Highlights of Kenya
- See wildebeest cross the Mara River
- From July to November the Masai Mara witnesses the great wildebeest migration. The crossing of the Mara River is an exciting and often bloodthirsty spectacle.
- See wildebeest cross the Mara River
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- Sail a dhow around Lamu Archipelago
- The Lamu Archipelago is a cluster of islands on Kenya’s northern border, and the best way to explore them is by traditional dhow boat.
- Sail a dhow around Lamu Archipelago
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- See lion, leopard & cheetah in the Masai Mara
- The Mara boasts healthy numbers of leopard, lion and cheetah, which is why the area was chosen as the location for the BBC's Big Cat Diary.
- See lion, leopard & cheetah in the Masai Mara
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- Sleep under the stars in Laikipia Plateau
- The Star Beds in Laikipia are one of the best community-run initiatives we know. Sleep under the huge African skies and awake to the first light of day.
- Sleep under the stars in Laikipia Plateau
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- Spot more unusual wildlife types in Samburu Reserve
- The Samburu Reserve is home to some of Kenya’s more unusual wildlife including Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe and gerenuk antelope.
- Spot more unusual wildlife types in Samburu Reserve
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- Take in the views from Mount Shompole
- Perched on the edge of the forested Nguruman escarpment, enjoy endless views over the sunbaked plains across to Mount Shompole and other distant dormant volcanoes.
- Take in the views from Mount Shompole
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- Walk with local tribes in the Matthews Mountains
- Matthews Mountain range lies in Kenya’s northern frontier. You can walk here with the Samburu and Soyei tribes along the Ngeng river through forests of wild fig and cycad palms.
- Walk with local tribes in the Matthews Mountains
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- Watch fish eagles over Lake Naivasha
- One of the two permanent lakes in the Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha is a beautiful and peaceful place to start of end your trip.
- Watch fish eagles over Lake Naivasha
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- See elephants in Amboseli National Park
- One of the oldest parks in Africa, Amboseli’s varied habitats support rich game densities. Watch elephant herds taking a dust bath in the dry Amboseli Lake.
- See elephants in Amboseli National Park
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- Go horse riding in the Chyulu Hills
- Lying in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro are the beautiful Chyulu hills, with their hidden valleys, thick forests and open plains. We recommend you explore it on horseback.
- Go horse riding in the Chyulu Hills
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Our country specialists have travelled the length and breadth of Kenya - here are a few of their favourite things to do
Kenya is the country of wildlife documentaries and the home of the safari. It is everything you imagine Africa to be, with vast plains covered in thousands of wildebeest and gazelle, cheetah sitting on termite mounds, lions flat on their backs in the sun and giraffe in the shade of acacias.
TV and film
Over recent years Kenya has gained a reputation for being a mass market destination, but although there are busy areas they are few and easily circumvented. In fact, its accessibility combined with its huge areas of wilderness where you will not see another soul, has made this the country of 'Out of Africa', 'Born Free' and 'Big Cat Diaries'.
Kenya's wildlife
Kenya has huge tracts of wilderness where the game is wild and unfettered, vehicles few and safaris are on foot or even by camel. In the north, Samburu warriors herd cattle across desolate plains and the huge reserves of Laikipia protect a number of endangered species. You can walk in the Greater Mara Conservation Area with only a Maasai guide or stay in a tiny lodge perched on the rocks in the far away Chyulu Hills.
Beaches
Finally, the islands of Lamu and Funzi are a delight. With dhows sailing across the water, donkeys pulling old wooden carts and the beaches quiet save for the waves, it’s the ideal place to end a safari.
Popular Places to visit in Kenya
The Matthews Mountain Range is located in Kenya's Northern Frontier and is one of the wildest areas in the country. The place is home to numerous types of wildlife as well as the famous Samburu people.
View place
Lake Naivasha is home to an array of birdlife which includes fish eagles, ospreys and lily-trotters, as well as larger grazers such as zebra, impala, giraffe and hippos. The lake is ideally situated for some relaxation at the start or end of your holiday.
View place
The waters of Lake Nakuru are most famous for its millions of pink flamingos. Together with these, it is possible to see up to 400 species of birds, as well as big game like rhino and lion.
View place
The Masai Mara covers an area of 1,800 square kilometres and is probably one of the most famous reserves in Africa. The most famous act played out anually is the Great Migration, which sees up to two million wildebeest undertake a journey of roughly 1,600 kilometres.
View place
The Meru National Park covers an area of 1,813 square kilometres to the north east of Kenya. Meru is not a reserve to come and tick off the big five, but rather it's a wilderness experience. It is perhaps best known for Elsa the lioness, who was released here and made famous by Joy Adamson's books.
View place
The Samburu Reserve stretches stark and rugged towards the Chalbi desert. A place of baked brown earth and parched vegetation, it is a place where you can experience the empty and wild side of Kenya. Nevertheless, there is still plenty of good game viewing to be had.
View place
Amboseli covers an area of 3,810 square kilometres in southern Kenya and is dominated by the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. It is justly famous for its big game - elephant, lion and cheetah are the main attractions - and for its great scenic beauty.
View place
Stretching over a vast area from the foothills of Mount Kenya to the shores of Lake Baringo, the Laikipia Plateau is one of Kenya’s lesser known wildlife areas. It's far from the beaten track and the place to relax in total wilderness.
View place
The Il Ngwesi Group Ranch is north of Mount Kenya and covers an area of 16,500 hectares. The ranch is not a ranch in the traditional sense but is rather a huge tract of land owned by many Maasai villages. Il Ngwesi is home to a wide range of big and small game.
View place
Practical Info
Flight time from UK
8 1/4 hours (Nairobi)
When To Go
Jan
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