Are you looking for an African safari destination like no other? Well, look no further as we dive into the breathtaking wonders of Kenya. Kenya presents unbelievable views because of its distinctive landscapes and inexhaustible wildlife. As we plunge into this article you will be on the front seat as we take you through the culture and people of Kenya, wildlife adventures like the wildebeest migration, best-known national parks, and more.

Located in the eastern region of Africa, Kenya is strategically positioned on the coastline of the Indian Ocean.  Kenya has rich and diverse physical features such as the savannah plains, Lakelands, the renowned Great Rift Valley, and mountain highlands and plateaus that are a must-visit for tourists on an African safari. Kenya harbors some of the best wildlife adventures and animals such as lions, elephants, and rhinos as well as the famous annual wildebeest migrations from the Masai Mara Reserve. Kenya also offers spectacular views of Tanzania’s 5,895m Mt. Kilimanjaro from Amboseli National Park.

Kenya has an average area of about 580,367 square kilometers with the Indian Ocean coastline forming the Eastern border that stretches over 480 kilometers from the Somali border to the Tanzania border. Kenya borders the countries of Tanzania in the South, Uganda in the West, South Sudan in the North West, Ethiopia in the North, and Somalia in the East. President William Ruto who assumed office in 2022 is the sitting president of Kenya and Kiswahili and English are the official languages of Kenya.

Kenya is a former British protectorate established by the British Empire in 1895. It was later in 1920 made and named Kenya colony. In the year 1952 disputes broke out between the British Empire and the Kenya colony over mistreatment from the colonial masters. This inevitably led to the Mau Mau rebellion which later led to the dissemination of the sovereignty of Kenya in 1963.

After the attainment of independence, Kenya decided to remain a member of the Commonwealth. In 2010, it changed and adopted the current constitution thus replacing the 1963 independence constitution. Kenya is a democratic republic hence leaders are elected by the people of Kenya.

Kenya as a country does not have one single prominent culture that it identifies with, rather it has various cultures. Kenya’s cultural devisal and modern exhibition of different cultures are shaped and utilized by different communities.

The majority of people in Kenya are the ancient Bantu people such as the Kikuyu, Kamba, and Luhya. People of Nilotic heritage are also there like the Masai, Kalenjin, Luo, Samburu, and Turkana. Then the people of Cushitic origin such as Rendille and Somali. Minority groups of people in Kenya include the Indians, Europeans, and Arabs these usually migrated to Kenya during the colonial days and the ancient Arab trading years.

Kenya is one of the best and major safari destinations in Africa because of its diverse tourist attractions and activities that attract tourists from far and wide. Some of these attractions include the following;

1. The annual wildebeest migration

Wildebeest migration is when wildebeests move from one side of the park to another in search of green grass. Seasonal rains that help in the growth of greener grass drive the wildebeest to migrate and follow the rains. These wildebeests in their course of migration cross the great Mara River which pauses to be a huge obstacle. This is because the Mara River is infested with dangerous Nile crocodiles that are always anxiously waiting for this time of the year to feast on the wildebeests.

The crossing of the great Mara takes place in two phases that is around late July to August and some parts of September and also as they return towards the end of October through to early November. During these periods, it is the best time for one to view the best scenes of the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara National Park.

2. Masai Mara National Reserve

Located in the southwestern side of Kenya, Masai Mara National Reserve is a vast scenic stretch of diverse and rich landscape of gently rolling African savannah plains. The Masai Mara measures an expanse of 1510 square kilometers wide. Flowing with a variety of flora and fauna such as the vast wildlife like lions, wildebeest, hippos, zebras, and many others.

Masai Mara is famous for the annual wildebeest migration that occurs around late July to August with parts of September and again as they embark on the return journey.  This is around the end of October through to early November. This is the best time to see the annual wildebeest migration in Masai Mara.

3. Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is located in the southern region of Kenya. It is famous for its huge herds of elephants and also the scenic beautiful views of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro. The highland hills in the park offer panoramas of Mount Kilimanjaro Peak and also the park’s plains and swamps. The park also has a variety of wildlife including giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and many bird species. The huge seasonal Lake Amboseli dominates the western region of the park.

4. Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park is located in the central region of Kenya on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. The park is famous for its large numbers of flamingos which are seen along the shores of Lake Nakuru. These flamingos feed on algae on the alkaline shores because Lake Nakuru is a shallow soda lake. These large numbers of flamingos are attracted by the algae. The best time to visit Lake Nakuru National Park is from June to February but the park is open to visiting throughout the year.

5. Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is located outside the town of Naivasha in Nakuru County Kenya. It is a freshwater lake which is situated in the Great Rift Valley. Lake Naivasha is known for having a strong population of hippos of over 1,500 hippos and flamingos. The lake offers a haven for approximately 400 bird species and that is why it is considered a birder’s paradise. The dry season is the best time to visit the lake that is in the months of June to February but also the wet season offers the best time to view migratory birds.

6. Samburu National Reserve

The Samburu National Reserve is a game reserve located on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River in Kenya. Samburu harbors a variety of wildlife including one of the rare northern ‘special five’ that is the gravy zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and the beisa oryx. The park is also home to large elephant herds and endangered wild dogs. The park also offers a haven for high densities of big cats like lions, cheetahs, and leopards. Just like other parks, Samburu National Park is best visited in the dry season when activities like game drives are best done. This is during the months of December to March, and also from July to October.

A flying safari is the use of a light aircraft to transport you between different locations within the safari destination. The use of air transport saves time by moving between different tourist attractions so that you can see and do more on your safari destination.

A flying safari in Kenya offers tourists a taste of adventure and luxury in a short time frame. Fly-in safari in Kenya takes you directly to your safari destination as commence on exciting activities like game drives, where you’ll encounter magnificent wildlife such as lions, elephants, giraffes, and more Flying safaris in Kenya are both safe and luxurious because of the improved domestic air transport in the country. There are many airfields across the country and they are all connected to the main airport of Kenya, the Jommo Kenyatta International Airport and as well as the Nairobi airport.

Tips for planning Kenya Safaris

Choose a tour operator

Choosing a tour operator is kind of tricky because it involves choosing someone with a good reputation. This is important because you need to choose someone with a good track record and can trust.

Book your safari in advance

It is important to book your safari in advance so that the tour operator can plan for you and effectively prepare for you. This helps you to avoid inconveniences when you arrive for your safari.

Get a tour visa

When preparing yourself for a safari trip in Kenya, you need to apply for and get a traveling visa in the country. You acquire this through the online application or visit a Kenyan embassy in your country.

Prepare for the weather

Kenya has both tropical and equatorial climatic conditions especially areas around the equator. This means Kenya experiences two dry seasons in the month of December to March, and also from July to October. In between these months, there are the wet seasons so it is important to carry the right gear for both weather conditions.

Respect the wildlife

It is important to for tourists listen to the guides and to respect the wildlife and not feed or get close to them. Tourists need to understand that these are wild animals and if you get close they may feel threatened and may attack.

These are some of the tips when embarking on a safari adventure to Kenya.

Beach safaris in Kenya

Kenya is one of the best countries in the world for beach vacations because it offers about 10 spectacular beaches. These beaches offer the best safari for anyone seeking adventure, privacy, beach, water sports, and more. Beaches are a gateway on the coastline to the remarkable parks and reserves. The palm-fringed white sand beaches to the south and beaches like Mombasa offer you an experience like no other on Kenya’s different ecosystems in depth from untamed bush to aquamarine waters. This will give you unforgettable moments and adventures, unlike anything you have experienced before.

Conclusion

Kenya is a major safari destination in Africa because it offers spectacular views of the different physical features like Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro that can be viewed while on the hills in the Amboseli National Park. The inexhaustible wildlife including the big 5 from different parks like Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and as well as the reserves like Masai Mara and Samburu, and attractions like the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara and the rare northern ‘special five’ from Samburu. All these distinctive landscapes and inexhaustible wildlife make Kenya truly a major safari destination.