Resting in the magnificent Great Rift Valley and presided over by the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya is characterised by hauntingly beautiful natural landscapes of forested hills, patchwork farms, wooded savanna and vast forests brimming with an extraordinary abundance of wildlife. The nation’s diverse range of traditional African cultures is influenced by over 70 unique ethnic groups from the Maasai, Samburu, Kikuyu, and Turkana tribes to the Arabs and Indians that settled on the coast. Add to this: an exquisite tropical coastline fringed with breathtaking golden sand beaches; gorgeous coral gardens providing excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities; and a slew of lively beach resorts, and it is easy to see why so many visitors flock here from around the world to experience a truly unique African adventure in one of the world’s most pristine safari destinations.
Situated along the Nairobi River in beautiful Kenya, the capital of Nairobi is East Africa's most cosmopolitan city. It serves as an excellent starting point for African safari trips around Kenya. Nairobi is Africa’s 4th largest city and is a vibrant and exciting place to be. There are some fascinating attractions: its cafe culture, unbridled nightlife, the National Museum, the Karen Blixen Museum and most notably, just 20 minutes from the city centre, wild lions and buffalo roam in the world’s only urban game reserve. Make sure you pay a visit to the elephant orphanage operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for a once in a lifetime experience.
Sandwiched between Mount Kenya and the northern deserts, Laikipia is where Kenya’s wild and semi-arid northern frontier country begins. The region is made up of privately owned and community ranches centred around the Laikipia National Reserve. Known as one of Kenya’s best safari areas, and renowned for its protection of rare animals, the high plains of Laikipia feature vast open stretches of African savanna scattered with abundant game including Grevy’s zebras, lions, leopards, black rhinos, wild dogs, buffalos, giraffes, lesser kudu, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, Jackson’s hartebeest, Somali ostrich, and thousands of elephants. Take a boat trip along the beautiful Ewaso Nyiro River, enjoy a guided walk, bird discovery tour, horse ride, and more. Laikipia is often seen as a strong competitor with Masai Mara Park. The breathtaking Great Lakes of Kenya are nearby.
Bordering the capital city of Nairobi, in beautiful Kenya, the Nairobi National Park is one of Africa's smallest parks and one of the only parks on earth to be in such close proximity to a city centre. It boasts a large and varied wildlife population, amid wide open grass plains against a backdrop of city scrapers. The park is home to one of Kenya's most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries with the world's highest concentration of black rhinoceros. Its wetland areas are abundant with birdlife boasting over 400 bird species. Visitors can enjoy the many facilities the park has to offer such as scenic picnic sites, well-positioned campsites, and hiking trails. Commonly spotted species include lion, hyena, warthog, zebra, giraffe, ostrich, gazelle, buffalo, and sometimes if you're lucky, leopard and cheetah.
Encompassed by the golden grass and the flat-topped acacia trees of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, Mara Ripoi Conservancy features an abundant variety of wildlife - especially Maasai giraffes - for visitors to explore. Lions, cheetahs, elephants, herbivores and more roam freely from one wildlife area to the next. With only three small safari camps in residence at any given time, nature enthusiasts will have thousands of acres of conservation at their fingertips to enjoy in solitude. Local Maasai guides are available to share their extensive knowledge of what to see and do while visiting here.
Situated along Kenya's picturesque coastline, Malindi is comprised of a strip of idyllic tropical beaches and perhaps the best is Che Shale beach. These vast stretches of white, sandy, palm-dotted beaches attract people from all over the world. It provides an excellent stopover for travellers on their way to the magnificent islands of the Lamu Archipelago. However, Malindi itself is definitely worth a visit, boasting clear blue skies meeting azure waters fringed by white-sand beaches; it is the perfect destination for those looking for a blend of adventure and relaxation. There are a range of places to stay ranging from large resorts to quiet relaxing hideaways. Popular activities include: deep-sea fishing, snorkelling, water skiing, swimming, as well as local village visits. Don’t miss the nearby Malindi Marine Park offering spectacular coral reefs full of tropical fish.
