Kenya – 20 Twenty Plus

Few places in the world provide the extraordinary opportunity to view wildlife in its natural habitat as Kenya. The word safari was invented in Kenya where in Kiswahai it means “journey”. This is a land with endless potential for wildlife enthusiast. From the great migratory herds of the wildebeest, the open savannah to the remoteness of the tropical rainforests, this is indeed a world of natural wonders.

Kenya has 59 National Parks and Game Reserves and 43 timeless cultures with many present in the villages that are unchanged by the modern world. The most popular safari on offer is in the Masai Mara and Serengeti Game Reserves.

Nairobi is Africa’s 4th largest city and is a vibrant and exciting place and although it has developed a reputation which keeps tourist visits brief there are some fascinating attractions: its café culture, unbridled nightlife, the National Museum, the Karen Blixen Museum and most notably just 20 minutes from the city centre wild lions and buffalo roam in the world’s only urban game reserve.

Culture

Singing and dancing are integral to the culture of Kenya. They are often performed during religious ceremonies, weddings, and initiation ceremonies. Elaborate costumes and masks are usually worn while performing such dances.

Kenyans are group-orientated rather than individualistic. “Harambee,” (coming from the Bantu word meaning “to pull together”) defines the people’s approach to others in life. The concept is essentially about mutual assistance, mutual effort, mutual responsibility, and community self-reliance.

Weather and Migration

From December to April the migration spreads out over the Southern Plains of the Serengeti.

Between May and August, the migration slowly moves through the western corridor. September – November, during the short rains, the migration crosses into the Masai Mara.

The best travel dates are between June to October as the animals are easier to spot due to the fact they are concentrated around waterholes and rivers where there is less vegetation. July to October are the ultimate months to see the wildebeest migration. Low Season – March to May, due to high rainfall in areas some lodges and camps do close.

Places to discover

Amboseli National Park

Located in the southern reaches of Kenya, the Amboseli National Park is renowned for its excellent variety of wildlife such as Masaai giraffe, elephant, lion, and cheetah and not surprisingly it is one of Kenya's most popular parks. The landscape of Amboseli is dominated by the majestic snow cap of Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as open plains, acacia woodland, swamps, and the massif of Ol Doinyo Orok. The birding is excellent, especially closer to the lakes and swamps. The Park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to large herds of elephants among other wildlife species. Other attractions of the park include opportunities to meet the Maasai people and soak up spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

Arusha

Arusha is the safari capital of Tanzania located at the foot of Mt. Meru, close to Mount Kilimanjaro, the Manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro National Parks. From there it’s only a short trip to the Serengeti. Just to the north, on the slopes of Mt. Meru is the Arusha National Park. Built by the Germans as a centre of colonial administration because of the temperate climate, Arusha is a good spot to take a day or two off from your safari.

Tarangire

After the Serengeti, Tarangire has the greatest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania and in the dry season the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. Large herds of elephants and migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest, and eland gather and not surprisingly the predators follow. This is also the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are regularly spotted. Tarangire is also known for its spectacular baobab trees, and its breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe and the mountains to the south. Located just a few hours’ drive from the town of Arusha, Tarangire is a popular stop for safaris travelling through the northern circuit on their way to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. The Park extends into two game-controlled areas and the wildlife are allowed to move freely throughout.

Masai Mara

One of Kenya’s undisputed natural highlights is the Masai Mara National Reserve, which sprawls across more than 1500 square kilometres of the country’s southwest. The Park protects a phenomenal array of game, including elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo, as well as crocodile and hippopotamus in the Mara River. The birdlife is no less impressive, with over 450 resident bird species. However, the true highlight here is the Great Migration, recognised as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. To survive the dry months of July to September, some 1.7 million wildebeest, migrate from the parched plains of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Along with much smaller numbers of antelope, buffalo, and zebra, they move to the more forgiving grasslands of the Masai Mara. In their wake come predators such as lion, hyena, and cheetah, for whom these giant herds are an easy source of prey.

The Seronera Region

The Seronera region, in the central Serengeti, is set directly on the Great Migration route and offers excellent viewing of this incredible annual phenomenon, when countless wildebeest flood the area and move across the plains. While migratory game populations fluctuate seasonally, Seronera is still a wildlife hotspot at other times of the year, sheltering the Big Five, among many other species. A number of small campsites provide accommodation and visitors can enjoy hot air balloon trips and walking safaris as well as guided game drives.

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