When we imagine Africa, we very likely picture somewhere that looks much like Kenya. The birthplace of the African safari, Kenya has come to define our image of the continent. Whether it’s the seemingly endless savannah plains, the incongruous snow-capped equatorial peaks, the sultry beaches of the Swahili coastline, or the geological marvel that is the Great Rift Valley, so many of our most popular images of Africa are rooted in the landscapes and geography of Kenya.
Indeed, for many years “African safari” was synonymous with “Kenyan safari”. Kenya got a head start on its neighbours in developing its safari and holiday industry in the middle years of the 20th-century following its independence, and has since then established over 50 national parks and reserves (not counting its several marine reserves), which together constitute almost 10% of the country’s landmass and between them protect a diversity of wildlife and landscapes.
The best-known of these reserves is of course the Masai Mara. Part of the Serengeti eco-system, the greater part of which is contained within neighbouring Tanzania, the Masai Mara is quintessential East Africa, a landscape of windswept savannah plains interspersed by pockets of acacia woodland and rocky kopjes. The reserve is host to that most famous of wildlife spectacles, the annual Great Migration, which sees as many as 1.5 million wildebeest, and smaller populations of gazelle and zebra, journey from the southern plains of the Serengeti to the grasslands of the Masai Mara, where they stay between July and October. With good reason is the Masai Mara often referred to as the most magnificent natural theatre in the world.
But Kenya’s appeal extends far beyond the Masai Mara and the Great Migration. Its many other reserves and national parks offer their own unique attractions, from the dust-blown flats of Amboseli, trampled by herds of elephant that can number in the hundreds; to the hills of Chyulu, their lush greenness famously described by Hemingway. In central Kenya, the Laikipia plateau provides a natural counterpoint to the Masai Mara. A vast expanse that extends from the Aberdare Mountains to the rim of the Great Rift Valley, much of Laikipia is former ranch land that has been given over to wildlife conservation, its many reserves and conservancies protecting a wealth of species including rhino and wild dog. Nearby, Samburu and Shaba offer a classic “big game” experience to rival the best of east or southern Africa.
Each of Kenya’s reserves and national parks has its own characteristic terrain and wildlife, and choosing which to prioritise is always a challenge. Often, the choice will be dictated by your preferred activities. Most Kenya safaris are vehicle based, but a number of parks also offer excellent walking safaris, often with opportunities to fly-camp. Activity-oriented safaris, mixing walking, 4x4 game viewing, and even biking outside the national parks, are increasingly a specialty of Kenya – see our Discover Kenya itinerary for an example of one such programme.
Kenya’s camps and lodges, too, present a bounty of choice. Choose from small intimate safari camps to grand lakeside colonial houses, privately-owned ranches and farmhouses. Many camps cater to children, making Kenya an ideal choice of safari destination for families. Kenya’s coastal resorts are also amongst the finest in Africa, and provide an ideal finish to any safari itinerary. For an insight into Swahili culture and architecture, consider Lamu and the nearby islands of Manda, Kiwayu and Funzi Keys, which all offer stylish accommodation and private beaches. Diving, snorkelling and boating are excellent and readily available.
KENYA TRAVEL ADVICE
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The dry season in Kenya runs from June to October and December to mid-March. These are the peak safari months, with the Masai Mara receiving an especially high volume of visitors from July to September owing to the presence of the migration.
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The long rains typically fall in Kenya between mid-March and May, the short rains in November. Many travellers aim to avoid the rains, but smaller crowds and excellent photographic conditions, not to mention lower costs, mean the rainy season is the preferred time to travel for some safari enthusiasts.
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Kenya is an excellent family destination, with a number of camps catering to families with young children, and a mix of activities available for families with older children, including walking, biking, and interactions with the Masai and Samburu tribes people.
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Kenya has fabulous beaches and coastal resorts, most of them centred on Lamu in the north or Mombasa in the south. See our dedicated Kenya beach holiday page for more detail.
- With a huge choice of national parks, game reserves and private concession areas, no two safaris to Kenya need to be alike. Thankfully, a standout regional flight system means you can easily visit two or more national parks even on a short holiday.
