Masai Mara
Masai Mara - The sights, sounds, colors and spectacle that spell Africa. The reserve covers approx. 1,672 sq km. Masai Mara is world famous for the drama of its migrating herds and it possesses the largest population of lions to be found in Kenya. It is an extension of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park with seemingly endless herds of game animals. Among the great variety of large beasts are Buffalo, Black Rhino and Hippopotamus. Other mammals include Leopard, Cheetah, Common Zebra, Coke's Hartebeest, White-bearded Gnu, Oribi, Warthog, Thomson's and Grant's Gazelles. Drive off on the beaten tracks and through amazing landscape of flora, fauna and sheer African wilderness. The Mara is Africa's heartbeat.
Other highlights: Maasai Village, balloon safari and nature walk
AMBOSELI
This scenically beautiful park, dominated everywhere by Snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro (5,896 meters above sea level), is perhaps the most wellknown park in Africa. It covers only 392 sq km despite its small size and its fragile ecosystem. The game is varied and tame, allowing the visitor to approach fairly closely for those startling photographs with that magnificent back-drop of the majestic Kilimanjaro. It supports a wide range of mammals and birds, which include Wildebeest, Zebra, Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Cheetah and Hippo.
Other highlights: the view of Kilimanjaro and a good time for relax/meditation
. SAMBURU & BUFFALLO
Not as popular as some other parks in Kenya, but it is hard to see why. Samburu and Buffalo Springs are divided by the sandy Ewaso Nyiro River but are essentially the same. This area of Northern Kenya is lower, drier and hotter than the Maasai Mara but the rewards, especially along the river margins, are huge. Ringed by vertiginous escarpments everything about the park is unusual from the geography to the species. Among the rarer species to be seen here are the gerenuk, endangered Grevys zebra, Reticulated giraffe, Vulturine guinea fowl and the Golden starling. For elephants and leopards it is simply sensational and it is not uncommon to see large herds crossing the river on the same game drive as leopards lounging on fallen trees. Other highlights: Samburu Village and The Ewaso Nyiro River
LAKE NAKURU
A relatively small park at approximately 250 square kms, Nakuru should never be overlooked. There are many reasons for this fabled park's reputation and 1.2 million flamingos cannot be wrong. Lake Nakuru is an alkaline lake and if there is little rainfall flamingo numbers will swell accordingly.
Nakuru is also the big success story for rhino. The park was the focus of ‘Rhino Rescue', the charity dedicated to saving the world's rhinos, which paid for and built the electric fence that now surrounds the park. As the park is fenced and well run so these endangered animals are safe now in their haven and it is not uncommon to see twenty in a single game drive. There are some 60 black rhinos here, as well as 40 white, though it is the white that you see mostly as the black are much more reclusive.
Nakuru is also justifiably famous for leopards. Without a large number of lions, leopards are less marginalised than in other parks and, unusually for these crepuscular animals, they are also frequently seen during the day. The park has long fringes of fever trees down both sides of the lake and their thick branches make ideal spots for daytime lounging.
Among the other species which proliferate in the park, the most impressive are the buffalo, giraffe and water buck. There are also almost 450 species of birds including possibly the highest concentration of the beautiful long crested eagle anywhere.
SWEET WATER
About Ol Pejeta (Sweetwater): The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a not-for-profit organization situated in Kenya’s Laikipia County adjacent to Nanyuki town. Ol Pejeta is East Africa’s Largest Black Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees and holds some of the highest predator densities in Kenya.
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy works to conserve wildlife, provide a sanctuary for great apes and to generate income through wildlife tourism and complementary enterprises for re-investment in conservation and community development. Working closely with the Government of Kenya, the conservation activities are carried out to the highest international standards.
ABADARES
The Aberdare National Park comprises an area of 590 sq.kms. This includes the moorlands and part of the forest of the Aberdare Mountains. Animals commonly seen include Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino who frequent the water holes and salt licks as well as the Giant Forest Hog, Colobus Monkey and above all, the Leopard. Bird life is also abundant and varied, the most conspicuous being the sunbirds.
Other highlights: Karura Falls, overnight stay at Tree Top Hotel and nature walk
TSAVO WEST
Tsavo National Park, a vast arid region of 20,812 sq km, is Kenya's largest wildlife stronghold. It is dividend into Tsavo East and Tsavo West with two permanent rivers; the Tsavo River and the Athi River watering the Park. Tsavo West is the more developed part of the park combining good access, good facilities and stunning views over the tall grass and woodland scenery. The chief marvels here are the Mzima Springs and Ngulia escarpment. Tsavo East is the larger and much less visited site of the park. It is known for the Yatta Plateau, one of the world's longest lava flows. An additional attraction is the Lugard Falls, a long stretch of rippling water cataracts formed by the Athi River. Elephants in large herds are the number one attraction at Tsavo. Other animals likely to be encountered are Buffalo, Common Waterbuck, Kudu, Eland, Gerenuk, Fringe-eared Oryx, Impala and Masai Giraffe.
LAKE NAVIASHA
Lake Naivasha is a beautiful freshwater lake, fringed by thick papyrus. The lake is almost 13 kms across, but its waters are shallow with an average depth of five metres. Lake area varies greatly according to rainfall, with an average range between 114 and 991 sq kms. At the beginning of the 20th Century, Naivasha completely dried up and effectively disappeared. The resulting open land was farmed, until heavy rains a few years later caused the lake to return to existence, swallowing up the newly established estates.
The lake and its surrounds are rich in natural bounty, and the fertile soils and water supply have made this one of Kenya’s prime agricultural regions.
Much of the lake is surrounded by forests of the yellow barked Acacia Xanthophlea, known as the yellow fever tree. These forests abound with bird life, and Naivasha is known as a world class birding destination.
The waters of the lake draw a great range of game to these shores. Giraffes wander among the acacia, Buffalo wallow in the swamps and Colobus monkeys call from the treetops while the Lakes large hippo population sleep the day out in the shallows.
The region surrounding the Lake is well worth exploring. There are two more smaller lakes nearby, Oloidien, and Sonachi, a bright green cater lake.
Hell’s Gate National Park lies beside the lake. This Park was named for its pair of massive red tinged cliffs framing a geothermically active interior of steam vents and bubbling springs. The park is home to a profusion of plains game and birdlife. Walking is permitted, making it ideal for hiking, biking, and rock climbing.
Boat trips on the lake are widely available, and is a great way to spend an afternoon or morning.
Sunsets are always stunning, with the haunting call of a Fish Eagle high over the Lake bringing the day to a perfect end....
Other highlights: bird watching, boat trip to Cresent Island, cycling trip at Hell's Gate and walking tour to the gorges
Cultural heritage