Kenya
Kenya

Kenya is often described as having everything that is beautiful in Africa within her borders. Abundant wildlife and birdlife living free; outstanding scenic beauty of the rolling savannas, the peace of the desert regions of the north, the majestic highlands and glaciated peaks of Mt Kenya; the grandeur of the Great Rift Valley and the allure of white coral beaches. Kenya overwhelms all who visit her. Time spent in this country can be one of the most rewarding travel experiences of one's life.


Since gaining independence in 1963, Kenya has experienced considerable growth and prosperity relative to other developing African nations. By focusing on tourism, Kenya has been able to successfully market its national parks and beautiful coast in a way that allows visitors to experience this region of East Africa while contributing to the country's growth. Kenya offers an array of opportunities for travel, wildlife viewing, and cultural experiences. With an immense network of national parks that include a variety of terrain, Kenya arguably stands as one of the top destinations in Africa.


Best Time to Visit

The Masai Mara has great viewing year round. Most other game areas are excellent July - September and mid-December - March; these are also the dry seasons.


Facilities

Many places have first class accommodation as well as a choice of alternatives including budget level participatory camping, comfortable lodges, and upscale permanent tented camps. Most types of restaurants can be found in the cities and food is generally western style whether in the bush or on the town. Roads throughout Kenya are generally paved (though not very well) and internal flights are fairly often and punctual to the more popular parks.

Map

Parks & Game Reserves

Although Kenya lies on the equator, it boasts a variety of landscapes including a tropical coast, grassy plains, desert, and mountains. A fine example of Kenya's wildlife can be found right outside it's largest city in Nairobi National Park. In the South lies the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya's most reputable reserve and Amboseli National Park, which sits at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Aberdare National Park and Samburu and Shaba National Reserve are situated in the central region, also the home of Mt. Kenya 17,058 ft, Africa's second highest mountain. The Laikipia region is home to many large ranches on a high plateau between desert and mountain in the northwest. Tsavo East and West National Parks are less frequented by visitors and lies between Nairobi and the coast. Other highlights include the Rift Valley Lakes, Meru National Park, and the Indian Ocean Coast.



Although there are over 70 ethnic groups in Kenya, the Masai are the most visible of indigenous peoples in East Africa. The Masai inhabit the rangelands of the Rift Valley and live a nomadic life consisting of cattle herding and seasonal grazing suited to their environment. In addition to the Masai, Arabs migrated to the area in the 8th Century and their presence has since remained an integral aspect of Kenyan culture. Although the colonial era impacted Kenya's growth as it has throughout most of the continent, the country has maintained a lot of its culture and heritage throughout history. The Masai in particular, substantially self-sufficient, have been somewhat indifferent to the modernization of Kenya and their traditional villages lying on the edge of parks are visible to tourists.

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