The popular image of safari, especially in the west, is inseparable from Kenya. At the beginning of the last century, talented writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Karen Blixen brought to life the vivid images and uplifting life experience that constitutes a safari in Kenya. It is at this time that leading celebrities of the time such as Teddy Roosevelt and Prince Edward traveled to Kenya on safari. And so the safari gained a certain snobby appeal. The famous were because it was expected of them. And those who are on the way because the safari was part of the certification they needed on the way. If you want to get a glimpse of the mood and character of the players at the time, read Hemingway’s intriguing short story “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber.”

Nowadays, however, a safari in Kenya is accessible to many more people. Despite competition from other destinations, Kenya remains the heart of the African safari experience. The magnificence and diversity of the wildlife and landscape is second to none. You’re guaranteed to check off the entire Big Five list: lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino, and elephant. Other lesser known but essential and authoritative members of the savanna ecosystem are also abundant. The landscape kaleidoscope unfolds the magnificent Rift Valley, the Central Highlands, the savannah grasslands, the snowy Mount Kenya and the desolate lunar landscape of the north. Perhaps this is why experts advise all faithful wildlife and nature lovers that at least once in their lives they should take part in a safari in Kenya.

Kenya has more than 50 national parks and game reserves where wildlife is protected. But as you already suspect, on an average safari you can’t hope to cover them all. So it’s good that you get great value for money by visiting just a few of them. This is, of course, unless you have a lot of time and can afford to get off the beaten track. The most popular and those with limited time and budget to choose from are: Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Aberdares, Samburu, and Tsavo. The best in the off-the-beaten-path category for wildlife or back-to-nature activities are: Kakamega Forest, Marsabit, Meru, Mount Kenya, Mount Elgon, and Shimba Hills.

Maasai Mara is the largest. This is where you should go even when all the time you can spend is two nights. This is mainly where all those wild life videos are filmed in Kenya. The Mara, as the Maasai Mara Game Reserve is commonly known, is part of the ecosystem that includes the equally famous Serengeti of Tanzania. Covering 320 square kilometers, it is nestled in the southwestern corner of the country. Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is hard to believe. We have a two night visit, I saw lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, wild boar, hyena, jackal, wild dog, buffalo, leopard, nine types of antelope and elephants. Birds are also abundant: secretaries, cranes, storks, vultures and ostriches.

It is in Mara where perhaps the most spectacular event in the natural world takes place. I mean the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti in search of water and grass. The moment of the phenomena is conditioned to the rains and occurs between June and August. The reverse trip is usually made in October. With or without migration, Mara has a large number of resident animals and you are sure to have a good wildlife viewing experience whatever time of year you visit. If you have sufficient funds, consider taking a balloon trip over the reserve. This popular and memorable walk usually begins before sunrise and includes a champagne breakfast. The Mara is 5 hours from Nairobi by road and 45 minutes by plane.

Amboseli National Park is located on the lower slopes of mighty Kilimanjaro, the peak of which is across the border in Tanzania. It is quite an experience to see Kilimanjaro floating above the clouds early in the morning. As the photography enthusiast can imagine, the mountain provides a spectacular backdrop for animal photography. Amboseli is famous for its huge herds of elephants. You will also see buffalo, black rhinos, zebras, wildebeest, and other simple animals. Lions and other cats can be seen, but they are less abundant here than in Mara. The park is 3 hours from Nairobi by road and can be accessed via Namanga, the border post between Kenya and Tanzania.

Lake Nakuru’s claim to fame is based on its flamingos and the more than 400 species of birds found here. The lake itself is a soda lake on the floor of the Rift Valley. The sight of the sometimes millions of flamingos is quite spectacular. From a distance, the lake appears surrounded by pink. Lake Nakuru is also home to a sanctuary for the endangered black and white rhino. Lions, Rothschild giraffes, buffalo and baboons are all residents here. The park is the most accessible of the largest parks in Kenya and is only two hours from Nairobi by road.

At the same distance from Nairobi as Lake Nakuru is the Aberdares National Park. The park has a diverse topography that includes waterfalls, rainforests and rivers that supply water to millions of people in Nairobi. The flora and fauna is quite unique and cannot be found anywhere else in the country except Mount Kenya. Here you can find leopards, elephants, rhinos and the rare bongo. But the dense vegetation and inclement weather make it difficult to detect animals. However, you are guaranteed to see some animals, especially elephants and buffalo, in the lighted waterholes of the two famous tree hotels, The Ark and Treetops.

Students of British royal family history will recall that it was at Treetops in 1952 that then-Princess Elizabeth was staying on her honeymoon when her father, King George VI, died. He descended from Treetops to take on the grueling role of presiding over the distant dominions and colonies of the empire. If you stay at Treetops you will surely meet some of their fans.

Although not as famous as the Mara, Samburu National Park is another haven for wildlife. Here you can see lions, elephants, cheetahs and the elusive leopard. Some animals are unique to this northern park: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, kudu, and gerenuk. You will find the semi-arid landscape quite dramatic. On your trip to Samburu, you may also want to visit the nearby Shaba and Buffalo Springs Game Reserves. Also, this is the place to go on a camel safari. Samburu is three hours from Nairobi by road.

Tsavo is so huge, all 20,000 square kilometers, that it is managed as two units: Tsavo West and Tsavo East. This is the closest park to Mombasa on the coast. The park is three and a half hours from Nairobi by road. You will find large herds of elephants, especially in Tsavo East. Tsavo West is full of crocodiles, vervet monkeys, antelopes, baboons, giraffes, and hippos. It is in Tsavo that the poachers were most successful in their bloody rampage and this saw a dramatic drop in the elephant population. The good guys have won in recent years and the numbers are rebounding.

But the Kenyan authorities remain extremely cautious about the future of the elephant in Tsavo. The country is very active in seeking a permanent ban on the international ivory trade. I wish at this point to declare to everyone that I am a great admirer of the African elephant. I think this is the true king of the jungle and not that overrated suitor, the lion. You may remember from the movie “Tsavo’s Man Eaters” how cowardly lions disrupted the construction of the railway in the Tsavo area by feeding on labor. Would true royalty be involved in such a shameful affair?

Kenya is a year-round safari destination. The rains arrive around April-May and November-December. However, this does not greatly affect the ability of travelers to move. This is except for the densely forested Aberdares. In the rainy season, the Aberdares roads are extremely slippery and the park is sometimes closed. Generally, the best time to go on safari is during the drier months, when the grass is short and it is much easier to spot animals. But in areas like Mara, the animals are so abundant that you will see many of them regardless of the season. The peak tourist season falls around January to February and July to August. April to June is the low season and prices for accommodation in hostels can be up to 40% lower than in the high season.

Accommodation on a safari ranges from basic camp to luxury cabins and tent camps. There, in the bush, you will be pleasantly surprised that all the trimmings of the 5-star accommodations are available. But if you want to have a hard time, you will find campsites in almost every game reserve and national park. Information on accommodation options in Kenya’s hotels, lodges and resorts is available online.

In general, it is recommended to take an escorted Kenya safari package that includes transportation, park fees, and accommodation. The reason for this is that tour guides generally know the animals well, where to find them and how to get there and have other useful local knowledge. Take a look at some offers of different durations and budgets.

But if you have a lot of time and need more freedom to move around, then rent a vehicle in Nairobi or Mombasa. For car rental in Kenya, you can choose between driverless or chauffeured vehicles. On safari, wear light cotton and linen clothing. Warmer clothing is needed for the evenings and for your morning safari. Some rain gear is recommended between March and June and October and December.

You should bring a decent pair of sunglasses. The glare you experience in bright tropical light is a new and uncomfortable experience for most. It is also a good idea to bring a pair of binoculars. They are very useful for spotting animals and will earn you the envy of your less knowledgeable travel companions.

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