Kenya
Discover All Kenya Has to Offer
Welcome to Kenya
Kenya is the heart of East Africa, a vast country that possesses golden beaches, massive wilderness areas and a wealth of fascinating tribal rituals. It is often seen as the first port of call for any African safari or a stepping-stone to subsequent safaris in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Southern Africa.
Because of Kenya's historic tourism development, the country's infrastructure is sophisticated and its national parks well-maintained with a vast array of accommodation available, to suit every style, taste and budget.
National Parks & Reserves
Explore Kenya's premier wildlife destinations
Masai Mara National Reserve
One of East Africa's most famous reserves, the 1,600 sq km 'Mara' consists of undulating hills and great rolling grasslands that sustain some of the most varied wildlife in Africa, if not the world. There is always game in the 'Mara', however it changes its character dramatically with the seasons.
Game concentrations are at their greatest from around July to the end of October, when the migrating herds filter across the Mara River from western Serengeti. During this period, you will find vast plains filled, as far as the eye can see, with wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, eland, Topi and hartebeest as well as the normal resident herds such as elephant, buffalo and giraffe.
Lake Nakuru National Park
The most famous of the Rift Valley lakes, Nakuru is a soda lake set within the 62 sq km park, renowned for its magnificent array of birdlife. It is the migratory flocks of thousands of greater and lesser flamingo that really create the attraction here, when the lake's shallow waters turn pink.
Black and white rhino, the rare Rothschild's giraffe, a small herd of buffalo, dik dik, klipspringer, eland, the occasional leopard and many other plains game are also found here.
Lake Naivasha
A very picturesque freshwater lake and a favourite weekend haunt for Nairobi residents, who enjoy fishing and sailing on some 900 sq km of water. There are many boat trips or perhaps a visit to Crescent Island for a gentle walk.
Nearby is the dramatic Hell's Gate, overshadowed by the mysterious Mt Longonot.
Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba
These three adjoining reserves are situated north of Mt Kenya and total around 535 sq km. Watered by the muddy Uaso Ngiro River and natural springs, this is classified as a lowland area, so generally hot, arid and dusty. It is also extremely scenic, with ravine areas dominated by acacia and doum palms.
Large numbers of gerenuk make this area exciting but plenty of other species are also common. These include crocodile, hippo, gazelle, Beisa oryx, Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, elephant, vervet monkey, cheetah, leopard and lion.
Meru National Park
Meru is in the northern frontier, east of Mount Kenya. It covers an area of 870 sq km and is still relatively untouched by tourism, which makes it alluring. The animals are found in good numbers, but are shy. This park is one of the driest in the country, though it is criss-crossed by numerous rivers and streams running off nearby mountains.
The area is famous for Elsa, the orphaned lioness reared by Joy and George Adamson and eventually returned to the wilds of Meru.
Amboseli National Park
One of the most popular parks in Kenya, we think it is a real gem. Forming part of a massive eco-system, the park itself is only 392 sq km and is situated at the foot of Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. This great mountain forms the backdrop to most photographers' pictures and on a clear day, the snowy peak of Kibo is seen.
Elephants abound in the forest and swamps, feeding on the lush papyrus and other grasses. Cheetah, lion and many hyena can also be seen on the salt flats or in the forests. Giraffe, zebra and wildebeest are always spotted on the open plains.
Tsavo East & Tsavo West
This huge park is split into two by the main Nairobi to Mombasa highway and covers a total area of around 2,000 sq km. The park is quite arid with only two permanent rivers but its flat landscape is dotted with hills and baobab trees, making it extremely attractive.
Tsavo is still famous for the legends of man-eating lion and its 'red' elephants, so called because of the red murrum earth with which they spray themselves. Popular attractions include the Lugard Falls, Yatta Plateau (the world's longest lava flow) and Mzima Springs.
Mount Kenya National Park
The park was created around Africa's second-highest mountain. It straddles the equator and covers more than 715 sq km. Mount Kenya is seen as sacred by the Kikuyu people, as there is said to be a god who lives here. The mountain's snow-capped peaks can be seen on clear days, but are often enclosed in low cloud cover.
Common species found are giant forest hog, tree hyrax, white-tailed mongoose, elephant, buffalo, suni, duiker, leopard, black rhino, bushbuck, bongo and a type of 'golden cat'.
Aberdare National Park
Slightly larger than Mount Kenya National Park, Aberdare National Park offers an eco-system that is fairly similar. Its mountain ranges climb to over 4,200m and consist mainly of tropical high-alpine vegetation, the park is about 766 sq km in size.
In the lower-lying regions, you will find rain and bamboo forests, moorlands, waterfalls, rivers and dams filled with trout. The most common species include giant forest hog, black rhino, elephant, lion, leopard, serval cat and a variety of monkeys.
Laikipia
Located on the equator, Laikipia County is found in the Great Rift Valley and is among the smallest in Kenya with an area of 9,462 square kilometers. Laikipia which means 'treeless plain' in the Maasai language is a vast plain where different kinds of wildlife, including the big five roam freely on the range lands.
Laikipia offers a unique safari experience with abundant wildlife and exquisite accommodation options.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a 360 km² not-for-profit wildlife reserve in Central Laikipia. The Conservancy works to conserve wildlife, provide a sanctuary for great apes and to generate income through wildlife tourism and complementary enterprises for re-investment in conservation and community development.
The Conservancy is host to the Big Five and has a successful community development programme, providing funding to surrounding communities to aid health, education, water and infrastructure projects.
Taita Hills Conservancy
Situated on the main Voi to Taita road, south of the Taita Hills, the Taita Hills Conservancy creates a game corridor to Tsavo West National Park. Formerly a sisal plantation, it has been transformed into a 113 sq km reserve with some interesting grasslands and woodlands.
The area now attracts a good quantity of zebra, buffalo, elephant, waterbuck, reedbuck, impala, eland, gazelle and much more. The bird-life is also excellent.
The Kenyan Coast
536 kilometres of pristine coastline along the warm Indian Ocean
Kenya offers 536 kilometres of coastline along the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Much of the coastline remains undeveloped, however there is a range of developed areas starting from Lamu Island in the north and ending at Wasini Island in the south near the Tanzanian border.
Lamu Island
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the original settlements in Kenya, dating back to 1370. It is a site steeped in culture and history, known for offering comfortable accommodation.
Malindi
The area is steeped in Swahili culture and offers a number of popular resorts. Malindi is 120 kilometres north of Mombasa and transfers can be provided by road from Mombasa or travellers may fly into the Malindi Airport.
Watamu
Just a few kilometres south of Malindi is Watamu. Here the exceptional beaches are protected by offshore coral providing an opportunity for swimming, snorkelling, SCUBA diving and deep-sea fishing.
Kilifi
Not widely known, Kilifi is 53 kilometres north of Mombasa and offers pristine beaches and a small selection of resorts.
Mombasa
Mombasa is generally split into three areas: the north and south coasts and the city centre. The city itself is an island, connected to the northwest by a bridge where the airport is located. Here you find a number of beaches including the popular Diani Beach, teeming with resorts of every size, standard and budget imaginable.
Ready to Experience Kenya?
Let us create your perfect Kenyan adventure. From wildlife safaris to beach extensions, we'll design an itinerary that captures the essence of this remarkable country.