The Kenyan Giraffe

Also known scientifically as Giraffa camelopardalis, the Kenyan giraffe is the tallest living animal with a long neck adapted to reach vegetation far above that is inaccessible to other herbivores except the elephant.There are eight sub-species of Giraffes in Africa. Kenya has the rarest Rothschild Giraffe, the commonly seen Maasai Giraffe of Southern Kenya and the Reticulated Giraffe of Northern Kenya.The giraffes have a unique walking gait moving both right legs forward then both left with a top speed of about 55km an hour. Unlike other wild animals, giraffes have good eyesight. Giraffe horns are actually knobs covered with skin and hair above the eyes which protect the head from injury.

Giraffes inhabit mostly in the arid and dry-savanna zones south of the Sahara and therefore can be found wherever trees occur in Kenya. They are very common in many of the Kenya National Game Reserves. They feed mainly on broad leafed deciduous foliage and on other evergreen species. It's menu includes Acacia and Combretum trees that are always available in most areas such as the Amboseli national park.This animal can feed on 134 kg of leaves per day and drinks water every 2 to 3 days.Since it feeds on green leaves it can leave with no water where its not available.

The Kenyan Giraffe can be commonly sighted even outside wildlife conversational areas.They are social, non-territorial with no coordinated herd movements or leadership. Males test their strength by swinging necks on each other to establish who is dominant. They reproduce throughout the year but usually peek during rainy seasons. A female can conceive at age four while the male starts mating at age seven. The cow takes 16 months between two pregnancies.

The young animals are left together while their mothers graze within.They can survive weaning at two months since they they already can start eating leaves. Young giraffes are most likely to be preyed on by other predators since they cant attack in return though they are never left alone. Bulls often use their horns to combat its competitors whe mating and powerful kicks for its enemies. The fiercest known enemy to adult Kenyan giraffe's is man who usually kill it for wild meat and skin.

Swara Plains Accra

Discover Kenya's Best Kept Secrets

How would like adventure travel to Kenya, to learn some of Kenya's best kept secrets? How about checking into Hemingway's Resort, a luxury hotel on the Indian Ocean, or spending some time in the same area that Elsa was released into the wild by Joy Adamson? You can enjoy these, and more, with luxury adventure travel to Kenya, land of the Luo, Kalenjin, Turkana and the famous Maasai warrior race, as the name is correctly spelled although we shall use the more popular western spelling of Masai.

The capital is Nairobi, and that would be a good place to start. There are many types of hotels in Nairobi, but if you can, try to book into one of the few boutique hotels that accommodate only a few guests, twelve being a good number. For that you will have to book yourself a luxury adventure vacation, with personal service offering vacation planning from just yourself and your partner.

However, it is the game reserves that most people visit Kenya to see, and that adventure travelers to Kenya are particularly interested in. Why not spend some time in the park and check out the elephants, leopards and cheetahs, and of course the lions. Although most people prefer to go on guided safaris, others prefer fishing and nature walks, or even just to lie by the pool. It's your vacation so indulge yourself.

You must then visit the Masai Mara Nature Reserve, where the big game animals are less under threat from human activity. Try to head for the Cottar 1920 Mari Safari Camp, where the 22,000 acre private concession houses only 12 guests, but it's well worth it, and no luxury adventure travel to Kenya should miss a visit to Cottars. Calvin Cottar is one of the best guides in the country, and will take you on a game drive in a 4WD or even a more traditional ox cart. It is an advantage that the camp is not part of the reserve, because you can go on night drives and guided walking tours, which would not otherwise be permitted.

Dream of Africa Hotel