Kenya - The grand old dame of African safaris, Kenya has been at the forefront of the industry for decades, and with iconic reserves such as Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and Tsavo, it has earned its place in safari royalty.
Kenya's wildlife is legendary, as is its hospitality, friendliness, and scenic beauty. With the Great Rift Valley running through the country, Kenya is home to some stunning landscapes, with lakes, valleys and mountains adding to the beautiful plains of the Masai Mara.
To add to the spectacular wildlife, Kenya is one of the best countries to experience the local tribes and cultures, in particular the Masai and Samburu. Kenyan roads are notoriously bad however, so the majority of safaris we recommend are fly-in options to the various parks. The small group scheduled safaris all operate by road, so you would need to be prepared for what is called "the African massage". The diversity of areas to visit in Kenya is astounding, with each game reserve offering something truly unique. And to top it off, the country has a splendid coastline which invites some pure relaxation after spending time in the bush. |
The Wildebeest MigrationJust when the Masai Mara is about to burst at the seams with wildlife, the herds of the wildebeest migration start making their way across the border from Tanzania, to take advantage of the good grazing provided by the Mara's plains. Take a look out our wildebeest migration page to get more info on when and where the best sightings are for this phenomenon. |
The Masai MaraWith one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, the Masai Mara is renowned for incredible wildlife sightings, and a lot of action. Cheetahs and lions dominate the plains, with an ample food supply being readily available. |
Amboseli National ParkAlthough Mount Kilimanjaro lies across the border in Tanzania, one of the best ways to see the mountain is as a backdrop to the enormous elephant herds of Amboseli. The park astonishes visitors with its amazing diversity of eco-systems, and the views of Kili are breathtaking. |
Lake Nakuru National ParkOnly a relatively short drive from Nairobi, the Great Rift Valley lakes of Nakuru and Naivasha offer some excellent game viewing, as well as numerous activities. Lake Nakuru was famous for the millions of flamingoes which line the lake shore, however due to current water levels these flamingos are no longer present, and they have moved to different lakes in the surrounding region. The national park also provides you with one of the best chances to see rhinos in East Africa, with high numbers of them coming out into the open to feed along the lake shore. |
Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves
Heading out to the northern wastelands of Kenya you could be forgiven for thinking you are just journeying further and further towards nowhere, until you come across the fantastic reserves of Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba. Fed by the Uaso Nyiro River, which is the only source of water for many a mile, these reserves reward your journey with some unique sightings, and great cultural interaction. |
LaikipiaA remarkable success story of wildlife conservation, the Laikipia Plateau is an enormous sanctuary to endangered species, and is second in animal denisty in Kenya to only the Masai Mara. Private concessions provide an exclusive experience, with numerous activities available. |
Tsavo National ParkTsavo National Park is an incredible 22 000 square kilometres of wilderness, split into Tsavo West and Tsavo East. Far less visited than most of the other parks in Kenya, Tsavo provides spectacular and varied landscapes along with excellent wildlife sightings. |
Kenya CoastTo complete the holiday, Kenya boasts an incredible coastline, with long, white, sandy beaches and tropical islands. The relaxed beaches and towns are the ideal places to finish off your Kenyan safari, before jetting back to the real world. |
Lake VictoriaSituated just to the west of the Masai Mara, Lake Victoria is Africa's largest lake, and provides travellers with a wonderfully isolated getaway, although it is relatively seldom included in a Kenyan safari itinerary. It can be accessed from the Masai Mara on day trips, if time and costs allow, or longer stays can be arranged for time to enjoy the scenic beauty and great water activities. |
Nairobi
Being a thriving city and the major gateway to East Africa, Nairobi is the safari capital of the world, and has access to many world renowned wildlife national parks as well as sublime coastal destinations. |