Kenya is one of the most popular African safari destinations, known for its bustling Cities, spectacular landscapes and wide array of wildlife species including the big five animals, white-sandy beaches, plethora of bird species, friendly and hospitable people and many other attractions that will definitely blow your mind.
About Kenya.
With a total area of 582,646 square kilometers (58,264,600 hectares)-about the size of USA’s Texas State, Kenya is the 48th largest country in the whole World and with a population of 47,564,296 people (according to 2019 Census), it is the 29th most populous country in the World. It is comprised of 8 Provinces that include Nairobi (also the Capital City), Western, Central, Rift Valley, Coastal, North-eastern, Eastern and Nyanza Provinces that are also sub-divided into districts.
Much as Nairobi is the largest and Capital City of this country, the first Capital and oldest City is Mombasa, hence its popularity. This East African country’s economy is the 3rd largest in Sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa and Nigeria.
History of Kenya.
Kenya was named after Mount Kenya-second highest Mountain in Africa and the highest Mountain in the country. Fossil evidence discovered in Kenya indicates that the area was occupied by primates for over 20 million years. Hominid fossils within the Turkana area show that Homo habilis and Homo erectus (ancestors of the present Homo sapiens) stayed in Kenya during the Pleistocene epoch. Because of these evidences, scientists believe that Kenya and Tanzania are the original birthplace of humans.
Based on archeological evidence (such as skeletons and artifacts), Kenya was first inhabited by hunter-gatherer people related to the present-day Khoisan speakers. Later, the lowland areas were occupied by the Cushites between 3200 and 1300 BC. They were followed by the Nilotic-speaking pastoralists from the contemporary South Sudan at approximately 500 BC. The modern day Nilotic people in Kenya are the Turkana, Kalenjin, Maasai, Samburu and Luo.
The Bantu-speaking people migrated into the area via the Coast, bringing new techniques and ways of life like iron works and farming. The Bantu are the modern-day Ambeere, Luhya, Mijikenda, Kuria, Wapokomo, Kikuyu, Meru, Wadawida-watuweta, Kisii, Aembu and Kamba.
Trading relations with Arabs and Coastal Towns such as Mombasa and Malindi started by the 1st Century, leading to the introduction of Islam. Europeans (starting with the Portuguese) also began occupying parts of Kenya by the 15th Century with Portuguese Voyager proclaiming Mombasa a wonderful place of traffic and described it as a good harbor. The Swahili Coast was already conquered and under the direct rule of Omani Arabs by the 17th Century and they went as far as expanding the slave trade market to meet the growing demands of labor for Oman and Zanzibar plantations.
These were indirect conquering and ordinary settlements but successful colonization of the country started in the 19th Century with the European exploration of Kenya’s interior
Contemporary Kenya emanated from the British Protectorate in 1895 and this was followed by the Kenya Colony that started in 1920. The Kenya Colony however had several disagreements with the United Kingdom, leading to the MAU MAU uprising that started in 1952. It is from this Revolution that the country gained its independence in 1963.
Even after gaining Independence in 1963, Kenya still maintained active membership status in the Commonwealth of Nations and subsequently gained membership in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Criminal Court (ICC), United Nations (UN), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and many other International Organizations.
Location.
Kenya is located within Eastern Africa across the Equator and shares its borders with Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the south, South Sudan to the north-west, Somalia to the East, Ethiopia to the North as well as the Indian Ocean to the South-east.
Climate.
Kenya is characterized by diverse climate ranging from the arid climate in the north and northeastern parts, temperate to the Tropical climate along the Coast. There are however two significant seasons-rainy and dry seasons.
The rainy season is divided into long rains during the months of March, April, May as well as June and short rainy season in the Months of October, November and December. The rainy season is characterized by occasional heavy rains in the afternoons and evenings.
Dry season occurs in the remaining months and characterized by high temperatures, with the hottest/driest months being February and March as it approaches the rainy season. Inland and areas of high elevations experience cold nights and early mornings but remember that every month (whether rainy or dry) experiences a great deal of sunshine.
Great migration in Masai Mara National Reserve.
Each year between the months of July and October, the Masai Mara National Reserve receives millions of wildebeests accompanied by Impalas, Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles, common elands and zebras from Serengeti National Park of Tanzania. These movements follow rain patterns as animals search for fresh pastures.
Interestingly, the Great Migration is more popular, breathtaking and unforgettable in Masai Mara National Reserve because of the Mara River crossing as animals have to rush through the crocodile-infested River for a battle their lives. “Rush or be eaten by the crocodiles” and the battle never ends there as they sometimes encounter hungry lions waiting from the banks.
NATIONAL PARKS AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS.
Kenya boasts of vast land area for National Parks including Amboseli National Park known for its free-ranging elephants and jaw-dropping views of Tanzania’s Mountain Kilimanjaro, National Reserves like Masai Mara National Reserve where millions of wildebeests, zebras, gazelle and other animals take part in one of the World’s greatest wildlife migrations, Wildlife Sanctuaries and other magnificent attractions. Beyond the popular National Parks and Reserves are beautiful coastal treasures and activities such as diving in coral-rich gardens, snorkeling and unwinding on white sand beaches. Majority of the country’s mammals, reptiles, birds and Amphibians are found in the National Parks and Reserves. The following are the most popular and must-visit National Parks/Reserves/Wildlife Sanctuaries and other popular tourist destinations of Kenya;
Masai Mara National Reserve.
Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most popular safari destinations in Africa and is popular for the Great migration involving millions of wildebeests, zebras, impalas, gazelles and common elands from and back to Serengeti National Park. This Reserve as named after the Masai people who occupy areas surrounding the Reserve and still maintain their authentic culture and way of life.
It is also famous for its high populations of big five animals-elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos as well as cheetahs, Hippos and crocodiles in the Mara River, impalas, Defassa waterbucks, stripped hyenas, caracals, serval cats, African wild dogs and many others.
Amboseli National Park.
Covering an area of only 392 square kilometers, Amboseli National Park is another popular destination in Kenya and is crowned by the awe-inspiring snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro peaks. This Park derived its name from a Masai word “Empusel” meaning “salty dust”, owing to the Protected Area’s parched and dusty conditions.
Amboseli National Park is one of the few places to see free-ranging elephants in addition to Defassa waterbucks, cheetahs, Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelles, impalas, buffaloes, Rhinos, common elands, Masai giraffes and many others. Birders can be delighted to the 400 species of birds while nature lovers have chances of exploring different habitats that include woodlands, dried-up Lakes, sweeping savannah plains and Sulphur springs.
Lake Nakuru National Park.
Set within the Central side of Kenya is the spectacular Lake Nakuru National Park, home to large numbers of colorful flamingos. Lake Nakuru National Park was gazetted in 1961 and protects significant numbers of common warthogs, Lions, Black rhinos, Defassa waterbucks, prides of lions, African rock pythons and leopards in addition to over 450 species of birds.
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is popular for rescuing, protecting and rehabilitating orphaned elephants. Since its establishment in 1977 by Dr. Daphne Sheldrick (in memory of her husband, founding warden of Tsavo East National Park), the Center has successfully raised over 263 Orphan elephants.
Baby elephants here are hand-reared (including bottle-feeding) until 2-3 years when they have to be sent into the “Reintegration Center” within Tsavo East National Park and finally released into the other National Parks across the country. This Center is strategically set at the main gates of Nairobi National Park, making it possible for visitors to see elephants that are absent in Nairobi Park.
Tsavo East and West National Parks.
The Tsavo National Park ecosystem, comprising of Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks was gazetted in 1948 and is the largest Park in the country extending for over 20,812 square kilometers. The construction of the Nairobi-Mombasa highway through the Protected Area divided it into two parks – Tsavo West covering only 9,065 square kilometers (30% of the whole Tsavo ecosystem).
It shelters Cape buffaloes, porcupines, leopards, zebras, Rhinos, lesser and greater kudu, cheetahs, Dik-dik and Tree hyraxes among others.
Tsavo East covers an area of 13,747 square kilometers and is more arid with River Athi draining through its landscape. Wildlife in this Park are Gerenuk, elephants, crocodiles, lesser kudu, Buffaloes, lions, Hirola, Rhinos, Defassa waterbucks, leopards and lions.
Nairobi City and National Park.
The legendary City of Nairobi is another popular tourist attraction for Kenya tours, known for its interesting colonial history and cultural diversity. Visitors to the City therefore have chances of exploring its historical and cultural sites that include Karen Blixen Museum, the Nairobi National Museum showcasing items on contemporary art, history, culture and nature.
For anyone who desires to undertake a safari, the National Park is just 10 minutes’ drive from the City Center. This small National Park offers views of the City’s sky scrapers in addition to wildlife such as wildebeests, spotted hyenas, four of the big five animals (leopards, black rhinoceros, lions and buffaloes), cheetahs, common elands, zebras and many others, not forgetting over 400 species of birds to watch-out for.
Malindi.
Visitors to Kenya can also soak in the rich Swahili culture, dive in the coral reefs of the Indian Ocean and relax on white sand beaches by visiting Malindi. This Beach Town is set on the extreme north of Mombasa on the Kenyan Coast and offers the most unforgettable beach relaxation. Swahili history comes alive here with tours of St. Francis Xavier Church-one of the oldest Churches in East Africa, Jamil Mosque and many others.
Mount. Kenya.
At an altitude of 5199 meters above sea level, Mount Kenya’s is the country’s highest mountain and Africa’s second highest Mountain after Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro that towers at 5895 meters above sea level. Its slopes are blanketed by verdant forest and peak covered by snow, yet the mountain is one of the easiest-to-climb mountains for any physically fit hiker/climber.
Other popular National Parks and attractions to explore during Kenya Tours include Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves, Lakes Bogoria and Baringo National Reserves, Meru National Park, Hell’s Gate National Park, Lamu Island, Lake Naivasha National Park, Mombasa City and Marine National Park, Aberdare Mountains National Park, Mount Elgon National Park and many others.
TOP EXCITING THINGS TO DO DURING KENYA TOURS.
Given the many tourist destinations in Kenya, tourist activities are undeniably many but the top ones include;
Game drives.
What are Kenya tours without game drives? Besides, your trip to this country wouldn’t be complete without exploring Masai Mara National Park, the home to classic and World-class game drives. You will witness the World’s greatest animal migration, spot the big five animals, photograph some of the most spectacular landscapes, visit the nearby Masai communities to mesmerize on the culture of one of the tribes not affected by modernity.
Enjoy Nairobi City’s nightlife.
The City of Nairobi boasts of a thrilling and lively modern nightlife that cannot be equaled to any other City in Africa with many cocktail lounges and clubs, bars and street carnivals with blend of local and foreign culture.
Watch the breathtaking feathered beauties.
More than 1100 species of birds call the different ecosystems-Lakes, Rivers, forests, woodlands, open plains and mountains of Kenya home. The top birding destinations in the country include Lake Nakuru known for its colorful pink flamingos, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve and many other National Parks/Reserves.
Care for orphaned elephants at David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
Set within the outskirts of Nairobi City is the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, founded in 1977 to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephants before being restored back into the wild. Visitors can get a chance to foster baby elephants (through bottle feeding) and other activities.
Witness the Great Migration in Masai Mara National Reserve.
Arriving from the Serengeti plains of Tanzania are millions of wildebeests accompanied by hundreds of thousands of Zebras, Gazelles, impalas and common elands, being required to thunderously cross the crocodile-infested waters of Mara River. This exodus can be witnessed during hot air balloon safaris, game drives or walking safaris.
Soak in the sun and white sand at Diani Beach.
Diani Beach is about 17 kilometers along the south Coast of Kenya and offers the best relaxation and get away from the bustling cities. This white sand beach also has turquoise waters protected by coral reef gardens, making it ideal for scuba diving, kitesurfing as well as snorkeling and jet skiing.
Dhow cruise at Lamu Island.
Dhow cruises are common of Kenya’s Coast and undertaking the activity at Lamu Island offers an extraordinary experience. It makes it possible to discover Swahili culture’s golden age marked by slave Trade.
Scuba dive or snorkel the Indian Ocean.
Scuba Diving and snorkeling tours in Kenya are conducted within Shimoni, Diani and Tiwi, best conducted in the months of August, September, October, November, December, January, February and March when waves are gentler and Ocean smoother. For persons interested in exploring marine life should just take a trip to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, home to sea turtles, whales, dolphins, whale sharks as well as over 56 coral species and about 250 species of tropical fish.
Other must-try activities during Kenya Tours include tours of AFEW Giraffe Center, watching rhinos at Lewa Conservancy, commune with the crocodiles of Lake Turkana, explore the National Parks on a hot air balloon, tour the Bio-Ken Snake Farm, ride on a bike through Hell’s Gate National Park, tour the old Town of Mombasa, sleep beneath the Stars (at Stars beds Safari Camp within Loisaba Conservancy).
WHERE TO STAY?
Accommodation facilities in Kenya comprise of Hotels, Safari Lodges, Campsites, Tented Camps, Resorts and Guesthouses for different categories of tours and travel budgets. For every destination you visit in Kenya (Urban Centers, National Parks, Reserves and other major attractions), you will definitely find a number of places to stay. Campsites are perfect for travelers who wish to get up-close to nature and are mostly in Game Reserves and national parks, with minimal environmental impacts.
Tented Camps in midrange and luxury categories offer cozy options in National Parks and Reserves and are most times furnished with comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, flushing eco-toilets and other amenities for relaxation.
Hotels are mainly within Urban Centers/Cities and range from budget to Luxury while Apartments and Rental Homes in form of rustic Swahili Houses make staying in Kenya magical and unforgettable. Cottages and Homestays allow visitors to experience Kenya’s local life.
For visitors to Nairobi City, try the Hemingway Nairobi and Sankara Nairobi while the Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Elewana Tortilis Camp and Kibo Safari Camp make your stay in Amboseli National Park unforgettable. For Masai Mara tours, travelers can stay at the Mara Serena Safari Lodge, andBeyond Bateleur Camp and Keekorok Lodge among others.
WHEN TO UNDERTAKE KENYA TOURS.
Kenya tours are conducted all year round but the perfect time to visit is the dry months of June to October because these are wonderful wildlife viewing months. If the Great Migration is part of your tour plans, then visit between June and October.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE UNDERTAKING KENYA TOURS.
Visas.
Visas are required for travelers to Kenya, except Citizen from Visa-exempt countries.
People and language.
Kenyans are welcoming and friendly people and the country is multilingual. English and Swahili are the commonly-spoken languages throughout Kenya.
Safety and transport.
Most tourists rent cars for driving around Kenya, especially driving to National Parks, Reserves and other safari destinations
Vaccinations.
Yellow fever vaccination certificates are mandatory for travelers (above one year) to Kenya.
Kenya Shilling is the local currency but foreign currencies such as US Dollars, Pound Sterling and Euros are accepted at International Tented Camps and Hotels.
Food and water.
Avoid drinking tap water and eating street foods during Kenya Tours to avoid cases of running stomachs, typhoid and cholera. Opt for bottled water and for foods, there are a number of eateries in the Cities and safari destinations offering clean local and international foods.
Tipping.
Tipping of safari drivers, guides in tourist destinations, waiters/waitresses and other support is not mandatory in Kenya although it is courteous to appreciate a good and unforgettable service rendered.
THINGS TO PACK.
For Kenya tours, make sure to pack insect repellant, travel documents (passport, e-ticket, driver’s license and travel/medical insurance covers), medication (anti-malaria and anti-diarrhea tablets), pair of binoculars, flashlight, toiletries (lotion, toothpaste, hair gel, toothbrush, deodorant and other personal items), camera with enough batteries and memory space, sunglasses, pair of shorts, swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, reading material, sandals, short and long-sleeved shirts, credit card and hiking boots.
