Kenya is one of the best countries in Africa for safari tourism. The country offers exceptional wildlife viewing experiences including witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration and tracking the Big Five mammals. Safari activities take place in both national parks and private and community conservancies bordering the main reserves. In addition to wildlife, there are world class beaches and coastal towns to visit after the safari. Rich cultural heritage of Kenya, with over 42 ethnic groups, including the Maasai means that there’s are unique cultural experiences to explore in local communities ajdacent to safari parks and in central hub Nairobi capital city.
Where to go in Kenya
Spanning 580,367 sq. km of varied landscapes, Kenya has distinct safari regions which include central, western, northern, and southern.
Nairobi Capital city
As the a hub to East and Central Africa, Nairobi is the vibrant starting point for your Kenyan safari. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is the main airport for international flights. From there, a short transfer takes you to Wilson Airport, the exclusive hub for domestic charter flights and luxury Kenya fly-in safaris connecting to the remote safari parks.
Before or after your time in the parks, Nairobi invites you to immerse yourself in its modern, energetic culture. The city boasts a world-class culinary scene, specialty coffee cafes, boutique accommodations, and a legendary nightlife. Those intending to to explore the city’s neighborhoods, Nairobi day excursions offer a wide range of attractions that perfectly set the stage for the wild plains ahead including Nairobi National Park, where you can see rhinos and lions against a skyscraper skyline. Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is a heartwarming conservation center dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned baby elephants. Karen Blixen Museum, the historic “Out of Africa” farmhouse that brings Kenya’s colonial and literary history to life.
Kenya Safari Parks by Region
Southern circuit
Kenya’s southern region bordering Tanzania is famous for harboring some of the country’s major protected areas including, Amboseli, Tsavo East and Tsavo west, and Chulu Hills national parks.
Amboseli National Park is located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro and offers its spectacular views. The park is one of the best places to see elephant herds, including “Super Tuskers” bull elephants with huge tusks. According to Tsavo Trust, there are an estimated 25 individuals left in the wilds. Amboseli National Park alone has about 10. In addition to elephants, the park is also globally recognized as an Important Bird Area with over 400 bird species, including Madagascar pond heron. Permanent and seasonal swamps in the park attract large flocks of Great white pelicans and White storks. Among other pale-arctic migrants are Lesser Kestrel, Steppe eagle, Pallid harrier, and Montagu’s harrier.
Tsavo Conservation Area, encompassing Tsavo East and Tsavo West national parks, is Kenya’s largest protected area. It forms part of the semi-arid ecosystem Nyiri Desert in south-central Kenya. As such, the soils in Tsavo contain iron oxide, and the rich red dust is vital to the appearance of the local wildlife, especially elephants. Elephants bathe in the red dust that clings to their skin and makes them appear as red.
Tsavo West National Park offers the best opportunities to see black rhinos. The protected area has over 200 black rhinos at the newly established Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary. Previously, Rhinos in Tsavo were confined in smaller sanctuaries. The new sanctuary, spanning 3,200 sq. km, was created to restore ecological balance and support long-term growth of the rhinos. Another unique attraction in Tsavo West is the Mzima Springs. A freshwater oasis where an underwater glass chamber allows visitors to watch hippos and crocodiles.
Chulu Hills National Park
A landscape of volcanic cones and crater-filled lakes, Chulu national park is a must-visit gem for a keen photographer. Located to the southwest of Mount Kilimanjaro between Amboseli and Tsavo West national parks. In this protected area, there are buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, zebras, wildebeests, and predators such as leopard and over 300 species of birds. Some of the unique ways to explore Chulu are horseback safaris to mountain biking.
Western Circuit
Maasai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s most iconic safari destination, famous for harboring the Great Wildebeest Migration. The annual movement of 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle between Tanzania’s Serengeti and the Mara plains is one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles. The reserve hosts a high concentrations of Big Cats, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Also, there are smaller wild cats such as serval cats and caracal. Large herbivores include black rhinos, elephants, Maasai giraffe, and buffalo. Private and community conservancies surrounding the main reserve offer exclusive experiences including guided walking safaris and night game drives.
Central Circuit
Part of the rift valley, where the landscape rises from the riftvalley floor at 975 m to Aberdare Ranges 3,350 metres (11,000 feet) and Laikipia Plateau (2,100 meters). The riftvalley floor consists of beautiful soda lakes of Nakuru, Elementaita, Bogoria which are famous for harboring Lesser flamingos and offer excellent bird watching opportunities. Lake Nakuru national park alone is a rhino sanctuary with over 150 rhinos 80% being White rhinos and 20% black rhinos.
Laikipia Plains
Rising from shores of Lake Bogoria to the slopes of Mount Kenya, Laikipia plateau spans 9,500 sq. km with an elevation ranging between 1,500 to 2,000 meters above sea level. Laikipia ecosystem of open savannah, Acacia drepanolobium), volcanic kopjes, Ewaso riverine forest habitats are home to endangered species including rhinos and elephants. Wildlife thrives in harmony with livestock and pastoral communities through a vast network of interconnected fenced and unfenced private ranches and community conservancies that were created by blending traditional land use with protected area management.
As such, safari tourism in Laikipia integrates wildlife conservation, sustainable livestock farming, and eco-tourism to benefit local communities. This tourism model offers some of the most exclusive safari experiences from horseback riding to guided walking safaris and night game drives.
Northern Circuit
Kenya’s north is a semi-arid landscape
and harbours unique species that are not found in other parts of the country including Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebras, Somali ostrich, Bias oryx. Wildlife thrives in a range of wildlife reserves along with private and community conservancies with Ewaso Ng’iro river being the major source of water, wildlife viewing is so excellent as most of the wildlife congregates along water holes. Samburu, Shaba, and Buffalo Springs national reserves offer
Central Circuit
Samburu National Reserve
Located in northern Kenya, Samburu national reserve is home to the “Samburu Special Five.” seeing species that don’t survive anywhere else in Kenya which include the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich.
Lake Nakuru National Park in the Great Rift Valley contains an alkaline lake that attracts lesser flamingo. Kenya’s best places to see both black and white rhinos. The park also supports healthy populations of lions, leopards, and Rothschild giraffes.
Hellʼs Gate National Park, located near Lake Naivasha, is unique in Kenya for offering opportunities for visitors to cycle and walk among wildlife including plains giraffes, elands, buffaloes, and plains zebras. The park also offers spectacular scenery of volcanic features including cliffs and gorges, making for a must-visit gem for a keen photographer.
Kenya’s Beaches and Coastline
Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline stretches for over 500 km from south to north. The south coast, anchored by Diani Beach, is Kenya’s most developed beach destination, ideal for families, couples, and water sports enthusiasts. The north coast stretches from Mombasa through Kilifi, Watamu, and Malindi of which each town has its own distinct character. Watamu’s marine national park offers opportunities to see coral reefs. Malindi town is famous for its Italian-Swahili cultural influence. Lamu Island is the oldest continuously inhabited Swahili town in East Africa. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kenya is also one of the best African destinations for combining a wildlife safari with a beach holiday to some of the best beaches in Kenya. Most visitors fly from the Maasai Mara National Reserve or Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport directly to Mombasa or Lamu for the second half of their trip.
Cultural Sites and Experiences
Kenya has over 42 ethnic groups, each with distinct traditions, languages, and ceremonies. There are several places where you can experience Kenya’s culture.
Lamu Old Town is the best-preserved example of Swahili architecture in East Africa. Its narrow coral-stone streets, carved wooden doorways, and centuries-old mosques are a living record of the Indian Ocean trade routes. The town has no cars and life thrives as people move on foot, by donkey, and by wooden dhow.
Maasai cultural villages in and around the Maasai Mara National Reserve offer visitors the chance to learn about the Maasai people’s traditions, beadwork, and their remarkable coexistence with wildlife on communal lands.
Fort Jesus in Mombasa, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most significant historical monuments in sub-Saharan Africa. The adjacent Mombasa Old Town is worth exploring on foot.
Koobi Fora on the eastern shore of Lake Turkana is a palaeontological site where some of the earliest evidence of human existence has been found, making for a destination for those interested in human origins.
The Gede Ruins near Watamu are the haunting remains of a 13th-century Swahili town abandoned without explanation and now swallowed by coastal forest. They are one of Kenya’s most atmospheric and underrated historical sites.
Bird Watching
Kenya is one of Africa’s premier birding destinations with over 1,165 recorded species, 11 of which are endemic. The Tsavo Conservation Area supports over 600 species. The Maasai Mara hosts more than 470, including 47 birds of prey. Kakamega Forest Reserve in western Kenya, the easternmost remnant of the Congo Basin rainforest, shelters species including the Great Blue Turaco and African Grey Parrot that appear nowhere else in the country. The Great Rift Valley lakes, particularly Lake Bogoria, Lake Elementaita, and Lake Nakuru, attract millions of flamingos in spectacular pink flocks.
When is the Best Time to Visit Kenya
Kenya can be visited anytime of the year; however, it’s most important to plan your trip depending on the seasons, which include the dry and wet seasons.
Dry season
June to October is the main dry season in Kenya and the best overall time for wildlife safaris, with late July and August being the peak months for the Great Wildebeest Migration in Maasai Mara National Reserve. The month of September is good for spotting Big Cats, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, among other predators such as African painted dogs and spotted hyenas.
January to February is a shorter dry season characterized by minimal rainfall, about 50 mm of rain per month, and cool weather with temperatures ranging between 16°C and 29°C. This is a season for newborn wildlife, and visitors can see wildebeest calves, topi, and zebra foals, which attract predators.
October to March is the best time to visit Kenya beaches and islands. The northeast monsoon winds create calm ocean conditions ideal for water sports including diving and snorkeling in Malindi. December and January make for the warmest months along the Kenyan coast.
The wet season
April to May is the long rainy season characterized by heavy persistent rainfall of up to 1,700 mm per annum, which makes unpaved roads wet and slippery and difficult to navigate. However, the wet season in Kenya offers unique opportunities for bird watching, particularly for those intending to spot migratory birds and flamingos.
Practical Travel Information
Getting there
Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is Kenya’s main international gateway. It is served by direct flights from Europe, the Middle East, and across Africa. Mombasa’s Moi International Airport handles regional connections for those heading directly to the coast.
Getting around
Domestic charter flights connect Nairobi to all major safari destinations and coastal airports. Road travel is practical between Nairobi and nearby parks such as Amboseli and the Aberdares. For the Mara, a fly-in safari is recommended, particularly during the rainy season.
Visa
Most visitors can obtain a Kenya e-visa online before travel. Kenya is also part of the East African Tourist Visa, which covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda on a single visa. This is a useful option for those intending to combine both countries. The East African tourist visa cost is $100 per person.
Currency
Kenyan Shilling (KES). US dollars are accepted at most lodges and camps.
Health
Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for safaris and coastal areas. Consult a travel health clinic at least six weeks before departure. Yellow fever vaccination may be required depending on your country of origin.