This Kenya Wildlife Safari enables visitors to have the best of their time in Kenya as they explore the wilderness and…
Kenya safaris
Intro
Kenya is every travelers dream destination, the country is found in East Africa bordered by Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Indian ocean, Somalia and Tanzania. The capital of Kenya is Nairobi and it’s known as the world’s largest capital.
About Kenya
Kenya is a country found in East Africa with a coastline at the Indian ocean, the country boasts with 50 national parks and reserves making it one of the world’s best safari destinations and the great Masai Mara game reserve provides visitors with one of the world’s natural wonders that is; the great Wildebeests migration that takes place annually.
Kenya is not only famous for its wildlife viewing experience but its also home to the world’s long distance runners. It hosts the world’s largest desert lake called Lake Turkana found in northern Kenya and its also home to Africa’s second highest mountain. Kenyan people are very friendly and hospitable with different ethnic groups there are over 60 languages spoken in the country although the national language is Kiswahili.
Why visit Kenya
Excellent wildlife watching opportunities
Kenya is one of the best wildlife viewing destinations in the world with over 50 national parks and national reserves providing unique unforgettable wildlife watching opportunities for tourists. Each national park differs with something unique to tourists like the wildebeests migration at Masai Mara game reserve.
Birder’s paradise
Kenya is home to 1157 species of birds confirmed in the country and 11 of this species are endemic to the country making it a birding destination and why many people especially bird enthusiasts want to visit Kenya.
Mountaineering destination
Kenya is home to the second highest mountain in Africa and the highest mountain in the country. Out of the many reasons of why you should visit the country, one of them is that Kenya has over 20 mountains where visitors can enjoy mountain climbing and hiking.
What to do in Kenya
Mountain climbing and hiking
Mountain climbing and hiking are one of the tourists activities you can do while in Kenya. Some of the mountains you can explore while in Kenya include; Mount Kenya, Mount Kulal, Ngong hills, Mount Menengai, Mount Elgon, Mount Satima, Mount Kinangop, Mount Chebon, Mount Nakugen and Mount Chepkotet to mention a few.
Birding
Kenya is a birder’s paradise with over 1000 species of birds recorded. Some of the examples of birds you can find in the country include; white browed coucal, klaa’s cuckoo, great spotted cuckoo, hartlaub’s turaco, white created turaco, broad billed roller, lilac breasted roller, white winged collared bird, speckled mouse bird, wholly necked stork, striped crake, black crowned crane and red eyed dove to mention a few.
Wildlife watching
Each of Kenyan wildlife national parks provides visitors a thrilling wildlife experience for visitors and you can watch wildlife through game drives, hot air balloon safaris, boat cruises and guided nature walks. Some of the wildlife you will see in Kenyan national parks include; rhinos, lions, leopards, zebras, cheetahs, cape buffalos, African bush elephants, elands, roan antelopes, impalas, genets, African wild dogs, striped and spotted hyenas and many others.
Beach holidays
Kenya has a coast line at the Indian ocean, the turquoise blue waters and white sand beaches provide a perfect holiday for water lovers with lots of activities to be done at the coast such as; marine wildlife watching, snorkeling, skiing, scuba diving, swimming, boat cruises, wind surfing and so much more.
Visit the people
Tourists interested in learning different cultures and people’s way of life in another part of the world won’t be disappointed in Kenya. The are many tribes in the country with unique traditional beliefs and ways of life ranging from the famous Masai people, Samburu people, Turkana people, Kikuyu people, wakiisi people and many other tribes. While on a wildlife safari, you can visit the neighboring communities and learn more about them.
when to visit Kenya
Kenya is an all year round destination meaning travelers can visit the country any time of the year although some months are better than other months we can see below:
June to September and December to February
June to September and December to February are dry seasons in Kenya favourable for wildlife watching, mountain climbing and hiking. During this time, the hiking trails are not muddy and slippery plus the weather is good for photography and uninterrupted excellent views. Wildlife at the national parks also concentrates in water holes and the vegetation is not thick making it easy for game drives.
November to April
For bird enthusiasts, the best time to visit Kenya is from November to April when migratory birds from north Africa and Europe are present in the park.
National parks
Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park is located in Kajiado County in Kenya, it was gazetted as a reserve in 1906 and later upgraded to a national park in 1974. Amboseli national park is famous for being the best place in the world for coming close to free ranging Elephants and also providing superb views of Africa’s highest mountain.
Tsavo East national park
Tsavo East national park land of red elephants is located in Voi covering an area of 13,747 kilometers squared, the park is also home to some old stone age, middle stone age and early stone age sites. This is one of the best places for wildlife watching in Kenya.
Tsavo west national park
Tsavo west national park is also situated at the coastal province of Kenya adjoining Tsavo East national park. It’s a perfect destination for travelers who would want to experience the African wilderness and also the white sand beach holiday in Mombasa.
Aberdare national park
Aberdare national park was established in 1950 covering an area of 767 kilometers squared east of the rift valley. The park was mainly established to protect Aberdare mountain ranges and its wildlife. It’s home to about 250 species of birds.
Chyulu hills national park
The beautiful Chyulu hills national park is located at Tsavo region in Kenya renowned for its 100 kilometers volcanic field and Leviathan cave believed to be one of the longest caves in the African continent. Chyulu hills is a perfect destination for hiking, birding and photography.
Mombasa marine national park
Mombasa marine national park is one of the most visited marine national parks in Kenya. Mombasa marine national park harbors variety of marine species like; crabs, stone fish, star fish, cucumbers sea urchins, crabs, turtles, corals and so much more. There are a lot of water activities you can do at the park including; snorkeling, diving, water skiing and windsurfing among the rest.
Meru national park
Mount Meru national park is famously known for being one of the areas where conservationists George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the lioness which inspired one of the best selling books and award winning movie titled “born free”. The park is also a birder’s paradise with over 400 species of birds recorded.
Lake Naivasha national park
Lake Naivasha national park derives its name from Lake Naivasha which dominates the park. The word Naivasha is derived from a local Masai word for “Naiposha” translated to mean rough water. Lake Naivasha national is a perfect weekend getaway from Nairobi with lots of activities to be done at the park like; boat cruises, birding, wildlife watching and climbing Mount Longonot.
Lake Nakuru national park
Lake Nakuru national park is renowned for millions of flamingoes that call the lake home and it’s a gem for bird enthusiasts with over 400 species of birds recorded. Other wildlife can also be seen in Lake Nakuru national park including the endangered rhino and Rothschild’s giraffes.
Hell’s gate national park
The spectacular Hell’s gate national park just like the name derives its name from a narrow break in the cliffs, it’s one of Kenya’s national parks established in 1984. The park can be visited within a days tour in Nairobi and tourists get rewarding scenic views, wildlife watching, hiking, guided nature walks, biking, birding and so much more.
Mount Kenya national park
Mount Kenya national park is home to the country’s highest mountain and 2nd highest mountain in the African continent. It was established to protect Mount Kenya, its surrounding areas and wildlife. The main activities carried out at the park are mountain climbing and hiking.
Ruma national park
Ruma national park is home to the last retreat of roan antelopes in Kenya. Ruma was first gazeted as a reserve in 1966 and later upgraded to a national park and renamed Ruma national park after one of Kenya’s powerful wizard who lived around the park.
Sibiloi national park
The unique Sibiloi national park is situated at the Lake shores of Lake Turkana, the park was mainly established to protect its rare wildlife species and paleontologist sites found within the park. In 1997, Sibiloi national park was designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Central island national park
Central island national park also known as crocodile island is composed of three crater lakes one of which is; Tilapia lake, crocodile lake and flamingo lake. Central island is one of the most unique yet less visited game parks in Kenya. The park doesn’t have accommodation but there are established campsites where visitors can sleep in.
Kora national park
Kora national park was first gazetted as a nature reserve in 1973 but later upgraded to a national park after the murder of George Adamson by poachers. Kora national park teems up with wildlife such as; lions, leopards, serval cat, spotted and stripped hyenas, cheetahs, African bush elephants, genet, hippos and so much more.
Malka mari national park
Malka Mari is one of the least visited national parks in Kenya located at the Kenya – Ethiopian border. The plants at Malka Mari national park are unique to the area, its also home to some unique species of birds and boasts with various species of wildlife.
Watamu marine national park
Watamu marine national park was one of the country’s first marine national parks established in 1968. The park is renowned for its abundant fish species with about 600 species recorded and its also home to 110 coral stony species not forgetting abundant marine life.
Malindi marine national park
Malindi marine national park is a protected area south of Malindi town at the Indian ocean. This is the oldest marine national park in Africa established to protect its marine life, there are lots of activities to do while at the park like; snorkeling, diving, water skiing, windsurfing and so much more.
Getting a visa
The government of Kenya requires that all international tourists visiting the country will be required to obtain a Kenyan e-visa before entering the country. Children under the age of 16 years are exempted from obtaining a visa while adults will require to visit the website, fill in and submit their applications, pay using debt, visa card or master card then wait for approval email. If the application is approved, then you will be sent the e-visa on your e citizen account for printing. There are different types of visas that is; single entry visa, multiple entry visa, transit visa, diplomatic visa, referred visa, five years visa and East African tourist visa.
Most popular national parks
Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park is one of the most famous national parks in Kenya famous for being the best place in the world for getting close to free ranging Elephants and also the best place for viewing Mount Kilimanjaro which is the highest mountain in Africa as the saying goes that the Mountain is in Tanzania and the views and in Kenya!
Nairobi national park
Nairobi national park is just at the outskirts of Nairobi city center reason the city is known as world’s wildlife capital, Nairobi national park is one of the most popular national parks in Kenya in that despite being close the city, it offers tourists excellent wildlife viewing just like other national parks in remote areas.
Safety
Kenya is considered one of the safest tourism destinations in the world. Nevertheless, all tourists should be cautious of personal safety tips just like they would while in their countries.
People and culture
The people of Kenya can be divided into three main language groups that is; Banta, Afro- Asiatic and Nilo Saharan people sub divided into many other small tribes. The people of Kenya are hospitable and welcoming.
The many tribes in Kenya means multiple cultures and traditions, there is no dominant or prominent culture in Kenya but each tribe has their own unique traditional way of live and beliefs. You can learn about these different cultures while on a safari in Kenyan national parks by visiting the local communities living around the parks.
