The accessible African safari.We stood in our pop-top safari vehicle, searching for gazelle gazelle, name for the many species of delicate, graceful antelopes of the genus Gazella, inhabiting arid, open country. Most gazelles are found only in Africa, but several species range over N Africa and SW Asia; the Persian, or goitered, gazelle ( and leopards. Paula Katz asked the driver to turn off the engine. We closed our eyes, trying to experience the place as Paula, blind since childhood, did. Two birds called to each other--or was it the chirping chirp n. A short, high-pitched sound, such as that made by a small bird or an insect. intr.v. chirped, chirp·ing, chirps To make a short, high-pitched sound. of cheetahs? Wind moved audibly through the tall grass. We could feel it on our necks. Light and heat in Kenya To image Kenya, take all the splendor of the U.S.--the oceans, plains, mountains, valleys, and deserts--and pack it into an area the size of Texas. The light is indescribable, but the heat is dry. Nairobi and many of the game regions are at high altitudes, and the climate is generally pleasant. July and August are the cooler months. While most places don't have air conditioning air conditioning, mechanical process for controlling the humidity, temperature, cleanliness, and circulation of air in buildings and rooms. Indoor air is conditioned and regulated to maintain the temperature-humidity ratio that is most comfortable and healthful. , it's generally not necessary. Access and visibility At Lake Nakuru Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley soda lakes. It lies to the south of Nakuru, in central Kenya and is protected by a small Lake Nakuru National Park. The lake's abundance of algae attracts the vast quantity of flamingos that famously lines the shore. Lodge, 100 miles northwest of Nairobi, we met 15-year-old Mark Cooper This article is about the English football player and coach. For the 19th Century United States Congressman from the state of Georgia, see Mark Anthony Cooper. Mark Cooper , who has used a wheelchair for 7 years. On game drives, Mark rode next to the driver because it was the only belted seat. "You can get a perfectly good view sitting down," said Mark. "The safari is quite easy," he added, "because a lot of people want to help." Accommodations Oddly, we met another Mark using a wheelchair at the escarpment escarpment or scarp, long cliff, bluff, or steep slope, caused usually by geologic faulting (see fault) or by erosion of tilted rock layers. An example of a fault scarp is the north face of the San Jacinto Mts. in California. overlooking the Great Rift Valley Great Rift Valley, geological fault system of SW Asia and E Africa. It extends c.3,000 mi (4,830 km) from N Syria to central Mozambique. The northernmost extension runs S through Syria and Lebanon, the Jordan valley, the Dead Sea, and the Gulf of Aqaba. . Mark and Penny Butler of England were honeymooning. This Mark has a mission: to encourage safari companies and lodges to cater more to travelers with disabilities. "What you get out of a trip like this is just unbelievable--like seeing lions three feet from your vehicle," Mark said. But it's not always smooth going. "The people at the Nairobi airport Nairobi Airport may refer to:
To avoid difficulties, always contact the airline to confirm everything. Tenting at Sweetwaters Butler had chosen to stay at lodges, but found that the tent camps sometimes offered greater accessibility. Sweetwaters Tented tent·ed adj. 1. Covered with tents. 2. Sheltered in tents. 3. Resembling a tent. Camp is right on the equator, with Mt. Kenya as a backdrop. The camp is on flat land and a paved path winds throughout, connecting the spacious tents with the reception hall, dining room, lounge, bar, and swimming pool. On the other side of a deep trench (which conceals an electric fence) is a watering hole and a salt lick. On our first evening 15 elegant giraffes loped in for refreshment. Green Leopard Green Leopard Ltd. plans to offer traditional luxury camping for guests with disabilities in 2002. "Impeccable planning takes the highest priority," said Green Leopard's co-director. More information Kenya Tourist Board P.O. Box 30630 Nairobi, Kenya, Africa E-mail: info@kenyatourism.org <www.kenyatourism.org> Green Leopard P.O. Box 15347 Nairobi, Kenya, Africa E-mail: safaris@greenleopard.com Kenya Wildlife Trails <www.wildlifetrails.com> United Touring Company <www.unitedtour.com> Trailfinders <www.trailfinders.com> Have Meds, Will Travel * Bring enough to last your trip--and extras. * Pack your meds in a carry-on bag--can luggage can stray or get lost. * Keep all meds in original containers or a well-labeled substitute. * Carry a safe used-needle container. * Make a list of what you take, and why, with brand and generic names; make a copy and pack one copy separately from you carry-on. * Make accommodations for refrigeration refrigeration, process for drawing heat from substances to lower their temperature, often for purposes of preservation. Refrigeration in its modern, portable form also depends on insulating materials that are thin yet effective. of your meds. * Bring your insurance I.D. card, plus instructions for accessing a physician where you're going. * Take your doctor's name and contact information, in case of emergency. * For foreign travel, see "The Doctor Weighs In" on page 24. Lyn Dobrin is a food and travel writer. |
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