Kenya's capital is the 4th larget city in Africa and a place of stark contrasts. Crowded, noisy and eternally busy, it is the economic, political and administrative centre of Kenya. Nevertheless, decades of regular international flights have made Nairobi the unrivalled gateway to East Africa, and since the vast majority of Kenya safaris start or end here, a safari pitstop in Nairobi is almost inevitable. Don't worry if you can't connect with a regional flight to the game reserves straight away - as a safari stopover, Nairobi has a variety of accommodations and attractions to keep you happy in the meantime.The city's suburbs, where many of Nairobi's best hotels and lodges are located, offer a tranquil contrast to the chaotic city centre and provide visitors with excellent safe accommodation and fine cuisine. They also make for a convenient base from which to access several local attractions which include the Karen Blixen Museum and the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, definitely not to be missed.
The Masai Mara together with Tanzania’s Serengeti form Africa’s most famous wildlife park, the Masai Mara National Reserve. The image of acacia trees dotting endless grass plains epitomises Africa for many, then add a Maasai warrior and some cattle to the picture and the conversation need go no further. The undeniable highlight of the Masai Mara National Reserve is undoubtedly the annual wildebeest migration traversing the vast plains of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. It is known as the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet – with more than a million animals following the rains. Large prides of lions, herds of elephants, as well as giraffes, gazelles and eland can also be spotted in the reserve. Aside from horse riding safaris and traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Mara plains has become almost essential.
