Kenya is located in East Africa on both sides of the equator, bordering on Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and the Indian Ocean.

Capital city: Nairobi is the largest city. Additional large cities are Nakuru and Mombasa.

Area: 582,000 square kilometers

Independence: December 12, 1963.

Languages: Swahili and English, in addition to 30 different and unique languages ​​of different tribes.

Climate: tropical along the coast and arid inland.

Government: Republican and Democratic.

Population: Over 47 million people.

Religion: 45% of Kenya’s residents are Protestant Christians, 33% are Catholic Christians, 10% are Muslims and the rest are from different religions.

There is no precise information on the number of Evangelicals in Kenya, but the other Christian movements in Kenya also show strong and deep support for Israel.

In Nairobi alone there are a few hundred Jewish families, and several hundreds are scattered throughout the country.

Currency: KES Kenyan Shilling. (100 Shilling are about $1 US)

Area Code: +245

National food: Ugali – porridge from corn flour

A trip to Kenya is a powerful and exciting experience that will leave you with a deep impression and endless love for nature and its treasures that we have received from the Almighty. Beginning with the wild safari where you can meet, probably as close as you ever will, Africa’s ‘Big Five’: The African elephant, the African buffalo, the African tiger, the African lion and the black rhinoceros or the white rhinoceros and, of course, you will also meet with a huge variety of millions of animals and birds in their natural and comfortable habitat.

Photograph of applicant as per link specification

Personal Bank statement (for touristic purpose)

Note: PLEASE MAKE 1 PDF FILE WHILE SENDING SCANNED DOCUMENTS.

Day 1: We landed in Nairobi which to me seemed a clean peaceful city. The airports arrival concourse needs much improvement. I was told, the arrival terminal burned down so this was a temporary one. We stayed in Lotos Inn and Suites in the Westlands. It was just for one night so just needed a clean room to stay. When you visit Kenya make sure you have the mosquito nets in place while you rest because Malaria is so prevalent in these parts.

Day 3-4 Amboseli National Park

We arrived at the AA lodge in Amboseli. AA stands for Asia and Africa as apparently there are lot of Chinese and African tourists. We arrived at 3pm and headed for lunch. On the way, we stopped at a curio shop. It is advised that you take 5 liter mineral water bottles otherwise water is expensive at the lodge. Also it is advised you use mineral water for brushing your teeth and other purposes except bathing. The lodge had good water supply and 24 hour electricity. Some lodges and camps give provide electricity at specific times which is understandable given the location. Hot water was not available as it was cloudy since there was no geyser system. The hot water supply was apparently available due to solar panels heating the water supply so sunshine is needed for that. The best thing about AA lodge was it is located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest point. Just infront of our cottage was the mountain, even though it was covered with clouds on most of the days. Only on our final morning we were able to view the peak clearly for about 15 minutes or so which paved the way for a photo opportunity.

Gift shop in AA lodge Amboseli

Pool area in AA lodge

Enjoying the afternoon in front of our cottage in AA lodge

Some of the items were really delicious

One good thing about Kenya is food is Haalal by Government Law.This makes it comfortable for Muslim travelers like us who maintain our Islamic values and only eat Haalal food

At the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli National Park

I can assure you, never in your life will you come across a fair Muslim Masai guy, ha ha

Posing with a local Masai

That spear on my right hand, if thrown with force can pierce a lions belly

In the afternoon I went on the evening game drive which lasted about 2 hours. The important thing about a Safari is you need to have a good guide, one who has vast knowledge about the park as well as the animals. I was lucky in the sense, I got Mr. David as my tour guide which knew Amboseli so well. He was able to show us all the different animals and enlightened us with lot of knowledge about the park and its inhabitants. The Wifey and son stayed behind for the evening game drive. I was able to see the African elephants as they were returning home to the bushes from the open marsh lands. Watching these giant creatures just a few feet away was a surreal experience. I also so a pack of lions feeding on a wildebeest. There were the usual Zebras and Grant’s Gazelles all over the open Savannah.

A baby elephant returning from the marshes and going towards the bushes for the night followed by its herd

African Elephant named Bob with one tusk as the other one was lost in battle. I was informed by my guide about this

Pride of lions relaxing after a morning meal. Lions can sleep up to 16 hours a day when they dont hunt

This Grant’s gazelle welcomed us on our arrival into AA lodge and was also spotted the day we left. Hopefully it was the same gazelle

Wildebeest just lazying around

Day 3: After having breakfast we started off for our full day game drive. We had packed picnic lunch and would be on game drive the whole day. One thing to keep in mind is that the park entrance fees, which was $60 for adults and $35 for child is to be paid either through credit card or through mobile banking service called M-pesa. They DO NOT accept any form of CASH. So make sure you have your credit card or have money loaded to M-pesa account which can be activated through a local sim card. We weren’t aware of this and thankfully our guide, Mr David managed the entrance fees and I paid him in dollars. Also keep in mind the entrance fee is valid for 24 hours or two entries.

Just before entering the Kimana gate, there are lot of hawkers trying to sell merchandise. Of course the prices are high and you have to bargain a lot.

During this whole day game drive, we saw lots of animals up close including a different pride of lions that I observed the evening before. We couldnt manage time to go to Lake Nakuru which is famous for flamingos and luckily there was a lake with lots of flamingos. Mr. David informed us as to how the flamingos get their distinctive pink shading all over there body. We also managed to watch hippos in the pool, lots of different birds including a very interesting Secretary bird, Masai Giraffes, African Elephants, Hyenas, Warthogs, Horn bills, lots of Zebras and Wildebeests.

Flamingos looking for algae to feed on in lake Amboseli

Masai Giraffes

Wildebeests and Zebras

Pumbaa or Warthogs

Elephants trying to cuddle

Lioness looking at her cubs

The elephant herd moving into the bushes

The view from the observation tower in Amboseli is amazing. Vast open Savannah at the foot of Kilimanjaro. We had a picnic lunch at the tower.

Azlan is not pleased. The poor soul had fever for five days

Masai Mara

Maasai Mara National Reserve is an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. Its animals include lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos. Wildebeest traverse its plains during their annual migration. The landscape has grassy plains and rolling hills, and is crossed by the Mara and Talek rivers. The area nearby is dotted with villages (enkangs) of Maasai people.

The road leading upto Masai Mara is very rough and it is not advisable to travel with small children even though that is the place where you can surely see the Big Five. The area is 1500 Sq Kms and is adjacent to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in Kenya, outside the town of Naivasha in Nakuru County, which is north west of Nairobi. It is part of the Great Rift Valley.

Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley soda lakes at an elevation of 1,754 m (5,755 ft) above sea level. It lies to the south of Nakuru, in the rift valley of Kenya and is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park.

The lake’s abundance of algae used to attract a vast quantity of flamingos that famously lined the shore. Other birds also flourish in the area, as do warthogs, baboons and other large mammals. Eastern black rhinos and southern white rhinos have also been introduced.

Watamu

Watamu is a small coastal town in Kenya, north of Mombasa. It’s known for Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve, which has 3 bays: Watamu, Blue Lagoon and Turtle. Sandy beaches and coral gardens are the defining features. Seabirds, as well as green and hawksbill turtles, inhabit Mida Creek with its sand flats and mangrove forest. Inland, Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve is home to elephants, monkeys and rare birdlife.

Diani Day 4 – Day 8

Diani Beach is a major beach resort on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya (in eastern Africa). It is located 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Mombasa, in the nearby Kwale County.

It has been voted Africa’s leading beach destination for the third time running since 2015.

After about four days of Safari adventure, it was time to relax by the beach. We took a flight on Kenyan Airways from Nairobi to Moi International Airport in Mombasa and then had to take a private taxi to Diani beach. There is also a small air strip in Ukunda where other airlines operate. On our return journey we flew Jambo Jet, a Bombardier Dash Q-8 from Ukunda air strip to Nairobi. I dont remember the last time I flew a Dash-8 and I must confess, I was a bit nervous. However, the journey went smooth and as usual since it was a budget airlines, nothing was offered on the 1 hour flight. The comforting thing was to see the top of Mount Kilimanjaro very clearly from 32,000 feet. This part of my trip was arranged by Merlynne Mutiso of Liger Safaris. A big thank you to her.

Top of Mount Kilimanjaro 32,000 feet from the air

Kenya Airways- The pride of Africa

Jambo Jets Bombardier Dash Q-8

In Diani, we stayed at Jacaranda Indian Beach Resort. Its a very beautiful and reasonably priced resort with Arabic/Swahili architecture. We took the Half Board option (dinner) as during the day we might be out and have lunch outside. We also came to know about a cave restaurant called Ali Barbours Cave restaurant famous in the area. Its a bit on the expensive side but the food and the place was awesome. It gives a feel of the cave hotels in Cappadocia in Turkey.

Lobby of Jacaranda Indian Beach Resort

Our Ocean View Bungalow

The main restaurant at the resort

Azlan doesnt want his picture taken

The beautiful pool area

Ali Barbours Cave restaurant was unique and the food was delicious. It was bit expensive and Azlan had fever so we had to leave in a hurry. Here are some photos of the place.

The Diani beach area is so clean and breath taking. The waves were big and comes crushing down on to the shore. I must say it is one of the best beaches I have been to so far. There is a shopping center Chandarana Market where you can do grocery shopping as well as souvenirs. There are road side stalls as well selling all kinds of items. You must haggle about the pricing and ensure quality of the product you are buying. After three days relaxing and unwinding with Azlan and the Wifey, we flew back to Nairobi to catch our flight home the following morning. 

Me and Azlan having a walk around the sand castles we built

Old man by the sea 😛

Father and son moment at the beach

I always hope we can be hand in hand and visit as many places as we can Dear Wifey

This entire journey was very spontaneous and very different from all the other places we have visited so far. I can say with some surety that we will be back in Africa and visit Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa someday in the near future. Stay tuned!