Kenya, on the east coast of Africa, is the original home and iconic heartland of ‘safari’. Vast savannahs peppered with immense herds of wildlife. Snow-capped equatorial mountains. Traditional peoples who bring soul and colour to the earth. Welcome to Kenya.
Kenya is arguably one of the best destinations in Africa for safari. Most people thinking of Africa, will think of Kenya. The country made famous by the book and film Out of Africa, Kenya holds a special place in the hearts of Africa-lovers.
One of the best spots for game-viewing year-round is the Maasai Mara, part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem. This is where the wildebeest and zebras migrate in their millions with the great predators of Africa following them in their wake. Kenya pioneered with protecting the rhinos and elephants in the 1970s when poaching was so big the animals were almost doomed for extinction. In national parks such as the Maasai Mara and Laikipia, local communities work close together with private wildlife conservations that has resulted in a very healthy animal population. When thinking of making a difference by going on a safari and supporting local communities, you have come to the right country.
Throughout the country there are high concentrations of “big five” game, of which Kenya has some of the highest numbers in Africa. North and east of the Mara, the Great Rift Valley cuts a swathe through the middle of the country, with glittering lakes and dramatic landscapes. The Laikipia plateau at the foot of Mount Kenya is another rewarding location for safari, with good populations of rhino as well as rarer species of zebra, giraffe and antelope, and a wide variety of safari activities ranging from riding safaris to walking with camels. From Lake Victoria to the country’s numerous beautiful reserves, Kenya is home to so many diverse ecosystems and, after the thrill of safari, you can head for the Indian Ocean coastline or islands to relax on miles of white sand beaches.
January, February and July to October are the best times to travel to Kenya as it is the dry season – hot and cool respectively. November, December and April to June are the short and long rain months respectively. A timeline can be seen in the overview below. The greener the box is by the month, the better it is to travel to this country in that period.
