Kenya – Africa Destination
Kenya – Africa Destination
Kenya stands as a premier tourism destination, benefiting from its strategic geographical location with convenient access to various modes of travel. It shares borders with Uganda to the West, South Sudan to the northwest, Somalia to the East, Ethiopia to the North, Tanzania to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the southeast. With great tourism potential, the country has over 55 national parks, game reserves, and sanctuaries. There is no better way to experience what Kenya has to offer than to come to see it for yourself which thereafter has attracted several people to fall in love with the country upon the visit and choose to stay for a lifetime.
What are the prime activities to do in Kenya?
Exploring the big 5 primates of the wilderness
Embarking on a mission to find the famous Big 5 is often the highlight of a trip to the wilds of Africa. The experience in magical Kenya is adorable to either visitors doing it for the first time or either done several times since there are a lot of destinations within the country to serve your interests better.
Kenya wildlife safari gives you the best opportunity to spot the big 5 on a game drive which can be done across several parks in the country which you can opt to choose from for example; Maasai Mara National Reserve, also called the Maasai Mara, Tsavo National Park, Amboseli National Park, Nakuru National Park, and Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Samburu National Park are some of the areas to visit amidst other reserves in the country which will bring you close to wildlife animals like elephants, lions, black rhinos, African leopards, buffalo, and Tanzanian cheetahs, Zebras among others.
Wildebeest destination
This is one of the key attractions in the wildlife fraternity where millions of Wildebeest and Zebra take the treacherous migration from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, to the Masai Mara National Park in Kenya with over 1.5 million animals including not just the Wildebeest, but also the zebras and antelopes. This migration happens between June/July and September/ October and is known as earth’s most dramatic and greatest spectacle that as well attracts a lot of predators in this period
Cultural encounter
Kenya has 42 different tribal groups, each with its own traditions and culture. Swahili is the most wildly spoken language among all the tribes hence a major unifying factor of all the tribal groups however the Masai are the most famous and known tribe amidst other major ethnic groups in the country which are the Kikuyu, Kalenjin, and the Luo (The tribe of Obama’s Dad).
Kenya’s largest economic sector is coffee and tea as the main cash crops followed by tourism thus a cultural visit will take you through the large plantations and ranches distributed in certain areas in the country and make your own blend. You can as well have a visit to some historical areas like Lamu Island which is the oldest and best-preserved settlement of people with the original Swahili heritage in Kenya.
The Island was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site particularly because of the important architectural remains that date back to the 12th century. It has a traditional feel to it as there are many Arab and Swahili-designed houses and streets, the island is very peaceful and best explored on foot. You might be mistaken for thinking you are walking in an old movie set up as there are very few vehicles if any, and the streets have donkeys which are the main form of transportation just like in the old days and thus are also a must-see when visiting Kenya.
Visiting the rock painting
Rock art in Africa represents the history of which there are no other records. Kenya possesses an interesting variety of rock art offering an extraordinary connection through time and as well consists of ancient images and symbols that tell us more about the history of the region. The majority of rock engravings in the country predominantly feature geometric designs. However, you can also discover depictions of animals like elephants and giraffes in various locations, including Kakapel’s rock art, the rock art of Mfangalo Island, Mawanga Cave, and Kwitone shelter, among others. Rock-art discoveries preserve the cultural and natural heritage of the country which are worth exploration.
Birding
As you dream about your ultimate bird-watching destination, Kenya offers birding enthusiasts a unique experience with the best and knowledgeable professional guides to thrill you to the highest species concentrations of birds on the continent and some of the most beautiful and wild birding destinations.
Kenya boasts the highest concentration of birds in Africa, with notable locations including Meru National Park, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, and Kakamega Forest, among others. The country is home to over 1,000 recorded bird species, making it the third-highest in Africa. You can observe a diverse range of birds including kingfishers, cormorants, pelicans, spoonbills, rollers, guineafowl, starlings, sunbirds, barbets, hornbills, bushshrikes, bee-eaters, Bataleur, snake eagle, martial eagle, fish eagle, falcons, buzzards, herons, shorebirds, pelicans, waterfowl, honeyeaters, spotted pardalotes, and red-browed finches, among others.
What are some of the Islands to visit in Kenya?
Kenya has the perfect islands both small and large with white sandy beaches and charmingly simple, yet luxuriously decorated resorts with specialization in how to make you indulge in the island way of life. Many of these islands are easy to reach and are an exciting boat ride away from Naivasha to Kisumu and all the way up to the North offer Exciting activities for visitors to take part in and enjoy their stay in the country. Some of these magical Islands include; Manda Island, Rusinda Island, Kiwayu Island, Mfangano Island, Wasini Island, Mombasa Island, Central Island, Ndere Island, South Island, Litare Island, Takawiri Island, Mbasa Island among others.
Beaches
Kenya offers you the best holiday safaris where you can relax and enjoy spending your days strolling along the azure blue water, soft white sand beaches as turquoise water washes upon your feet.
You can encounter this experience in various destinations along the North and South Coasts of Mombasa, extending further north to Watamu, Malindi, and Lamu. Additionally, you have the option to relish the offerings of the ‘West Coast’ Islands and pair it with a visit to either Maasai Mara or Serengeti National Park.
The beaches and islands are home to many worthwhile natural and cultural treasures with many ecological, archaeological, and historical sites.
How to access Kenya
Accessing Kenya is relatively cheap with almost all transport means visible both on air, water, and road mean. The main international air landing airport is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, located 15km/9mi southeast of Nairobi and Kenya’s second international airport is Moi International Airport located 9km/6mi west of Mombasa,
When is the best time to visit Kenya?
Visiting Kenya is feasible throughout the year. However, for safaris, the optimal periods are from January to March and June to October. These times offer mild temperatures and dry conditions, ensuring better accessibility to various areas, especially considering the rugged nature of African roads. Additionally, it’s an excellent time for game drive safaris as the animals tend to congregate around the remaining waterholes, making them easier to spot. If you have never witnessed the great animal migration in the Masai Mara, then you should visit between September to October.
Accommodation in Kenya
There is a great array of accommodation centers from the budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodation thus it is upon your budget to choose where to stay in either, low-key campsites or glamorous, romantic lodges where you can sleep out under the stars after spending a day trying to spot the famous African Big Five.
For any enquiries, please contact Safari vacation and travel services for more detailed information.
