KENYA TOP SAFARI DESTINATIONS

Why Kenya Safari Destinations?

Despite having a coastline of beautiful beaches perfect for lazing, Kenya rarely inspires visitors to sit still – there are simply too many exciting things to experience. Stirring landscapes, ranging from equatorial glaciers and jagged peaks to wildlife-laden plains and tropical reefs, provide an epic natural playground for all who venture here, while the many intoxicating cultures surprise at each and every turn.

Big Five safaris

Not only were safaris born in Kenya, but so was the very word itself – it means ‘journey’ in Swahili. Spotting the much-heralded Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant) is a major aspiration of many visitors to Africa, and as one would suspect, Kenya safaris provide some of the continent’s most impressive natural venues for it. None of which is more famous than the Masai Mara, where sightings of all these species are common. Lake Nakuru National Park, with its flamingo-lined lake and forest-clad escarpments, is another incredible place for Big Five safaris, as is Amboseli National Park, where Mt Kilimanjaro provides a staggering backdrop. Samburu Game Reserve in the remote north is prime safari territory too, and also hosts it’s own ‘Samburu Big Five’: Beisa oryx, Grevy’s zebra, long-necked gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, and Somali ostrich.

Hiking

Mt Kenya’s trekking terrain is arguably the continent’s most beautiful and rewarding. Its diverse valleys, equatorial glaciers and dramatic, towering summit are extraordinary sights, and best seen over a challenging multi-day hike to Point Lenana (4985m), the mountain’s third-highest peak (and highest reachable without climbing equipment). The more gentle slopes of Mt Elgon, which are home to elephants, primates, antelopes, and some 240 species of birds, are another great option for treks lasting several days, as are captivating walks with the Maasai through their homelands. Incredible day hikes are also possible throughout the country: climb up Mt Longonot to its crater rim; seek out remote waterfalls in the mountains of Aberdare National Park; or take a more leisurely stroll within the dense Kakamega Forest while listening to birdsong.

The Great Migration

It’s been called the greatest natural spectacle on the planet, and for good reason – each year from July to October, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra make a dramatic crossing of the crocodile-infested Mara River to feed on the lush grasses of the Masai Mara. The flood of animals filling the open savannah includes herds of elephants and giraffes, and trailing this sea of prey are lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas. Needless to say, there is never a shortage of drama during the great migration.

Mountain biking

Mountain biking is not just mountain biking in Kenya – here this two-wheeled pursuit offers a unique means of embracing both the country’s incredible landscapes and its iconic wildlife. Ride over the red earth paths in the volcanic confines of Hell’s Gate National Park, cycling past grazing buffaloes, giraffes, impalas and zebras, or take to the grasslands of the Masai Mara for a cycle safari like no other – the sense of engagement with the wildlife is amplified to no end when in the saddle. Of course, for the purest mountain bikers who want nothing more than to test their skills, there are some great single track routes of varying gradient and difficulty on Mt Kenya and within the Rift Valley above Naivasha. For those wanting a more leisurely cycle, exploring the coastal areas around Diani Beach, Malindi and Watamu by bike is an engaging option too.

Cultural encounters

Although it is dreams of Kenya’s wondrous wildlife that draws most people to this East African nation, many people’s lasting memories revolve around their interactions with Kenyans themselves. The Maasai people, with their traditional red shukas, brilliant smiles and overwhelming presence, add a depth of warmth to any trip into the Mara region. The same can be said for the striking Turkana people in Loyangalani along the eastern shore of the Jade Sea (Lake Turkana) – visitors to the Marsabit-Lake Turkana Festival in early May will also meet many of the other enigmatic and colourful tribes from the Kenya’s remote north, such as the El Molo, Rendille, Samburu, Dassanatch, Gabra, Borana, Konso, Sakuye, Garee, Waata, Burji and Somali. The diversity of cultures in Kenya is truly astounding. While the Swahili people on the coast differ in that they don’t share a common heritage, they are bound by a language and an African history that is tied to Arabia and Persia – there is no better place to immerse yourself in this world than in the labyrinth of crooked alleyways in Lamu.

Hot air ballooning

Perhaps the most intoxicating Kenya safari experience is to slowly climb – one exciting flame blast at a time – above the famous rolling savannah and flat-topped acacia trees of the Masai Mara in a hot air balloon. Floating silently over streams of wildebeest on their great migration, lions stalking their prey or a lone black rhino moving through the bush is a perspective that nobody can ever forget – and when the light is just right it’s possible to marvel at the perfectly proportioned elephant-shaped shadows cast by the largest member of the Big Five. Few experiences in life are as peaceful as they are exciting, and a balloon safari here is certainly one of them.