Smart Travel: Kenya offers safaris, much more for travelers

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Linda and Dr. Don Overend are principals in The Travel Group, a full-service travel agency.|ret||ret||tab|

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Kenya is famous for animal safaris. The usual safari traveler will view elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebra, rhinos and an assortment of ungulates on very civilized game drives in wildlife conservation areas. |ret||ret||tab|

But a safari in Kenya can extend far beyond the traditional trek in a four-wheeler. Travelers also have a choice of trekking and cycling, golf and birdwatching. There are also hot-air balloon safaris, horseback safaris, scuba diving and fishing in freshwater lakes. Rafting and rock climbing trips are also available. |ret||ret||tab|

Hot-air balloon safaris are a delight. They generally start at sunrise and after two or more hours over the game parks with splendid views of the scenery and the game beneath, the balloon lands and the passengers find a grand champagne bush breakfast waiting for them.|ret||ret||tab|

Trekking and cycling safaris include camping out in selected sites and are often able to reach areas in the wild not accessible by larger vehicles. Campsites, however, are usually pre-selected and improved with some creature comforts. At the camps, the participants can walk with elephants or view the many species of birds that abound in Kenya.|ret||ret||tab|

Fishing safaris are popular, especially at Lake Victoria, the world's second-largest freshwater lake, and Lake Turkana. Lake Victoria is known as the home for enormous Nile perch, often weighing more than 200 pounds. The lake parks also have the greatest concentration of bird life in the world, Lake Nakuru being the home of 30 percent of the world's population of Flamingos.|ret||ret||tab|

Kenya enjoys 300 miles of beaches on the Indian Ocean with fine sand and sheltered by extensive coral reefs. The beaches are thus protected from sharks and strong currents, and are perfect for scuba divers. On the other extreme is Mount Kenya, more than 17,000 feet high and the park surrounding it offers excellent climbing adventures and wide moorlands for hikers. And Kenya hasn't forgotten golfers, with 38 golf courses spread around the country.|ret||ret||tab|

Safaris of all types in Kenya are not as expensive as you might imagine. South African Airways offers $900 flights from New York and value safari tours start at $999 per person, going up to more than $4,000 for the most luxurious bush adventures.|ret||ret||tab|

If you have dreamed of visiting the African continent, consider Kenya for her many attractions, excellent tourist infrastructure and the tremendous diversity you will find. Your travel agent can help you plan an experience you will never forget.|ret||ret||tab|

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