Kenya, on the east coast of Africa, is the original home of ‘safari’ and the cradle of mankind. Spend time encountering huge herds of wildebeest and the “big five” in the Maasai Mara in southern Kenya, the natural wonder of the Great Rift Valley with flamingo-covered lakes, the dramatic landscapes and fascinating culture of Maasai and Samburu, and the beauty of the tropical coastline.

Kenya is one of the best destinations in Africa for safari. The country is made famous by the book and film Out of Africa, and Kenya holds a special place in the hearts of Africa-lovers. One of the best places for game-viewing year-round is the Maasai Mara, part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem, where you’ll find big cats in plenty, and during some months it is also home to huge herds of wildebeest grazing on the sweeping plains on their annual migration.

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 seven lakes some of which are ‘Ramsar sites’ 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 to relax on miles of white sand beaches.

KENYA TOURIST CIRCUITS

  • Masai Mara & Southern Kenya
  • Mombasa and the Coast
  • The Great Rift Valley
  • Laikipia and Northern Kenya
  • Nairobi and Central Kenya

Maasai Mara & Southern Circuit

The Maasai Mara is one of the most renowned safari destinations in Africa and for good reason. Its plains are home to huge concentrations of game and every year, from July to October, over two million wildebeest flood the plains providing one of nature’s most extraordinary sights. The camps and lodges here are usually traditional in style for an authentic safari experience.

The Chyulu Hills form a spectacular, though little known, reserve between the Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks. The terrain is a mixture of rolling foothills and open short-grass plains, and although many of the “big five” can be seen, the wildlife is more interesting than abundant. Lesser kudu, Beisa oryx and cheetah are among the more unusual species that can be seen. Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya at around 21,000 sq km, and Tsavo East consists mainly of vast plains of scrubland, home to huge herds of elephant.

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Mombasa and the Coast

The region comprises of the Indian Ocean coastal strip with the capital city of Mombasa, covering an area of 83,603 km2. It is inhabited by the Mijikenda, Swahili, and a cosmopolitan mix of Kenyan Asians, Europeans and Arabs among others. The region has six counties: Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu and Taita Taveta.

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The Great Rift Valley

The Great Rift Valley is the continuous geographic trough, about 6,000 km long, that cuts through Africa and runs from Syria in North West Asia to Mozambique in Eastern Africa. The name was given by the late 19th century explorer John Walter Gregory. Scientists say that the Rift Valley was formed about 20 million years ago when the earth’s crust weakened and tore itself apart creating the jagged rift across the African continent. During this phenomenon, great volcanic mountains were formed by eruptions on either side of the valley, while the valley floor gradually sank into the flat plain as it is known today.

The Great Rift Valley divides Kenya down the length of the country. The width varies from about 100 km to its narrowest width of about 45 km just north of Nairobi. The depth of the valley floor also varies, being at the lowest near the Lake Turkana. Apart from the Rift Valley itself, the area has other important geographic features such as the  extinct volcanoes, Mount Longonot and Mount Suswa, Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, Lake Magadi, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, the Suguta Valley and Lake Turkana.

Rift Valley covers an area of 173,854 km2 (42,960,000 acres), and has 13 counties namely; Turkana, West Pokot,  Samburu, Trans-nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Baringo, Laikipia, Nakuru, Kajiado, Kericho and Bomet.

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Laikipia and Northern Kenya

Laikipia District is a vast plateau running from the foothills of Mount Kenya to the edge of the Great Rift Valley and covering over 9500km. Large areas of open grassland in the north and south are dominated by acacias, and olive and cedar forest characterise the east of the plateau. Home to such diverse tribes as the Samburu, Kikuyu and Boran.

Home to such diverse tribes as the Samburu, Kikuyu and Boran, the combination of abundant wildlife and exceptional scenic beauty has enabled Laikipia to become a world leader in the development of pioneering conservation initiatives.

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Nairobi and Central Kenya

Nairobi the capital city of Kenya is situated in the southern part of the country at an altitude of 1,660 metres above sea level. It is considered one of the most prominent cities in Africa, housing many multinational companies and organizations, including many UN bodies. Today, Nairobi is a cosmopolitan city attracting different ethnicities and nationalities, and has a population currently estimated at 4 million.

The construction of the Mombasa to Kisumu railway played an important part in the development of Nairobi and is an indispensable element of its life and economy. It is widely considered to be the beginning of the development of Nairobi as it is known today. The railway line reached the site where Nairobi now lies on 30th May 1899, when the city was just bare open plain roamed by grazing wild game.

There were no inhabitants, except the nomadic Maasai community. The Masai called this place “Enkare Nyirobi,”meaning the place of cool waters; the name has since changed to Nairobi.

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