Where to go for a safari in Kenya
Masai Mara National Reserve is situated in the extreme Southwestern Kenya and is undoubtedly one of the most powerful wildlife reserves. Maasai Mara boasts of its extensive rolling African savanna plains which expand up to 1510 sq.km. The reserve lies close to the border with the Serengeti National Park.
Kenya safaris in the Maasai Mara National Reserve allow you to enjoy great sights of abundant wildlife. The Mara Reserve offers the best of guided game drive, a great opportunity to search for large mammals such as African elephants, African buffalo, lions, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, cheetahs, rhinos, and others.
While on Masai Mara safaris, you can enjoy a myriad of wilderness experiences including witnessing the great migration, guided game drives, hot air balloon safaris, and cultural experiences for you to explore more about the Maasai traditions, cultures, and practices.
Amboseli National Park is one of the top National Parks that never goes unmentioned on any Kenya safari. Formerly referred to as Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve, Amboseli is a compact protected area with surface area coverage of 392.06 sq.km and is popular for its rich ecosystem.
Amboseli is located in Loitoktok District in Kajiado County in Kenya just close to Tanzania border. At Amboseli, you can enjoy a great view of the legendary Kilimanjaro Volcano. On Kenya safaris in Amboseli National Park, expect to look for a diversity of wildlife including the Masai giraffes, blue wildebeest, lions, impalas, African bush elephants, cheetahs, lions, Grant’s zebras, spotted hyenas, others.
Tsavo National Park is a combination of Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Tsavo National Park is Kenya’s biggest conservation area and is separated by the railway. The Tsavo National Park is most famous for its unusual red elephants and man-eating lions. It offers great sights to not only the Big 5 game but also the diversity of birds as well as the breathtaking landscapes.
The popular attractions in Tsavo West include wildlife such as lions, cape buffaloes, impalas, hartebeest, rhinos, giraffes, elands, leopards, and kudus. This park is also popular for its magnificent Mzima springs, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, and Shetani lava flow.
Tsavo East National Park boasts of its unique attractions such as River Galana, Lugard Falls, Yatta Plateau, Aruba Dam, Mubanda Rock, and diverse wildlife. The different wildlife in Tsavo East National Park includes pods of hippos, rhinos, red elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, gerenuk, leopards, and over 500 bird species.
Lying right at the edge of Nairobi’s capital is the stunning Nairobi National Park. Nairobi National Park also best known as Kifaru Ark meaning Rhinoceros Sanctuary, is one of the best places that have recorded the most successful rhino sanctuaries. Nairobi National Park is the best place to find the black rhinos in the natural environment, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, plain zebras, common elands, waterbucks, black-backed jackals, common warthogs, blue wildebeest, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes and more.
Lake Nakuru National Park lies in Central Kenya right on the Great Rift Valley area, Northwestern Nairobi. The park is mostly dominated by woodlands and grassland –the major habitat to diverse wildlife including the leopards, Rothschild giraffes, cheetahs, lions, and more.
Lake Nakuru National Park also supports a diversity of birds including thousands of pink flamingos, black-winged lapwings, African fish eagles, hammerkops, white pelicans, grey crowned cranes, pied kingfishers, Hottentot teals, and others.
The great migration is a great opportunity for you to witness millions of wildebeest plus other grazers as they move in search of pasture and grass. More than 1.5 million wildebeest plus 200,000 zebras as well as several other grazers can be encountered in their powerful movement.
The most moment of the Great Migration is the Mara wildebeest migration when most of the wildebeest forcefully cross the infested crocodile Mara River and on crossing, there are several predators like lions waiting to hunt them.
The best time to experience the most of the Great Migration is from late July, August to September. These are the months of the year when wildebeest arrive in the stunning Maasai Mara National Reserve from the vast Serengeti National Park plains.
Hot air balloon safaris are a perfect adventure any wildlife enthusiast shouldn’t miss to enjoy on Kenya safaris. These offer the best aerial game viewing experience in the finest protected areas in Kenya. The best places that offer hot air balloon safaris include Maasai Mara National Reserve and you can go for the morning/sunrise balloon tour or sunset session.
The best hiking safaris in Kenya are offered on Mount Kenya, thanks to its breathtaking landscapes. Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano mountain and is Africa’s second-highest peak after Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Mt. Kenya rises high at an elevation of 5199m and features 12 remnant glaciers. It takes you about 4 to 6 days to have a complete hike through Mount Kenya. Other places to visit for hiking include Mount Longonot and Hell’s Gate.
Kenya is one of the best places in Africa where you can experience exotic beach experiences. The most popular beaches to explore on beach safaris in Kenya include Malindi, Diani Beach, Bamburi, Che Shale Beach, Manda Bay, Kikambala, Nyali Beach, and others. Beach safaris in Kenya can be combined with wildlife tours in Maasai Mara or any national park in Kenya.
Over 1158 bird species are in Kenya alone making it a diverse ecosystem. The abundant bird population thrives in the rainforest, savannas, deserts, highlands, mangroves, wetlands, and the Great Rift Valley Lakes.
Some of the birds to spot on birding tours in Kenya include the superb starling, lilac-breasted rollers, vulturine guineafowl, Abyssinian rollers, hammerkop, flamingos, turacos, and more. The best birding sites in Kenya include Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo, Lake Naivasha, Samburu Buffalo Springs National Reserve, etc.
The dry season (January, February July, August, September, and October) is the best time to visit Kenya for safaris. This is the dry season when most parks/destinations experience dry weather conditions and the game tracks are easier to explore on a game drive. July to August is the best time to witness the Great Migration and December to March is the best birthing season.
Essentials to consider on your Kenya safari packing list include a good camera, sun protection gear, insect repellents, a rain jacket, a first aid kit, comfortable safari shoes and clothes, a sweater, extra camera batteries, storage, etc.
In conclusion, Kenya safaris are the best way to experience the Big 5 game, the Great Wildebeest Migration. Safaris in Kenya also encompass beach safaris and hiking tours.
