Why Kenya is a top safari destination in Africa
Why Kenya is a top safari destination in Africa : The world’s most well-known safari destination, Kenya is blessed with a variety of natural beauties. With 580,367 square kilometres, the nation is the 48th-largest in the globe. The best 10 safari Destinations in Kenya, in our opinion, are listed in this article. Pick a few of them if you don’t have the time or money to visit them all. They ought to be in your agenda for Kenya safari. Wonderful animal safaris, birding safaris, trekking safaris, and incredible cultural encounters with the Maasai, Samburu, Turkana, and other tribes are all available in Kenya. Beautiful savannah, riverine forests, the stunning Great Rift Valley, and towering ranges are all parts of Kenya.
Travellers from all over the world can enjoy enchanting safari experiences in the nation’s numerous National Parks and Reserves. Including, but not limited to, the exhilarating Wildebeest Migrations in Maasai Mara, captivating views of pink flamingos on Lake Nakuru, touching cultural encounters in Samburu, and the famed Elephant herds in Amboseli. Kenya is without a doubt the place to go for adventurous tourism. It should come as no surprise that it was the first nation to propose the concept of the “African Big Five.” The African Big Five also include African Elephants, Buffaloes, Rhinos, Lions, and Leopards, in case you were wondering. Let’s examine Kenya’s top 10 safari Destinations;
- Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Maasai Mara is the most popular safari location in Kenya. It is situated in Kenya’s southwest, close to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. The Mara is well-known for its appealing savannah scenery and is where most of Africa’s wildlife may be found. Do you want to see huge cats, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, and other large mammals. You’ll get to experience everything at Maasai Mara National Reserve. Oh, and the spectacular Wildebeest Migration. The most famous incident in the Mara is this one. Millions of grazers, predominantly wildebeest, cross the Mara River from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park every year between July and October in pursuit of rich green pastures and water. Probably the most exciting sight visitors can see when on a safari to the reserve is the migration. Maasai Mara should unquestionably be on your bucket list if you’re hoping to go on a luxurious safari in Kenya.
Do not miss out on the amazing Maasai cultural experiences, visit a Maasai boma and experience their culture, traditional dances, and maybe food.
- Lake Nakuru National Park.
Welcome to Kenya’s paradise for birders. Lake Nakuru National Park is in Nakuru town, which is only a few hours’ drive from Nairobi. The Park, which is well-known for the flocks of pink flamingos that congregate near the lake, is also home to a number of other bird species to make your birding safari excursion unique. Impressive vistas of the Rift Valley Escarpment, the vast Lake Nakuru, and scattered savannah grassland studded with Euphorbia trees can be seen in the Park.
The Rothschild’s Giraffe and endangered white and black rhinos both have safe havens at Lake Nakuru National Park. Lions, leopards, impalas, antelopes, bush bucks, and baboons are a few other animal species that can be seen in the Lake Nakuru national park. Enjoy bird watching, wildlife viewing, and sightseeing in Lake Nakuru National Park. Take use of the outstanding lodges and campsites in the Park as well for a relaxing safari experience and mouthwatering cuisine.
- Samburu National Reserve.
Samburu National Reserve, one of Kenya’s finest off-the-beaten-path safari sites, is situated in the arid region of Northern Kenya. The reserve is located next to Buffalo Springs National Park on the banks of the River Ewaso Ng’iro and is made up of rough vegetation. Samburu provides tourists with enjoyable safari opportunities. The reserve also has some of Kenya’s rarest animal species in addition to the giant beasts. The famed “Samburu five” comprise the Somali Ostrich, Gravy Zebras, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk, and Beisa Oryx. And Samburu is home to more than 450 kinds of birds that have been identified.
The Samburu people, who are a traditional nomadic pastoral group, also live in the reserve. The Ewaso Ngiro River, which would supply water for their livestock, drew these people to the reserve. Samburu have an intriguing way of life and are often kind. In the reserve, the majority of them function as safari guides. Expect to enjoy animal viewing, birding, cultural encounters, thrilling camel rides, and many other things when you visit Samburu National Park.
- Mount Kenya National Park.
The second-highest mountain in Africa and the tallest mountain in Kenya is Mount Kenya, which is home to Mount Kenya National Park. The most impressive views of the mountain itself and its surroundings, which is covered with African rosewood woods and bamboo, can be found in Mount Kenya National Park. Elephants, leopards, duikers, elands, waterbucks, elands, gigantic forest hogs, and other animals are among those that may be found in the park. Furthermore, Mount Kenya is home to an amazing 130 kinds of birds, according to records. You can take part in safari activities like hiking, sightseeing, nature walks, wildlife drives, and bird watching while on a safari in Mount Kenya National Park.
- Nairobi National Park.
You might not be aware that Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is the only city in the world to have a National Park right at its doorstep. It is, indeed. Nairobi National Park, which is immediately south of the city core, is home to a wide range of animals and birds. There are two ways to see animals in the park: on a game drive through it and during a safari walk on the canopied bridge. Expect to enjoy the beauty of nature and the impressive sight of over 400 different bird species, as well as buffalo, lions, gazelles, zebras, giraffes, leopards, and warthogs.
Visiting Nairobi National Park can be another captivating safari experience when combined with a path through the great sites, luxury hotels, and lodges in Nairobi city.
- Amboseli National Park.
The elephants’ home territory. One of the most well-liked safari locations in Kenya is Amboseli National Park. The Park, located in southern Kenya, is well-known for two things in particular. The largest elephant herds may be seen in the Park, and Amboseli gives the most breathtaking views of Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro in the distance. Furthermore, the Park includes 5 different habitats that frequently excite visitors. These include savannah, woods, the dry lake bed of Lake Amboseli, and wetlands with Sulphur springs. Additionally, the Park offers visitors the chance to engage in delightful cultural interactions with the Maasai people who live nearby.
- Tsavo National Park.
One of Kenya’s oldest national parks, Tsavo National Park is situated in the semi-arid region close to Voi Town in the Taita-Taveta County in South-Eastern Kenya. The Park’s 13,747 square km protected area is the largest in the world. The Park is frequently referred to as the definition of wildness because it is adorned with rocky hills, wetlands, dormant volcanoes, a bed of volcanic rocks, and natural springs.
The park is separated into Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, with the former being characterized by primarily savannah and semi-arid grasslands and the latter by primarily mountains and savannah woods. Dust-red elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, water bucks, oryxes, gerenuks, lesser kudus, cheetahs, giraffes, and vervet monkeys are just a few of the many wildlife species that call Tsavo home. The diversity of bird species that call Tsavo National Park home (approximately 500 recorded species) will also astound visitors.
- Meru National Park.
Despite being one of Kenya’s less well-known national parks, this one has a lot to offer. About 350 km east of Meru is where you’ll find Meru National Park. The Park boasts a sizable, pristine expanse of dry grassland, rolling hills, and riverine ecosystems, all of which are home to different wild animal and bird species.
Reedbucks, gazelles, zebras, giraffes, hartebeests, elephants, lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, and jackals are just a few of the magnificent animals that may be seen on Meru. And although the park’s more than 427 known bird species will amaze birdwatchers, snake enthusiasts will be thrilled to learn that Meru is also home to pythons, cobras, and puff adders, among other species.
- Aberdare National Park.
Aberdare National Park offers a habitat for various wild animals, monkeys, and birds. It is distinguished by steep forested gorges and wide moorland grassland. The Park is situated in Kenya’s central Aberdare Mountain range. Elephants, black rhinos, spotted hyenas, buffaloes, warthogs, leopards, olive baboons, and black-and-white colobus monkeys are among the common wild creatures in Aberdare. Other potential species include, but are not limited to, bongos, blue-duikers, giant forest hogs, serval cats, civet cats, and African golden cats.
More than 250 different bird species have been found at Aberdare National Park, including eagles, sunbirds, plover, and sparrow hawks.
- Kenyan Coastline.
Kenya’s shoreline is another well-known safari destination. Kenya’s coastline offers breathtaking beaches and tropical waters with a variety of activities such as snorkeling, fishing, swimming, scuba diving, and kite surfing among others. It is protected by an offshore coral reef barrier in Mombasa. Kenya’s coastline offers the ideal getaway safaris in East Africa, frequently thronged by groups of families, tourists, adventure seekers, and honeymooners. Visitors can take advantage of excellent safaris in Mombasa thanks to a variety of top-notch lodges, hotels, and Airbnbs.
The most visited places at the coastline include Diani located about 19 kilometres south of Fort Jesus, Mombasa. Diani consists of the destination’s most esteemed beaches, Wasini Island and the Wasini Marine National Park located south of Diani. Diani also offers one of the best snorkeling hubs in Africa.