TOURISM CIRCUITS IN KENYA

Kenya is a major tourism destination in Africa. The country divided into smaller tourism destinations which are called Kenya tourism circuits or regions. A tourist circuit is defined as a route on which at least three major tourist destinations are located such that none of these are in the same town, village or city; with well defined entry and exit points. The main objective of having Kenya tourism circuits is to increase the total number of visits to all the destinations on the circuit. Another objective is to provide tourist with a mix of attractions and activities in a destinations. The new Constitution (enacted in August 2010) focuses on counties, this makes Community Based Tourism Enterprises (CBTE’s) have a real opportunity to speak as one voice.

Kenya is divided into eight tourism circuits which are Nairobi tourism circuit, central tourism circuit, south Rift tourism circuit,North Rift tourism circuit,Coastal tourism circuit, southern tourism circuit,Eastern tourism circuit and western tourism circuit.

We have carefully put together tour packages combining most of the Kenya tourism attractions.

The Kenya tourism circuits include:

Nairobi Tourism Circuit

Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya. The city represents a vibrant metropolis and is East and Central Africa’s premier city. There are many museums dedicated to the country’s history, you can truly experience Kenya’s unique culture. Nairobi hotels are among the most opulent in the country and include a number of international hotel chains. Attractions here include;

1. Nairobi Animal Orphanage
2. Arboretum
3. Giraffe center
4. Nairobi National Park
5. Karen Blixen Museum
6. Nairobi National Museum
7. Karura Forest Reserve
8. Nairobi Safari Walk
9. Bomas of Kenya
10. Kenyatta International Conference Centre
11. Ngong Hills
12. Railway Museum
13. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

South Rift Tourism Circuit

The Southern Rift comprises of the best known attractions including Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha. Activities here include game watching with chances of spotting all of the Big Five game, bird watching, Ballooning, Hiking and rock climbing

1. Hells Gate National Park
2. Lake Nakuru National Park
3. Masai Mara National Reserve(Mara Triangle)
4. Masai Mara National Reserve
5. Lake Naivasha National Park

Coastal Tourism Circuit

The Kenyan coast consists of sun drenched beaches with soft sand, warm waters and refreshing sea breezes. The Kenya Coast has attractive creeks, sleepy rivers and shady inlets – The Kenya coast is an ideal place for big game fishing, diving, water sports – or just lazing around on the beach.

Parks and attractions to visit while on the Coastline Region of Kenya Safari Circuit include;

1.  Arabuko Sokoke National Reserve
2. Kisite Mpunguti, Kiunga, Malindi and Mombasa Marine National Parks and Reserves
3. Shimba Hills National Reserve
4. Tana River Primate Reserve

Activities while on safari to the coastal region include; a visit to the last major remnant of tropical rain forest – Arabuko Sokoke and a chance of seeing some of it’s rare bird species, the Tana river rare and endangered primates like the mangebey and red colobus monkeys, the Shimba hills reserve – the only abode of the sable antelope in Kenya, water sports in Mombasa including, jet ski, scuba diving, snorkeling and much more.

Central Kenya Tourism Circuit

The Central Kenya Safari Circuit Region is offers High Hill Country; a paradise for Daredevils. This is Kenya’s high hill country above Nairobi – a land of mountain peaks, spectacular waterfalls and remote alpine moors that provide a unique and breath taking African Landscape. It is also an area of coffee plantations and small farms that make up the region’s thriving agricultural sector. Parks and attractions to visit while on the Central Kenya Safari Circuit include;

1. Aberdares National Park
2. Mount Kenya National Park
3. Mount Longonot National Park

Activities while on safari to this region include; game viewing – high chances of seeing all the big five and rare forest antelopes like the bongo, the endangered black rhino, history of Kenya – settlers, scenic views of hills and waterfalls, mountain hiking and trekking.

Southern Tourism Circuit

Kenya’s Southern region safari circuit is dominated by Tsavo (Tsavo East and Tsavo West) Kenya’s largest national park. Further is Amboseli – Kilimanjaro’s home and Chyulu hills rocky volcanic outcrops harboring a huge amount of game and Lake Jipe – a lake fed by Mount Kilimanjaro’s run-off.Parks in the southern region safari circuit are close to the Kenya Coast

Parks and attraction in this safari circuit region include;

1. Amboseli National Park
2. Chyulu Hills National Park
3. Tsavo East National Park
4. Tsavo West National Park

North Rift Tourism Circuit

The North Rift safari circuit region offers remote and sometimes inaccessible attractions, a reserve of those who wish to explore Kenya at its most rugged, these regions appeals to visitors because of their hot springs and bird sanctuaries, Parks and lake attractions like Lake Bogoria, Baringo, Kamnarock, Turkana, South and Central Island, Nasalot, Sibiloi and Marsabit national reserve hold fascination for the traveller who like to go off the beaten track. One of the  main event in this circuit is the annual camel derby, other activities here include game watching , ballooning, camel riding, fishing, horse riding and mountain biking. The attraction includes;

1. Laikipia National Reserve
2. Marsabit National Reserve
3. Nasalot National Reserve
4. Sibiloi National Park
5. South and Central Island National Park
6. South Turkana National Reserve

Eastern Kenya Tourism Circuit

The Eastern Region Safari circuit is just outside Nairobi and it includes Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs which form contagious parks separated by the Ewaso Nyiro River.

Further out is the Meru  National reserve consisting of open savannahs and is also adjacent to Bisanadi, Mwingi, Kora and Rahole National reserves and parks.

1. Bisanadi National Reserve
2. Buffalo Springs National Reserve
3. Shaba National Reserve
4. Kora National Park
5. Meru National Park
6. Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park
7. Mwea National Reserve
8. Mwingi National Reserve
9. Samburu Game Reserve

Western Kenya Tourism Circuit

The Western safari circuit is the least visited Kenya tourist circuit. The western Kenya region consists of rich forests, swamps and some of Kenya’s rarest animal species. Kakamega forest is a habitat for over 300 bird species, the endangered De-Brazza,s moneky, the balck and white colobus monkey while Ruma national park is the only home to the roan antelope in Kenya and the Saiwa swamp is the only home to the endangered semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope. The attractions here include;

1. Kakamega Forest National Reserve
2. Ndere Island National Park
3. Kisumu Impala Sanctuary
4. Mount Elgon National Reserve
5. Ruma National Park
6. Saiwa Swamp National Park