Top Ten Locations Information

People come to the Mara to see the amazing variety of animals roaming free in the wild. The big 5 (leopard, lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo) are all here, as are a whole host of incredible creatures including giraffe, zebra, antelopes of all shapes and sizes, aardvark, hyena, ostrich, hyrax,wild dog, warthog and so many more. The Mara is also famous for the beautiful nomadic tribes people. Here you will see the Masai people in their traditional bright red blankets and multicoloured beaded jewellery. You can see inside their traditional homes and learn what it’s like to live in harmony with nature. Between July and October, don’t miss one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world, when over a million wildebeest, migrate into the Masai Mara as from Tanzania as they leap and swim across the Mara river desperately trying to avoid the snapping jaws of crocodiles who lay in wait!

Recommended Camp: Mara Explorer

Photo by Jason Nahrung at Flickr.com

The Kenya Coast is a perfect place to relax in style; with palm fringed beaches and the warm  Indian ocean lapping against the shore. This is an exotic location and an exciting place to be, perfect for diving, snorkeling, big game fishing and a whole host of water sports, or if you need to unwind this tropical paradise is just for a place to relax and sunbathe. The coral reefs and marine parks are home to colourful fish and dolphins, even whales are sometimes seen. A vibrant historical past, also makes the Swalhili culture and architecture of the region an interesting place to visit.

Recommended Resort: Voyager beach Resort

Photo by Alles-Schlumpf at Flickr.com

Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves are fond in the north of Kenya. This is a hot arid region with acacia woodland reserves. Here you can see di fferent varieties of rare and endangered animals not seen in other parks such as the long necked gerenuk (an antelope which stands on two legs to eat) reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, and Beisa Oryx. There are also many elephant and cheetah and leopard. Birdlife is plentiful with large flocks of guinea fowl seen and the pygmy falcon  and sandgrouse frequently seen. Traditional Samburu homesteads are interesting to visit with these tall regal people dressed in colourful attire.

Recommended Camp: Samburu Intrepids

Photo by Flipped Out at Flickr.com

This is a rewarding place to do game-viewing as it’s the place to see large numbers of Rhino and the thousands of flamingos who congregate at the alkaline lake here all year round. Other anima ls such as pelicans, leopard  (commonly seen) giraffe, lion, bat-eared fox, hippo, hyena etc are all there too. The lake is picturesque and has varied terrain with acacia forest, cliff  top views, open savannah and the lake where you can get out and walk and see the flamingos and pelicans close up.

Recommended Lodge: Sarova Lion Hil Lodge

Photo by Tambako the Jaguar at Flickr.com

Only an hours drive from Nairobi, Naivasha conjures up images of the 1940’s Happy Valley set ("White Mischief") where the colonial upper classes became famous for their decadent lifestyle. The yellow fever trees, line the shoreline of the lake, and this attractive part of Kenya is a good place to be close to nature. There are various outings and things to do, including a visit to Crescent Island where you can walk in safety among wild but non dangerous animals, climb Mount Longanot (2886m), visit the geothermal Project In Hells Gate National Park or have tea at Elsamere  which was the home of Elsa the lion. Boat rides on the lake will let you take in the fresh air and semi submerged hippos and soaring fish eagles. The range of accommodation in and around Naivasha ranges from swanky 5 star hotels to self catering cottages or even a private ranch with it’s own airstrip.

Recommended Resort:Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort

Photo by Dawnvla at Flickr.com

Amboseli is famous for its dramatic scenery and breathtaking views of the African grasslands. The snow capped mountain – Kilimanjaro, creates a spectacular setting for gam e viewing and with a third of the park taken up by Lake Amboseli it’s swampy areas and riverine forest, contrast beautifully with the dry desert areas in the rest of the national park. You should expect to see plenty of elephant (some of the largest elephants in Africa are seen here) They make great photos in front of a backdrop of snow-capped Kilimanjaro with a dark tropical rainstorm, a colourful sunset or just a clear blue African sky. You will also have a good chance of seeing hippos, crocodiles, and lion well as the other antelopes, birds and small mammals commonly seen elsewhere.

Recommended Camp: Tortilis

Photo Racso11_11's at Flickr.com

Mount Kenya is t he second highest mountain in Africa standing at (5199m). Fewer people climb here than Kilimanjaro, but those who do, usually rate it as a more interesting climb. It’s has tremendously varied zones of vegetation and scenery as you climb; from the acacia studied plains, lush moorlands, moving up to a barren alpine zone covered in snow and finally the craggy summit. It’s toughness and beauty have gripped the imagination of adventurers for more than a century. Even for climbers with experience in mountaineering, Mount Kenya offers a challenge and a natural beauty that is difficult to beat.

Recommended Hotel: Mount Kenya Safari Club

Photo by Chris J Morgan at Flickr.com

Lamu and i t’s surrounding villages and islands, have an appeal that many find irresistible! This picturesque Swahili town with it’s quaint narrow streets and absence of cars, epitomizes the slow, gentle way of life in this part of the world. It’s relaxed rhythm and charm, makes other quiet places on the east coast seem like sizzling metropolises! After flying in, the usual way to arrive is to sail across to Lamu by dhow (a locally made sailing boat). There are various places to stay from lovely Swahili houses with rooftop patios overlooking the sea, to hotels with pools and all mod cons. The Lamu Archipelago includes some very beautiful uninhabited islands and exclusive very upmarket destinations visited by rockstars and royalty.

Recommended Resort:  Kipungani

Photo by Un Punto in Movimento at Flickr.com

Tsavo is the largest Gamepark in Kenya and it’s close proximity to the coast make it a popular safari destination. It’s diverse landscapes range from mountains, plains, lakes, wooded g rasslands, scrubland with enormous baobab trees to river forest. The vast openness, make it easy to imagine that this unspoiled wilderness  was probably how all of East Africa once looked. You’ll see many elephant, the big 5 and a whole host of other animals and birds. Mzima Springs is an oasis in Tsavo West, and has nature walks, an underwater viewing chamber, hippo pools and rapids making this an interesting place to visit. Black lava outcrops at Shetani are also interesting as are the caves and Chaimu crater nearby.

Photo by Mike Gadd at Flickr.com 

This highland area will give you a slightly cooler experience in one of Kenya’s only virgin forest reserves. Dramatic waterfalls and deep valleys, contrast with the undulating moorlands and volcanic outcrops. The birdlife is rich, and although there aren’t as many anim als to see in comparison to some of the other game-parks, there is still plenty to see. A stay at the treehouse hotels – "Treetops" or "The Ark" will let you see a fair number of animals wandering down to the adjacent waterholes and perhaps you’ll see bushbabies and civit and genet cats which are baited each night and come within meters from guests at the bar!

Recommended Camp: The Ark

Photo by jay_kilifi at Flickr.com 

• Nairobi
  Urban Africa with contrasting images. art galleries, shopping malls, entertainments, great restaurants, elephant orphanage, giraffe centre etc
  Recommended Hotel Serena Hotel  

• Baringo & Bogoria
  Crocodiles, hippos, fish eagles and other amazing array of birdlife, hot springs.
  Recommended Camp: Roberts Camp  

• Lake Turkana
  Remote desert environment, camels, tribal people and their homesteads
  Recommended Tour: Turkana Experience  

• Lakipia
  Remote wilderness. Spectacular scenery, private ranches
  Recommended Lodge: Loisaba Lodge  

• Shimba Hills
  Handy for the coast, great treehouse accommodation, elephants if you're lucky but few animals to see                             
  Recommended Lodge: The Sands at Nomad

• Kakamega
  Tropical rain forest

• Kisumu/Lake Victoria
  Largest Lake in Africa, good for fishing & relaxing
  Recommended Lodge: Rusinga Island Lodge  

• Lake Magadi
  Fossils of prehistoric man
  Recommended Camp: Shompole  

Photo by aftab. At Flickr.com