Kenya is a land of many contrasts ranging from varied traditions to the culture of the people. The superb beaches along the coastal area, the equatorial glaciers of Mt Kenya at an altitude of more than 4,573 meters, to the natural habitat inhabited by different types of animals big and small, herbivorous and carnivores.
All this combines to make a small world of Kenya with natural features of its own. All the big five -Lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and Rhinos can be seen in at least two of the major parks plus a huge variety of other impressive animals.
Embark on a classic game safari in Kenya’s most iconic national parks and game reserves. Witness the incredible wildlife of the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, Samburu, and more. The guides will lead you on thrilling game drives, ensuring you have the chance to spot the Big Five and a myriad of other fascinating creatures.
If seeking for unique and specialized experiences, safaris designed to cater for specific interests. Explore the Great Migration in the Masai Mara, go bird-watching in Lake Nakuru, or engage in cultural safaris that allow you to interact with local communities and learn about their traditions. Whether it’s a photography safari, a honeymoon safari, or a family-friendly safari adventure, the specialized safaris are crafted to make your dream Kenya safari a reality.
One of the national parks you can never miss out for is Masai Mara National Park well known for the Great Migration where over 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras make their legendary 1,800-mile round trek, starting around late July/early August time when the animals arrive in the Masai Mara National Reserve from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania.
If you wish to see the river crossing, you must be prepared to be patient and be out the entire day with your guide, with a packed breakfast and lunch. Literally hundreds of thousands of desperate wildebeest can gather together on the banks of the river, gazing wistfully across the turbulent water at the green grass on the other side…but not one animal will make a move. All it takes is one brave wildebeest to literally take the plunge, so to speak, and then they will all follow! But wildebeest gathering at the river bank does also not necessarily mean a river crossing – frustratingly, they have also been known to mill around on the bank for a few days before attempting to cross!
Amboseli is also a great choice for first-time safari goers or first-timers to Kenya. Its compact size allows you to see virtually every aspect in about two days and its proximity to Nairobi means you don’t have to follow a long-haul flight with a very long drive or another longish flight. Short-haul flights between Wilson Airport and the Amboseli airstrip take less than an hour in a light aircraft.
Amboseli is definitely a convenient place to ease into your Kenya safari. Its closeness to Nairobi does mean that lots of Kenyans drive through for weekends and school holidays, and you may experience traffic congestion during Easter and Christmas so your Africa Safari Expert will help you plan your trip with that in mind.
The wildlife in Amboseli National Park congregate around very few watering holes during the dry season and disperse when the rains increase the availability of water throughout the park. The same weather patterns affect your comfort, travel costs and accessibility to game activities.
Locating wildlife is easier during the dry season. The reason for this is that the vegetation is not as thick due to the shortage of rainfall, and the decline in pasture and water brings the animals to the few remaining water sources. Second, less precipitation means fewer insects, such as mosquitoes.
Tsavo East and Tsavo West national parks are yet another gem in Kenya. Its one of Kenya’s largest and oldest national parks, is a remarkable destination known for its stunning landscapes and diverse ecosystems. Tsavo East features vast, arid plains dotted with iconic baobab trees, while Tsavo West is characterized by its hilly volcanic terrain and lush vegetation. A significant attraction within the park is the Yatta Plateau, one of the longest lava flows in the world, which offers breathtaking views and a unique geological landscape.
The park is famous for its large herds of red elephants, which are known for their distinctive reddish hue due to the iron-rich soil they frequent. Wildlife enthusiasts can also encounter the infamous man-eating lions that gained notoriety during the late 19th-century safaris. Other notable attractions include the Galana River, which provides essential water sources for numerous species, and Lugard Falls, a series of rapids that offer picturesque views.
Visit Mount Kenya the second highest peak in Africa and is an ancient extinct volcano. There are 12 remnant glaciers on the mountain, all receding rapidly, and four secondary peaks that sit at the head of the U-shaped glacial valleys. With its rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes, Mount Kenya is one of the most impressive landscapes in East Africa.
Mount Kenya National Park’s alpine forests are home to an abundance of wildlife. The forests sustain larger mammals like elephants, Cape buffaloes, and leopards, and smaller mammals such as several species of antelope. Black-and-white colobus monkeys also inhabit the forests. The park is also home to over 130 bird species, including sun birds, starlings, and bearded vultures.
Mount Kenya National Park is open all year round and can be visited any time of the year, but the sunniest months from December to March are perhaps the best time to visit. There are some cloudy periods and rain from March to May, and drizzle from October to early December which may restrict clear views.
