over 1,033 known species of bird and more are still being discovered. These range from the largest being the Ostrich and small being the tiny sunbird and include; guineafowl, francolins, hornbills, weaver birds, hoopoes, starlings, vultures, Marabou stork, harriers, goshawks, sparrowhawks, buzzards, kites, falcons, kestrels, eagles, herons, cranes, cormorants, daters, kingfishers, pelican and flamingos to mention a few.

The alkaline soda lakes, such as Lake Turkana and Nakuru provide one of the most impressive sights the country has to offer being home to thousands of pink flamingos and pelicans. You will need to be equipped with a good pair of binoculars and many lodges and hotels in the favourite bird watching areas will provide lists of species seen locally and organise guided walks with ornithologists.

The Africa Guide's recommended book
		Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania  (amazon.com) - USA     (amazon.co.uk) - UK by Dale A. Zimmerman, Donald A. Turner, David J. Pearson (Contributor), Ian Willis (Illustrator) "More than just the definitive guide to East African Birds, this is a beautiful book--a 'must have' especially if you contemplate a journey to see these birds in the feather."  (Audubon Naturalist News)