When it comes to safaris in Africa, Kenya safaris come first in the minds of most holidaymakers. Boasting of her vast Mara Reserve, big game, majestic mountains, beautiful rift valley lakes, rivers to unique cultures, Kenya is such an exceptional destination every enthusiastic traveler should consider a must-visit.
After Tanzania. Kenya is ranked as the second largest East African country. It is blessed with not only numerous national parks, reserves but also unique landscapes, the beautiful Indian Ocean noted for its historical ports where Arabs and Asians traded. If you are looking for the finest beaches in the African continent, then you have a million reasons to take Kenya safaris.
The Western Kenya is noted for its strikingly beautiful rivers, lakes, lush forests and as you navigate northwards, this particular part of Kenya is semi-desert and desert. Kenya is a strong hold to most of Africa’s wildlife, one reason majority of visitor take Kenya safaris and this is why tourism plays a great role in Kenya’s economy.
While Kenya is comprised of many towns, Nairobi is its capital city. What is interesting is that Kenya is noted for its long musical and artistic expression history and it is of no doubt, such endowed nation with oral and written literature-enjoyable while on Kenya holiday safaris. Additionally, Kenyans are generally warm welcoming-on Kenya safaris, expect to experience the best hospitality in the African continent. The different tribal groups that constitute the many tribes in Kenya include the Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya, Kalenjin, Maasai and as well as European-Asian immigrant ethnic diversity.
Location.
In terms of location, Kenya is strategically positioned in East Africa and makes up part of the East Africa Community member states. In the world, Kenya is the 48 biggest country, lying and occupying over 580367sq.kms of the land area in Africa. It is also a populated country, accounting for over 47.6 million people as of the 2019 census. It was also ranked the 29th most popular country and it is incredibly the 3rd largest economy in the sub-Saharan Africa.
Kenya isn’t a landlocked Africa, however, it is bordered other countries including Uganda to the West, South Sudan to the North-west, Tanzania to the South, Ethiopia, Republic of Somalia and Indian Ocean. Visit Kenya and experience something from the usual and you won’t have any regrets.
History
Years ago, the earliest human habitation was unearthed in Kenya by Louis Leakey in 1929. The discovery was made at Kariandusi prehistoric site in the Southwestern Kenya. Additional hominid species have also been unearthed within Kenya and these can be explored while on Kenya safaris.
Martin Pickford unearthed the oldest hominid in earlier in 2000. This was the 6 million year old orrorin tugenensis which took its name from Tugen hills. It turns to be the second oldest fossil hominid on earth after Sahelanthropus tchadensis. Later in 1995, more new hominid species were unearthed and named and they add on the list of the fossils discovered in Lake Turkana Kenya in 1965, 1987 and 1994. In 2011, old stone tools were discovered dating 3.2 million and these existed in Lomekwi just close to Lake Turkana area of Kenya.
Kenya also has unique Bantu history of Western Africa. The Bantu history in Kenya dates back to the first millennium AD making it a nation with diverse ethnic groups. Kenya has a mixture of the Nilo-Saharan, Afro-Asiatic ethno-linguistic groups and the Bantu.
Modern history has that, Kenya inhabited the European and Arabs in Mombasa and in the 19th century, European exploration had already commenced. The East Africa Protectorate also popularly known as Kenya Colony was created in 1895. Kenya later attained her independence in 1963 and the Kenya Africa National Union (KANU) led by Jomo Kenyatta from 1963 to 1978, played a significant role towards country’s attainment of independence.
Kenyatta left and replaced by Daniel Arap Moi who led Kenya till 2002. In the 1980s, Arap Moi tried to change KANU’s status but his move never worked as it encountered a cold war. Today, Kenya is under Uhuru Kenyatta leadership.
The Great Migration Masai Mara Reserve-Kenya-East Africa.
Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya is noted for its magically extensive savanna plains teeming with huge colonies of wildlife including millions of wildebeest, big cats and the incredible Maasai people. These can be experienced on the Masai Mara holiday safari Kenya.
Masai Mara is a remarkable tourist site Kenya boasts of. The one unmissable expedition on Masai Mara is the Great Migration, one of the significant natural phenomenal that occurs each year. During the Masai Mara Great Migration, over 1.5 million wildebeest can be witnessed migrate together with the Thompson gazelles, zebras and grant gazelles, impalas, elands. These cross through the Masai Mara Kenya to Serengeti Eco system in Tanzania-East Africa.
The Great migration is experienced mainly during the dry season (from June, July, August, September, October and calving begins from December to February) when wildebeest and other grazers are forced to move to search for greener pastures and drinking water. The Mara/Masai Mara National Reserve is well-positioned in the Southwestern part along the Great Rift Valley in Narok County Kenya.
In addition to wildebeest, the Mara is also noted for its huge profusion of lions, elephants, buffaloes, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, birds. There are various sites to witness clearly the Mara Migration while on Kenya holiday safari. Preferably, a comfortable 4×4 Land Cruiser safari car is more ideal for your navigation in Kenya’s Masai Mara.
WHEN TO GO FOR THE MARA MIGRATION IN KENYA?
The Mara Great Migration Kenya is best enjoyed during the dry months of the year. In particular, the months to mark on your calendar are July, August, September and the cross to the Serengeti Eco-systems Tanzania through the Mara River-the most infested river with crocodiles.
Calving
Calving usually occurs in January, February and this is undoubtedly a remarkable annual event not to be missed on Kenya holiday in the Mara Reserve Kenya. Over 300,000 to 400,000 calves are born in just 2-3 weeks in the Mara and this is also considered to be the feasting period for predators in the Mara. Lions and hyenas can be sighted in different calving spots.
Access points to Mara Reserve Kenya – East Africa.
The Mara National Reserve has several entry areas and accessing it, visitors pay $80. The gates are available in different directions for instance Oloololo Gate in the North-east, Musiara Gate, Talek Gate in the North-west, in the eastern direction, there is Sand River Gate.
Accommodation.
If the Mara Migration is your thing, holidaymakers are advised to book lodging choices such as Mara Bush Camp, Base Camp Masai Mara, Elewana Sand River, Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Maasai Serena Safari Lodge, Mara West Chalets or book Mara Ngenche Luxury Tented Camp for your overnight stay while on Kenya holiday in Mara National Reserve.
KENYA NATIONAL PARKS & OTHER TOURIST ATTRACTIONS.
Kenya has a long list of national park and reserves, each hosting countless species of wildlife which making it the preferred game viewing destination in Africa. From the Masai Mara National Reserve to Marine Parks, Kenya safaris have a lot to offer you.
Maasai Mara holiday safari
Also known as ‘The Mara’, The Maasai Mara National Reserve is undoubtedly one of the splendid game reserves on planet earth. This expands on 1510sq.kms of land area in Narok County, South-western Kenya just along the Great Rift Valley. From Nairobi capital, the Mara Reserve is 270kms away and this is estimated to cover 4-5 hours for you to drive and by air, you can spend 40-45 minutes.
Established in 1948, the Mara Reserve is of no doubt the oldest protected area in Kenya-East Africa. Mara holidays primarily involve witnessing the great wildebeest migration, an annual event best experienced from July, August, September to October. In addition to millions of wildebeest, Maasai Mara also hosts large herds of cape buffaloes, Masai giraffes, African bush elephants, Maasai Lions, cheetahs, crocodiles, hyenas, over 500 bird species and they can be viewed while on Mara Great migration or game drive, birding, hot air balloon.
In terms of accommodation, travelers choose from budget to luxury lodging options. These include Mara Serena Lodge/Governors’ Camp-Luxury, while others include Mara Siria Camp, Tembo Camp, Olonana Camp.
Tsavo holiday in Kenya.
The Tsavo holidays Kenya usher you into one of the biggest and oldest national parks. The 2 Tsavo protected areas include Tsavo East and Tsavo West, lying along the semi-desert region also most popular as the Taru desert. The Tsavo parks take their names from the Tsavo River-this flows westwards to eastern side.
Tsavo East sprawls in an area of 13747sq.kms and officially founded as a national park in 1948. Tsavo East is noted for its numerous elephants which gather to bathe in the park’s red dust. The other significant tourist sites to explore on Tsavo east holiday include the Yatta plateau, Mudanda rock, Lugard falls or go game viewing to see gazelles, impalas, hyenas, black rhinoceros, water bucks, zebras, gazelles, birds and crocodiles.
The 9065sq.kms Tsavo west protects incredible attractions including Mzima springs, Chaimu crater, birds plus many springs hosting several crocodiles and hippos. Tsavo holidays can be arranged all-year-round but considering the 2 wet seasons and dry seasons is essential for a successful holiday. Heavy rains start from March, April, May and it is challenging embarking on Tsavo game viewing. The best game viewing is done during the drier months especially in October, November and December.
Places to spend a night while on Tsavo holiday Kenya include Sau Tsavo Camp, Red Elephant Safari Lodge, ithumba Camp Tsavo, Ndololo Safari Camp, Gladessa Bush Camp.
Amboseli National Park.
Amboseli is remarkably the second most popular destination in Kenya after the Maasai Mara N/Reserve in Narok County. This is located 240kms from Nairobi capital city of Kenya and sits in Kajiado County, Kenya. It is one of the oldest parks, founded in 1968 as a game reserve and upgraded into a national park in 1974.
Amboseli compared to Masai Mara occupies less than 400sq.kms of land area but greatly blessed with biodiversity. Taking its name from Amboseli-the Maasai word meaning ‘Salty dust’, the Amboseli is a home to a large population of cheetahs, impalas, lions, spotted hyenas, water bucks, elephants, hippos, blue wildebeest, giraffes, elands, over 400 bird species which include among others the chestnut bellied, black bustards, white bellied bustards, kingfishers, Madagascar pond heron, Zanzibar bishop, pelicans to mention but a few.
Amboseli N/Park is a a complete destination in Kenya, boasting of numerous accommodation choices. They include among others Mount Kilimanjaro View Lodge, Amboseli Lodge, Africa Amini Maasai Lodge, AA Lodge Amboseli, Sentrim Amboseli Lodge, Maasai Simba Camp.
Lake Nakuru national park.
Lake Nakuru National Park, located in Central Kenya is a true birder’s haven, boasting of huge concentration of the pink flamingos. Established in 1961, Lake Nakuru hosts 450 bird species, about 550 floral species including Euphorbia candelabrum forest, yellow acacia woodlands and its landscape also features the magical Makalia waterfalls. Lake Nakuru N/Park also protects significant faunal species such as African wild dogs, warthogs, lions, white rhinos, colobus monkeys, zebras, baboons, leopards and a lot more.
Places to retire for the night on Lake Nakuru holiday Kenya include Naishi Guesthouse, Rhino Campsite, Lake Nakuru Lodge, Baboon Cliff, Chui Campsite, Sarova Hill Lodge, and Acacia Picnic Site.
Accessing Lake Nakuru by road is easier by road-drive on the tarmac road that links Nairobi to the Northwest, 156kms drive. The main gates that offer access to Lake Nakuru N/Park include Nderit Gate, Main Gate or drive via Lanet Gate.
Samburu, Shaba & Buffalo Springs.
The 3 reserves are magical and suitably lying along the banks of Ewaso Nyiro River, Osiola County in Kenya-a semi-arid and arid area. The main attractions that position Samburu as prime destination include Sarara singing well, wild dogs, big cats and others. Shaba reserve is popular for its endangered Grevy’s zebras.
The lodging options to spend a night while on Samburu, Shaba & Buffalo springs holiday include Sentrim Samburu Lodge, Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, Samburu Serena Lodge, Joy’s Camp or Larsens Tented Camp.
Lamu Island tour.
Lying strategically along the North-eastern part of Mombasa is Lamu Island, a magical island and designated UNESCO Heritage Site in Kenya. This is where you can find Lamu Old Town, one of Kenya’s ancient towns and known for its historic past. The main places to visit on Lamu Island Tour include Lamu Fort, Lamu Museum and Donkey Sanctuary Kenya.
Mombasa vacations.
Mombasa is the second largest city and considerably the biggest port. This is situated in the South-eastern Kenya and it is undoubtedly a multicultural destination, comprising of Asian, Portuguese, Indian, Kenyan, Arab and others.
There are many other sites to visit on Mombasa trip including the Old Town and Fort Jesus have existed since the 16th century. Expect also to visit the local markets, souvenir shops and if you are interested in cooling yourself in the beach waters, you can visit the Diani beach in the south.
THINGS TO DO IN KENYA.
Mount Kenya trekking/climbing.
Rising up to 5199m, Mount Kenya features one of the highest peaks in the African continent. Trekking to the summits of Mount Kenya is a great opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking views of sceneries. Mount Kenya comes second after Mount Kilimanjaro as highest peaks in Africa.
Other than Mt. Kenya, other areas that offer thrilling treks/hikes include Aberdare ranges, Mount Elgon and Hell’s Gate.
Safari game drives.
Kenya offers authentic safari game viewing experience to enthusiastic nature lovers on Kenya holiday. There are several safari destinations, each offering tourists magical and unforgettable game viewing experiences.
The notable ones include the popular Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru N/Par, Nairobi National Park, Tsavo National Parks and others.
Bird watching.
Kenya is one of the unmissable birding destinations, boasting of interesting bird species which make up a total of about 1100 and they include countless migratory avifaunal species. The country’s distinct birding habitats include national parks, savanna and woodland, reserves and forest reserves.
Kenya birding holiday takes you through incredible bird sights like emerald spotted wood dove, storks, great blue turacos, ostriches, speckled mouse bird, weaver birds, African mourning dove, flamingos, lilac breasted roller, pied kingfisher, bare faced go away bird, Madagascar bee-eater.
Kenya Great migration – Mara National Reserve.
Kenya holiday is never complete without the Mara Great migration. This is experienced each year in July, August, and September.
Visit Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park and witness millions of wildebeest accompanied by countless grazers as they cross via Mara River.
Other unmissable Kenya safari experiences include horseback riding, hot air balloon safaris, camel rides, honeymoon holidays, and fly fishing experiences, cultural experience, River rafting on River Tana.
BEST TIME TO VISIT.
Though Kenya holidays can be done all year-round, the dry season is notably the best time if you are to experience the best of Kenya Great Migration, Safari Game Drive, walking or hiking/climbing adventures. There are 2 dry seasons experienced in Kenya each year-from December, January, February or July, August, September and October.
To have an organized and a well-planned Kenya holiday, ensure you have the right gear. Pack on your Kenya holiday camera, safari shoes/boots, first aid kit, visa, insect repellent, bottled drinking water, some snacks, sunscreen, sweater, rain jacket and others.
