Kenya Highlights
About Kenya
The most revered of Africa’s
safari destinations, Kenya is located in East Africa and boasts the Masai Mara
National Park, renowned for its abundant wildlife and annual Great Migration.
But there is more to Kenya that meets the eye. The diversity of game in Kenya
is simply astounding. From the big five to the small five, Kenya’s game parks,
reserves and other wildlife protection areas host some of the wildest game. You
can end your tour in Kenya with a tropical beach extension in Mombasa or Malindi!
Highlights & Parks
The most known wildlife reserve
in Kenya is the Masai Mara. Split in two by the famous Mara river where
2.000.000 migrating wildebeest and zebras make a spectacular attempt to cross
the river safely. The Masai Mara game reserve is situated in a huge valley
which came into existence when the great rift valley was formed. In the East
and north caved in by the Loita and Ithong hills and in the west, you will find
the imposing Esoit-Oloolo mountains. The reserve is part of gigantic eco system
together with the Serengeti in Tanzania. It is home to the largest migration in
the world.
Game drives in Masai Mara
A game drive in the Masai Mara
will not disappoint, you will encounter many different animal species with stunning
landscapes that take your breath away. During the safari you will look for
large troops of lions, hyenas and maybe even a rhino. On the savanna there are
giraffes, impalas and other antelopes. On the shores of the Mara river you
might find Elephants, buffalos and gigantic Nile crocodiles competing for space
with the hippos.
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| Masai tribe in Amboseli |
This park is situated in the
South-east of Kenya bordering Tanzania. It is one of the most iconic safari
pictures because of the Majestic Kilimanjaro in the backdrop. The national park
consists of Savanna plains, acacia woodland and swamp area and it is part of a
bigger eco system in both Kenya and Tanzania. Amboseli NP is most known because
of its impressive elephant population of more than 600 individuals.
Game drives in Amboseli
A game drive in Amboseli National
park offers you the classic view large Elephant herds crossing the savanna
plains with snow caped Mt Kilimanjaro on the background.
OL
PEJETA CONSERVANCY
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is one
of the most accessible reserves in Kenya and part of the much larger Laikipia
Plateau national server. It forms a natural border between the central
highlands and the northern desert areas of Kenya. Ol Pejeta is the biggest
protected area for rhino’s in East Africa with 80 black rhinos and at least 10
white rhinos.
Game
drive in Ol Pejeta Reserve
During
your safari in this special reserve you are searching for the African wild dog,
black and white rhinos and leopards. You will also visit the Sweet waters
Chimpanzee reserve which has the only chimpanzee population in Kenya. The
chimps live in a protected reserve secured by fences.
SAMBURU
NATIONAL RESERVE
The Sambura National Reserve is a
natural border between the fertile soil around Mount Kenya and the Semi desert
north of Northern Kenya. The biggest concentration of wildlife here is seen
around the Ewaso Nyiro river which is the life of the national park and
meanders it way through the arid landscape. On the way to the Samburu National
Reserve you will meet several Samburu tribes which are easily recognized by
their bright red attire and colorful jewelry.
Game drives in Samburu
An exciting game drive takes you along the river and
the foot of the mountains on the north side of the reserve. Here you will find
unique wildlife like the Beisa oryx, lesser kudu, Reticulated
giraffe, Grevy's zebra and the odd-looking gerenuk. which you
cannot find anywhere else in Kenya. Besides these must see animals you will
also be on the lookout for antelope’s, leopards, lions and Cheetahs.
Lake Nakuru is one of many lakes
in the Great Rift valley. Around the lake you will find swamps, rock
formations, woodland and grassland. This lake is known for its high
concentration of Flamingos but also rhinos are found here.
Game drives Lake Nakuru
During your game drive your main
focus will be the mean search for the flamingos but also the black and white
rhino’s which live here in the wild. You may also encounter leopards, giraffes,
zebras and buffalos.
Lake Naivasha is situated
directly next to Hell’s Gate national park. It is a fresh water lake at a
high-altitude of 1884 meters above sea level. During the colonial times it was
an important transportation hub in Kenya. The lake is home to hippo’s, crocodile
and often other wildlife comes to the lake for refreshment.
Boat safari on Lake Naivasha
This relaxing boat ride on Lake Naivasha gives you
the opportunity to spot many bird species, hippos and crocodiles.
Next to Lake Naivasha is Hell’s
Gate national park with two extinct volcanoes which caused a dramatic landscape
with sandstone cliffs and high-altitude differences. This is one of the few
parks in Kenya where you can walk or mountain bike alongside the animals.
Mountain bike tour at Hell's Gate
You will cycle on a mountain bike
alongside wild animals in the park with a professional guide to escort you. An
active activity with the beautiful backdrop of hell’s gate national park.
Walking
tour at Hell's Gate
During this adventurous walk
through the Hells gate gorge you will walk and climb between the steep rock
formation and cliffs. A local guide will tell you all about the geology and
bird species you will find on the way.
Lake Victoria is the largest
fresh water Lake in Africa. John Hannington Speke discovered this lake for the
Western civilization in 1858. For the local population the lake is their main
source of income through fishing. Hippos are residents in the lake as well as
many different water bird species.
WATAMU
BEACH
Pristine beaches surrounded by
lush tropical forest is what Watamu Beach has to offer. This hidden gem is
about 100 Km from Mombasa and is still one of the most underdeveloped and
natural areas on the coast. Peach and tranquility are key words and Watamu will
offer you a unique beach holiday away from the crowds.
LAMU
ISLAND
Lamu Island, a Unesco World
Heritage Site and a center of Swahili and Islamic culture for over 700 years.
Expect great beaches, dazzling coral reefs and excellent service. With no real
road and vehicles, the primary mode of transport being donkeys and old dhow
boats. This is the undiscovered Kenya at best.
DIANI
BEACH
45 km south of Mombasa town you
will find the beautiful beaches of Diani, a stunning long stretch of white-sand
beach touched by surfable waves and lush forest. Diani Beach is a popular
destination that attracts a diverse crowd, from honeymooners and backpackers to
party people and water-sports enthusiasts; Diani beach will satisfy you to the
fullest.
Mount
Kenya
Africa’s second
highest mountain soars to 5,199m, capped with glaciers. You’ll find
few visitors in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, despite the gorgeous flora and
wildlife – a beautiful contrast to Kilimanjaro’s barren yet busy slopes.
Surrounding villages offer an insight into life in the shadow of the mountain.
The nearby Mau-Mau Cave – a national monument – sheltered the Freedom Fighters
in the 1950s.
Tsavo
Tsavo East and West form Kenya’s
most expansive protected area, sheltering around a third of the country’s
elephants. Tsavo West is the best bet for wildlife – lured here by the springs,
rivers and rapids as well as swamplands and lakes. Look out for hippos and
crocs, as well as buffalo, black rhino, lion and leopard. The jagged lava
landscapes of the Chyulu Hills create a surreal backdrop.
Laikipia
Kenya may be one of Africa’s top
tourist destinations – but the centre and north remain delightfully untouched.
Laikipia is a patchwork of communal conservancies, where local communities
manage the land. As well as protecting wildlife – notably 100 black rhino plus
rare wild dogs – the lodges all employ and train local people, and feed are
reinvested back into communities and conservation.
The
Great Rift Valley
The 9,600km-long Rift Valley has
shattered Africa, leaving behind a trail of lakes, islands and lush oases.
Eight lakes sprang up in Kenya; Naivasha has over 400 species of birds,
flitting about amongst the hippos, Elementaita is a deep blue soda lake,
attracting white pelicans, and Baringo has a floating restaurant. Geological
activity continues in the Rift, with hot springs and steam vents bubbling from
the deep.
Aberdare
National Park
Soaring up to 4,000m, the ancient
Aberdare Range is strangely unknown. Its forested slopes harbour ravines and
dramatic waterfalls a fantastic variety of wildlife – including monkeys,
elusive golden cats and over 250 species of birds – while the moorlands are a
high-altitude wonderland of hardy Afro-Alpine vegetation. The altitude provides
respite from the heat – and the bugs.
THE
WILDEBEEST MIGRATION IN KENYA
the wildebeest migration is one of the
world’s most dramatic wildlife spectacles as mega herds thunder over the plains
in a constant search for food.
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