Kenya

Welcome to Kenya

Large herds of elephants with the snowy Kilimanjaro mountain on the horizon; a classic image and rightly so, because there is an overwhelming amount of wildlife to be found during a trip in Kenya. And together with breathtaking landscapes, a deep and rich African history and culture and a friendly and hospitable people, this country makes for an adventurous travel destination. Kenya is a travel destination of endless natural beauty. It is also a country where countless ethnic cultures come together and where centuries-old traditions have been kept alive.

A micro cosmos of Africa

Kenya has varied landscapes filled with everything that makes a safari or roundtrip worthwhile. And the Big Five (elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions and leopards) can all be seen here. Vast forests, open savannahs and glittering freshwater lakes are interchanged with beautiful, white sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean. While the ethnic Maasai people tend their herds, thousands of pink flamingos nest in shallow lakes and millions of wildebeest make a yearly migration to greener pastures. Venture into the seas and you can admire coral reefs, sea turtles, whale sharks, manta rays and manatees along the coastline.

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Kenya Highlights

The Masai Mara National Reserve

A visit to Masai Mara National Reserve should not be missing from your trip to Kenya. Opened in 1961, this huge park is integrated with the famous Serengeti in Tanzania. The Masai Mara National Reserve is known for its annual migration of about one and a half million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras which cross the Mara River en masse around July. They are closely followed by predators such as lions, hyenas, and jackals. During a safari on the vast plains of the Masai Mara you can encounter these large prides of lions, as well as herds of zebras, antelopes, gazelles, elephants, leopards and buffaloes. It’s truly a nature lover’s dream. And if you’re very lucky, you could also spot the endangered black rhino here. The Masai Mara is inhabited by the semi-nomadic Masaai people. They live scattered across the reserve in their traditional houses surrounded by wooden fences that protect their livestock and residents from the wild animals.

The Amboseli National Park

The Amboseli National Park consists of savannahs with vast plains, swamps, acacia tree forests and scrubs. For over 40 years, it has been a protected area famous for its serene beauty and easy access to wildlife. The landscape, with the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania on the horizon, is made famous in many iconic photos. Unlike other national parks in this region, the elephant population here has not suffered much from poachers. Besides impressive herds of elephants you can also see buffaloes, gazelles, wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, lions and cheetahs.

The Maasai

The Maasai people are one of the best known tribes in Africa. Although they have no borders, they mainly live in Kenya and Tanzania and move around the region with their herds of cattle. All over the vast plains in Kenya there are small settlements and while travelling across the country you can encounter the Maasai herders moving around, recognizable by their distinct red robes. Red is the color of earth and blood and for the Maasai it is also the color of life. The Maasai people are fond of jewelry and decorations. Iconic are their stretched earlobes full of beads, earrings and other ornaments and large necklaces that are placed around the neck. Jewelry is a sign of beauty, for both men and women. During a trip to Kenya you can choose to visit a Maasai village and learn more about their culture and way of life. Perhaps you’ll also feel like participating in one of their traditional jumping dances.

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The Great Rift Valley

The Great Rift Valley is an enormous area that runs through Kenya and is known for its lakes such as Lake Turkana, Nakuru and Naivasha. These areas offer beautiful views of fertile valleys, extinct volcanoes and bird-rich lakes on open plains. The lakes are quite shallow and attract enormous flocks of flamingoes, who nest on the banks. Many hippos live in these lakes as well. These lakes are a bird watcher's paradise. Over 450 different bird species have been observed here. You can even take a boat trip on the lake where you can sail among hippos and crocodiles.

The Hell’s Gate National Park

In contrast to its name, the Hell’s Gate National Park is actually quiet and peaceful. It is a great destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, horseback riding, bicycling, and even camping. Because this park, which is located to the south of Lake Naivasha, is not home to many large predators such as lions, you can safely enjoy nature here on foot. It is often quiet when you make an adventurous walk or biking trip through the park. The main reason people visit the park is for its spectacular volcanic landscape. Deep gorges and towering cliffs can be seen all over the park.

Mombasa

Maybe it’s not one of the first things you think of, but the coastal areas of Kenya have some incredibly beautiful paradise beaches with swaying palm trees and azure blue seas. The most famous well-known coastal town is Mombasa. This the largest port city on the coast of East-Africa and the second largest city in Kenya. Mombasa is a very old city. There are three main areas in Mombasa: the harbor, the modern city center, and the old city center and you could explore them in a day. There are several beautiful beaches here, among which is Diani Beach to the south, which is known as the most beautiful white sandy beach in Kenya. You’ll find all sorts of accommodation here as well.

The Meru National Park

One of the most pristine and least visited national parks in Kenya is the Meru National Park. This park is literally located on the equator and is considerably greener than other parks due to the large amount of rain that falls here. Besides jungles, you will find wetlands and fields with tall grasses here. The latter is home to large prides of lions, giraffes and the rare Grévy's zebra. The jungles and wetlands in the park offer you the chance to spot leopards, green meerkats and a wide variety of birds. The park has been designated a protected habitat for the white and black rhino, making it one of the last areas to see these precious animals in the wild. You can spend hours in this rugged park without meeting anyone, which makes your visit extra special and memorable.

Lamu Island

Lamu Island is an island off the coast of Kenya. This island is rich in Swahili history. The use of cars for the public is banned here, but it is fine to explore the island on foot or with a donkey. This is a great destination to unwind after you’ve seen the wildlife in Africa. You can relax here on the beautiful deserted beaches that surround the island. Lamu Island is also culturally interesting as you can explore some of the several Arab and Portuguese fortresses, historical villages and ruins. And the white buildings set between the green palm trees make for an incredible view while you go around the island.

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