Kampala - Nairobi (375km) (Stage 23) Arriving
from Kampala in Uganda at Nairobi in Kenya on 6th May 2004 |
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We left Kampala for Nairobi, driving east through Jinja into Kenya and Kisumu following the road that runs to the north of Lake Victoria; then away from the lake continuing east to Nakuru and on to Nairobi. Located on the River Athi, Kenya's capital city has risen in a single century from a brackish uninhabited swampland to a thriving modern capital. When railway construction workers reached this area in 1899, they set up a basic camp and supply depot. The local Maasai called this highland swamp Ewaso Nai'beri – the place of cold water. Originally little more than a swampy watering hole for Maasai tribes, Nairobi grew with the advent of the railway and had became a substantial town by 1900. Five years later it succeeded Mombasa as the capital of the British protectorate. Today it's the largest city between Cairo and Johannesburg. |
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Nairobi is the safari capital of the Africa, it has become one of Africa's largest, and most interesting cities, without losing its sense of the past, with an excellent museum and the home of the author Karen Blixen, open to visitors. Because Nairobi is located at the edge of the highlands, temperatures are cooler here compared with much of the rest of the country. Just outside the city is Nairobi National Park, home to large herds of Zebra, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Giraffe and more. Rhino, Cheetah, and a large number of Lions are all found here, living wild within 20 minutes of the centre of town. The Nairobi National Park is unique by being the only protected area in the world with a variety of animals and birds close to a capital city. As expected, the park is a principal attraction for visitors to Nairobi. The park also serves many residents and citizens living in the city. Nairobi marks the end of the third phase of the Rally; click here to view the phase winners and table of results.The rally stays for two days R&R before leaving on the 9th May for the Ngorogoro Crater.
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