What You Need to Know Before Going on a Safari in Kenya

Kenya’s Zanzibares

Kenya has some of the lovelies Zanzibares on its coast – offering a superb way to relax after a safari or trek, or as a stand-alone holiday

• Mombasa
• Malindi
• Watamu
• Lamu
• Manda Bay

Specialist Activities

• • Horse riding
  • Walking Safaris
  • Cycling Safaris
  • Golfing Holidays
  • Diving and Snorkelling Holidays
  • Family Holidays
  • Honeymoons and Special Anniversaries/Birthdays

Weddings can be arrange on safari or on the Zanzibar – see our Weddings page or contact us for more information.

Maasai Mara

With an area of about a tenth the size of the Serengeti, the rich grasslands of the Mara are home to a host of animals including the migratory wildebeest who make their way from Tanzania’s Serengeti during the dry season. This is dubbed the Greatest Show on Earth – and the migration can be witnessed in the Mara between August and November, depending on the rainy season.

The Great Migration is what draws thousands of people each year, to witness the herds of wildebeest make their journey into the Maasai Mara, home to many tributaries of the vast Mara and Talek Rivers. From the end of August through to November the migratory herds graze in the lush greener plains of the Mara. From early December the herds return to Serengeti to begin the calving season (February-March) and the cycle begins again.

Apart from the migration, the Mara has a host of other interesting wildlife including the big cats – lions, leopards and cheetah made famous by the Big Cat Diary and the infamous Mara River, where hundreds of wildebeest perish at the jaws of huge crocodiles. Other predators like hyenas and jackals can also be found lurking near water sources and the river.
The Maasai Mara has over 450 recorded species of birds including the aptly named Go-away bird, secretary bird common ostrich and a variety of starlings and eagles.

The Maasai Mara comprises an area of 1530 sq kms and is a 5-7 hour drive from Nairobi. The more comfortable way to travel would be to fly in light aircraft from the Nairobi Wilson airport.

Lake Nakuru & Naivasha

The Lake Nakuru national park covers an area of 180 sq kms and is one of the most visited reserves in Kenya after the Maasai Mara. The main attraction of this park is the soda lake to which thousands of flamingo can be observed forming a pink blanket – an ornithologist’s haven. White and black rhino, that were introduced here a few years ago, may also be seen here along with antelope, buffalo, hippo, warthogs, baboons, hyrax and birds of prey. Besides its spectacular birdlife, Lake Nakuru is a sanctuary to some rare species such as the Rothschild giraffe and white rhino. A huge forest of euphorbia amongst which leopard like to lurk surrounds the lake.

Lake Naivasha is a fresh water lake where flamingo habitat to quench their thirst after their highly specialised diet of algae in the soda waters of Lake Nakuru. The lake itself is not as spectacular as its surrounding area and many visitors to the area tend to visit the Hell’s Gate National Park which has more to offer in terms of trekking and walking, with views of gorges and volcanic columns.
Both lakes are easily accessible by road from Nairobi and combine well with a safari to Samburu, Maasai Mara and/or Amboseli.
Contact us for more information on a safari to Lake Nakuru or Lake Naivasha.

Amboseli

Lying in the shadow of the Great Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is the ideal place to view this majestic mountain. The snow clad peak of this mighty mountain gives rise to porous volcanic material which forms the bed rock of the Amboseli, from which rain and snow drain into the numerous rivers and springs which surface in this national park.

Amboseli has abundant swamps and marshes the Engoko Narok and Olokenya permanent swamps – where the great big herds of elephant and hippo enjoy a good soak. The park is one of the smaller parks covering an area of 392 sq kms and is approx 2 hours drive from Nairobi, and 45 minutes to the border with Tanzania at Namanga, enabling one to extend the safari experience into Tanzania.

Samburu

Set in a harsh yet stunning landscape, the Samburu National Reserve is one of our favourite parks in Kenya – less crowded than the southern parks, it offers a diverse landsape of hills and plains, with some pretty elegant albeit quirky wildlife species that are difficult to find elsewhere.

Samburu is dry most of the year, typical of the arid northern part of Kenya. Samburu is 235 sq kms and its landscape comprises tall dome palms and patches of forest around River Ewaso Ngiro.

Amongst the endemic species to be found here are the Gerenuk (or giraffe-necked gazelle – known for its long neck and often to be seen grazing on its hind legs), the finely patterned and endangered reticulated giraffe, the beisa oryx , Somali blue-necked ostrich, vulturine guinea fowl and Grevy’s zebra. These elegant animals can be found in this park, preferring the drier areas.
Samburu is also home to large herds of elephant to be seen near the banks of the Uaso (or Ewaso) Ngiro River, as well as the big cats – lion, cheetah and even the elusive leopard! Crocodiles and hippos teem in the river and there is a huge diversity of birdlife (over 360 recorded species) to be found in the reserve. Across the river, there is the Buffalo Springs Reserve however this is normally grouped as part of Samburu.

SHABA NATIONAL RESERVE

In the eastern corner of the Samburu eco-system is a secluded area surrounded by arid landscape dotted with lush springs, swamps and rocky river gorges – this oasis is Shaba National Reserve, made famous for its association with the world famous conservationists Joy and George Adamson and the film ‘Born Free’ with Elsa the lioness and the leopard “Penny”.

Shaba National Reserve itself is rich with extraordinary wildlife; on game drives you have the opportunity of seeing varied wildlife including Grevy’s zebra, the Somali ostrich, generuk, reticulated giraffe, lesser kudu, leopard, plenty of lion and herds of elephant.

The best place to stay is Joy’s Camp,which overlooks a large natural spring, which acts as a watering hole, allowing for continuous game viewing whilst dining or relaxing at the camp in between game drives.

ACCOMMODATIONS IN SAMBURU AND SHABA

Among the places one can choose to stay in whilst visiting Samburu are:

• Samburu Serena Lodge
• Larssens Camp
• Samburu Intrepids Camp
• Samburu Saruni Camp
• Kitich Camp
• Joy’s Camp (Shaba)

THE SAMBURU TRIBE

The Wa-samburu are part of the Maa-speaking people as are the Maasai. About 95% of the words of both languages are the same. The name ‘Samburu’ is also of Maasai origin and is derived from the word ‘Samburr’ which is a leather bag used by the Samburu to carry a variety of things.

The Wasamburu are semi-nomadic pastoralists whose lives revolve around their cows, sheep, goats, and camels. Milk is their main stay; sometimes it is mixed with blood (Loshoroo). Meat is only eaten on special occasions. Generally they make soups from roots and bark of certain trees, they mainly eat vegetables, beans and maize if living in an area where they can be grown.
Most of the Wasamburu dress in very traditional clothing of bright red material used like a skirt and multi-beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

The Samburu developed from one of the later Nilotic migrations from the Sudan, as part of the Plains Nilotic movement. The broader grouping of the Maa-speaking people continued moving south, possibly under the pressure of the Borana expansion into their plains. Maa-speaking peoples have lived and fought from Mt. Elgon to Malindi and down the Rift Valley into Tanzania.

Visits to a Samburu Village can be arranged as well as camel rides (best means of transport in these arid parts) whilst on safari.

The Aberdares

The Aberdare mountain range lies in the central highlands of Kenya and comprises the Kinangop Plateau in the south, which is a 60km stretch of moorland, peaks and forest, and the Salient, which is an outcrop of dense rainforest to the east.

Rain is imminent at any time. The park has a variety of flora and fauna seldom found elsewhere. Elephant and buffalo as well as black rhino, bongo antelope, serval and the elusive black leopard can also be found here. There are a number of spectacular waterfalls including the Karura Falls and the Gura Falls – the latter drops 300m into thick forest and is the more difficult to get to.

Meru National Park

This is one of the most geographically diverse parks in Kenya and unfortunately due to poaching, elephant and rhino numbers have dwindled since the 1970s.

The marshy Bisanadi Plains has a number of elephant, lion and cheetah as well as lesser kudu, eland, Oryx, buffalo, reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra and a plethora of bird species. The park is less visited than the others and is tranquil.

Hell’s Gate National Park

– This aptly named national park is located in the Great Rift Valley about 15 km from Lake Naivasha, and is home to a variety of bird and animal life including zebras, gazelle, baboons and the occasional cheetah, leopard and ostrich. Birds of prey such as the rare Lammergeyer raptor are being introduced.

Once entering the park through the main Elsa Gate, the road takes you past Fischer’s Tower, a 25m high column of volcanic rock and through a steep sided gorge close to Central Tower, a much larger column of volcanic rock. There are opportunities for walks and treks. The park also houses the Ol Karia Geothermal Station, a power project utilising steam from the earth’s geothermal source.

Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain, and the highest in Kenya. Awesome with its white glacier peaks, the highest point is 5199m (17,058 ft) high.

In effect there are three peaks of which only the third highest peak, Point Lenana (known as the “Trekkers Summit” at 4,985m) is the most easily accessible and non-technical. There are three main eco-zones that make up this mysterious but beautiful mountain: the rocky and glacial peak area, actually an eroded volcanic plug, with its mantle of glaciers and snowfields; the alpine zone with its distinctive giant vegetation; and the vast gentle lower slopes drenched in mountain forest and bamboo jungle.

The various wildlife including sunbirds, hyrax and soaring eagles make the walk around the peaks one of the most beautiful expeditions in the East African mountains. Due to the high altitude it is wise not to rush to the summit areas but to allow adequate acclimatisation. To combine this ascent with a circumnavigation of the main peaks requires at least an extra day.

SHORT EASTERN KENYAN SAFARI – FITS WELL WITH MOMBASA Zanzibar HOLIDAY

*NOTE: THIS ITINERARY CAN BE ADJUSTED TO PICK UP AND DROP OFF FROM EITHER NAIROBI OR MOMBASA. THIS MAKES A GOOD SHORT SAFARI COMBINATION WITH A Zanzibar HOLIDAY IN MOMBASA.

POPULAR KENYAN SAFARI

*NOTE: THIS ITINERARY CAN BE ADJUSTED TO TAKE IN AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK INSTEAD OF SAMBURU