The word “Kenya” is almost synonymous with “Safari”, and perhaps no other place on the planet contains such a mixture of adventure and romance like Kenya does. Here, you can experience wildlife through the savannah like nowhere else, during the Great Migration of Masai Mara. See elephants close up in Ambosili, or get lost in the beautiful scenery of the Lake Nakuru, where thousands of flamingos live. In these sun-filled lands, ancient tribes such as the Maasai, Kikuyu and Samburu still hold up to their traditions, living in complete harmony with the natural world.
Behind the world famous safari parks are a range of coastal treasures. Visitors can dive into the rich coral reefs, relax on the pearly beaches, experience the cuisine in Mombasa and the Maldive Islands and explore the tropical islands. Kenya is bordered by the Great Rift Valley and surrounded by chains of mountains, and visitors can climb equatorial peaks covered by snow, or go salmon fishing. Hell’s Gate National Park also has volcanic caves, natural geysers and hot springs.
The capital of Kenya and its largest city, Nairobi used to be the capital of British East Africa, attracting settlers who came here to get wealthy from the coffee and tea industries. Today, tourists can explore the city’s famous historical sites as well as some of the excellent wildlife attractions.
The Nairobi National Museum is a great place to see Kenya’s historical, cultural and artistic monuments. Here you will also enjoy botanical gardens and other famous sights such as the Karen Blixen Museum, the restored residence of the famous Danish author of “Out of Africa” also known as Isaac Denson.
To see the wildlife without adventuring too far away from the city center, you can visit the Nairobi National Park, which is now home to black rhinos and other types of wildlife including lions, tigers, buffalos, zebra, wild animals and leopards.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara is located on the border with Tanzania and forms a wildlife border between the two countries. It was named after the Masai people who wear red clothes, live in this reserve and feed their animals here, as they have done throughout ages. The park is famous for its grand migration when thousands of wild deer, zebra, and Thompson’s gazelle travel to and from Serengeti, between July and October.
The park is also famous for its relatively large numbers of lions, leopards and tigers, especially in the dry months of December to February. Thanks to the height of the parks, the weather here is pleasant throughout the year.
The Tsavo National Park is Kenya’s largest park. It it split in two parts: Tsavo West and Tsavo East, which together account for 4 percent of the country’s total area, including rivers, waterfalls, savannahs, volcanic hills, a vast plateau of rocks, lava and a wide variety of wildlife.
Tsavo East is famous for its large elephant herds. The area includes the Galana River, surrounded by palm trees and arid plains. Other notable features of the eastern part of the park include the Yatta Plateau, the world’s longest lava trail, the Mudanda Rock, and the Lagarde Falls.
Tsavo West is more humid and has more diverse terrain, featuring some of the most beautiful landscapes in the northern part of the park. There are a series of natural springs here, with large numbers of hippos and crocodiles. Wildlife is not easy to see in Tsavo West due to the much denser vegetation.
The Nakuru National Park in central Kenya is well known for its large numbers of pink flamingos. The park was established in 1961 and more than 450 species of birds have been seen here, in addition to the rich diversity of other wildlife. Blacks, tigers, pythons and white rhinoceros are just a few of the hundreds of animal species that visitors may get a look at here. Landscapes range from beautiful grasslands bordering the lake, to high cliffs and woodland.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lamu is a small island in the northeast of Mombasa. It is the oldest inhabited settlement in Kenya, with origins dating back to the twelfth century. When visitors stroll through its maze-like streets, they will get a glimpse of the island’s rich history.
One cannot help but notice the architectural influences of the Arab world, Europe and India, mixed together in a wonderful and unique way. The carefully carved wooden doors, coral stone buildings, hidden courtyard areas and balconies are common features of the island’s buildings. There are very few cars here, as the streets are still full of donkeys as a means of transportation.
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