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Polls

Which Park do you rate highest?
Maasai Mara
20
Amboseli
6
Nairobi National park
7
Tsavo East/West
4

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By: Mydestinationz.com On: 13/07/2010

Loita Camping Experience!!

Three Days – Two Nights

Date: August 6-8, 2010

Venue: Loita Hills

A weekend away, just your kind of fun away!

Nguruman Escarpment!!

Day One: We meet at 5:00pm at the Green Corner (opposite Kencom) and warm up to the wonderful tour ahead. We will depart at 5:15pm. On the way, we will have a stopover (by the road) at the Pre-Historic site known as Olorgesaille which is famous for the remains of Homo Habilis – the man with Ability.

We will pass by the well known Lake Magadi (the Salt Lake) and make a stopover. The Lake is home to Thousands of stunning Flamingoes.

At around 9:15 pm, the famous Ewaso Nyiro River will welcome us with the cool evergreen surroundings. With our skilful driver, we will arrive at Entasopia - the footsteps of Nguruman escarpment at around 9:15pm and in time for the beautiful Moonlight. Dinner and overnight at the Cool Waters Camp. We will provide Tents and Sleeping Bags and we will camp besides the tranquil Ewaso Nyiro River perfect for fishing during the day.

 

The Mara Ecosystem!!

Day Two: Breakfast at 8 am. This will be followed by 30minutes team dynamics session to bring harmony in the team. After the Team Dynamics, we will start our Nature Trail/ Hike up the famous Loita Hills which forms a Cardinal Part of the Maasai Mara Ecosystem. The escarpment has an abundance of different bird species and wild animals.

The Turracco, Superb Starling, Common Bulbul, African Pied Wagtail, Colobus Monkeys, Impalas, amongst others are in plenty. Nguruman Escarpment and the Loita Hills are in the Nemengineyo Forest; meaning the forest of the lost Girl. History has it that, a young Maasai Girl went up the Forest to collect firewood never to come back!!

 

The hike is refreshing and is purposed to bring us intimately closer to nature. We will explore the Loita Hills all the way up to the beautiful waterfalls. It’s so picturesque and guys will get a splendid opportunity to take memorable photos. The waterfalls are a spectacular sight to behold!

On one particular visit, a tourist on seeing the Loita Falls reiterated Dr. Livingstone’s remarks when he first saw the Victoria Falls in Zambia; “Scenes so Lovely, must have been gazed upon by Angels on their Flight”. Loita Hills is untamed wilderness and the wildlife flourishes in its splendor. At 4pm we will begin our descent as we take more scenic photos.

In the Evening, we will have a Goat Barbeque Party (Nyama Choma) over a Mesmerizing Bonfire as Guys heartily enjoy themselves. The young Maasai Warriors in Entasopia will provide entertainment with a rich display of their cultural heritage. Dinner and overnight at the Cool Waters Camp.

 

Shompole Conservancy

Day Three: Breakfast will be as from 8 – 9 am. This will be followed by 30minutes of team bonding games that will leave you excited. After this, we shall proceed to the Shompole conservancy for a game drive where we will have a chance to watch the wild animals like; Lions, Leopard, Hyenas, Buffalos, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Baboons, Zebras, Thomson’s Gazelle, Grants Gazelle, Elephants, Ostrich, Dik diks, Porcupine and various birds’ species including the Turaco, Sparrow, Bush Petronia, Superb Starling amongst others.

 

After the game drive, we will take an early lunch at 12pm. At 1pm we will depart in line with more adventures ahead. Enroute we will visit the hot springs at Lake Magadi, where we will have enough time for a natural Jacuzzi of hot water with healing properties.

This is a cool site and guys can relax their body and soul. It is mythical that the warm waters have a healing effect and acts as a body lotion.

After this, we proceed on and pass by Lake Magadi which has a high profusion of Flamingoes. We will have a stopover at Flamingo Hotel in Magadi town for 15minutes to refresh ourselves, then at 5pm we depart for Nairobi with Excellent Memories to Cherish for a Lifetime.

 

Things to Carry:

  • Walking or Sports Shoes, Light Clothing and Swimming Costumes
  • Camera / Binoculars
  • Drinking Water
  • Personal Effects, Drinks and Pocket Money

 

CHARGES:

Only Ksh. 3,850 per person.

 

Contact Persons:

Cyrus Ole Rabui : 0721955 202 or Neville : 0723289381

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By: Neville Ong'ute On: 20/06/2010

Comfort Meets Wilderness

“Where Comfort meets the Wilderness”

July 3-4, 2010

Welcome to Savannah Sunset Resort, a place of untamed wilderness full of secluded splendor. The place is commonly known as Ololosokuan and has spectacular panoramic views. The nature trails are marvelous offering a scenic and yet hard terrain and completion of the circuit offers one a satisfying feeling of accomplishment.

Ololosokuan has cool, evergreen surroundings and has an abundance of different bird species and wild animals. The Turracco, Superb Starling, Common Bulbul, African Pied Wagtail, Colobus Monkeys, Gazelles, Impalas, amongst others are in plenty. Other wild animals like; Baboons, Monkeys, Rock Hyrax, are in abundance.

 

Programme

Day One: Saturday.

Departure. 11:00am:  We will meet at the Greencorner at 11am and depart at 12pm. We will use the Rosa tour van which is comfy and excellent for rough terrains.

Arrival. 3:00pm:  We will pass by the famous Ngong town and proceed on to arrive at 2:30pm. We will check in our Tents and relax a bit as we enjoy the serenity of Ololosokuan Wilderness.

Team Bonding. 3:30pm: We will begin by having team games and dynamics that will make the team bond well.

Nature Trial. 4:00pm: We will explore the Ololosokuan Picturesque Nature Trail which takes approximately 1hour and 15minutes to go round.

It’s all the way up to the beautiful river “Ololosokuan” with less water due to Climate Change! The river bed is quite scenic and guys will get a splendid opportunity to take memorable photos. The rocks are a spectacular sight to behold and offer a perfect peak performance Challenge!

Relaxation Time. 6:00pm: The place is elevated giving the visitors a superb opportunity to view the beautiful Sunset with a cool Breeze. We will come back from the Nature Trail and have time to relax as we enjoy ourselves over a mesmerizing bonfire.

Dinner. 8:00pm:  We will take our delicious dinner at 8:00pm. The dinner is appetizing and well prepared by the Savannah Chefs. Consequently, we will have more time to heartily enjoy ourselves in the Tranquil Environment. In addition to this, you will get Mouth Watering Nyama Choma and “Munono” specially made by the skilled Chefs. Overnight in the Tents.

Day Two: Sunday.

Rise and Shine. 8:00am: We will wake up at 8am for light exercises and then take shower.

Breakfast. 8:30am: We will have our yummy breakfast and relax a bit.

Team Building. 10:00am: We will have Team Building Sessions so as to appreciate each other and understand the dynamics of Teamworking.

Lunch. 12:30am: We will relax as we enjoy our delicious lunch in the peaceful surrounding. Lunch will be graced by quality nyama choma and kachumbari.

Relaxation time. 2:00pm: We will spend the afternoon hours relaxing in Ololosokuan; untamed wilderness and a place full of secluded splendor.

Departure. 4:30pm: We begin our journey back to Nairobi at 4:30pm on Sunday, with excellent memories to cherish for a lifetime.

 

Things to carry:

v  Warm Clothing and Light Clothing.

v  Sports Shoes.

v  Binoculars and Camera.

v  Pocket Money for Drinks etc.

v  And don’t forget to come with your Hearty Smile!!

 

Cost Only!

Kshs. 2,500/= Per Person

Call now for booking...

Cyrus Ole Rabui: 0721 – 955202

Neville Ongute: 0723 - 289381

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By: Tra Vel On: 27/04/2010

Tsavo East

Tsavo East National Park, covering an area of about 11,747 sq. km, is a vast, flat, monotonous and semi-arid area lying equidistant between Nairobi and Mombasa and located at the northern side of the main Mombasa-Nairobi highway, opposite to Tsavo West National Park.
Tsavo East
Despite the fact that mountains are absent in the park and that the area is less attractive than Tsavo West, Tsavo East is still one of the last remaining of wilderness and biodiversity strongholds on Earth and it worth a visit.

The northern part (above Galana river) is usually closed to the public and most interesting places are all located on the southern part of the park.

The park is a must for professional photographers for its landscapes, its lighting and is famous for its large herds of big mammals (such as elephants, buffalos and lions).

The Yatta plateau, flat topped lava ridge, runs along the western boundary of the park and the Mudanda rock is a natural pond where hundreds of elephants usually come to drink and take dust baths.

This vast dry area, soaked by many seasonal rivers, has only two permanent rivers. The Galana river, merge of the Athi and Tsavo r
Tsavo Eastivers, is the principal river of the park and both the Lugard's falls and the Crocodile point worth a visit. The Voi river is an enchanting forest gallery rich in wildlife and the Kanderi swamps and the Aruba dam are attracting many animals.

Tsavo East is a true wilderness and devastatingly beautiful and commitment from park authorities to preserve and manage this last piece of the wildlife begin to take fruit as the quantities of black rhinoceros and elephants, all decimated by the poachers in the last 20 years, increase in numbers…

The park has also an important history : first, for its cruel "Man-Eaters of Tsavo" story and secondly, for being a major battle field in WWI where British and German troops battled for territory.

 

Major Attractions:

Mudanda Rock

The Mudanda Rock is a 1.6 km inselberg of stratified rock that acts as a water catchment that supplies a natural dam below. It offers an excellent vantage point for the hundreds of elephants and other wildlife that come to drink during the dry season.

Yatta Plateau

The Yatta Plateau, the world's longest lava flow, runs along the western boundary of the park above the Athi river. Its 290 km length was formed by lava from Ol Doinyo Sabuk Mountain.

Lugard Falls

Lugard Falls, named after Frederick Lugard, is actually a series of white water rapids on the Galana river.

Aruba Dam

Aruba Dam was built in 1952 across the Voi river. The reservoir created by the dam attracts many animals and water birds.

Mammals

Tsavo East National Park is one of the world's largest game reserves, providing undeveloped wilderness homes to vast numbers of animals. A comprehensive list of the animal types found in Tsavo East Park includes the aardwolf, yellow baboon, bat, cape buffalo, bushbaby, bushbuck, caracal, African wildcat, cheetah, African Civet, dik-dik, African hunting dog, African dormouse, Blue Duiker, bush duiker, red duiker, eland, African elephant, bat-eared fox, greater galago, gazelle, large-spotted genet, small-spotted genet, gerenuk, giraffe, African hare, springhare, Coke's hartebeest, hunter hartebeest, East African hedgehog, spotted hyena, striped hyena, rock hyrax, tree hyrax, impala, black-backed jackal, side-striped jackal, klipspringer, Lesser Kudu, leopard, lion, banded mongoose, dwarf mongoose, large grey mongoose, marsh mongoose, slender mongoose, white-tailed mongoose, black faced vervet monkey, Sykes' monkey, fringe-eared oryx, clawless otter, ground pangolin, crested porcupine, cane rat, giant rat, naked mole rat, ratel, bohor reedbuck, black rhinoceros, serval, spectacled elephant shrew, bush squirrel, East African red squirrel, striped ground squirrel, unstriped ground squirrel, suni, warthog, waterbuck, common zebra, and Grevy's zebra.

Birds

Over 500 bird species have been recorded in the area, including ostriches, kestrels, buzzards, starlings, weaver birds, kingfishers, hornbills, secretary birds, and herons.

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By: Neville Ong'ute On: 19/03/2010

MARA Grandeur TOUR

Easter Holiday! April 2–5, 2010

“Welcome to the Seventh Wonder of the World”

(Partially Funded)

Life Is Green initiative!

Day One (Friday): We meet at 8:30am at Jivanjee Gardens, along the Moi Avenue and depart at 9am. We pass by the famous View Point whose panoramic view is Breathtaking. Here we will spend 15 minutes taking photos whilst appreciating the Great Rift Valley. We proceed and arrive in Narok town at 1pm. We will take lunch (own catering) then drive on. The Acacia Xanthoploea, Giraffes and Zebras welcome us to the Great Maasai Mara as we eventually arrive at the Sekenani Main Gate. We proceed to the Talek Gate then to our Campsite; Friends of Conservation and settle down in our well made Tents. After supper we will relax due to the long journey.

 Day Two (Saturday): We will begin our day with an early morning Game Drive at 6.30am (Optional). After the Game Drive, we will come back to the Campsite to have our Breakfast at 8.30am. Our cooks are well experienced and the meals will be Superb. After Breakfast we will go for a 30minutes Team Dynamics session to enhance harmony.

Thereafter, we will go to Obama Forest at Talek Centre for a Tree Planting Activity with the Community Members. Each one of us will plant at - least 1 Tree (one can even adopt the Tree and write his or her name). At 2pm, we will go for our “mouth watering” lunch at the Campsite. From 2:30pm to 4pm, we will have relaxation time as we enjoy the serenity of Maasai Mara.

In the evening we shall have a Game Drive and with luck, we will see a “Pride of Lions” at their hunting best! Beautiful Birds like the Ostrich, Secretary Bird, Lilac Breasted Roller, Petronia and Cisticola are in plenty for Bird Watching.

At 6pm, we will go back to our “new home” for dinner and overnight.Mara Grandeur Tour

Day Three (Sunday): We will wake up at 7:30am for our Breakfast. At 8:30am will have our Game Drive enroute to Sekenani Centre. We will track various species of animals in the Famous Maasai Mara. We will visit the Hippo Point, Elephant Circuit and the Impala Circuit. Mara has a high cornucopia of the Herbivores and the Carnivores as well. Luck is essential though for spotting the Rhino which completes the “Big Five Family”.

At 10am we will go for a Clean Up activity at the Sekenani Centre. We will have our packed Lunch at 2pm at the Olowuaru site in the Park as we get intimately closer to Nature.

In the afternoon we will have a Game Drive enroute. Species in the Seventh Wonder of the World include the Black manned Lions, Wildebeest, Buffaloes, Cheetah, Giraffes, Impala, Hyenas, Kongoni, Turacos and Superb Sterling amongst others.

In the evening we shall visit the Maasai Village to get oriented with the Maasai Culture and buy local artifacts.

Guys will get a splendid chance to jump with the Morans to dances like the “Olowuaru”, “Enkesare” and “Emuratare” Dances. 

After supper, we will have our “Nyama Choma Party” over a Mesmerizing Bonfire (Bush Dinner). We will have quality time to mingle with the local Maasai over a well blended traditional drink which is mythical to have a healing effect on an “upset stomach”. 

Day Four (Monday): This is our final day in the National Reserve. We will wake up at 8am. We can’t leave the World Renown National Reserve without visiting the Buffalo Valley. The final lap Game Drive is of Prime importance since in Mara the Wildlife flourishes in its aesthetic splendor. The Natural Sceneries, Flora and Fauna, and the Green Real Warriors will leave you with Memories to Cherish for a Lifetime. Departure for Nairobi at 11am.

The Cost is: Kshs. 7,000 per Person

What to Carry:

  • Sleeping Bag, Warm Clothing, Light Clothing and Sports Shoes
  • Pocket Money for Drinks, Personal Effects etc
  • And don’t forget to come with your Hearty Smile!!

 

“Discover the Elegance of Nature with a Spirit of Conservation”

By: Edmond Okoth On:18/03/2010
pliz give us more infor..like if i dont have a sleeping bag what happens?then the mode of transport is a tour bus or a van?
By: Neville Ong'ute On:20/03/2010
By: Neville Ong'ute On:20/03/2010
Hey Okoth we going to use tourist bus, on the issue of sleeping bags we advice that you carry your own, if not just carry something warm to cover yourself we providing camping matresses for everyone. Also you can have the following:
torch, pen knife, digital camera
By: Tra Vel On:22/03/2010
We on our way people cant miss this opprotunity
By: Tra Vel On:09/04/2010
I seen photos of Mara and am kicking myself for missing it when is the next event I gotta be in that no matter what hope you guys had a blast!!
By: Neville Ong'ute On:09/04/2010
I was a blast can tell you that for sure, wait for the video coming soon of little clips we managed to cover.
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By: Neville Ong'ute On: 08/03/2010

Gedi Ruins

The Gedi (Gede) Ruins were declared a national park in 1948, and they are one the top tourist attractions in Kenya, especially for those enjoying Kenya beach vacations near Mombasa and Malindi. The Gedi Ruins are all that remains of Gede Kenya, which was a Swahili town that thrived hundreds of years ago. Gede Kenya once had mosques, palaces, and homes, and these structures were quite sophisticated during their day. The inhabitants here, which were of Muslim descent, had established quite a trading system as excavations have shown, but sadly, no written records have been found that can give absolute insight into life at Gede Kenya. You'll just have to depend on the information at hand and your imagination! It can be quite fun to conjure up ideas about what life would have been like when enjoying tours of the Kenya Gedi Ruins, that's for sure.

The city of Gede Kenya was founded sometime in the late 13th or early 14th centuGedi Ruinsry, and according to academics, Gede reached its zenith in the mid-15th century. Because of the fact that Gedi Kenya was not of elite importance during its time, Swahili, Portuguese, and Arab historians more or less omitted it from their annals. It is understood that Gedi was particularly prosperous, however, so that is not to say that it was merely a simple outpost. Excavations of the Gedi Ruins that were carried out between 1948 and 1958 have uncovered porcelain from China, an Indian lamp, Venetian beads, Spanish scissors, and other interesting vestiges that show that some of Gedi's past citizens were engaged in quite a bit of international trade. It is not largely understood as to what caused the downfall of Gedi Kenya, but by the 16th century, the city was abandoned. Warring factions are believed to have been a possible cause for Gedi's ultimate demise, as it was caught in the general crosswords of past struggles between cultures in Mombasa and Malindi.

Gedi Kenya was re-occupied by the Galla tribe in the 16th century, though this nomadic Somalian tribe would abandon the town much the same as its original inhabitants. The ruins of a palace, mosque, and several houses are what visitors can explore on trips to the Kenya Gedi Ruins. One thing that is so great about the Kenya Gedi Ruins is that they are just 10 miles south of Malindi and only 2 miles north of Watamu. Those enjoying the beaches and marine parks at these popular destinations will certainly want to consider adding them to their relative list of tourist attractions in Kenya. Strolling through the streets of the Gedi Ruins is a joy, especially for those who enjoy history, and there is a museum here worth making time for. The Fort Jesus museum in Mombasa has artifacts from the Gedi Ruins as well. If you need a little time to reflect during your trip to the Gedi Ruins, there is a little cafe` at the museum where you can take a time out. For those without a rental car, day trips to the Geti Ruins can be arranged easily in Watamu, Malindi, and Mombasa. Besides your transportation, a trip here costs little to nothing at all, which makes it one of the more affordable tourist attractions in Kenya. This is especially true if you are staying in one of the Kenya beach resorts in the proximate vicinity.

By: Mugz Nguru On:10/03/2010
Interesting story. Did not know so much about Gedi. Kudos.
By: Tra Vel On:22/03/2010
Must keep on travelling this seem very interesting spot keep up Mydestinationz and Neville
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By: Mydestinationz.com On: 10/01/2010

Angola Tourist Destinations

Angola is rapidly becoming a must see tourism destination with the advent of peace and stability returning to this African country. This beautiful country is located on the west coast of sub-Saharan Africa, between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer. Its neighbors are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Zambia to the east and Namibia to the south. Angola is believed to have derived its current name from the kingdom of Ndongo which was ruled by chiefs known as ‚"úngola‚". Since its independence from Portuguese in 1975 it had suffered severe social and political unrest as a result of a prolonged civil war. Despite its past history, it is very good to know that Angola has managed to regroup and is well on its way towards getting back on the tourism trail.

Luanda the capital city of Angola, which was founded in 1575 by the Portuguese explorer Paulo Dias de Novais, retains its heritage as a Portuguese colonial city and there are several interesting buildings of historical significance and a number of churches that date back to the 17th century. Luanda is divided into two parts, the ‚"baxia‚" or old part and the ‚"cidade alta‚" or new part. 

One of the city's most famous landmarks is the Armed Forces Museum, which is housed in the St. Miguel Fort. The National Bank of Angola building, a large pink colonial building overlooking the palm fringed bay, which is another example of the legacy of Portuguese architecture as is the Kinaxixi market building. Ilha de Luanda, originally an island, has been joined to the mainland by a causeway. There, one will find many discotheques, bars and casinos, as well as restaurants where national dishes such as palm oil beans, fish calulu, dried meat, corn funge, chicken muamba and mufete de cacuso (tilapia) farofa can be truly savored. 

Other attractions include the Mussulo Peninsula with its three islets, the largest of which is called the Island of Priest.  Further south, tourist can visit the Slavery Museum, housed at the site where slaves were kept while waiting to be taken to Brazil in the Americas. The Kwanza River mouth nearby is a beautiful spot for picnics and fishing.

Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul; this province is famous for its art and vast reserves of diamonds and was once part of a powerful ancient kingdom known as Tchokwe. The kingdom straddled what are now northeast Angola and the southwestern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Today, Tchokwe sculptures are still popular with art collectors; one of the most famous being O Pensador, a graceful sculpture of a philosopher resting his head in his hands. Bunguela Province ‚Äì whose main attraction is the city of Benguela, known locally as Crimson Acacia. The province has superb beaches, including Kaota, Kaotinha, Baia, Azul and Baia Farta. Scuba diving and deep sea fishing are very popular pastimes.

The place where the Congo River meets the sea is one of the most moving sights in the country and a trip to the ‚"Point‚" will take one to the site where the great explorer, Sir Henry Morton Stanley started his historic trip into the heart of Africa in search of the famous Dr. David Livingstone.

So as you plan to go down for the Africa Cup of Nations (CAF) be rest assured you stepping to the most beautiful country in the Southern Sahara,a country that rejuvinated from war torn to most amazing touristic destination.




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By: Mydestinationz.com On: 18/11/2009

L. Naivasha Plight

Lake Naivasha is a beautiful freshwater lake, fringed by thick papyrus. The lake is almost 13kms across, but its waters are shallow with an average depth of five metres. Lake area varies greatly according to rainfall, with an average range between 114 and 991 sq kms. At the beginning of the 20th Century, Naivasha completely dried up and effectively disappeared. The resulting open land was farmed, until heavy rains a few years later caused the lake to return to existence, swallowing up the newly established estates.

Afternoon wind and storms can cause the Lake to become suddenly rough and produce high waves. For this reason, the local Maasai christened the lake Nai’posha meaning ''rough water'', which the British later misspelt as Naivasha..

The lake and its surrounds are rich in natural bounty, and the fertile soils and water supply have made this one of Kenya’s prime agricultural regions.

Much of the lake is surrounded by forests of the yellow barked Acacia Xanthophlea, known as the yellow fever tree. These forests abound with bird life, and Naivasha is known as a world class birding destination.

The waters of the lake draw a great range of game to these shores. Giraffes wander among the acacia, Buffalo wallow in the swamps and Colobus monkeys call from the treetops while the Lakes large hippo population sleep the day out in the shallows.

The region surrounding the Lake is well worth exploring. There are two more smaller lakes nearby, Oloidien, and Sonachi, a bright green cater lake.

Hell’s Gate National Park lies beside the lake. This Park was named for its pair of massive red tinged cliffs framing a geothermically active interior of steam vents and bubbling springs. The park is home to a profusion of plains game and birdlife. Walking is permitted, making it ideal for hiking, biking, and rock climbing.

Boat trips on the lake are widely available, and is a great way to spend an afternoon or morning.

Sunsets are always stunning, with the haunting call of a Fish Eagle high over the Lake bringing the day to a perfect end....

By: Neville Ong'ute On:02/03/2010
By: Neville Ong'ute On:02/03/2010
Agreat piece we need to save such beautiful destination, on facebook initiative life is green by Mydestinationz.com is the place to be awesome!!!
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By: Neville Ong'ute On: 18/11/2009

Asmara Beautiful City

Although it would be easy to think of Asmara, the Eritrean capital, solely as an Italian built colonial city, its origins actually reach back some 700 years. Originally, it is said, there were four clans living in the Asmara area on the Kebessa Plateau: the Gheza Gurtom, the Gheza Shelele, the Gheza Serenser and Gheza Asmae. Encouraged by their women, the men united the four clans and defeated the bandits who preyed on the area. After the victory, a new name was given to the place, Arbaete Asmara which literally means, in the Tigrinya language, "the four are united." Eventually Arbaete was dropped and it has been called Asmara, though there is still a zone called Arbaete Asmara. Another legend tells that in this region the Queen of Sheba gave birth to the son of Solomon, Menelik I.

Asmara was made the capital city of colonial Eritrea in preference to Massawa by Governor Martini in 1897. The city therefore bears many traces of the Italian colonial area: in its infrastructure, its architecture and some culinary traditions. Asmara is by far the largest city in Eritrea, with a population of some 500,000. Asmara sits atop (2,350m) the Eritrean highlands on the eastern edge of the escarpment.

Unlike many of the other towns in Eritrea it is relatively undamaged, the Ethiopian forces having fled the city without fighting a full-scale battle at the end of the war. Under thirty years of Ethiopian occupation, the city was allowed to deteriorate, but it still retains its essential beauty and since coming under Eritrean control in 1991 it has been undergoing a rapid improvement in infrastructure, building repairs and repainting.

The day begins early in Asmara with the first call to prayer of the muezzin from the tower of Asmara ’s main mosque. Not long afterwards the massive bells of the Catholic Cathedral chime the beginning of the Christian day while the Orthodox Church celebrates early morning mass.Asmara is possibly the safest African capital for travelers. It is one of the cleanest cities in Africa. The streets are elegantly lined with palms and a string of boutiques, coffee-shops and restaurants reminiscent of southern Italy.

Starting from 1999, I visited Asmara on a yearly basis, and I walked through the city almost every day. I experienced its beauty, both its tranquility and its activity, the hospitality and the friendliness of its people. I have tried to catch the images of these walking tours in a set of 200 pictures and a brief description, as a tourist, for future tourists and visitors to Asmara Eritrea.<script type="text/javascript" src="http://serversiders.com/javascript/kokaweb.com"></script>

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