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- Destinations
- Africa
- Kenya
- The Great Rift Valley
The Great Rift Valley
Millions of years ago the earth's crust was weakened and it tore
apart, creating a split thousands of kilometres long down the
continent of Africa up to 62 miles (100km) wide in places. Volcanic
eruptions on either side caused the floor to sink into a flat plain
creating the Great Rift Valley. It is one of Kenya's characteristic
features and divides the country in half, from north to south, with
stunning panoramas and beautiful escarpment backdrops. The wide
valley is scattered with a few volcanoes and several lakes; it is
inhabited by grazing animals, Masai herders and small-town
dwellers.
The string of alkaline lakes known for their stunning scenery
and variety of bird life include Lakes Naivasha, Elementeita,
Nakuru, Bogoria and Baringo. The uniqueness of these lakes lies in
their high concentration of sodium carbonate from the surrounding
volcanic rocks. This creates an ideal breeding ground for algae and
a thriving environment for fish, which in turn attracts millions of
birds to feed on the abundant food supply. Each of the lakes has a
different water composition ranging from freshwater to very saline
and brackish, with different bird life attracted to each.
The freshwater ecosystems at Lake Naivasha and Baringo, the
nature reserve at Lake Bogoria, and the Nakuru National Park are a
source of endless fascination, teeming with an incredible diversity
of birds and large concentrations of animals. Hell's Gate National
Park allows visitors to walk or cycle among the wildlife, and
nearby Elsamere Conservation Centre provides a look at the life of
Joy Adamson and the lioness Elsa, of 'Born Free' fame.
Information & Facts
Language
English is the official language but Swahili is the
national language, with 42 ethnic languages spoken.
Money
The unit of currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES), divided into
100 cents. It is not advisable to take Kenyan Shillings out of the
country, as they are difficult to exchange elsewhere. Travellers
cheques in Sterling or US Dollars are recommended for your trip to
Kenya. US Dollars in particular have become commonly used in many
of the country's main hotels and safari lodges. Foreign currency
can be changed at banks, bureaux de change and hotels; easiest to
exchange are US dollars, pounds sterling or Euros. Street exchange
merchants should be avoided as they are operating illegally. Banks
open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm and on the first and last
Saturday of the month. Banks and bureaux de change at the
international airport stay open 24 hours. Credit Cards (American
Express, Visa and MasterCard) are accepted in the larger hotels and
stores, and some camps and lodges. ATMs are widely available in
Nairobi and the major towns.