Kenya
Kenya is the heart of East Africa, a vast country that possesses golden beaches, massive wilderness areas and a wealth of fascinating tribal rituals. It is often seen as the first port of call for any African safari or a stepping-stone to subsequent safaris in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Southern Africa. Because of Kenya’s historic tourism development, the country’s infrastructure is sophisticated and its national parks well-maintained with a vast array of accommodation available, to suit every style, taste and budget.
Masai Mara National Reserve
One of East Africa’s most famous reserves, the 1,600 sq km ‘Mara’ consists of undulating hills and great rolling grasslands that sustain some of the most varied wildlife in Africa, if not the world. There is always game in the ‘Mara’, however it changes its character dramatically with the seasons. The National Reserve is best known for its large concentrations of the big cats.
Lake Nakuru National Park
The most famous of the Rift Valley lakes, Nakuru is a soda lake set within the 62 sq km park, renowned for its magnificent array of birdlife. It is the migratory flocks of thousands of Greater and Lesser Flamingo that really create the attraction here, when the lake’s shallow waters turn pink. Black and White Rhino, the rare Rothschild’s Giraffe, a small herd of Buffalo, Dik Dik, Klipspringer, Eland, the occasional Leopard and many other plains game are also found here.
Lake Naivasha
A very picturesque freshwater lake and a favourite weekend haunt for Nairobi residents, who enjoy fishing and sailing on some 900 sq km of water. There are many boat trips or perhaps a visit to Crescent Island for a gentle walk. Nearby is the dramatic Hell’s Gate, overshadowed by the mysterious Mt Longonot.
Amboseli National Park
A scenic park in its own right, Amboseli is synonymous with two particular things – majestic herds of elephant and glorious views of Mount Kilimanjaro in neighboring Tanzania.
Meru National Park
Meru is in the northern frontier, east of Mount Kenya. It covers an area of 870 sq km and is still relatively untouched by tourism, which makes it alluring. The animals are found in good numbers, but are shy. This park is one of the driest in the country, though it is crisscrossed by numerous rivers and streams running off nearby mountains.
Hell’s Gate National Park
Hell’s Gate covers an area of around 69 sq km and is situated close to Lake Naivasha, a short drive from Nairobi. The main characteristic of the park is its diverse topography and geological scenery, with some spectacular gorge walks, scenic landscape and hot springs to enjoy. It is also an important home to the Lammergeyer Vulture.
Aberdare National Park
Slightly larger than Mount Kenya National Park, Aberdare National Park offers an eco-system that is fairly similar. Its mountain ranges climb to over 4,200m and consist mainly of tropical high-alpine vegetation, the park is about 766 sq km in size. In the lower-lying regions, you will find rain and bamboo forests, moorlands, waterfalls, rivers and dams filled with trout. The most common species include Giant forest hog, Black Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Serval Cat and a variety of Monkeys as well as spectacular birds.
The park forms the largest protected area in Kenya and is home to most of the larger mammals, vast herds of dust –red elephant, Rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, pods of hippo, crocodile, waterbucks, lesser Kudu, gerenuk and the prolific bird life features 500 recorded species.
From the sight of fifty million gallons of crystal-clear water gushing out of from the under parched lava rock that is the Mzima Springs to the Shetani lava flows, Tsavo West is a beautiful, rugged wilderness.
Situated on the main Voi to Taita road, south of the Taita Hills, the Taita Hills Conservancy creates a game corridor to Tsavo West National Park. Formerly a sisal plantation, it has been transformed into a 113 sq km reserve with some interesting grasslands and woodlands. The area now attracts a good quantity of Zebra, Buffalo, Elephant, Waterbuck, Reedbuck, Impala, Eland, Gazelle and much more. The bird-life is also excellent. The park is home to two lodges – Taita Hills Safari Lodge and the popular Salt Lick Lodge that is elevated on stilts to give a panoramic view of the conservancy and wildlife.
The park was created around Africa’s second-highest mountain. It straddles the equator and covers more than 715 sq km. Mount Kenya is seen as sacred by the Kikuyu people, as there is said to be a god who lives here. The mountain’s snow-capped peaks can be seen on clear days, but are often enclosed in low cloud cover. With altitudes ranging from 1,600m to 5,200m, there is a wide range of vegetation. It includes rich sub-alpine flora, low-lying forests and bamboo zones, as well as moorlands and tundra. Common species found are Giant forest hog, tree Hyrax, white-tailed Mongoose, Elephant, Buffalo, Suni, Duiker, Leopard, Black Rhino, Bushbuck, Bongo and a type of ‘golden cat’. Mountain buzzards, Tinker birds and various louries are also fascinating spots.
Slightly larger than Mount Kenya National Park, Aberdare National Park offers an eco-system that is fairly similar. Its mountain ranges climb to over 4,200m and consist mainly of tropical high-alpine vegetation, the park is about 766 sq km in size. In the lower-lying regions, you will find rain and bamboo forests, moorlands, waterfalls, rivers and dams filled with trout. The most common species include Giant forest hog, Black Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Serval Cat and a variety of Monkeys as well as spectacular birds.
About 100km north of Nakuru, this 170 sq km tranquil freshwater lake is host to some rare bird species seen nowhere else in Africa. Boat trips on the lake are popular to view the Hippo, Crocodiles and bird-life. One can also visit a local Njemps tribal village or watch the villagers fishing from their frail papyrus boats.
Lying between Baringo and Nakuru, Bogoria was initially created to protect the greater kudu, found on the western Laikipia escarpment. Bushland and forest ravines surround the 30 sq km shallow soda lake, also a favourite nesting site for Flamingo. Another fascinating attraction is a visit to the hot sulphur springs, which bubble and shoot hot jets of water from the ground.
Most of this shallow 18 sq km soda lake is on private land and forms part of the Delamere Estate’s Soysambu property. There is some game in the bush around the lake, with Flamingo and Pelicans congregating along the shores. Some very pleasant escorted nature walks around the lake’s shores are available.
Covered by large privately-owned ranches, Laikipia is wild, sparsely populated and considered the gateway to Kenya’s northern territory. Linked with evolving community programs, visitors to this region have some of the best opportunities to experience culture and farming, traditional home-stays, proactive conservation, and the flexibility of walking, camel, camping and cycling safaris. The 8,000 sq km reserve has also become a sanctuary for Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhinoceros, Chimpanzees and a wealth of plains game, including many endemic northern species. Game-viewing tends to be more intimate and adventurous here, where exploring is at your own pace.
Just 10km from the city center and only 117 sq km in size, this is Kenya’s oldest park, established around 1946. With over 500 varieties of birds recorded and more than 100 mammal species, it makes a great early morning or afternoon’s excursion. Common sightings include Zebra, Giraffe, Buffalo, Ostrich, Gazelle, Eland, Hippo, Vulture and Lion. It is also a great place to see Black Rhino.
Kenyan Coast
Kenya offers 536 kilometres of coastline along the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Much of the coastline remains undeveloped, however there is a range of developed areas starting from Lamu Island in the north and ending at Wasini Island in the south near the Tanzanian border. The coast is served by airstrips near Lamu, at Malindi and the Ukunda airport in Diani, the south coast of Mombasa. Moi International Airport is based in Mombasa where visitors can access the Mombasa North Coast resorts following a short drive. Passengers arriving to Moi International can also transfer to the South Coast Diani resorts by road with a crossing on the Likoni Ferry – a brief trip bridging the half a kilometer gap between north and south coasts.
Mombasa
Mombasa is generally split into three areas. The north and south coasts and the city centre. The city itself is an island, connected to the northwest by a bridge where the airport is located on the mainland. A bridge also connects the city to the north coast where a range of resorts can be found. A ferry connects the island to the south coast. Here you find a number of beaches including the popular Diani Beach, teeming with resorts of every size, standard and budget imaginable.
Watamu
Just a few kilometres south of Malindi is Watamu. Here the exceptional beaches are protected by offshore coral providing an opportunity for swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving and deep-sea fishing. There are a range of resorts in Watamu including the five-star Hemingways Watamu Resort.
Travelling south from Lamu, we next arrive at Malindi. The area is also steeped in Swahili culture and offers a number of popular resorts. Malindi is 120 kilometres north of Mombasa and transfers can be provided by road from Mombasa or travellers may fly into the Malindi Airport. There are a number of popular resorts in the Malindi area.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the original settlements in Kenya, dating back to 1370. It is a site steeped in culture and history. It is known for offering comfortable accommodation.
The next spot we arrive at on our journey south is Kilifi. Not widely known, Kilifi is 53 kilometers north of Mombasa and offers pristine beaches and a small selection of resorts.