A safari in Kenya offers breathtaking natural beauty in one of the world’s most pristine environments and allows you to get up close and personal with some of Africa’s most sought-after animals.
Get to know Kenya
Kenya safaris offer diverse landscapes, from tropical coral seas to the western highlands’ colder climate, and dry savannahs to the semi-desert around Lake Turkana. This variety provides unique safari options and exceptional experiences for all travelers.
The renowned Masai Mara National Reserve, part of the vast Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, boasts the highest concentration of large wildlife globally. The annual migration of over 2 million wildebeest and zebras is a spectacle, especially during the famous Mara River crossings from July to October—a natural wonder often dubbed the greatest show on earth.
Crucially, many Kenyan safari destinations are at a high altitude, approximately 2000m above sea level. This offers two significant benefits: cooler temperatures, even chilly at night, and a low risk of malaria, making it an excellent choice for families with small children.
A noteworthy feature of Kenya is the trophy hunting ban in place for over 40 years. This has fostered trust in wildlife towards vehicles, allowing for up-close encounters. The absence of selective hunting for genes has led to magnificent specimens of certain animals, preserving their natural beauty.
Kenya showcases another conservation triumph through the Conservancy model, where private companies and local landowners collaborate. Communities offer land for conservation and eco-tourism, receiving revenue, employment, and grazing benefits. Though tourists may witness wildlife and cattle closely, it’s a minor trade-off. Without this, wildlife would vanish, intensifying pressure on National Parks. This model fosters the coexistence of traditional pastoralist cultures, marking a successful outcome for all involved.
Harambee” (English: “Let us all pull together”)
Quick Facts
With 50 national parks and reserves, Kenya offers diverse safari experiences, including renowned destinations like Masai Mara and Amboseli.
Beyond English and Swahili, Kenya embraces over 43 languages and dialects.
Kenya’s national animal, the East African lion, and bird, the Lilac Breasted Roller, showcase the country’s commitment to preserving its rich wildlife heritage.
Lake Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake and Kenya’s largest lake, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting three national parks and over 6,000 square kilometers of stunning landscape.
The Great Wildebeest Migration in Kenya’s Masai Mara occurs year-round in a cyclical loop, making it one of Earth’s greatest shows, with July marking the peak viewing period.
East Africa, including Kenya, holds evidence dating back 320,000 years, suggesting it as one of the earliest regions where modern humans (homo sapiens) lived and developed unique behaviors.
Kenya boasts the Great Rift Valley, formed over 25 million years ago, creating a 6500km long, 60km wide valley with lakes, providing unique habitats for wildlife.
Where to go
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
LAIKIPIA PLAINS
Once dominated by sprawling livestock ranches during the colonial era, the expansive Laikipia Plateau has undergone a remarkable transformation into one of East Africa’s premier and most exclusive wildlife destinations.
This mosaic of numerous private and community-owned sanctuaries, meticulously managed by the non-profit Laikipia Wildlife Foundation, currently stands as Kenya’s second-largest conservancy, surpassed only by Tsavo. Encompassing a vast expanse of 9,500 km2 (3668 square miles) in total, this conservation effort represents a harmonious blend of preservation and sustainable practices, creating a haven for diverse wildlife in the heart of Laikipia.
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Situated in the far southwest of Kenya within the expansive Great Rift Valley, the Masai Mara National Reserve stands as the country’s flagship park. This vast wilderness boasts an abundance of big game, breathtaking landscapes, and hosts one of the planet’s most captivating wildlife migrations.
Named after the Maasai people, a semi-nomadic tribe with a longstanding presence in the region, the reserve derives its name from the Maasai word “mara,” signifying “spotted.” This aptly captures the essence of the landscape, adorned with scattered trees, bushes, and the shifting shadows of passing clouds across the plains.
Noteworthy Experiences in the Masai Mara National Reserve:
Embark on a captivating exploration of the reserve’s diverse grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands through dawn hot air balloon safaris, readily offered by most lodges.
For a truly astonishing perspective, consider hot air balloon trips during August and October, providing a vulture’s-eye view of the mesmerizing wildebeest herds during their migration.
MOMBASA
Mombasa, Kenya’s largest port and the second most populous city, is steeped in rich history. Its roots trace back to the 12th century when the Arab geographer Al Idrisi first mentioned it as a thriving trade emporium. This vibrant coastal city was renowned for trading spices, gold, and ivory with ships arriving from Arabia and Asia.
Today, the bustling city center, located on the island, is dominated by the formidable Fort Jesus, a testament to Portuguese architecture. The older quarters exude a laid-back charm with an organic layout, providing a historical ambiance that is often elusive in more modern urban centers.
While Mombasa holds significant commercial and historical importance, it operates more as a gateway than a primary tourist destination. Many visitors pass through its vibrant streets en route to the suburban resort hubs of Nyali, Kenyatta, Bamburi, and Shanzu. Alternatively, travelers may venture to the picturesque Diani Beach, situated 30 kilometers (19 miles) to the south. Mombasa, with its captivating past and strategic location, serves as a dynamic crossroads for those exploring the coastal wonders of Kenya.
MOUNT KENYA AND ABADARES
The central highlands north of Nairobi, distinct from the rest of the country, feature lush vegetation and dense population. Capped by Mount Kenya at 5,199m, the hemisphere-straddling peak is Africa’s second tallest, connected to the 3,999m Aberdare Range by an elevated grassy saddle.
Both Mount Kenya and Aberdares are protected in a national park, sharing ecological affinities and preserving most of Kenya’s Afro-montane forest and Afro-alpine moorland. This surreal landscape boasts open moorland with unique giant forms of heather, lobelia, and groundsel.
Hosting diverse fauna, including the Big Five and forest specialists like Sykes monkey and Harvey’s red duiker, the mountains are a haven. The Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy focuses on conservation projects, notably the rehabilitation of captive-born mountain bongos for release into Mount Kenya’s forests, last seen in the wild in 1994.
Solio Game Ranch, established in 1970 as a rhino breeding center, lies on the highland saddle connecting Mount Kenya and Aberdares. Initially 39, it now houses over 50 black and 85 white rhinos. Additionally, more than 100 individuals born at Solio have been translocated to various locations in Kenya.
SAMBURU SPRINGS AND MOUNT MERU
SOUTHERN CIRCUIT
Southern Kenya offers some of the country’s finest wildlife viewing. The region is a showcase for three of East Africa’s most thrilling safari highlights: the migratory wildebeest that flood into the Masai Mara, the equally prolific flamingos, and the elephant herds that sweep across the Amboseli Plains below the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro.
While this region forms the core of most safari itineraries through Kenya, it also offers some great destinations for independent travel and off-the-beaten-track safaris in Kenya.
Lake Naivasha, Lake Baringo, Hell’s Gate, Kakamega Forest, and Saiwa are all perfectly accessible to self-drivers or those using public transport.
Highlights of a Southern Safari Circuit in Kenya
Renowned for its dense population of well-habituated elephants, Amboseli National Park, above the Tanzanian border at the northern base of Mount Kilimanjaro, is the best place to photograph plains wildlife below its majestic and photogenic snow-capped peak.
Kenya’s most prominent safari destination is the Masai Mara National Reserve, the most northerly component in an immense cross-border ecosystem that incorporates Tanzania’s Serengeti Plains and forms the arena for the spectacular annual migration of two million migratory wildebeest.
TSAVO EAST AND TSAVO WEST
Encompassing 21,812km2, Tsavo East and West constitute Kenya’s largest conservation area, safeguarding substantial populations of the Big Five. Though less frequented than Masai Mara and Amboseli due to lower wildlife densities and acacia woodland challenges, each park possesses distinct characteristics.
Tsavo West showcases a volcanic terrain with black outcrops and Kilimanjaro looming in the southwest. Tsavo East’s red-earth plains, less developed, evoke northern Kenya’s semi-arid badlands, softened by the Galana River.
Both parks offer a vast, wild ambiance, ideal for seasoned safari enthusiasts. Tsavo West excels in traditional Big Five viewing, while Tsavo East thrives in localized antelope and bird species typical of northern Kenya.
Tsavo West’s Shetani Lava Flow, a striking volcanic landmark, holds a dramatic history. Mzima Springs, an oasis fed by Kilimanjaro’s subterranean stream, supports diverse wildlife. Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, established in 1986, safeguards around 70 Black rhinos. Lake Jipe in Tsavo West attracts elephants, hippos, and crocodiles, offering boat trips for bird enthusiasts
WATAMU AND MALINDI
Like Mombasa, Malindi is an ancient Swahili trading port that fell under Portuguese influence in the 16th century. It offers a good choice of midrange lodges aimed at the European package market, as well as a lively beachfront restaurant scene and a host of other urban distractions, from nightclubs to supermarkets.
Separated from Malindi by 15km (9,3mi) of Indian Ocean frontage, Watamu feels less like a resort town than an overgrown fishing village and is all the better for it.
Highlights of Watamu and Malindi
The most significant monuments in Malindi Old Town are a pair of 15th-century pillar tombs standing in front of the seafront Friday Mosque and a small thatched chapel built by the Portuguese in the early 16th century.
The limestone Da Gama Cross, erected by the pioneering Portuguese navigator Vasco Da Gama after he landed at Malindi in 1499, stands on a windswept coral peninsula a short walk south of the town center.
Suggested Kenya Itineraries
Bush, beach & gorillas in Uganda & Zanzibar
