The Plains of Africa

Nairobi is the capital and largest city of the country of Kenya in Africa. Nairobi is one of the most prominent cities on the continent cities both politically and financially. The main headquarters of the United Nations for Africa and the Middle East is located here, as well as the UN Environment Program. The population of Nairobi is estimated to be about 3.36 million.

The Shaba National Reserve is a large protected area in northern Kenya. The Shaba Reserve has a lot of dramatic scenery including river-side forests, scattered woodlands and dry grasslands. This reserve was the setting for the film version of Out of Africa.

Life among this tribe of semi-nomadic pastoralists revolves around their cows, sheep, goats, and camels. Dressed in traditional red clothing, they are great cultural ambassadors who welcome tourists to participate in traditional ceremonies, food and dances. Pay them a visit and don’t forget to purchase a handcrafted souvenir to remember them by.

Sundowners have special meaning in Africa. They’re not just cocktails. They’re rituals that celebrate the end of an exciting day. It’s a throwback to the days of tented safaris when men would share a toast while watching the sun go down. The location is perhaps the most important part of the ritual which must be performed outdoors with a spectacular view.

Lake Nakuru is a lake that lies to the south of the city of Nakuru in central Kenya, in the rift valley. The lakes abundance of algae attracts many species of wildlife including flamingos, as well as warthogs and baboons. The lake is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park.

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is a large, 600 square mile game reserve in Narok Country, Kenya. It is named after the Maasai people who were the ancestral inhabitants of the area. The reserve is referred to as just Maasai Mara by the locals. It is world famous for its abundant population of lions, leopards and cheetahs.

The Karen Blixzen Home is a working museum located about 6 miles outside of Nairobi in Kenya. The museum used to serve as the home for Danish author Karen Blixzen, who is most famous for her novel Out of Africa, which chronicles her life and seventeen years at this home.

This park is famous for its open spaces where lions and elephants roam free, giving you an up close (but not too close) view of these magnificent animals in the wild. Snowcapped Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world, hovers over the breathtaking landscape.

Numerous game drives take you out to catch a glimpse of the “big 5” (lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos). Kenya is a great place to be for spotting these magnificent animals as large numbers of them call the region home. How many of each can you spot?