Kenya is a country with huge untapped potential for outdoor activities. The following notes suggest the possibilities for walking, climbing ,caving, riding ,fishing ,diving and snorkeling ,wind-and kite-surfing ,rafting and golf.

It’s worth seeking advice from the Mountain Club of Kenya, not just on climbing but on outdoor pursuits in general. For more information of various climbing, hiking and caving locations in Kenya visit www.Kilimanjaro.cc.

Walking & Running

If you have plenty of time, walking is highly recommended and gives you unparalleled contact with local people. In isolated parts, it’s often preferable to waiting for a lift, while in the Aberdares, Mau and Cherangani ranges, and on mounts Kenya & Elgon, it’s the only practical way of moving away from the main tracks. You will sometimes come across animals out in the bush, but buffaloes and elephants (the most likely dangers), off. Don’t ignore the dangers, however, and stay alert. You’ll need to carry several litres of water much of the time, especially in lower, drier regions. You might prefer to go on an organized walking safari, at lest as a starter. Such trips are offered by a number of companies in Nairobi and by most of the smaller lodges and camps in the private game sanctuaries, especially in Laikipia.

Jogging and running are popular in Kenya, which produces some of the worlds top long-distance runners. If you re a marathon runner, there are several events to tie your trip in with, which usually offer fun runs and half-marathons too. The Safaricom marathon is the best known, on account of its location ,in the prestigious Lewa conservancy north of Mount Kenya, an altitude (an average of more than 1600m) ,both of which make for a tough and exciting race, Marshall\’s ensure your safety in the wildlife areas, but you’ll be running on dirt tracks through the bush. It usually takes place in June (www.tinyurl.com/mxcwua) .The Nairobi marathon takes place in October (www.nairobimarathon.com), running on roads.

Climbing

Apart from Mount Kenya, there are climbing opportunities of all grades in the Aberdare, Cherangani and Mathews ranges, in Helis Gate National park and on the Rift Valley volcanoes, including Longonot and Suswa.The Mountain Club of Kenya clubhouse at Wilson Airport provide annual membership and joining fees is a good source of advice and contacts. If you intend to do any serious climbing in the country, you should make early contact. Don’t expect them to answer detailed route questions, however, leave that until you arrive. Safari companies in Nairobi offer everything from a simple hike to technical ascents of Mount Kenya.

Caving

Kenya’s big attraction for cavers are its unusual lava tube caves created when molten lava flowing downhill solidified on the surface while still flowing beneath. Holes in the surface layer allowed air to enter behind the lave flow, forming the caves. Lava tubes in Kenya includes the Suswa caves near Narok,and Leviathan cave in the Chyulu Hills, one of the worlds biggest lava tube systems, with more than 11km of underground passages. Caving should, of course, not be undertaken without the right equipment, training and safety precautions. For more information, contact one of the lodges in the Chyulu area.

Riding

There are good opportunities for horse riding in the Central Highlands and Laikipia and there’s an active equestrian community in Nairobi and scattered through out the country. Riding safaris are provided near the Masai Mara National Reserve. Camel safaris are popular too, though the best operators to contact tend to change from year to year.

Fishing Safaris

Some of the highlands streams are still stocked with trout, which were imported early in the twentieth century by British settlers. A few local fishing associations are still active. The Fisheries Department ,next to the National Museum in Nairobi can supply more details and permits .For lake Fishing, its possible to rent rods and boats at lake Baringo,Naivasha and Turkana,and there are luxury fishing lodges on Rusinga ,Mfangano and Takawiri islands on Lake Victoria.

Kenya’s superb stretch of offshore coral reef, with its deep -water drop-offs and predictable northerly currents, is ideal for near-shore angling. For ocean fishing, Watamu and Malindi are the most popular.

Diving & Snorkeling

Kenya’s coastal waters are warm all year round so its possible to dive without a wetsuit and have a rewarding dip under the waves almost anywhere, though the best period is October to April with October, November and March ideal. Most of the diving bases are located at Malindi, Watamu or on the coast north or south of Mombasa, and will provide training from a beginners dive to PADI leader level. For underwater photographers, in particular, the immense coral reef is a major draw. The undersea landscape is spectacularly varied, with shallow coral gardens and blue-water drop-offs sinking as deep as 200m, and as there are few rivers to bring down sediment, visibility is generally excellent .Useful books are mentioned .If you plan to do a fair bit of snorkeling, it makes sense to bring your own mask and snorkel, though they can always be rented.

Wind- and kite-surfing

Windsurfing has been a feature of the Kenya coast since the 1970s.Kite-surfing ,however ,is a fast-growing new sport and Diani Beach and Che Shale north of Malindi are increasingly popular among enthusiasts .Kite-surfers use a large inflatable kite to harness the wind, and ride on a board not dissimilar to a wake board or snowboard. The coast has excellent kite surfing conditions from December to February ,with the northeast monsoon tending to get up in the afternoon, blowing between 16 and 22 knots (Force 4 to 5 Beaufort) ,which is ideal for both beginners and experienced riders. While the southeast monsoon, blowing from June through to September, isn’t as reliable as the northeast -early, it can offer some exceptional conditions.

Rafting

Both the Tana and Athi rivers have sections that can be rafted when they’re in spate.Approximate dates are early November to mid-March, and mid-April to the end of August.

Golf

Kenya has almost forty golf clubs, mostly patronized by the European and Asian communities, notably around the old colonial centres of Nairobi, Naivasha, Thika, Nanyuki and Nyeri in the central highlands, and Kisumu and Kitale in western Kenya. There are also several courses on the coast and -incontestably the most bizarre-on the scorched moonscape shore of Lake Magadi, Green fees varies widely, usually from about $30 per person per day. Details for all these can be had from Kenya Golf and there are organized up market golfing safaris. Union

Kenya is one of the best tourist’s destinations in East Africa with other outdoor activities besides cultural safaris and wildlife. The outdoor activities includes, wind and kite-surfing, diving & snorkeling, golfing safaris, rafting safaris, walking and running safaris, riding safaris, climbing safaris, caving safaris, fishing safaris and many other activities. http://www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/safaris-east-africa/kenya-tour-packages.html

Anthony Mmeri is the Editor and Senior Aviation Director at Wings Over Africa Safaris Limited. This is a Safari Holiday Maker Company that specializes on Climbing Safaris| Riding safaris| Fishing safaris Golfing Safaris| Diving & Snorkeling Safaris| Rafting Safaris| Caving Safaris| Walking & Running Safaris| Wind & Kite-Surfing Safaris In Kenya,Tanzania,Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi & East Africa. The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http://www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/safaris-east-africa/kenya-tour-packages.html

Author Bio: Kenya is one of the best tourist’s destinations in East Africa with other outdoor activities besides cultural safaris and wildlife. The outdoor activities includes, wind and kite-surfing, diving & snorkeling, golfing safaris, rafting safaris, walking and running safaris, riding safaris, climbing safaris, caving safaris, fishing safaris and many other activities. http://www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/safaris-east-africa/kenya-tour-packages.html

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Keywords: golfing safaris,diving & snorkeling safaris,fishing safaris,waalking & running safaris,caving safari