Nairobi is Africa’s 4th largest city and is a vibrant and exciting place and although it has developed a reputation which keeps tourist visits brief there are some fascinating attractions: its café 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.
Situated in southwestern Kenya, the Masai Mara encompasses the celebrated national reserve and its surrounding community conservancies, forming part of the Greater Serengeti–Mara ecosystem. Rolling savannahs, dotted with acacia trees and crossed by the Mara River, create a rich and varied landscape. Vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope graze across the plains, while elephants, giraffes, and buffalo roam freely. The river’s lush banks support hippos and crocodiles and sustain wildlife throughout the dry season. Predators are abundant, with lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas regularly seen in action. Each year, the spectacular Great Migration transforms the region, as millions of wildebeest and zebra traverse the plains. Visitors can soak up the breathtaking scenery, diverse wildlife, and Maasai cultural heritage in one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations.
Situated in the heart of Tanzania, the Central Serengeti encompasses the world-famous Seronera Valley which is known for its prime wildlife-viewing opportunities. This picture-perfect landscape is characterised by endless stretches of savannah-covered open plains interspersed by rocky outcrops of granite and scattered with acacia woodlands and covered in a network of rivers and streams. The Central Serengeti forms part of the great wildebeest and zebra migration and provides an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife such as giraffe, impala, waterbuck, hippo, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, serval and much more. Popular activities include: game viewing, cultural tours, horse riding safaris, and hot air ballooning over the spectacularly scenic terrain.
Travellers heading for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater will pass through the town of Karatu in the green hills of Tanzania’s northern highlands. Presided over by the towering Ol Deani Volcano, this small, colourful town serves as a popular overnight stop for visitors exploring the area’s many game parks. The town offers a variety of activities including browsing the bustling marketplace, sampling beer at a local brewery, visiting a traditional homestead, or taking a guided walk through the Ngorongoro Forest in search of waterfalls and caves. Whether you are looking for cultural tours, hiking and biking opportunities, a chance to enjoy an authentic rural Tanzania experience, or simply a break between safari game drives, this underrated town has plenty to offer.
