Visit the magical Kenya, a renowned safari hotspot in Africa which is home to incredible wildlife, sprawling landscapes, and wealth of biodiversity. Anyone interested in exploring Kenya will witness the country’s vast savannahs, towering mountains, refreshingly cool waters, and pristine beaches among others. Approximately 8% of Kenya is protected area primarily for biodiversity protection, comprising of wetlands, savannah, forests, marine, desert and semi-arid ecosystems.
Kenya has 23 terrestrial national parks, 28 national reserves, 4 marine national parks, 6 marine national reserves and 4 national sanctuaries. These are homes to some of the 25,000 animal species and 7,000 species of flora.
Where to go in Kenya for a safari?
Masai Mara National Reserve.
Covering a total surface area of about 1,510 square kilometers, Masai Mara is located in southwestern Kenya, and it is a prime safari destination. This is where visitors can experience the Great Migration, an annual event involving millions of wildebeests, zebras, gazelles and other antelopes move across the Mara River. Besides this iconic event, visitors can spot the African Big Five that comprise lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos roaming in their natural habitat. Other tourist activities involve cultural encounters with the Maasai people. There are also hot air balloons to present visitors with a perfect opportunity of observing wildlife from above.
Amboseli National Park.
In southern Kenya is approximately 390.26 square kilometers in size and it is known as the ‘Home of the African Elephant’ due to its high elephant population. Visitors here can also have clear views of the spectacular Mount Kilimanjaro, which is Africa’s highest peak at 8,895 meters. For visitors on wildlife safaris, there are exciting chances of encountering four of the African Big Five, which includes lions, elephants, leopards and buffaloes.
These and other wildlife including bird species can be seen in the diverse ecosystems in Amboseli. These include savannah grasslands and woodlands, wetlands with sulphur springs, and the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli among others. Visitors on cultural tours can also enjoy encounters with the Maasai people.
Lake Nakuru National Park.
This 188 square kilometer protected area in central Kenya is also known as “A beautiful wildlife haven,” lying on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Nakuru National Park is composed of varied landscapes including the alkaline Lake Nakuru, bushy grassland and woodland. Lake Nakuru National Park houses large numbers of flamingos that create a pink hue spectacle that attract thousands of visitors yearly.
Other wildlife species include rhinos, zebras, lions, waterbuck and baboons etc. Visitors can also have lovely views of the escarpments, hills and vegetation for photography and filming.
Tsavo East National Park.
This occupies around 13,747 square kilometers in southeastern Kenya and is also known as the “Theatre of the Wild,” where visitors can see the red elephants. Physical features in Tsavo East National Park comprise vast open spaces, Mzima springs, Galana River and the Yatta plateau among others. Besides the red elephants, there are four other members of the African Big Five, including rhinos, lions, buffaloes and leopards. Others include hippos, waterbucks, lesser kudus, crocodiles and over 500 bird species.
Tsavo West National Park.
Also, in southeastern Kenya, is a 7,065 square kilometer protected area also dubbed the “Land of Lava, Springs, Man-Eaters and Magical Sunsets.” The scenery is lovely and rugged with savannah grasslands, scrublands and woodlands dominated by acacia species. There are also riverine vegetation and about 50 million gallons of crystal-clear water gushing out from Mzima Springs. Visitors can enjoy viewing amazing wildlife species such as the African Big Five—lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes. Other wildlife includes hippos, cheetahs and a myriad bird species.
Mount Kenya National Park.
This has a total land area of 2,800 square kilometers in central Kenya and it is the second highest peak (5,199 meters) in Africa. Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano, with twelve remnant glaciers and 4 secondary peaks. Other physical features here include mineral springs, forests, lakes and tarns that make for captivating views. Vegetation on Mount Kenya comprise shrubs, colorful helichrysum, giant groundsel, cedar, podo, lobelia, lichen and African sage protea among others.
There are numerous wildlife species including altitude zebra, waterbuck, elands, bushbucks, black and white colobus monkeys, elephants, buffaloes, white-tailed mongoose and at least 130 species of birds. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, mountaineering, camping, birdwatching, picnics and photography among others. Mount Kenya offers trekkers various routes to climb the mountain, each varying in difficulty but generally thrilling.
Nairobi National Park.
This occupies a total land area of only 117 square kilometers and just a short distance from Nairobi city. Nairobi National Park is blessed with open plains dominated by grasses and scattered acacia trees. These are habitat to lions, leopards, elands, hippos, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, black rhinos, cheetahs, buffaloes and over 400 bird species including ostriches and grey crowned cranes. Visitors can enjoy viewing wildlife, picnicking, camping and nature walks among others.
Hell’s Gate National Park.
This sits on a total land area of around 68 square kilometers in the southwestern region of Kenya in the Great Rift Valley. Hell’s Gate National Park got its name from the intense geothermal activity within its boundaries. The park offers dramatic scenes that comprise imposing cliffs, and gorges with geothermal hot springs. Hell’s Gate National Park is home to various wildlife species including the Thompson’s gazelle, elands, buffaloes, zebras, and hartebeest and at least 100 bird species. Visitors here can enjoy wildlife viewing tours, birdwatching excursions, hiking safaris, biking, rock climbing and natural spa etc.
Aberdare National Park.
This is about 767 square kilometers big in the central highlands of Kenya, known for its fantastical rugged misty valleys, hills and mountains of the captivating Aberdare ranges. Vegetation is largely composed of forests and moorlands against the charming mountainous backdrop. There are heavy waterfalls that plummet from high altitudes to feed gullies or gorges below. These waterfalls include Karuru, Gura, Chania, and Magura. Other excellent scenes include the remarkable dragon teeth.
Ecosystem in this park provides shelter to a variety of wildlife species including some unique ones. These are lions, buffaloes, black leopards, elephants, elands, black rhinos, black serval cats, forest antelopes and duikers among others. Visitors can enjoy game viewing, sport fishing, picnic, birdwatching, and camping among others.
Diani Beach.
This is located on the Indian Ocean coastline and offers visitors a relaxation place. The pristine Diani Beach comprises white sands, coral reefs and aquamarine waters. These offer perfect opportunities for snorkeling, diving, swimming and other aquatic sports for visitors.
Malindi Marine National Park and Reserve.
This is a 213 square kilometers marine national park along the Kenyan coast and is known as the “Coral Garden.” The waters are composed of various features that include fringing reefs, sea grass beds, mangroves, mudflats, coral gardens and others. These are home to a variety of unique wildlife species such as the beautiful zebra fish, turtles and a variety of shore birds among others.
Malindi Marine National Park offers visitors exceptionally exciting tour experiences that range from swimming, windsurfing, glass bottom boat rides, snorkeling, camping, beach walks and plenty more.
What to do in Kenya?
Game Viewing Safaris
Visitors can relish game drives in any of Kenya’s national parks and reserves to spot Africa’s most iconic wildlife species, including the Big Five, bird, amphibian and reptile species. Game viewing tours also offer opportunities to see beautiful landscapes and vegetation in the national parks and reserves.
Wildlife species are best watched during early mornings and late afternoon when the atmosphere is relatively cooler to ensure that wildlife species are more active. On the other hand, visitors can also opt the night game drives, where they can get unique opportunities to watch nocturnal species including the lions, pangolins and leopards among others.
Birdwatching Excursions
With at least 1,090 bird species, Kenya is a birding hotspot that attracts birders from all over the world. These birds an be found in varied ecosystems including tropical rainforests, wetlands, savannah grasslands and woodlands, mangroves, lakes, rivers, and highlands among others.
There are at least 62 birding destinations that are recognized as Important Bird Areas including Lake Magadi, Aberdare Mountains, and Masai Mara. Other Destinations include Kakamega forest and Tsavo East National Park among others. Bird species to look out for include flamingos, Aberdare cisticola, Kikuyu white eye, Taveta golden weaver and Taita apalis among others.
Hiking and Rock-climbing Adventures
Visitors on Kenya safaris are provided numerous opportunities to explore the country’s unique landscapes and hills through hiking and rock climbing. There are numerous trails that offer varying degrees of difficulty for hikers to have electrifying experiences. These tours are most prominent at Mount Kenya National Park, Mount Longonot National Park, Hell’s Gate National Park, Mount Elgon National Park and Tsavo East National Park among others. These guided adventures also offer hikers opportunities to spot beautiful sceneries, and wildlife.
Mountain Climbing Adventures
Mountaineers in Kenya can experience these adrenaline-inducing activities on Mountain Kenya, Mountain Elgon, and the Aberdare ranges. Each of these highlands offer distinct hiking difficulties thus making your adventures worthwhile. While hiking to reach the summit, visitors can enjoy spectacles of the landscapes, and flora. These include caves, streams, vegetation and others.
Nature walks
Visitors can pursue nature walks in Kenya’s wildernesses especially the national parks and reserves. These are either guided nature walks or self-guided to have intimate encounters with beautiful landscapes, vegetation, and birds among others. Visitors follow specific nature trails in different safari destinations such as Kakamega National Park, Nairobi Safari Walk, Shimba Hills National Reserve, Ndere Island National Park, Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Aberdare National Park and Mount Elgon National Park among others. Nature walks are mainly done at day time; however, some destinations offer guided night game drives.
Underwater/marine Adventures
Visitors on Kenya safaris should have these unique opportunities to experience marine adventures. These offer opportunities to explore Immaculate shoreline protected areas where they can enjoy coral gardens as well as spotting the cute dolphins. Tours are done in Kiunga Marine National Reserve, Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve, Malindi Marine National Park, Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park, Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve and others. Activities include snorkeling, diving, surfing, glass bottom rides and water skiing among others.
Horse Riding Safaris
Visitors can also enjoy riding on a horse back in Hell’s Gate National Park, Tsavo East, Chyulu Hills, Aberdare, Mountain Elgon National Park and others. While on this adventure, visitors have a chance of observing mammals, birds and lovely landscapes.
Sport Fishing
Anglers on Kenya safaris will have the time of their lives as they fish in Tsavo West, Mountain Kenya, and Aberdare National Parks among others. The visitors need a fishing licence from the park gate before engaging in the activity. Fish species to catch include tuna, wahoo, and kawakawa among others.
Other activities to engage in include cycling, hot air ballooning, cultural encounters, conservation, camping, cave exploration and photography among others.
Best time to visit Kenya
Though Kenya can be explored throughout year, the best time to visit Kenya is largely depended on the type of tour experience a person is seeking for. With diversity in climate, geography and wildlife patterns, visitors to Kenya should consider the following factors,
The dry season; this runs from June to October and is considered the best time for visitors to engage in game viewing activities in the country. This is due to the fact that the weather conditions are characterized by sunshine with relatively minimal chances of rainfall. Such conditions foster visibility of wildlife as they congregate around water sources. Besides, the vegetation is relatively less dense to enhance visibility.
The rainy season; which runs from April to May and characterized by long rains that make roads unnavigable. Wildlife viewing is relatively challenging because of the muddy trails, dense vegetation, interruptions by rainfall, scarcity of animals in the open and others. Nevertheless, birders can enjoy spotting the numerous resident and migratory bird species that are in their breeding season. Also, the rainy seasons cause luxurious vegetation that make magnificent sceneries ideal for photography. Also, since this is a low season, discounts on some tour activities and accommodation facilities are offered therefore making it an ideal time for budget travelers.
The Great Migration; this is renowned for being a remarkable wildlife phenomenon that occurs from July to September involving about 2 million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles among others. They cross the Mara River into Serengeti National Park in Tanzania searching for better pasture. Meanwhile, other predators are attracted to the scenes to offer excellent predator-prey drama that subsequently attract tourists.
Kenya Coastal Region; tour destinations found on Kenya’s coastline including Mombasa, Malindi and Diani Beach can be experienced from December to March. During this time, the weather conditions are generally hot and dry, suitable for beach activities, diving, snorkeling and others.
Facts about Safaris in Kenya
Kenya’s national animal; is the African lion and it is one of the apex predators in the country. The lion is also a member of the Africa Big Five and is among Kenya’s sought after tourist attractions. Tourists can find the lion in Masai Mara National Reserve, Tsavo National Park and Amboseli National Park among others.
Mountain Kenya; in central Kenya is the second-highest mountain in the African continent after Mount Kilimanjaro of Tanzania.
Number of national parks and reserves; Kenya has 23 national parks and 28 national reserves. Also, there are 4 marine national parks and 6 marine national reserves in Kenya. All these are significant for safeguarding the country’s unique biodiversity.
Languages spoken; Kenya is a multilingual country with more than 60 indigenous languages spoken by people from diverse ethnic groups. These languages are the Luo, Kikuyu, Akamba, Samia and many others. However, English and Swahili are the only official languages of the country.
Lake Turkana; this is the word’s biggest permanent desert lake found in the northwestern region of Kenya. Lake Turkana is also the world’s largest alkaline lake besides being Kenya’s largest lake and an Important Bird Area.
The Great Rift Valley; also known as the East African Rift Valley, crosses Kenya from north to south. This geological feature has a variety of tourist destinations including Lake Nakuru, Lake Turkana and Hell’s Gate National Park among others.
Nairobi National Park; this is globally renowned for being the closest national park to the capital city center. Visitors can view and photograph wildlife against the backdrop of Nairobi’s skyline.
Equator crossing; Kenya is crossed by the equator and there are numerous markers and signs along major highways and the towns where it passes to present photo shooting opportunities for visitors.
The Great Wildebeest Migration; is one of the natural wonders that happens annually involving millions of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and other antelopes. They make risky journeys across the Mara River to look for greener pastures in Serengeti National Park, and back again.
Lake Victoria; Kenya is one of the countries that share this largest lake in Africa by surface area. With a total surface area of approximately 68,800 square kilometers, Lake Victoria is also the largest fresh water lake after Lake Superior.
Kenya Safari Weather
Kenya experiences diverse climatic patterns, and also weather patterns throughout the year. Most protected areas, especially the terrestrial national parks and reserves experience tropical climate, characterized by dry, warm to hot weather conditions. During the months running from April to June, these destinations experience long rains. The mountainous national parks such as Aberdare and Mount Kenya experience alpine or highland climatic conditions characterized by cooler temperatures and higher rainfall patterns. The coastal national parks and reserves are generally warm and humid while the northern and eastern regions are generally hot and dry.
Kenya Safaris Clothing
To enjoy captivating activities during Kenya safaris, visitors need to pack a collection of clothing that suit a wide range of climatic conditions in the country’s national parks and reserves. Kenya experiences different temperature conditions that range from warm at day time to cool or cold in the night. Therefore, visitors should pack outfits that can be layered as the day may warm up later.
Loose fitting long trousers and long-sleeved T-shirts are essential to prevent insect bites and reduce friction of the skin against vegetation.
Clothes should be dull-colored to blend in with the natural environment. Materials used should be khaki or earthly colors to avoid disrupting wildlife.
Visitors need a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect them against direct sunrays.
Visitors should ensure that they pack comfortable lace-up shoes and with good traction.
Cost of Kenya Safaris
Visitors on Kenya safaris are offered a range of safari experiences, each with its own price due to various factors like season, safari duration and destination. For entry in Amboseli and Nakuru National Parks, visitors are required to pay entry fees worth 60 US$ for adult foreign non-residents, Ksh 860 for residents and citizens.
Aberdare/Meru and Kora National Parks is Ksh 300 for citizens and residents and US$ 52 for foreign non-residents. In Mount Kenya it is Ksh 300 for citizens and residents and US$ 43 for foreign non-residents.
Marine national parks (Kisite Mpunguti- Ksh 215 for citizens and residents and US$ 17 for foreign non-residents. Malindi, Mombasa, Kiunga and Watamu charge Ksh 130 for citizens and residents and US$ 17 for foreign non-residents. Nairobi urban safaris is Ksh 430 and US$ 43. Tsavo East and Tsavo West is Ksh 515 for citizens and residents and US$ 52 for foreign non-residents.
These are the current fees structures for tourist services in Kenya’s national parks and reserves;
Night game drives per person per trip is Ksh 2,155
Lake boating per person per hour is Ksh 1,290
Guided tours per guide for 4 hours Ksh 1,720
Guided tours per guide for over 4 hours is Ksh 3,015
River rafting per person is Ksh 1,720
Horse riding using KWS horse Ksh 2,585
Horse riding using private horses per day is Ksh 1,030
Walking safaris per person per day is Ksh 1,500
Fishing per line per day is Ksh 515
Hiring bicycles per day Ksh 500
Cycling per day is Ksh 215
Camping fees range from Ksh 200 to Ksh 500 for citizens and residents and US$20 to US$ 50 for foreign non-residents.
Generally, if you combine all services and activities in Kenya, a typical 7 days safari in Kenya will cost between 3000 USD $ 4500 USD per person all-inclusive.
How long should your Kenya Safari be?
The duration for a Kenya safari depends on how much time you have in the country. If you have more time, such as a month, then you should consider a safari lasting 10 to 15 days. This will ensure that you have enough time to explore Nairobi city, Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru, Diani Beach, Aberdare, Tsavo, Samburu and other tourist destinations much more conveniently.
Conversely, if you have a short time in Kenya, you could have up to five days of exploring some of the best and iconic safari destinations in the country. This is especially in the southern circuit that includes Masai Mara, Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli national parks.
