The intrigue and adventure of Kenya reaches back into the birth of mankind, stretches along miles of white sand beaches, and journeys into dense forests and divergent deserts. Iconic landmarks such as Mount Kenya stand above the Savannah plains and tropical woodlands while its intricate waterfalls lie nestled within the montane foothills. Cool breezes drift across the Indian Ocean to refresh your soul in the country’s many coastal towns and islands. From her highest peaks to her deepest ocean depths, Kenya gives you an African dream trip of a lifetime!
Long after you have left Kenya, there are some things that will stay with you forever – little treasures, both tangible and intangible. You will occasionally remember the faces, the journeys, the tastes and sounds, and you will smile to yourself because you got to experience something magical. Here are the top ten unique reasons to visit Kenya.
Safiri Adventures spends much of its time making sure visitors leave with memories that will last a lifetime. Visitors from around the world come to see Africa’s most incredible wildlife and witness first-hand the old continent’s incredible diversity.
Going on Safari in Africa is an experience unlike any other. While seeing a leopard munch on a freshly caught gazelle or spying a curious lion cub venture away from its mother’s protective embrace will be highlights of your trip, you’ll discover the journey is as much a part of your trip as the destination. The experience will leave you feeling rejuvenated and ready to face whatever life throws your way. Explore a wide variety of unique Safaris and Destinations to suit your specific needs. Our Bespoke Safaris are a unique collection of various safari adventures operating in different parts of East Africa.
1. Watch the Wildebeest Migration in the Mara and See the Big Five
Step into a real-world nature documentary of Kenya’s Great Migration! As you traverse the vast landscape of Masai Mara National Reserve from July to October. Your gaze stays fixated as your anticipation builds. What magnificent scene awaits? As your safari vehicle draws near the source of the aerial disturbance, you feel a slight trembling on the ground. Suddenly, the immense shapes of wildebeests begin to emerge from the dust. A chaotic mix of hoofs, gray-black fur, white beards, tails, and short manes thunder across the plains.
As you pass the herd, flashes of black and white signify the presence of zebras. Following the direction of their heading, you see a seemingly endless number of the same creatures grazing upon shades of emerald-green grasses. As your guide cautiously approaches the animals, a distinctive landmark reveals itself just beyond a hill crest – the Mara River. Your guide takes you to an exceptional vantage point where the Mara River lies just a short distance away. The energy in the air is palpable. Dozens of wildebeests stand along a ledge just above the river, stomping and grunting in anticipation. As you ponder their hesitation, you look to the river itself.
The massive volume of water rushes past to create a treacherous challenge for even the strongest of the wildebeests. You also notice several stealthy animals – ferocious crocodiles trolling the water, awaiting the onrush of their prey. As the wildebeests become more restless, you know that the time is growing close. Suddenly, without any warning, the first gnu stumbles down the ledge, its body twisting and contorting. With a final desperate jump, it lands in the muddied water of the Mara River.
With eyes wide from panic, the animal begins its solo journey across the river. Thousands of more wildebeests follow in an onslaught of movement, transforming the swirling river into a frenzy of splashing water, drowning calves, and battling prey and ferocious predator like crocodiles. The river fills with carcasses of the hundreds that were too weak or slow to make the crossing, and gigantic vultures begin to feed on the bodies at the banks. Joy fills your heart, though, as you see a mother help her exhausted calf climb the slippery slope on the other side of the river. Just as quickly as the crossing began, the wildebeest herd disappears into the distance on their never-ending journey for Kenya’s richest grazing grounds.
2. Adopt An Elephant and Visit Conservancies
Each conservancy in Kenya is unique and provides you with unforgettable experiences. You get to see and even bond with incredible animals. But nothing will touch your heart more than adopting a baby elephant at The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust or by swiping right and visiting the only remaining Northern White Rhino in the world.
Kenya is one of the world’s magnificent wildlife destinations! Its parks, reserves and private conservancies are home to some of the highest and most diverse populations of wildlife on the planet. Traveling across vast landscapes bathed in soft morning light, your African dreams unfold before your eyes. Visit the grassy plains and swamplands of Amboseli National Park to see an iconic scene – elephants silhouetted against the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro on the border of northern Tanzania. Flanking these elegant animals are graceful giraffes, energetic antelopes, buffalos, zebras, hippos, warthogs and many other herbivores. High concentration of predators abounds in Masai Mara National Reserve! Lions, leopards, cheetahs and other powerful hunters thrive on resident prey animals year-round, and the wildebeest migration brings a greater bounty to the plains.
Laikipia in northern Kenya offers you the second-highest density of wildlife in Kenya, including the Big 5 – elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, lions, and leopards. In Samburu National Reserve, you are introduced to the “Samburu Special Five” – Somali ostriches, Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, beisa oryxes and gerenuks. Mane-less lions, hyenas, and cheetahs elegantly stalk their prey of gazelles, elands, impalas, and other small creatures from the cover of tall grasses in Tsavo East and West National Parks!
These common animals are plenty to keep you intrigued and engaged, but imagine your excitement at seeing some of Kenya’s rarest fauna – African wild dogs, sable antelopes and many more! Kenya’s wildlife experiences extend into a smaller world that includes some of Africa’s “Little 5” from leopard tortoises to antlions.
3. The bird life will have you a flutter
Kenya’s wetlands and lakes of the Great Rift Valley are vital ecosystems that support some of the most beautiful and diverse avi-fauna species on earth! Stand along the shores of the famous alkaline Lake Nakuru where millions of flamingos gather to devour over 250,000 kilograms of the algae that lends to their brilliant pink plumage. These lesser and greater rosy-colored feathered creatures mingle amongst one of the highest concentrations of long-crested eagles, as well as cormorants, goliath herons, African fish eagles, pink-backed pelicans and other speckled birds, all accounting for only a small sample of the more than 450 recorded species. Lake Bogoria, another of the Great Rift Valley lakes, is one of the richest of Kenya’ Important Bird Areas with over 373 recorded bird species.
Like Lake Nakuru, the lake attracts millions of Lesser and Greater flamingos, but the raptors steal the show in fresh waters lakes like Baringo. Soaring high above you, powerful winged hunters scan the water for fish and other edible delights. In a flash, a tawny, steppe or fish eagle swoops down and grabs a twitching prey with its immense talons. Yet another cornucopia of avi-fauna is yours to explore at Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake that is situated at an elevation of 1890 meters. Set amidst a volcanic landscape, the lake attracts many of the most-desired birds – black herons, great white egrets, black-lored babblers, kingfishers, and many other of the over 450 species that have been recorded at the lake. Another smaller alkaline lake is Elementaita, sandwiched between Naivasha and Nakuru.
4. Visit Pristine Beaches, Eat Seafood and Sail in the Kenyan Coast
Kenya’s coastline and islands are what dreams are made of! The warm, turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean lap the shores of long stretches of white sand beaches of Kenya. Small islands like Funzi just beyond the South Coast offer peaceful seclusion away from the hectic pace of life in the modern world. Lamu Island is an enchanting blend of 13th-century architecture where time has stood still. Mombasa gives you the experience of an intriguing island and the quaint charm of a coastal destination on the north and south beaches. Venturing away from the coastal mainland into the city of Mombasa is other-worldly. The aroma of exotic spices fills the air as you pass Swahili houses in labyrinth streets, markets, mosques, churches, temples and other buildings with delicate Arabian architectural details.
Other seaside towns in Kenya are Watamu, offering unique coral formations in various bays, and Kilifi, a town that is known for the Mnarani Ruins from the 14th to 17th centuries. A utopian African beach holiday is found on Kenya’s many Indian Ocean islands, including Kiwayu, Lamu, Manda, Chale and Funzi. The islands of Lamu enhances your time in East Africa even more as it is the site of one of Kenya’s most well-preserved Swahili settlements. These locations not only offer spectacular historic settings, but a discerning vacation for every guest. From the distinct beachcomber to the underwater explorer and deep sea angler, Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastal beaches and islands have something for everyone! Talk to your Safiri Adventures beach representative today, and soon you will have the white sand of Kenya’ coast caressing through your toes.
5. Enlighten & Experience Kenya’s Fascinating Cultures
Cultural tours in Kenya give you up, close and personal experiences with the Maasai, Samburu, Swahili, Turkana, Pokot, El Molo, Rendille and other tribal people. Safiri Adventures arranges authentic village visits that go beyond mere scripted tours! You actually participate in the traditions and ceremonies of native tribes. Imagine being invited to a real Maasai wedding, into a Swahili family home in Lamu to help prepare a coastal meal and visit with Samburu village women while they show you how to make intricate beaded chokers. Closely related to the Maasai, the Samburu live in northern Kenya around the foothills of the Koitogor-Ololokwe Mountains in the Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs wilderness.
The pastoral setting and semi-nomadic lifestyle provides an untainted wilderness to live side by side with animals. A seaside holiday in eastern Kenya is an opportunity to interact with the Swahili people. The narrow streets in the coastal islands of Lamu are filled with the melodious sounds of traditional Swahili music, known as “taarab.” As you wander the streets, you find many signs of the Swahili culture in the architectural details. Take time to ask vendors in the small markets the story behind their artistic wares, as Swahili people use arts and crafts as a means of self-expression. As natives, Safiri Adventres can offer many more insights into Kenya’s fascinating cultures and arrange activities to give you an intimate and deep understanding of these and other ancient people.
6. Learn a bit of History at UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Kenya has six unique world heritage sites. They are Lamu Old Town, Fort Jesus, Kenya Lake Systems, Mijikenda Kaya Forests, Mt Kenya National Parks and Lake Turkana National Parks Archaeologists, paleoanthropologists and paleontologists from almost every part of the world come to Kenya to discover the earliest artifacts of humanity. Now you can visit the same internationally-recognized sites, and perhaps uncover your own clue to ancient human history. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lake Turkana is recognized for its significant contributions to archaeology, earning the reputation of being the “Cradle of Mankind.” One site alone, the Kobi Fora section, has advanced the science of paleontology more than any other place in Africa, with some relics being more than 3,000,000 years old.
Another well-known archaeological site is on Mfangano Island in Lake Victoria. The delicate light inside Mawanga Cave reveals rock art paintings that date back thousands of years. Another superb example of early rock art is in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The paintings are some of the oldest in Kenya, dating back to 1,000 to 3,000 years ago. You will be fascinated by the geometric pattern of circles and lines on the rose-hued stone.
Image Credit: Unesco
7. You can eat breakfast accompanied by giraffes
The famous Giraffe Manor is set in 12 acres of private land in a Nairobi suburb and allows guests to participate in sunset feeding sessions. Expect other impromptu feeding sessions: the herd of Rothschild giraffes will often poke their heads through the windows of the manor house for extra treats.
8. An Unrivalled Land Of Contrast And Diversity
The earliest African explorers found romance and adventure in the land of Kenya. Now you can follow in their footsteps to write your own magnificent story! Will you enter a fort in Mombasa and Lamu where soldiers stood ready to defend their positions at key locations? Will you study ancient architecture that reflects the numerous cultures that have called Kenya home? Will you test your fortitude by climbing Mount Kenya? Will you help track lions and other large predators in Laikipia? No matter how you spend your time, Kenya is a land of contrast and diversity that offers volcanic landscapes, wide open savannah plains, majestic mountain peaks, winding rivers, deep blue ocean, dense forests, white sand beaches, intriguing woodlands, lush wetlands, vast deserts and so much more!
As you travel through the country, you experience some of the world’ most precious creatures – abundant fish and marine life thriving amidst coral reefs, small reptiles and amphibians skittering across the ground, small and large mammals foraging and hunting alongside incredible avi-fauna of every shape, size and color! Whether you want to observe the Big Five, locate rare and endangered species, interact with ancient, outlandish cultures or trail into the depths of Gedi Forest to find ancient ruins, Kenya is your dream destination in Africa.
9. Shop for exceptional art, Jewellery, crafts and home décor pieces
Visit curio stores and buy perfect pieces to wear. When it comes to jewelry, you can always buy beautiful items in Maasai Market and other flea markets. You can also buy fabric to make clothes, décor items and furniture. Places to visit are Kitengela Glass Art, Kazuri beads and curio shops.
10. You can Sleep under the Stars
Loisaba Lodge is set in a 61,000 acre reserve, and guests can experience the wilderness by night in private huts open to the skies a 20-minute drive from the main building. Beds, which can be wheeled out into the open or taken inside if the weather turns, overlook either a watering hole or a river where there is every chance of catching sight or sound of passing game.
It sits in Laikipia, the most heavenly corner of the country. “This is the Africa of dreams: the air fragrant with the smell of greenery, alive with the sound of creatures, and, at night, lit up by what seems like a trillion stars,” says Lisa Grainger.
Image Credit: Loisaba photo by Hannah Campbell
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