African Safari Guide to Kenya

Kenyan Highlights:

• Africa’s original safari destination


• Great diversity of landscapes, wildlife and cultures


• Masai Mara Game Reserve – home of the great wildebeest migration


• Kenya has a 300-mile Indian Ocean coastline of pristine beaches and protective coral reefs


• Various ways of travelling – trekking, camelback, biking, boating, hot air balloon, 4x4 vehicles

Best time to visit Kenya:

Kenya can be considered a year round safari holiday destination, although there are some areas where the tracks within the parks can become muddy and rutted.

Masai Mara Game Reserve

Masai Mara Highlights:

• Great wildebeest migration


• Hippos and large crocodiles in Mara River


• Huge golden savannahs and big African skies


• Hot Air Ballooning


• Great density of wildlife

Best time to visit Masai Mara:

Excellent game-viewing throughout the year. Best time to witness the migration end of June - August

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli Highlights:

• Classic views of Mount Kilimanjaro with elephants walking across the plains


• Home to Maasai that share the land


• Huge elephant herds


• Observation Hill which allows an overall view of the whole park especially the swamps and elephants


• Prolific birdlife features 600 species

Best time to visit Amboseli:

Good to visit all year round, although during the heavy rains in April to May, some of the roads in Amboseli might be impassable.

Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo East Highlights:

• The scenes of dust-red elephants wallowing in the Galana River is a classic image of Africa


• Aruba Dam - is visited by thousands of animals and a great game viewing destination


• Mudanda Rock - This rock towers above a natural dam and guests are able to walk on it and view the animals drinking at the dam


• Yatta Plateau - The longest lava flow in the world – also a ornithological paradise that attract migrating birds from all over the world


• Lugards Falls - the waters of the Galana River plunge into rapids

Best time to visit Tsavo East:

Good to visit all year round.

Tsavo West National Park

Tsavo West Highlights:

• Mzima Springs - a pool containing natural spring water with underwater viewing hides for observing hippos and fish


• Lake Jipe – rich bird life and impressive views of Pare Mountains


• Chaimu Crater – this volcanic crater is less than 200 years old and can be hiked


• Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary - area has been established to protect and conserve the rare black rhinoceros and is now a reserve for more than 50 rhinoceros


• Interesting history - cruel 'Man-Eaters of Tsavo' story and for being a major battle field in WWI where British and German troops battled for territory.

Best time to visit Tsavo West:

Good to visit all year round.

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu Highlights:

• Species endemic to this area Gerenuk antelope, Reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx (known as the Samburu Special Five)


• Home to the Samburu tribe


• leopards are commonly seen in daylight


• Wild dog sightings are common in the reserve

Best time to visit Samburu:

Good to visit all year round.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru Highlights:

• Millions of the greater and lesser flamingo


• An orthologist’s paradise with 450 species of birds


• Kenya’s largest population of rhinos


• Great view points of the lake: Lion hill, Baboon cliff and Out of Africa Hill

Best time to visit Lake Nakuru:

Good to visit all year round.

Kenyan Coast

Kenyan Coast Highlights:

• Coral reefs with turtles and reef fish


• Glass bottomed boats and dhow excursions


• Snorkelling, scuba diving and big game fishing


• Lamu - a UNESCO World Heritage Site


• Large choice of beachfront accommodation


• Great combination with wildlife safari

Best time to visit Kenyan Coast:

Best time is from January to March when snorkelling is ideal.