Kenya holidays
We had a marvellous time! Our driver Rarjed was brilliant at finding the animals and positioning the car just so. Seeing our first lion on the first day was so exciting. The view of the Masai Mara from Serena Mara lodge was an awe inspiring experience. Watching two male giraffes fighting was an unforgettable sight. As you can see it is impossible to pick the most inspirational moment, the whole trip was a dream come true.
As a top safari destination, Kenya boasts a range of landscapes where you can spot diverse wildlife. Here we have mentioned some of the top areas and best activities to see and do.
The Masai Mara is Kenya’s most celebrated reserve. Made famous by the film Out of Africa and more recently featured in the BBC’s Big Cat Diaries, the park has higher concentrations of wildlife than anywhere else on the planet.
All of the Big Five are present, as well as hyenas, cheetahs, jackals, bat-eared foxes and distinctive Masai giraffes. Hippos and crocodiles are present in large groups in the Mara and Talek rivers and a wide range of antelopes abound, including Thomson’s gazelles, topi and elands.
Amboseli National Park is known for the characteristic image of elephants crossing the vast open plains in front of the spectacular snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro. The park’s main attractions are the lions, elephants and cheetahs, although it is full of plains wildlife and birdlife, especially near the swamps where you can see a large variety of water birds.
In Kenya, the Rift Valley runs from Lake Turkana in the north to Lake Natron in the south. Lake Naivasha is a wonderful place to watch and photograph birds and spot hippos. Colourful kingfishers, fish eagles and goliath herons can all be viewed at close quarters on a boat trip. Nearby is Lake Nakuru, where millions of flamingoes fringe the lake in shades of pink. A reserve has been created around the lake where black rhinos are protected and may be viewed alongside a variety of antelopes, giraffes, lions and hyenas.
Samburu and Shaba are neighbouring reserves situated north of Mount Kenya in the tribal lands of the Samburu people. The region’s bush is composed of wild acacia scrub and open savanna, with the huge Ewaso Nyiro river flowing through, filled with hippos and Nile crocodiles. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and buffaloes may be found in the reserve, as well as several species considered unique to the area such as Grevy’s zebras, Beisa oryx, longnecked gerenuks and Somali ostriches.
Meru National Park is a beautifully remote park with good wildlife viewing. Less visited than Samburu or the Masai Mara, the safari experience is quieter and more peaceful. Although the wildlife can be more difficult to spot when high rainfall results in tall grasses, searching for animals is just as exciting.
The adventure begins just before dawn in Kenya’s Masai Mara, and what follows is quite literally one of the most uplifting experiences imaginable. Without the limitations of roads or the disruptive noise of cars, float above some of nature’s most beautiful landscapes and watch as the Big Five come out to play.
Between July and October, millions of wildebeest gather in the Masai Mara. Staying in one of the Governors’ Camp properties puts you – safely – right in the heart of the action, close to the unforgettable sights and sounds.
Take a day trip from Loldia House in the Great Rift Valley, out to picturesque Lake Nakuru National Park: where millions of colourful flamingoes perch in the waters, as rhinos graze among the trees. Best enjoyed from a shady spot, with a sumptuous picnic lunch.
Although Kenya has gained a reputation for being a busy safari destination, there are many beautiful lodges in secluded areas away from high volume tourism. Among Kenya’s lesser known gems are the remote Laikipia Plateau, the isolated Chyulu Hills, the expansive scenery of the Shompole Private Conservancy and the serenity of Meru National Park.
Kenya’s 490km Indian Ocean coastline is one of the country’s key attractions. Running from Lamu in the north to Mombasa in the south, this area offers a striking combination of Swahili culture, beautiful palm-lined beaches and good coral reefs. Use the opportunity to take a traditional dhow sail-boat cruise.
See Kenya come alive in this image and video gallery, showing off some of the best areas that you can visit and explore.
Discover the temperatures and rainfall you can expect when visiting the main areas of Kenya, along with the best time to travel.
Find out more about what you can expect from travelling in Africa – from internal flights to accommodation standards and local transport.
Learn more about the airlines we use to fly to Africa, chosen for reliability and good service; as well as any available upgrade facilities.
Before travelling to Africa, please read more about the entry requirements for each country, as well as any general health advice.
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