Kenya safari landscape

    Kenya

    Kenya Safaris

    Kenya - The grand old dame of African safaris, Kenya has been at the forefront of the industry for decades, and with iconic reserves such as Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and Tsavo, it has earned its place in safari royalty. Kenya's wildlife is legendary, as is its hospitality, friendliness, and scenic beauty. With the Great Rift Valley running through the country, Kenya is home to some stunning landscapes, with lakes, valleys and mountains adding to the beautiful plains of the Masai Mara. To add to the spectacular wildlife, Kenya is one of the best countries to experience local tribes and cultures.

    Destinations in Kenya

    Amboseli National Park safari
    Destination

    Amboseli National Park

    The combination of masses of animals, diverse eco-systems, and the splendid views of Mount Kilimanjaro make Amboseli National Park high up on the must-see list of any Kenyan safari. With desert landscapes to lush green swampland, the scenery changes entirely during game drives, with new photo opportunities presenting themselves all the time. Amboseli is famous for its huge elephant herds, and is home to a remarkable concentration of species and birdlife, all the while being watched over by the highest peak in Africa.

    Kenya Coast safari
    Destination

    Kenya Coast

    Safari-ing in Africa can be pretty busy, with early mornings, thrilling activities, and a lot of ground covered. It is therefore always great to be able to chill out on a beach, under a palm tree, with a bright coloured drink before jetting off back to reality. And the Kenyan coastline provides the perfect locations for this relaxation. Lined with pristine white sand beaches fringing the warm, tempting waters of the Indian Ocean, Kenya's coast is inviting for any traveller, and has a fascinating and exotic history, being the setting for the passage of the Arabian Spice Trade. Along the length of the coastline Arab and Portuguese forts, old towns and the overgrown and deserted ruins of Swahili outposts bear witness to this history, and offer travellers a truly special beach holiday.

    Laikipia safari
    Destination

    Laikipia

    It is always gratifying when conservation efforts truly pay off, and the Laikipia Plateau is a place of much excitement! Originally extensive farmland, a huge effort has succeeded in reclaiming much of the land between the slopes of the Aberdares and the snowy peaks of the mighty Mount Kenya. The area now boasts the second highest concentration of wildlife in Kenya - the Masai Mara topping the list! Divided up into private concessions, the Laikipia Plateau consists of accommodation in tented camps, as well as lavish bush homes, allowing for a wonderful personalised experience.

    Lake Nakuru National Park safari
    Destination

    Lake Nakuru National Park

    While famous for the millions of flamingos which lined the lake shore, it is important to note that due to current water levels and changes to the lake over the past few years that these flamingos are no longer present in such numbers Lake Nakuru National Park. Accessed via a relatively short, but scenic drive from Nairobi through the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru National Park is a very popular destination, especially amongst birdlovers. Lake Nakuru is one of the best locations in East Africa to view rhinos, and is home to both the black and white species.

    Masai Mara safari
    Destination

    Masai Mara

    It is no surprise that the Masai Mara ranks up near the top of most famous game reserves in the world. The land of the Mara is consistently covered with herds of antelope, interspersed with prides of lions, journeys of giraffe, dazzles of zebra, and almost every other collective animal noun you can think of. The sightings are nothing short of fantastic, and it is the park to visit to tick off your "wildlife of Africa" list. The scenery of the park is similar to the open plains of the Serengeti, although the Mara is dotted with more trees, and the game viewing is equal to, or can be better than.

    Nairobi safari
    Destination

    Nairobi

    One of Africa's major cities, Nairobi is the UN's fourth "World Centre," East Africa's commercial, media and NGO hub, and a significant capital in its own right, with a population of approximately 3 to 4 million. Little more than a century old, it has real claims to Western-style sophistication and displays enormous vitality and buzz. On the surface the city accepts everyone with tolerance, and, in any downtown street, you can see a complete cross section of Kenyans, every variety of tourist, and migrants and refugees from many African countries.

    Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves safari
    Destination

    Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves

    On the southern edge of Kenya's northern frontier region, the Uaso Nyiro River carves through the desolate lands, and provides life to the wonderful reserves of Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs. The water is vital for the survival of the many animals found in this region, as well as for the local Samburu tribes who have settled in the area. Especially rewarding during the dry season, when the surrounding land is parched and cracked, these reserves play host to several unique species, and great numbers of predators.

    Tsavo National Park safari
    Destination

    Tsavo National Park

    One of the oldest and largest national parks in Kenya, Tsavo's enormous 22 000 square kilometres has been divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, each offering something slightly different, but equally rewarding. The location of the park makes it easily combined with a beach holiday at Mombasa, while it also takes the park off the usual circuit of a Kenyan safari itinerary.

    Best Time to Visit Kenya

    Month-by-month travel guide with weather, highlights, and expert recommendations.

    Compare with other destinations

    Kenya in May

    Weather

    May is typically the wettest month, with persistent rains across much of the country and average temperatures around 21°C. Roads can be very muddy.

    Highlights

    The landscape is at its most vibrant green, creating dramatic backdrops. This is a prime time for birding enthusiasts.

    Best Areas

    Some lodges in the Maasai Mara remain open and offer discounted rates. Samburu can be an option as it receives less rainfall than southern parks.

    Pros

    Significantly lower prices for safaris and accommodation. Very few tourists, providing an incredibly private experience. Stunning green scenery.

    Cons

    Many lodges and camps close down due to heavy rains. Game viewing can be difficult due to thick vegetation and dispersed animals. Flights and road transfers can be delayed or cancelled.