A quintessential Kenyan Safari is – of course – the country’s biggest drawcard, with countless safari enthusiasts arriving every year to experience The Great Migration and to tick the famed Big Five off their bucket lists, however there’s a lot more to see and do.
You can paint the town red in the country’s buzzing restaurants and nightclubs, shop till you drop in its sprawling, vibrant cities and with a spectacular coastline you can worship the sun under swaying palms on pristine powder soft beaches. Gently sailing around remote coral islands and reefs teeming with fish on a humble dhow is a great way to experience Kenya’s tropical Indian Ocean coast while a camel safari led by experienced Samburu Moran (warriors) in the northern tribal areas of the Samburu and Turkana is a fantastic way to combine wildlife, culture, landscapes, and adventure. Whatever your dream African getaway looks like, Kenya has it all!
Masai Mara
This sweeping savannah in Southwest Kenya is one of the world’s top safari destinations and home to an abundance of wildlife, where you can spot the Big Five and witness the epic Great Migration. The Masai Mara in Kenya is one of the worlds’ most iconic places for safaris and is home to the Maasai tribe with their distinct red traditional Shuka (checkered cloth). A visit to the Maasai villages for a first-hand insight into this legendary tribe’s way of life and their historical and spiritual bond with the land is an absolute must when visiting this magical region.
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya’s capital and largest city and is legendary for its colourful colonial history. This cosmopolitan city and cultural hub offer many attractions from National Parks to, art galleries and museums like the Nairobi National Museum housing exhibits on Kenya's history, nature, culture, and contemporary art.
Samburu
In northern Kenya, Samburu National Reserve is considered one of the best safari destinations in the country. This region is also home to the Samburu people, famed for their many strands of brightly coloured beaded jewellery. If you are interested learning more about their culture, the best way to get to know the Samburu is to stay at a community-run lodge or enjoy a walking or camel safari with Samburu safari guides.
Great Rift Valley
East Africa’s Great Rift Valley stretches from Tanzania through Kenya and into Ethiopia with most of it falling within Kenya’s Rift Valley Province, which is said to be the most beautiful section. This is a geological wonder offering some of the continent’s most breath-taking natural scenery in a diverse mix of dramatic landscapes comprised of mountain highlands, indigenous forest, gorges, beautiful lakes and savannahs. The region is teeming with an enormous diversity of wild animals, birds and plants with spectacular destinations like Lake Nakuru National Park which offers rare wildlife encounters, and the sparkling waters of Lake Naivasha which are perfect for a boating safari, or a walking safari on the lake’s idyllic Crescent Island. With soaring cliffs, bursting gorges and dusty valleys Hell’s Gate National Park is a great spot to cycle, hike or rock climb. It is also home to some of Kenya’s amazing cultural tribes, including the Maasai and the Samburu.
Kenyan Coast
For the ultimate beach holiday, Diani Beach is known for its powder white sands, azure waters, and ritzy resorts. Here the Indian Ocean beckons with a chance to explore one of the best coral reefs in the world where visitors can enjoy snorkelling alongside turtles, parrot fish and dolphins. Diani also boasts some high-end restaurants serving fresh sea food and vibrant bars for cocktails with spectacular sea views.
Aberdare National Park
Situated in Kenya’s central highlands, Aberdare National Park is one of the country’s most enticing hidden gems. Among the beautiful waterfalls, rivers, hills, and natural bamboo forests visitors will discover the many wild animals that thrive here, such as lions, buffalos, leopards, colobus monkeys, and baboons.
Four amazing holidays in one
Best of South Africa Travel put together the most phenomenal trip for our family with minimal input from ourselves. Work and family commitments meant we trusted our holiday planning entirely to Ash and she did us proud. Ash put together a fantastic Garden Route itinerary for our family of four combining a great Safari, Plettenburg Bay activities, Winelands and then …