Does the African safari feature on your bucket list? If yes, you simply have to visit Kenya. Almost lying on the earth’s equator, this ‘Cradle of Humanity’ is blessed with an incredible ecological mix comprising the Great Rift Valley, snow-capped mountains, scenic grasslands, gorgeous silver sand beaches, and exceptional national parks and reserves.
Let’s look at five of the most magical experiences offered by Kenya Tourism:
Masai Mara
One of the world’s most magnificent game reserves and wildlife habitat, the Masai Mara National Park is renowned for the great migration from July to October, when wildebeest and zebra travel to and fro the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. December to February is the perfect season to watch lions, cheetahs and leopards on the move.
The Masai Mara safari is like no other, with game-viewing permitted on game drives and horseback. Watch the local Maasai graze their cattle, as you take part in a walking safari or fly-camping. As part of the Masai Mara safari package, you can choose to stay at one of the Masai Mara lodges, amidst the wilderness.
Lake Naivasha
The highest of the Rift Valley lakes (1884metre above sea level), Lake Naivasha is much more than a stunning blue water body. Did you know that the fertile soils and water supply here have made the area one of Kenya’s prime agricultural regions?
As you laze around Lake Naivasha, you’ll find good company in the countless giraffes, hippos and zebras that graze in the area, surrounded by ancient colonial mansions as well as modest clay and thatch houses. It’s the perfect place to indulge in some bird-watching; think fish eagles, ospreys, lily-trotters and black crakes!
Aberdare National Park
Home to elephants, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, African wild cat, and innumerable other species, Aberdare National Park is legendary for its prolific game, thick salient forests and sensational views of the Rift Valley as well as the peak of Mt Kenya.
As part of your Kenya safari, you can opt for a trekking trail across the moorlands. Aberdare National Park can also be explored by a vehicle. Don’t forget to take a break at the spectacular waterfalls along the range.
Nairobi
Kenya’s capital city exhibits a harmonious co-existence of the past and the present. Nairobi may be the safari capital of Africa, but it’s also a vibrant metropolis that is rooted in its fascinating history. To know more, make a stop at the remarkable museum and erstwhile home of Karen Blixen, author of Out of Africa.
The Nairobi National Park is barely a 15-minute drive from the city centre. It’s worth saying a quick hello to the zebras, wildebeests, cheetahs and lions here. The rhinoceros sanctuary here is considered to be among Kenya’s best.
Mount Kenya
Once you see the sunrise at Mount Kenya, everything else will pale in comparison. Except, perhaps, the experience of equatorial snow, one of the world’s rarest sights! As the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa (after Kilimanjaro), the 5199 metre-high summit is a demanding climb. However, there are several lower peaks that are easier to trek to.
That apart, there are cool highlands surrounding its base, forests that are ideal for game viewing, and clear mountain streams filled with trout. It’s a different kind of magic that’s worth exploring.
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