Kenya safari is an exciting adventure of a lifetime, a trip straight into the wilderness of the African continent. The open savannahs, steep hills, and wildlife appeal to wanderlust and nature lovers. When you travel to Kenya to visit the national parks and reserves, be ready for a breathtaking encounter with nature.
Kenya is home to some of the best wildlife sanctuaries for safari trips
Wildlife and wilderness remain the primary areas of interest in Kenya safari trips. Some of the country’s parks and reserves are among the most popular ones on the globe. Maasai Mara National Reserve is the most prestigious among them. This large region of grasslands sustains one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the wildebeest migration. Large herds of over two million wildebeest migrate across the vast flatlands of Mara with specs of the acacia trees in the background. Other animals such as gazelles, zebras, and other herbivores also undergo this grueling exercise in the hunt for fresh pastures. When it comes to wildlife safari, there can be no better place than the Mara for those who love it.
Other Kenyan parks and reserves also provide unique and exciting wildlife viewing experiences that can be compared to those in the Mara. Located on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro a magnificent ‘freestanding’ mountain that rises over 6000 meters, Amboseli National Park is in the driest region of the country. The limited vegetation against such a large background gives world-class photo shooting opportunities. To the north Samburu National Reserve, there are species of animals that have adapted to the harsh conditions of the arid land, including the Grevy’s zebra, the reticulated giraffe, and the gerenuk antelope, which appears to walk on its hind legs. In the different parks and wildlife conservancies of Kenya, what you see during the safari drives is one marvel after the other.
The Best Safari Lodges in Kenya
A Kenya safari not only comes with an expectation of wildlife viewing but also service that is majestic and uniquely Kenyan. The best safari lodges in Kenya offer chic accommodation complemented by a chance to explore the wilderness. It seems as if you are in the planes of Maasai Mara and the plains are flowing through the walls and windows. As you go for early morning game drives before sunrise, you are likely to hear lions roaring in the background. The wildlife that is often caught grazing around your veranda as the day comes to an end makes for perfect sunset watching.
Rooms in lodges located in Amboseli National Park and the surrounding conservancies usually offer scenic views of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania with its snowy peaks. To wake up to the sight of Africa’s highest mountain sitting right outside your window is not a dull moment. Further afield, specialized deluxe game lodges situated in the harsh terrain of Samburu Reserve are perfect for the intrepid traveler determined to immerse in the wilderness. The best lodges in Kenya across the leading reserves are perfectly located to offer fabulous experiences between game drives.
Cultural Tourism that Kenya Can Offer
Although nature and wildlife are central to most Kenya safari itineraries, cultural experiences are a bonus to your adventure. For instance, in Maasai Mara, the tall, red-robed, beaded people still practice their customs in the face of assimilation. Going to a traditional Maasai village provides immersion into a life that is completely different from any you have ever known, where people sing, dance, and create beaded jewelry. In the northern region, the semi-pastoralist Samburu people offer a still more exotic cultural viewpoint drawn from having to engage with extreme deserts.
Recent community conservancies surrounding Laikipia and wider Laikipia County accommodate both cultural and technical aspects of conservancy. When on a safari, it is always a plus to engage with the locals; learn their culture when you are visiting the tribes such as the Maasai and the Samburu, or even engage with the people of the informal settlements that one may come across when on the safari.
Kenya’s Natural Wonders Beyond Wildlife
Kenya safari vacations provide sufficient opportunities to visit the most known wildlife parks and reserves in the country. However, there are other natural features that are not found within these limits, and would go to enhance the variety of any good safari plan. Kenya is crossed by the huge Great Rift Valley that forms cliffs rising above beautiful valleys. Lakes Nakuru and Bogoria have their own rift valley depressions and renowned thick concentrations of pink lesser flamingoes when conditions prevail. Aberdare National Park has the moorlands and cloud forests in higher altitudes which in terms of plant and animal diversity, can barely make one think of Africa.
Towards central Kenya, Hell’s Gate National Park, unlike most savannah safari parks. Here you can trek or bike beneath towering cliffs and geothermal phenomenon. It is the only park where one can get an up-close and close look at wild animals like the Zebra and Hartebeest without the use of a safari vehicle. Any of these types of safari diversification ensures that travelers get to have a wider perspective of what Kenya has to offer in terms of natural resource endowment than the usual animal species.
Preparations and Departure for the Kenya Safari Tour
The wildlife, culture and scenery are so beautiful that one has to be very strategic when planning for Kenya safari trips. First, determine which of the major reserves or parks is ideal for a visit and then take into consideration the abundance of wildlife in Maasai Mara to the rugged none accessible area in Samburu which can be contrasted with the walking trail in Hell’s Gate. You should also consider visiting Amboseli National Park too, because of the Kilimanjaro backdrops.
It is equally important to select the right kind of accommodations while on a safari. For the best wildlife viewing and local experience, avoid large faceless hotels for small exclusive lodges. Some of the best wildlife for photographic purposes is in Maasai Mara in Governors’ Camp, Kichwa Tembo and similar camps while Amboseli, Tortilis Camp, and Oltukai Lodge offer good locations. There is also an option to visit during the July-October peak season of migration in the Mara region for more wildlife activity. Do not travel during the rainy season unless bird watching is the primary intention.
Conclusion: Embrace the Adventure of a Lifetime with Kwezi Safaris Ltd.
An authentic Kenya safari, if planned and executed well, will deliver thrills, cultural education, and memories, that will remain for a lifetime. Let the vastness of the wild plains beckon to you as it has done to generations of wanderers who came before. Consult with Kwezi Safaris Ltd. for the ideal individualized trip because it understands that every traveler has their preferred way of embarking on a safari. Then expect to get lost happily amid the vastness of nature in Kenya as so many others have been before you. Adventure awaits.
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