Why travel to Kenya
Avid travelers and wildlife enthusiasts looking to combine adventure, travel, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences with phenomenal game viewing, vast unspoiled landscapes, the magic of the African bushveld, beautiful beaches, bucket-list worthy experiences and so much more, the magnificent East African country of Kenya is a one-of-a-kind African safari destination which will undoubtedly exceed all your expectations.
Home to some of the best – if not THE best – national parks, conservancies, and wildlife reserves in Africa, people travel from all around the world to experience all of Kenya’s wilderness wonders, safari adventures, unparalleled wildlife viewing, and wild unapologetic natural beauty first-hand.
From the moment you arrive it will feel like you’ve escaped to a whole new world entirely – That’s the magic of Kenya and why it should be at the top of your travel destination bucket-list!
In addition to Kenya being one of the most highly acclaimed African safari destinations, it is renowned for its diverse and abundant concentration of wildlife and birdlife, vast unspoiled and varied landscapes, remarkable conservation initiatives, incredible seasonal highlights, and not-to-be-missed wildlife spectacles such as the Great Wildebeest Migration – One of the Seven Natural wonders of Africa as well as one of the greatest wilderness spectacles on the planet All of which you’ll have the incredible opportunity to experience on your unforgettable safari trip to Kenya.
Here are our top reason to travel to Kenya as well as a few important tidbits to keep in mind before you venture into the wild heart of Africa.
#Extraordinary wildlife sightings & encounters
Kenya is renowned for its exceptional year-round game-viewing, superb Big 5 encounters & famous Great Wildebeest Migration – One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.
Declared one of the world’s most exceptional African safari and wildlife destinations, few countries can compare / measure up to Kenya’s remarkable, diverse, and vast concentration of wildlife, seasonal highlights, and not-to-be-missed wildlife spectacles.
From the famous African Big 5 (rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, rhino) – Kenya is deemed one of the best places in Africa to witness the iconic Big 5 – sightings of rare and remarkable birdlife and wildlife species that can only be found in this part of the world, to witnessing the spectacular Great Migration in the legendary Masai Mara National Park – declared one of the greatest wildlife spectacles as well as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa – a safari trip to Kenya promises to exceed all your expectations.
In addition to Kenya’s pristine predator population, African Big 5, and renowned Great Migration herds, it is also home to an abundant concentration of plains game including, but not limited to, giraffe, warthog, zebra, blue hartebeest, red hartebeest, and an abundance of antelope, such as waterbuck, springbok, reedbuck, nyala, kudu, eland, impala, gemsbok, bushbuck, bontebok, and blesbok.
#Kenya boasts an array of exciting safari adventures & once-in-a-lifetime safari experiences
Avid travellers, nature and wildlife enthusiasts, and eager adventurers looking to enjoy an African safari holiday or getaway filled with endless adventure and thrill, look no further than Kenya! Beyond its lavish luxury, Kenya is brimming with thrilling adventures, exhilarating experiences, and exciting safari activities – All of which are right at your finger tips and yours for the taking!
Go on a self-drive wildlife safari through the African bushveld or enjoy a thrilling game drive in an open 4×4 vehicle with an experienced and knowledgeable wildlife guide by your side as you encounter sensational up-close wildlife sightings like you never have before. Or why not venture into the Kenyan wilderness at night and revel in every thrilling second of an exciting night game drive? Hearing a lion roar during a night drive or safari is undoubtedly an exhilarating once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience you’ll never forget – there truly is nothing quite like it.
If you’re eager for something a little more wild and daring, ditch the safari vehicle and proceed on foot on an unforgettable walking safari alongside an exceptional and highly experienced wildlife guide. Exploring the African bushveld on foot encourages you to fully immerse yourself in Kenya’s vast and untamed wilderness and witness breathtaking close-up wildlife sighting and encounters you only read about in pamphlets and books. Guided walking safaris / bush walks give you the unbelievable opportunity to experience the African bushveld and all of its incredible inhabitants from a whole new perspective – it is an adrenalin rush like no other!
Wait, there’s MORE! Besides bucket-list worthy open-vehicle day and night drives, and adventure-filled walking safaris, travellers can look forward to even more fantastic, fun, and exhilarating safari adventures and experiences.
Jump on a mountain bike for a new way to explore Kenya’s diverse terrain, embark on an exciting Kenyan wilderness hiking expedition, go on an adrenalin-filled kayaking adventure or a memorable horse back or camel ride through the bushveld, or visit the Ngare Ndare Forest for a treetop canopy walk and a waterfall swim. The options are truly endless!
For those who enjoy pushing the limits, climbing the famous Mt. Kenya, Africa’s second highest peak, going scuba diving in the beautiful Indian Ocean, or exploring the remote Lake Turkana by helicopter and / or boat will undoubtedly fuel your adrenaline-loving soul!
In addition, travellers also have the option of enjoying an expertly guided and tailor-made private tour, specifically designed to suit your individual needs.
There is absolutely no denying that Kenya is filled with endless adventure and thrill – all waiting to be experienced by you on your ultimate African Safari trip to Kenya.
#Kenya is close to several great countries & destinations
If you’re looking to either extend your African safari holiday in Kenya, or combine it with other incredible destinations, Kenya gives you the opportunity to do just that. Kenya boasts exceptional and exciting neighboring countries / destinations, all waiting to be explored, discovered, and experienced by you.
East Africa has some of the most breathtaking beaches and coastlines in the world, and relaxing in Zanzibar, Pemba, or the stunning Seychelles is a fantastic way to end a memorable trip to Africa. It also gives you the opportunity to experience the very best of both worlds – The unspoiled African bushveld as well as the beautiful beach escapes and islands East Africa has become so well known for.
Alternatively, if the magnificent African bushveld is where you want to be, you could also pair your Kenyan safari getaway with an extension to Uganda or Rwanda for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go gorilla trekking – An experience that should be on absolutely everyone’s bucket-list. Your choices are absolutely endless!
#Best time to travel to Kenya
Kenya is a top-rated year-round beach getaway and African safari destination, boasting superb game viewing, wildlife encounters, and safari experiences 365 days of the year, Irrespective of its diverse geography and variable climate.
Despite being one of the most pristine, must-visit, year-round destinations in Africa, Kenya has two distinct seasons:
- Dry Season (Winter): June to October
- Wet Season (Summer): November to May
Regarded by many as the ultimate safari destination, home to some of the best national parks, and wildlife reserves in Africa, a vast range of thriving, complex, and diverse landscapes, and one of the most remarkable and distinct wildlife populations, visiting Kenya any time of the year promises to be an exceptional and exciting experience all-around. However, each season in Kenya offers visitors an entirely unique experience as it pertains to wildlife and birdlife sightings, overall climate, park conditions, surrounding scenery and vegetation, seasonal highlights, and wildlife spectacles.
As most people (both local and international) travel to Kenya to witness its incredible diversity of wildlife and experience the bucket-list worthy wildlife spectacle and phenomenon – The Masai Mara Great Wildebeest Migration – in full force and in all its wilderness glory, Kenya’s dry season (from June – October) is considered the best time to visit Kenya.
More specifically, the period between mid-August and late October, when the herds of millions of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope have returned from their months in Tanzania’s Serengeti, is the prime time to visit / plan a trip to Kenya if seeing the Masai Mara Great Wildebeest Migration in action is at the top of your Kenya travel and bucket-list.
Besides Kenya’s dry season (June – October) being deemed the best time to go to Kenya, especially as it pertains to exceptional wildlife sightings and witnessing the Masai Mara Great Wildebeest Migration in action, several of Kenya’s safari destinations, national parks, and wildlife reserves are at their best between January and the end of March. This is primarily due to the mostly dry, lovely mild climate, and incredible game viewing opportunities. This makes it a great time to plan a trip to Kenya and any of its superb national parks, and game reserves.
On another note, visiting Kenya during its quintessential wet season (November – May), or between mid-March to June and again between October and December, is well worth considering and comes with its own set of perks and highlights. This is particularly true if you’re eager to avoid the peak-season crowds and take full advantage of cheaper, off-season rates on accommodation, tours, and wildlife and safari experiences.
**Tip: For first-time safari goers, the best time to go to Kenya and the Masai Mara National Park is typically during its dry season, June – October, as wildlife are far easier to track and spot, resulting in exceptional wildlife sightings and encounters.
#Kenya boasts an endless array of incredible attractions & spectacular National Parks & Game Reserves
Whether it’s your first trip to Kenya or your 10th, there is always something unique and exciting to experience when visiting one of Africa’s most extraordinary safari destinations.
If you consider yourself to be a head-over-heels nature and wildlife lover, avid explorer, and keen adventurer, here are some of Kenya’s top tourist attractions and best must-visit National parks and Game Reserves that absolutely deserve to be on your African safari bucket-list.
- Masai Mara National Reserve
- Amboseli National Park
- Mount Kenya
- Abedares Mountains
- Samburu National Reserve
- Lake Nakuru National Park
- Tsavo National Park
- Hell’s Gate National Park
- Kenya’s Rift Valley Lakes
- Nairobi National Park
- Laikipia Plateau & Conservancy
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
- Aberdare National Park
Check out our ‘Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Kenya’ blog to find out more about these incredible attractions, parks, and reserves.
#Kenya boasts a vast array of luxury safari lodges & camps
There are a number of fantastic luxury safari lodges in Kenya, each lodge offers its own unique experiences, tastes and style. Here are our top lodges to stay at while on safari in Kenya:
- Angama Mara
- Mara Plains Camp
- Porini Lion Camp
- Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
- Ol Seki Hemingways Mara
- Mara Nyika Camp
- Saruni Mara Camp
- Sasaab Lodge
- Ololo Safari Lodge
- Finch Hattons
- Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
- Elewana Tortilis Camp
- Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
- Porini Amboseli Camp
Check out our ‘Top 14 Safari Lodges in Kenya 2023’ blog to find out more about Kenya’s most premier and sought-after safari loges.
