MOUNT KENYA

Mount Kenya, Kenya's highest mountain, is an ancient volcano lying astride the equator, it's icy summit rising to a height of 5,199m. All of the mountain above the 3,200m contour forms a National Park. It's ascent takes you through several distinct vegetation zones - the game rich rain forests which cover the lower slopes; above this the bamboo belt; then parklands leading to alpine moorlands with their distinctive vegetation of giant groundsels and lobelias and tarns of crystal clear water; and finally out of the screes rise the glaciated summits of Mount Kenya. Many rivers flow from the perpetual snows, among them the mighty Tana, source of much of Kenya's electricity supply. The two main summits, Batian and Nelion are accessible to skilled mountaineers only. The third highest summit, Point Lenana at 4,985m, can be reached by walkers and provides a stunning viewpoint. The weather is at its best for climbing during January, February, August and September but is also good during March, June, July, October and December. The remaining months of April, May and November are the only times when climbing is not recommended due to the rains

ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK

The Aberdares are part of Kenya's central highlands, running roughly north south between Nairobi and Thomsons Falls. The range rises up to almost 13,000 ft. The park boundary roughly runs along the 10,000 ft contour other than the salient whose boundary goes down to 7000 ft contour. The topography is diverse with deep ravines that give way to gentler valleys separated by steep hills and rocky outcrops. The mojntain slopes, especially on the eastern and western flanks, are covered with heavy forest with tree ferns in places giving way to a bamboo zone at higher levels. Above the bamboo strech miles of moorland broken by rocky otcrops and hills, thickets of giant heath and tussok grass.The park is an important water catchment area providing water to the Tana and Athi rivers and part of Central Rift and Northern drainage basins.

LAIKIPIA DISTRICT

Laikipia District is a vast plateau in central Kenya of about 2 million acres. The plains stretch from the Great Rift Valley and the Aberdare Mountains in the west to the magnificent escarpments, which decend into the Northern Frontier districts. The plains are made up of open grassland, basalt hills, lonely kopjes and dense cedar forests.

Laikipia is unique, because its wildlife numbers have increased over the last two decades. Laikipia has over 2000 elephants - Kenya's largest population outside the National Parks and Reserves. They are still free to undertake a seasonal migration that takes them more than 100 kilometers north into the Samburu rangelands during the rainy season. Laikipia is one of the last refuges for the black rhino. While rhinos were disappearing from National Parks Laikipia ranchers set up five heavily protected rhino sanctuaries, which now hold the majority of Kenya rhino. The District also provides a haven for Grevy's Zebra, about 25% of the world's population of this species is believed to live in Laikipia. Other species include common zebra, oryx, eland, buffalo and reticulated giraffe. Predators include cheetah, lion, leopard and wild dog. This combienation of abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery has encouraged Laikipia to become the centre of new developments in high quality tourism. Furthermore, Laikipia has developed the most advanced community conservation and wildlife management programme outside Kenya's protected areas.

MERU NATIONAL PARK

Meru lies to the east of Mount Kenya and is famous as the place where Elsa, the lioness of Joy Adamson's book 'Born Free', was returned to the wilds. Of all of Kenya's parks, Meru presents the widest variety of landscapes and habitat. Forest, swamp and savannah are pierced by fifteen perennial rivers all rising from the Mount Kenya massif and destined to reach the Tana River which forms the park's lower boundary. Meru is alive with an enormous variety of colourful birds. Part of Meru's charm is that this park has never enjoyed the popularity of many of the other parks and reserves.

The Meru National park covers an area of 870 km2. Meru National Park ranges from 1,036m in thefuoothils of the Nyambeni range to less than 3,040m on the Tana River in the South Eastern sector. The area is well watered by the Rojerwero, Ura and Tana rivers. All three rivers are margined by dense riverine forest or stands of dom and raphia plams. The park is set within beautiful landscapes extending to distant hills. Most of the park is covered by bush of varying densities, the north eastern quardant of the park is open dom palm country, grassland and acacia woods and in the extreem north there is a small patch of rain forest. A section of the park has been designated as a wilderness area in which are no roads. Unused to the hordes of vehicles found elsewhere, game can be elusive and timid but the beauty and diversity of the landscape and birdlife ensures that the quality of the experience exceeds the quantity of the wildlife.