Kenya Safari Destinations
Kenya
is home to the original safari. Think vast Savannah teeming with immense herds
of game, snow-capped mountains on the equator and the Great Rift Valley cutting
through the continent’s heart.For
most visitors, a classic safari is Kenya’s main draw-card. Masai Mara
National Reserve is the site of the great wildebeest migration, one of the
planet’s most dramatic spectacles. Enjoy a game drive or a nature walk in one
of the private conservancies, and visit a local community to learn more about
Kenyan culture.In
the south, Amboseli National Park lies at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s
the home to large wildlife concentrations, famed elephant herds and is one of
the most popular tourist sites in Kenya.In
the west lies Lake Nakuru, an idyllic bird-watching sanctuary. Witness the
congregation of millions of pelicans and flamingos during peak season. You can
also see more than 400 bird species here, as well as good numbers of hippo and
rhino.
Escape
the crowds for an exclusive stay on the Laikipia Plateau, Kenya’s newest safari
destination. Located on the rim of the Great Rift Valley, this area boasts a
number of thriving private reserves and family-friendly accommodation.
North
of Mount Kenya lies Samburu National Reserve, a realm of dry savannahs and
forests. The park is home to the big cats, great herds of elephants and rare
wild dogs. It also boasts other, much rarer, animals, such as the long-necked
gerenuk, besia oryx, Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe.
Once
you’ve had your fill of wildlife, chill out at one Kenya’s famous beaches
resorts in Mombasa or Diani.
Enjoy
swimming and kitesurfing or how about snorkeling over pristine coral reefs?
Round
off your Kenyan journey with a day or two in the capital, Nairobi. It’s the
largest African city between Johannesburg and Cairo, and a hub of
vibrant energy. Head to the suburbs and visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage,
Karen Blixen Museum and the Giraffe Centre.
Contact
us now to plan your ideal Kenyan holiday. We have more than 50 expert safari
consultants ready and waiting to help you.
Best
Attractions
1 Maasai Mara National
Reserve
Maasai
Mara is one of the world's most magnificent game reserves.
Bordering Tanzania, the Mara is the northern extension of
the Serengeti and forms a wildlife corridor between the two
countries. It's named after the statuesque, red-cloaked Maasai people who live
in the park and graze their animals here as they have done for centuries. In
their language, Mara means "mottled", perhaps a reference to the play
of light and shadow from the acacia trees and cloud-studded skies on the vast
grasslands.
The
park is famous for the Great Migration when thousands of
wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson's gazelle travel to and from the Serengeti, from
July through October. In the Mara River, throngs of hippos and
crocodiles lurk. The park is also known for providing excellent predator
sightings thanks to its relatively large populations of lion, cheetah, and
leopard - especially in the dry months from December through February. Thanks
to the parks altitude, the weather here is mild and gentle year round.
Location:
Narok County
2 Amboseli National
Reserve
Crowned
by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, Amboseli National
Reserve is one of Kenya's most popular tourist parks. The name
"Amboseli" comes from a Maasai word meaning "salty dust",
an apt description for the park's parched conditions. The reserve is one of the
best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close. Other wildlife
commonly spotted in the park includes big cats such as lion and cheetah as well
as giraffe, impala, eland, waterbuck, gazelle, and more than 600 species of
birds. Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here ranging from the
dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulfur springs,
savannah, and woodlands. Look for the local Maasai people who live in the area
around the park.
Location:
Loitokitok District, Rift Valley
3 Tsavo National Park
Kenya's
largest park, Tsavo, is sliced in two; Tsavo West and Tsavo
East. Together these parks comprise four percent of the country's total
area and encompass rivers, waterfalls, savannah, volcanic hills, a massive
lava-rock plateau, and an impressive diversity of wildlife. Midway between
Nairobi and Mombasa, Tsavo East is famous for photo-worthy sightings of large
elephant herds rolling and bathing in red dust. The palm-fringed Galana
River twists through the park providing excellent game viewing and a
lush counterpoint to the arid plains. Other highlights here include the Yatta
Plateau, the world's longest lava flow, Mudanda Rock, and the Lugard Falls,
which spill into rapids and crocodile-filled pools.
Tsavo
West is wetter and topographically more varied with some of the most beautiful
scenery in the northern reaches of the park. Highlights here are Mzima
Springs, a series of natural springs with large populations of hippos and
crocodiles, Chaimu Crater, a great spot for spotting birds of prey,
and Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. Wildlife is not as easy to see in Tsavo
West because of the denser vegetation, but the beautiful scenery more than
compensates.
4 Samburu, Buffalo
Springs, and Shaba National Reserves
Samburu,
Buffalo Springs, and Shaba National Reserves
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On
the banks of the palm-lined Ewaso Nyiro River, Samburu, Buffalo
Springs, and Shaba Reserves lie in an arid region in the remote north of Kenya.
Shaba National Reserve is one of two areas where George and Joy Adamson raised
Elsa the lioness, made famous in the film "Born Free". The wildlife
in all three reserves depends on the waters of the river to survive, and many
species are specially adapted to the parched conditions such as Grevy's zebras,
Somali ostriches, and gerenuks, the long-necked antelope that stand on two rear
legs to reach the fresh shoots on upper tree limbs.
A
top attraction in Samburu National Reserve is the Sarara Singing Wells,
local watering holes where Samburu warriors sing traditional songs while
hauling water for their cattle to drink. Tourists here may also be rewarded with
sightings of big cats and wild dogs.
Location:
Northern Kenya
5 Lake Nakuru National
Park
Lake
Nakuru National Park
Lake
Nakuru National Park, in Central Kenya, is famous for its huge flocks of pink
flamingoes. The birds throng on Lake Nakuru itself, one of the
Rift Valley soda lakes that comprises almost a third of the park's area. The
park was established in 1961 and more than 450 species of birds have been
recorded here as well as a rich diversity of other wildlife. Lions, leopards,
warthogs, waterbucks, pythons, and white rhinos are just some of the animals
visitors might see, and the landscapes range from sweeping grasslands bordering
the lake to rocky cliffs and woodland.
The
park also protects the largest euphorbia candelabrum forest in
Africa. These tall branching succulents are endemic to the region and provide
an interesting textural element to the arid landscapes.
Location:
Central Kenya
6 Lamu
Lamu
The
small island of Lamu, northeast of Mombasa, oozes old world charm. A UNESCO
World Heritage Site, Lamu Old Town is Kenya's oldest
continually inhabited settlement with origins dating back to the 12th century.
Strolling the labyrinthine streets, visitors will see the island's rich trading
history reflected in the buildings. Architectural features from the Arab
world, Europe, and India are evident, yet with a discernible
Swahili technique. Intricately carved wooden doors, coral stone buildings,
hidden courtyards, verandas, and rooftop patios are common features. Visiting
here is like stepping back in time. Dhows plow the harbor, few if any motorized
vehicles exist here, and donkeys still rule the streets as they have done for
centuries.
Most
of Lamu's population is Muslim and both men and women dress in traditional
attire. Top attractions on the island include Lamu Museum, with
displays on Swahili culture and the region's nautical history; Lamu Fort; and
the Donkey Sanctuary. If all the history is a little too much, visitors can
bask on one of the island's white sand beaches or sip Arabic coffee in a local
café.
Location:
341 km northeast of Mombasa
7 Lake Naivasha
Lake
Naivasha
A
haven for birders, Lake Naivasha lies at the highest point of the Great
Rift Valleyand has been known to shrink considerably in times of extreme
drought. A flourishing floriculture industry in the area is also impacting
water levels and quality. One of the best ways to view the wildlife is by boat.
More than 400 species of birds have been spotted here, including African fish
eagles. Hippos slosh in the water, and giraffes, zebra, buffalo, and eland
graze around the edges of the lake. Keep a lookout for colobus monkeys in the
canopies too.
Near
Lake Naivasha, the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary features a
wildlife-rich nature trail. Just south of Lake Naivasha, the
relatively affordable Hell's Gate National Park protects a
wide variety of wildlife and offers excellent climbing opportunities with two
extinct volcanoes and the red cliffs of Hell's Gate Gorge. On the southern
shore of Lake Naivasha, visitors can pop in for a cup of tea at the Elsamere
Conservation Centre, the former home of the late Joy Adamson, author of
"Born Free", and her husband George.
Location:
Rift Valley Province
8 Nairobi
Nairobi
Kenya's
capital and largest city, Nairobi, is legendary for its colorful colonial
history. It was once the capital of British East Africa, luring settlers who
came here to stake their fortune in the coffee and tea industries. Today,
tourists can explore the city's famous historic sites as well as some excellent
wildlife-related attractions. The Nairobi National Museum is a
great one-stop spot to see exhibits on Kenya's history, nature, culture, and
contemporary art. Green thumbs will also enjoy the botanic gardens on the
grounds. Another popular tourist attraction is the Karen Blixen
Museum, the restored residence of the famous Danish author of the
book, "Out of Africa", also known by her pen name, Isak Dinesen.
To
see wildlife without venturing far from the city center, visit Nairobi
National Park, now a black rhino sanctuary and also home to a host of other
classic safari stars including lions, leopards, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest,
and cheetahs. Within the park's borders, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
offers close-up encounters with elephant orphans. And no visit to Nairobi would
be complete without popping into the Giraffe Centre near the
famous Giraffe Manor where these long-necked beauties eat out
of visitors' hands. While visiting Nairobi, travelers should exercise care as
crime rates have escalated in recent years.
Location:
South-central Kenya
9 Mombasa
Kenya's
second largest city and biggest port, Mombasa is a multicultural tourist
magnet. British, Portuguese, Arab, Indian, and Asian immigrants add to the rich
cultural mix and their influence is evident in the architecture as well as the
many different types of cuisine. Mombasa is actually an island connected to its
mushrooming development on the mainland by a causeway, bridges, and ferries.
Coral reefs fringe the coast for 480 km providing fantastic snorkeling and
diving opportunities, especially at Mombasa Marine National Park and
around Wasini Island. Dolphin watching and deep-sea fishing
are also popular.
History
buffs will enjoy exploring the 16th-century Fort Jesus and Old
Town with its narrow streets, ancient Swahili dwellings, markets, and
souvenir shops. The north shore of Mombasa is crammed with attractions
including Mombasa Go-Kart, cinemas, sports, and a cornucopia of restaurants.
This being a coastal hub, beach lovers will find some worthy
strands nearby. North of the city, Nyali and Bamburi Beaches are favorites,
while the white strands of Shelly, Tiwi, and Diani Beaches are popular spots
south of Mombasa.
Location:
Southeast coast
10 Malindi
North
of Mombasa on the Kenyan coast, Malindi is a beach resort popular with European
visitors. Thanks to its rich trading history, it too is a melting pot of
cultures and cuisines, and also sports a split personality. Part historic old
town, part modern tourist hub, Malindi is where travelers come to sun on the
white sands of Watamu Beach, dive the coral reefs of the Malindi and Watamu
Marine National Parks, and soak up a dose of Swahili history in the
historic town, dating from the 12th century. Here tourists can visit the Jami
Mosque, two pillar tombs from the 14th century, and the Church of St Francis
Xavier, one of East Africa's oldest churches. On the promontory, the Vasco De
Gama Cross is one of the oldest standing monuments in Africa. In the former home
of an Indian trader, the Malindi Museum has displays on Vasco
de Gama and also doubles as an information center.
Another
popular tourist attraction is the Falconry of Kenya, a
rehabilitation center for sick and injured birds. About 30 km northeast of Malindi,
the Marafa Depression, also called Hell's Kitchen or Nyari, is a
set of sandstone gorges sculpted by the wind and rain.
Location:
120 km northeast of Mombasa.
11 Mount Kenya National
Park
Mount
Kenya National Park
In
the Central Highlands, east of the Great Rift Valley, Mount Kenya
National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing the country's
namesake highest mountain at 5,199 m and providing the rare sight of equatorial
snow. Formed by a series of volcanic eruptions, Mount Kenya is actually
comprised of three glacier-cloaked peaks. The highest is Batian, although
Nelion, the next highest, is a tougher climb. The lowest peak, Lenana, is
considered the easiest climb, although unpredictable weather can pose
challenges.
Scenery
varies from glaciers, lakes, and mineral springs to alpine forest and dense
pockets of bamboo. The diversity of flora and fauna provides rewarding
opportunities for safaris. Among the wildlife here visitors may spot black and
white colobus monkeys, buffalo, elephant, tree hyrax, leopard, and hyena.
Nestled in the foothills, the famous Mount Kenya Safari Club is
a luxury retreat with trout fishing, golf, and tennis.
Location:
175 km northeast of Nairobi
12 Hell's Gate National
Park
Hell's
Gate National Park
A
hotspot for climbers, Hell's Gate National Park is one of the few parks in
Kenya that allows camping and enables visitors to explore on foot or bicycle.
Hell's Gate offers excellent climbing and hiking opportunities with two extinct
volcanoes, the red cliffs of Hell's Gate Gorge, Obsidian Caves, and
the pointed column of rock known as Fischer's Tower, a former
volcanic plug. Geothermal features include hot springs and natural geysers
hissing steam through vents in the earth's crust. The park also protects a wide
variety of wildlife including leopards, baboons, hartebeest, eland, ostriches,
gazelles, and more than 100 species of birds as well as eagle and vulture
breeding grounds.
Olkaria
Geothermal Station, the first of its kind in Africa, lies within Hell's Gate
National Park and generates power from heated, pressurized water underground.
The Oloor Karia Maasai Cultural Centre within the park is
worth a visit with Maasai singing, dancing, and jewelry-making demonstrations.
Location:
South of Lake Naivasha, northwest of Nairobi