Kenya, the birthplace of safari travel, offers incredible natural beauty, cultural encounters, and sensational game viewing, including the Wildebeest Migration. Witness the mega-herds in the Masai Mara, Amboseli’s elephants against Mount Kilimanjaro, and cultural experiences in Samburu. This East African nation has attracted travelers for over a century with its diverse landscapes, from Mount Kenya’s verdant hills to the Indian Ocean’s turquoise waters.
On a Kenya safari, you will see wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara River, a cheetah hunting in tall grasses, and playful lion pups under their father’s watchful eye. In Laikipia – Lewa, fierce felines defend their territories. Combine your safari with gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, or relax on tropical beaches. Imagine your dream holiday amidst the rolling savannahs of the Masai Mara and the highlands of the Great Rift Valley’s Oloololo Escarpment. Kenya is a journey into the heart of wild Africa.
Kenya’s flagship wildlife destination is home to the northern leg of The Great Wildebeest Migration and a high density of predators, particularly lions. Once the dust settles, the area is still home to an abundance of resident species, making this a worthwhile destination year-round.
Best time to go: June to October. For the Migration: September/October.
Only the towering presence of Mt Kilimanjaro dwarfs the impressive elephants for which Amboseli is renowned. The park is well-populated with wildlife, including some predators. In summer, bird-watchers are well rewarded with the arrival of various migrant species. Amboseli’s array of landscapes evokes the best of Africa’s beauty.
Best time to go: June to September, and January-February.
In their entirety, these neighboring parks constitute one of the largest conservation areas on the planet. Tsavo West is more developed for tourism, while Tsavo East offers a true wilderness experience. Both parks are home to the Big 5 and numerous mammal and bird species.
Best time to go: June to September, and January-February.
Situated in the dry northern reaches of Kenya, this reserve is known for its beautiful arid landscapes. Visitors can view several species of mammals (Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffes and gerenuk) as well as several bird species uniquely adapted to drier conditions. Excellent leopard viewing is reported.
Best time to go: June to September, and January-February.
Renowned for occasional sightings of vast numbers of flamingos, this is Kenya’s most visited national park. Excellent viewing opportunities of rhinos, reticulated giraffes and other wildlife in a variety of habitats. The lake is host to countless water birds that visit to breed and feed in nutrient-rich waters.
Best time to go: June to March.
Activities in most of Kenya’s parks and reserves are restricted to guided and self-guided game drives, for the purposes of birding and wildlife viewing. A boat safari may be possible in Lake Nakuru National Park. In the private or community conservancies of the Laikipia Plateau, around the Masai Mara and elsewhere, other possible activities include walking safaris, night game drives, community visits and, in Laikipia, horseback riding.
Because of its equatorial location, Kenya has Wet and Dry seasons, rather than summer and winter. The wetter months (November to May) are characterized by very warm temperatures of around 30°C/86°F, with sticky humid conditions down along the coast. The drier months (June to October) have cold nights and mornings, and fairly pleasant afternoons. Altitude is also important: temperatures drop about 6°C/3.5°F for every 1,000m/1,000ft the higher you go.
The Dry season (June to October) is best for wildlife viewing. This is when the bush thins out, making animals more visible as they head for the nearest waterhole. This is also when the wildebeest and zebra pass through (between July or August and October). The Wet season (November to May) has incredible birding as migratory species arrive, fantastically green scenery, lots of newborn animals and cheaper low-season rates.