Kenya Safari Destinations.
Kenya is the most renowned East African Safari destination – most likely by the nature of its bygone days of decadent colonial lifestyles depicted in colourful books and movies like “Out of Africa” and “White Mischief”. It’s also one of the favorite areas to watch the world-famous Great Migration that takes place every year (Masai Mara) and Kenya is recognized as one of the premier ‘beach and bush’ safari and tropical seaside destinations.
Nairobi, Capital city
Nairobi, the economic and cultural center of Kenya, if not all of East Africa, is a huge, crowded African city with a diverse range of architectural and cultural influences. It has a rich history, a dynamic culture, and a fantastic shopping, dining, and nightlife. It’s received bad publicity in the past but its “Neigh-Rob-Me” moniker seems to be thankfully wearing off.
Masai Mara National Reserve.
Well-known and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kenya, the Masai Mara is also one of the most popular and most crowded. Experiencing the reserve in peak season and you may feel like you’re in a New York City traffic jam! Around 1.5 million wildebeest and other plains animals participate in the renowned Great Migration, a breathtaking natural event that happens every year between mid-June and mid-December. Mid-July to mid-October is peak season, but you’re much more likely to avoid the crowds and still have a decent chance of witnessing the migration if you can plan your dates a few weeks outside of the “rush.”
The majority of the animals are centered on the western escarpment area of the Masai Mara, also known as the Maasai Mara National Reserve, which is located in the Great Rift Valley and features large open grasslands. It is home to about 95 species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, and over 400 species of birds have been observed there. If you are lucky enough to visit at the right time, you will likely see hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, as well as cheetahs, servals, hyenas, bat-eared foxes, jackals, warthogs, topi, eland, Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles, impala, waterbuck, oribi, reedbuck, zebra, and of course, wildebeest.
Amboseli National Park.
This reserve could be the second most famous in Kenya and is also extremely common on safari itineraries. Situated just northwest of Mount Kilimanjaro on the Tanzanian border, it provides breathtaking views of the world’s highest freestanding peak, the snow-capped African symbol. Sunset and sunrise views of ‘Kili’ are particularly stunning.
Open grasslands, acacia trees, rocky thornbush terrain, wetlands, and marshlands are just a few of the stunning landscapes found in Amboseli, a big and expansive park. Large numbers of species gather here during the dry season, which runs from July to October. While not as prolific as Masai Mara, game viewing here is very highlighting with every chance to see lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, hyena, giraffe and cheetah. If you’re a keen birder, more than 300 species have been recorded here.
Meru National Park.
Meru National Park, which straddles the equator, is wild and stunning. With mountains, forests, open plains, and tropical palm palms, this park is especially picturesque and is crisscrossed by many rivers and streams.
Along with the typical plains creatures like zebra and oryx, as well as large herds of buffalo, you may expect to encounter lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, and black rhino at Meru. There’s also the chance of recognizing some of the rarer antelope like lesser kudu and duiker. Its rivers are alive with hippo and crocodile.
Samburu National Park.
Much less famous, but with wildlife in plenty is Samburu National Reserve. It’s also a great safari destination for spotting the rarer endemic species like Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, the odd-looking long necked gerenuk, Guenther’s dik-dik and the beisa oryx, known to the locals as the “Samburu Special Six”.
Along with the ever-popular wild dog, you have a great possibility of seeing elephants and large cats like lions, leopards, and cheetahs. With over 450 species of birds identified here, it’s a bird lover’s dream come true. The walking and mountain bike safaris, as well as the chance to socialize with the people in the neighboring Samburu communities, are some of the main attractions at Samburu.
Tsavo National Park
Dissected by the Mombasa highway, Tsavo has two sections, both offering different scenery and different safari experiences. Tsavo as a whole is fairly remote and wild, with little development. This park, which is less well-known and popular than many of the others, provides a leisurely safari experience with surprisingly good animal watching. On your safari schedule, it makes a fantastic combination with the neighboring Amboseli. It’s well located for a beach and jungle safari mix, only about 100 kilometers from the coast.
Tsavo East
Known for its large herds of buffalo (up to 1,000 strong) and elephants, Tsavo East is a relatively flat region with vast grasslands, steady water supplies, and convenient wildlife viewing. It provides a wilder, more isolated safari experience and is less developed than Tsavo West.
Tsavo West
The northern region, with its undulating hills and rocky terrain, is especially lovely and is home to the majority of the lodges. It is a Big 5 location, although game viewing is more difficult because it is more verdant and lush than Tsavo East. Hippos are plentiful, the wildlife is amazing, and there is a good variety of antelope.
Aberdare National Park
Compared to its more well-known contemporaries, Aberdare National Park provides a totally different and distinctive safari experience, while not being the largest park by Kenyan standards. It has two ecosystems that are totally unique to the rest of the country; the moorland plateau and dense rainforests. Besides spectacular scenery, it’s home to two of the more famous safari lodges of days gone by – Treetops Lodge and The Ark – each with a rich colonial history and illustrious lists of past guests.
Lions, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo can all be seen at Aberdare, along with more than 250 different species of birds and some uncommon antelopes like the huge forest hog, Colobus monkey, golden cat, leopard, and the forest-dwelling bongo antelope. Because of its mountainous location, it’s also a great place to visit all year round.
Laikipia.
One of Kenya’s greatest safari areas, Laikipia is quickly rising to prominence and is even starting to challenge the Masai Mara as a major Kenya safari destination. You won’t be disappointed with the game viewing experience here, either. Best of all, you won’t have to deal with the wild crowds you’re likely to see in Mara because it’s a large, open space with lots of space for everyone.
Laikipia is home to many endangered animals, including expanding packs of wild dogs and nearly half of Kenya’s endangered black rhino. Many of these creatures are under constant observation, and some are even protected by radio collaring.
Lake Naivasha
Located around 160 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, Lake Nakuru is regarded as one of the main Rift Valley’s main soda lakes, while Lake Naivasha is just 102 kilometers away. Both are excellent choices for your safari and provide distinct safari experiences.
Lake Nakuru
For two reasons, Lake Nakuru is frequently one of the first destinations on safari itineraries. First of all, it is well known for the enormous flamingo flocks that call it home; an estimated several million of them live there.
Second, Lake Nakuru is easily accessible from Nairobi and is a safe haven for both black and white rhinos since it is one of the few walled and actively guarded reserves. Lake Nakuru is home to a wide variety of other creatures in addition to many different kinds of birds.
Lake Naivasha.
At its highest point, Lake Naivasha, an ancient freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley, is 1,890 meters (6,200 feet) above sea level. The lake is teeming with hippo, and its abundant populations of freshwater fish, including tilapia, crayfish, and black bass, draw every passing fish-eating bird.
