A Kenya safari offers some of the most dramatic and breathtaking wildlife experiences you can find. The rolling savannas and rich national parks are home to the Great Migration and many of the world’s largest cats. Picture lions resting in the shade of acacia trees, cheetahs scanning the grasslands for their next meal, and thousands of wildebeest moving across the plains in search of fresh grass. Kenya truly lives up to its reputation as one of the world’s top safari destinations.
The Maasai Mara: The Heart of Kenya Safaris
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is probably included in almost every Kenya safari. It is one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife areas, part of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and the northernmost part of the Great Migration.
Every year from July to October, Wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles migrate from the Tanzanian side to the Kenyan side of the Mara in search of food in greener grazing areas. With them come large numbers of predators in search of their next meal, as well as numerous confrontations between wildlife.
The Mara is often called one of Africa’s top game reserves, and for good reason. Its open landscape lets you spot wildlife from a distance, unlike dense forests such as the Congo, where you need to get much closer to see animals clearly.
Big Cat Territory
Many people consider Kenya one of the best places to see big cats in the wild. The Maasai Mara has one of Africa’s highest lion populations. With some luck, you might also spot leopards resting in the shade along the riverbanks, escaping the midday heat.
Our guides in Kenya are often able to track and identify the territorial location of specific lion prides and cheetah families. This enables us to monitor their behaviour over several days, providing us with valuable insight into their natural habits.
Beyond the Maasai Mara
The Maasai Mara tends to get all the attention, but Kenya has so much more to offer when it comes to safari.
Amboseli National Park is home to large herds of elephants. With stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, Amboseli is a fantastic location for photography. Because elephants frequently travel across the open savannah, this is a truly rewarding experience.
Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya is a dramatic land off the beaten track – a little less touristy than the more popular reserves further south, but every bit as wonderful as its more visited neighbours. Here, too, you will find animals such as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and the huge and rare Somali ostrich in frequencies not found further to the south.
A Kenya safari to Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the greatest nature experiences you can have. Each year, Lake Nakuru National Park is home to tens of thousands of flamingos that live on the shores of the lake and large numbers of rhinos.
Start Planning Your Kenya Safari
The thundering hooves of the Great Migration and the excitement of tracking lions on the plains make a Kenyan safari unforgettable. Life in the African bush is always exciting, from watching leopards resting in the trees to seeing herds of elephants cross the savannah at sunset.
To explore Kenya and other East African safari destinations, visit Adventure Safari Network.