BEST PLACES YOU SHOULD VISIT ON KENYA SAFARI
Overview
Kenya is an East African country known mainly for its biodiversity and rugged, scenic landscapes. This country is famous for its vast wildlife preserves and conservation parks like Masai Mara and Amboseli Park, protecting thousands of various species of Flora and Fauna like the Big Five, the majestic wild elephants and the rhinoceros.
The great Rift valley and lake Nakuru have thousands of flamingos which makes these some of the major tourist attractions in the area. The lifestyle and culture of the Masai tribe and the rich, native art and culture are other major tourist attractions of this country.
The following are the places that can offer the best experience in Kenya;
Masai mara
Masai Mara is one of the best places to visit in Kenya and one of the most magnificent wildlife reserves and home to a vast number of African bush elephants, African leopards, lions and cheetahs.
Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park is one of the most sought-after places to visit in Kenya. This park is famous for the magnificent view of Mount Kilimanjaro that you can get from here and herds of wild African elephants that roam the terrain. It is a cradle of biodiversity and natural splendor. In this park you can check out more than 370 species of birds and several exotic animals.
Nairobi national park
Nairobi national park was established in the year 1946 and happens to be the first national park in Kenya. The park lies in the electrical fences that keep wildlife with in the park and metropolis, separate from each other. Nairobi National Park is the perfect place to explore Kenya’s rich biodiversity. The lush green grassland preserves the most magnificent animals like endangered Black Rhino, giraffes, leopards, cheetahs along with over 400 species of birds.
Samburu national Reserve
Samburu National Reserve is a game reserve on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro river in Kenya. On the other side of the river is the Buffalo springs National reserve. The reserve is 165 square kilometers is size and is situated 350 kilometers from Nairobi. Samburu national reserve is a unique wildlife conservation haven famous for an abundance of rare species of animals such as Grevy Zebra, Somali ostrich, Gerenuk, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, and many more others.
Baby elephant orphanage and giraffe Centre
David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre provides experience to see the animals in a safe, contained environment focused on rehabilitation and conservation. You can also observe baby elephants during an allotted viewing time and learn about the dangers they face plus participating in a supervised feeding of the endangered Rothschild giraffes and about conservation effort.
Masai village experience
The traditional village is called Manyatta and consists of cow-dung made huts with grass thatched roofs. The huts are placed in a circle with livestock in middle a thick thorny fence for protection against night predators.
Here you can visit nomadic people in their nearby villages of Mud-thatched structures called Bomas, meet and learn about their lifestyle, their customs and ceremonies. The majority of Masai still practice their traditional way of life and live as pastoralists is the Centre of their culture and social life. Masai people are very proud to welcome guests and tell them about their everyday life in the bush.
Lake Naivasha and lake Nakuru
Lake Naivasha and lake Nakuru are better known lakes in the great lift valley in Kenya. They are within easy reach of the capital city Nairobi. Each offers a distinctive safari experience are often. Lake Nakuru is situated 160km northwest of Nairobi and lake Naivasha is situated only 102km from the capital and both offer a totally different safari experience.
Lake Nakuru is a soda lake renowned for its incredibly large flocks of flamingos which literally turn the lake pink, their numbers reaching into the hundreds of thousands and it is said to be the greatest bird spectacle in the world.
Lake Naivasha is an ancient freshwater lake and is set at its highest point 1,890m above sea level. It is a home of a variety of wildlife including a healthy population of hippo, a variety of freshwater fish like black bass, tilapia and crayfish plus many fish-eating birds like eagles, pelicans, kingfishers and cormorants.
Hell’s gate national park
Hell’s gate national park lies in south of lake Naivasha in Kenya, north west of Nairobi and it named after a narrow break in the cliffs, once a tributary of a prehistoric lake that fed early humans in the Rift valley. Hell’s gate national park was established in 1984. There are different attractions in Hell’s gate national park such as Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric parks in Africa.
Nairobi souvenir shopping and Historical center
Utamaduni Craft Centre is the best African craft shop in Nairobi. Karen Blixen’s original farm with beautiful views of the Ngong hills. Incorporate a visit to this unique house of crafts. Kazuri Beads Factory which is based on community women empowerment where they make beads from clay to finished items in the shop, various women from different parts of the country benefit from this fantastic idea. They take you through step by step of their crafts where you learn and know how to make Jewelry and pottery from clay. You can also enjoy a brief walk at historical Centre of Nairobi.
Fort Jesus Museum
Fort Jesus museum is a Portuguese fort that was build in Mombasa in 1593 and considered as one of the most exceptional examples of 16th century Portuguese military fortifications in the world. This provides the fantastic introduction to the history of Mombasa and the wars that took place between the Muslim Arabs and the European Christian to control the area. The fort today is open as a museum and visitors can explore the Island and view some of the historical structures that are still in existence including Oman house where Sultan who governed the East African coast stayed. An open water cistern which was used by the Portuguese to harvest water can be seen as well as a 76-foot deep well that was sunk by the Arabs.
Visitors can also view various artefacts, pottery and ceramics from the era when Mombasa was a stopping point for slave trade and commodities, exhibits also include the Portuguese frigate; Santo Antonio de Tanna which sank off fort Jesus in 1698 during a siege. A Swahili cultural Centre housed in the museum at the Fort was established in1993 to train Kenyan youth in traditional Swahili crafts, more importantly training business management which enabling the youth with skills needed to become self-employed.
Kakamega forest National reserve
Kakamega forest National reserve is in Kakamega county in Kenya about 350km road distance from Nairobi and covers an area of 44.7 square kilometers of a protected area under Kenya wildlife service. The forest lies in Lake Victoria catchment about 40 km north of Kisumu and east of the Nandi Escarpment that forms the edge of the central highlands. It is in the watershed of the Isiukhu and Yala rivers which flow through the forest before emptying into Lake Victoria.
The forest including reserve covers about 238 square kilometers. It gained National Reserve status in 1985 and was first gazette as Trust Forest in 1933 and two small reserves that is Yala and Isechono totaling about 700 hectares were established within the Forest RESERVE IN 1967.
Kakamega beautiful forest is a home of various mammals such as giant forest hedgehogs, large population of black and white colobus monkeys, bush pigs, pattos and Debrazzar monkeys plus some birds like the Blue Headed Bee Eater, Grey parrots, Black billed Turaco, Turners Eremomela and many more others.
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is the worlds largest tropical lake and the second largest fresh water lake, it is shared by three countries that is Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
In Kenya is located on the western frontier, the lake is only one hour flight from Nairobi to Kisumu and a 40 minutes flight from Masai Mara making it a convenient option for your safari plans Beyond Travel Africa. Lining shores of Lake Victoria are enchanting fishing villages of the Luo tribe who spend their days sailing their traditional boats, fishing which helps them to get income for raising their children and taking care of their homes and village. Visiting to their villages demonstrate the unmatched hospitality of these native people.
Visiting the small Kenyan section of Lake Victoria is unlike any other experience on the Tanzania and Ugandan part of the lake whether you are a birder, cultural explorer, angler, rock art or paleontology lover and an easy-going traveler at Lake Victoria. The most popular activity is birdwatching and rightfully so
Imagine describing to your friends and family members the experience at Lake Victoria how local fisherman took you to the prized and coveted fishing spot.
Mt Kenya national park
Mount Kenya National Park was established in 1949 to protect Mount Kenya the wildlife and the surrounding environment which forms a habitat for wild animals as well as an area for water catchment to supply Kenya. The National Park covers an area of 715 square Kilometers and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with forest reserve which covers 705 square kilometers.
A small portion of this park borders near heavy population has electrified fences to keep the elephants out of the surrounding farmland and the lower part there is black and white colobus and other monkeys and Cape Buffalos.
Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve lies 200 miles north of Nairobi in the hot and arid lowlands of the vast northern region of Kenya just few kilometers north of the equator. The reserve was established in the late 1960’s.
Samburu National Reserve is a very fascinating Kenya safari destination for its unique wildlife which is abundant regardless of its desert like climate. It is a magical reserve and one of the two regions where Joy Adamson raised and natured Elsa the lioness who story featured in the best-selling book and movie of Born Free which made it more famous.
Samburu National Park is certainly in amongst the more well known of Kenya’s destination and has become relatively busy over the years. Great location as the surface waters dries off during dry season and provides a pretty of game viewing.
Samburu National Reserve is a beauty offering one kind and extra amazing game drives as it hosts a rare Unique animal that are rarely seen in Africa. The following are animals that are seen during game drives and nature walks; Grey Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, gerenuk and the Beisa Oryx. These animals are seen grazing in savanna grassland filled park and riverine forests.
Tsavo national park
Tsavo national park is not only one of the oldest parks but it also among the largest park in the country covering over an area of 13,747 square kilometers. Most tourists in Kenya willing to see wildlife, Tsavo east national park must be in your itinerary. The major attractions of the park are Mutanda Rock which is 1.6 km of stratified rock. You can also spot herds elephant and other wildlife animals from this point plus the panoramic beauty of Kenya’s landscape.
Shaba national reserve
Shaba national reserve is known for its rich wildlife and unique variety of birds making it so popular worldwide. Tourists coming to this reserve can spot some rare species of animals including Reticulated giraffes, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, Gravy’s zebra and the Gerenuk. Apart from these species that are exclusive to the region, you can also sport a few common wildlife creatures including elephant, lion, leopard, black Rhino, cheetah, Buffalo and among others.
Buffalo springs national reserve
Buffalo springs national reserve is the hidden wildlife gem of the country. This place is known for unique and exotic flora and fauna like lava terraces, rolling grassland, forests Ewaso Nyiro River, doum palms, scrub bush and of Buffalo springs the main center of attractions. If you’re a wildlife buffalo then a wildlife tour to buffalo springs National reserve in Isiolo county of Kenya should be on top of your travelling list.
Mombasa
Mombasa is a traveler’s paradise city. The city is a home to famous attractions such as Mombasa Marine national park, Mamba village Centre, Fort Jesus, Mombasa tusks, Bambuti Beach, Haller Park, North Coast beaches, south coast beaches and many others.
David sheldrick wildlife trust elephant
Nursery
David sheldrick wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery is very popular bordering Kenya national park aimed at rescuing orphaned baby elephants from reserves and parks offering them shelter. This nursery takes care of the baby elephants and hand rears them until they are mature enough to be back into national parks and wildlife reserves.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
The Oi Pejeta Conservancy is famed for housing the northern white rhinoceros in the world. Nestled in the foothills of the majestic Mount Kenya and spread across a vast area of whopping 36,600 hectares. This protected area is also known to be one of East Africa’s largest black Rhino sanctuaries.
Nairobi
Nairobi is one of the best places to visit in Kenya, as it is a city that thrives with life and consists of innumerable tourist destinations like Giraffe centre, National Museum, Karen Blixen, Karura forest among others.
Eldoret
Eldoret is situated at the Cherangani hills and is one of the fastest developing towns in Kenya. This town is famous for its stock of 20 varieties of cheese, river Sosiani and rich tribal cultures.
Fourteen falls
fourteen falls is a spectacular waterfall in proximity to the Thika town. It offers a complete 27-meter-deep scenery.
What is the best time to visit Kenya
Wintertime between mid-June to mid-September is the best time to explore Kenya. The weather remains cool and dry during this time of the year with temperatures varying between 22 degrees Celsius to 13 degrees Celsius.
There for the month of July to September are the best time to visit Kenya and this is also the great time for migration of the wild beast and the zebras making it the ideal time to plan a vacation.