The enchanting wilderness and big game of Kenya has always attracted explorers from all corners of the world. Kenya gives wildlife adventure seekers the chance to experience an incredible range of landscapes, unique natural features and species as well as an endless array of ecosystems.
With 27 national parks and 33 national reserves hosting over 4 million animals, Kenya is a paradise for the wildlife enthusiast. From the internationally acclaimed Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration to East and Central Africas greatest concentration of flamingos wading in Lake Nakuru, Kenya offers some of the best wildlife safari adventures in the world.
Every year, thousands of visitors from around the world flock into the Masai Mara to witness the great wildebeest migration. The migration takes place between July and October, with about 2 million wildebeest, and hundreds of thousands of zebras and Thompson gazelles crossing from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania into the Mara. The migration pattern is dictated by the availability of water and pasture in the two game reserves, due to the different rainfall patterns. The large ungulates start their northward journey at the end of May, the onset of the dry season in the Serengeti.
With or without the great migration, the Mara is a fascinating wildlife watching destination throughout the year. Many people nevertheless like taking a Masai Mara safari at the time of the wildebeest migration. However, timing the migration is a tricky matter because the migration schedule is dictated by the rains.
Placed in Kenya's southwest, the Mara is approximately 300km from Nairobi and is operated and managed by the local Maasai community. Traveling to the Mara will take you about 45 minutes by flight from Nairobi and 5 hours by road. You can find scheduled flights to Masai Mara at either Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Wilson airport in Nairobi. You can also charter a place at Wilson airport. Many tour operators in Kenya offer organized safari packages to the Mara.
A popular and convenient wildlife safari destination for visitors who do not want to travel much across the country is the Nairobi National park. The park is situated about 7km from Nairobi city center, making it the only game reserve in the world located in a major city. Nairobi national park was established in 1945 and was the first national park in Kenya.
A great diversity of animal and bird species are present in the Nairobi national park. All the big five except the elephant are found here, alongside cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles, hippos, antelopes, gazelles, warthogs, hyrax, wildebeests, and monkeys. There are also over 400 resident and migratory bird species including African hawks, martial eagles, ostriches, secretary bird, marabou storks, hornbill, and crowned cranes.
Also situated within the park are the Nairobi animal orphanage, the Nairobi safari walk, a spacious picnic site, and walking trails near hippo pools. In the animal orphanage, young, deserted, or injured animals are treated and taken care of, then released back to the wild when ready. In the park is also a rhino sanctuary, one of the few places in Kenya to spot black rhinos in their natural habitat.
Visitors frequent the park any time of the year, as there is a permanent population of game and carnivores. However, the best times are during the July/August period when large herds of wildebeest, eland and zebra migrate into the park, and during the dry season, when animals flock in the northern part of the park in search of water made available from the man-made dams.
Another wildlife destination is the Tsavo National Park situated 300 km Southeast of Nairobi. Tsavo is most renowned for the production and movie 'the man-eaters of tsavo'. It is the largest national park in Kenya and is divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West, the two being separated by the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. Tsavo west borders the Serengeti plains, and owing to its conducive altitude levels, hosts many animals. The Mzima springs is one of the major attractions in Tsavo, with its underwater observation point for observing crocodiles and hippos.
Tsavo animal population consists lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffaloes, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and crocodiles among many more. There are a host of other smaller animals including dik dik, hyrax, and mongoose. You can travel to Tsavo both by road and by charter flight. Some operational airstrips in Tsavo include Kilaguri, Maxtar, Kamboyo, and Tsavo Gate.
Other popular wildlife safari destinations in Kenya include the Amboseli National Park, Aberdares National Park, Samburu Game Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park and Mount Kenya National Park.
With 27 national parks and 33 national reserves hosting over 4 million animals, Kenya is a paradise for the wildlife enthusiast. From the internationally acclaimed Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration to East and Central Africas greatest concentration of flamingos wading in Lake Nakuru, Kenya offers some of the best wildlife safari adventures in the world.
Every year, thousands of visitors from around the world flock into the Masai Mara to witness the great wildebeest migration. The migration takes place between July and October, with about 2 million wildebeest, and hundreds of thousands of zebras and Thompson gazelles crossing from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania into the Mara. The migration pattern is dictated by the availability of water and pasture in the two game reserves, due to the different rainfall patterns. The large ungulates start their northward journey at the end of May, the onset of the dry season in the Serengeti.
With or without the great migration, the Mara is a fascinating wildlife watching destination throughout the year. Many people nevertheless like taking a Masai Mara safari at the time of the wildebeest migration. However, timing the migration is a tricky matter because the migration schedule is dictated by the rains.
Placed in Kenya's southwest, the Mara is approximately 300km from Nairobi and is operated and managed by the local Maasai community. Traveling to the Mara will take you about 45 minutes by flight from Nairobi and 5 hours by road. You can find scheduled flights to Masai Mara at either Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Wilson airport in Nairobi. You can also charter a place at Wilson airport. Many tour operators in Kenya offer organized safari packages to the Mara.
A popular and convenient wildlife safari destination for visitors who do not want to travel much across the country is the Nairobi National park. The park is situated about 7km from Nairobi city center, making it the only game reserve in the world located in a major city. Nairobi national park was established in 1945 and was the first national park in Kenya.
A great diversity of animal and bird species are present in the Nairobi national park. All the big five except the elephant are found here, alongside cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles, hippos, antelopes, gazelles, warthogs, hyrax, wildebeests, and monkeys. There are also over 400 resident and migratory bird species including African hawks, martial eagles, ostriches, secretary bird, marabou storks, hornbill, and crowned cranes.
Also situated within the park are the Nairobi animal orphanage, the Nairobi safari walk, a spacious picnic site, and walking trails near hippo pools. In the animal orphanage, young, deserted, or injured animals are treated and taken care of, then released back to the wild when ready. In the park is also a rhino sanctuary, one of the few places in Kenya to spot black rhinos in their natural habitat.
Visitors frequent the park any time of the year, as there is a permanent population of game and carnivores. However, the best times are during the July/August period when large herds of wildebeest, eland and zebra migrate into the park, and during the dry season, when animals flock in the northern part of the park in search of water made available from the man-made dams.
Another wildlife destination is the Tsavo National Park situated 300 km Southeast of Nairobi. Tsavo is most renowned for the production and movie 'the man-eaters of tsavo'. It is the largest national park in Kenya and is divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West, the two being separated by the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. Tsavo west borders the Serengeti plains, and owing to its conducive altitude levels, hosts many animals. The Mzima springs is one of the major attractions in Tsavo, with its underwater observation point for observing crocodiles and hippos.
Tsavo animal population consists lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffaloes, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and crocodiles among many more. There are a host of other smaller animals including dik dik, hyrax, and mongoose. You can travel to Tsavo both by road and by charter flight. Some operational airstrips in Tsavo include Kilaguri, Maxtar, Kamboyo, and Tsavo Gate.
Other popular wildlife safari destinations in Kenya include the Amboseli National Park, Aberdares National Park, Samburu Game Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park and Mount Kenya National Park.
About the Author:
The author works with Africapoint.com, reputable online travel agents for Africa. Visit Africapoint.com to book your wildlife safari in Kenya, and also make reservations for Kenya hotels and flights to Kenya.
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