KENYA SAFARIS
KENYA SAFARIS
The Birthplace of African Adventure
Kenya Safari Highlights
- Track the great wildebeest migration in the Masai Mare from July to October – the famous Mara River crossing is usually in late July.
- Encounter black and white rhinos in the same park, a wildlife experience unique to Kenya.
- Wander empty white sand with a beach escape in Mombasa or Diani.
- Gaze up at the snow-capped cone of Mount Kilimanjaro, as elephants and giraffe wander past in the foreground.
- Experience the thrill of a walking safari, available in all the private conservancies, most famously around Samburu.
- Get friendly with hippos and rare birds on Kenya Safaris in the Great Rift Valley.
- Discover one of Africa’s friendliest cities when you layover in Nairobi; here you spot giraffe and rhinos backdropped by city skyscrapers.
- Hot air balloon above the Masai Mara grasslands.
- No other country in Africa offers such intimate big cat sightings, with lions, leopards and cheetahs all part of the daily scenery.
Fascinating Facts
- Kenya’s Great Rift Valley was formed around 20 million years ago when the crust of the Earth was split.
- Kenya was under British colonial rule between 1895 and 1963.
- ‘Safari’ is a Swahili word meaning ‘Journey’
- Kenya shares Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest freshwater lake, with Tanzania and Uganda.
- Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, is located along the border between Kenya and Tanzania.
- Kenya’s most popular game park is the Masai Mara, which borders the Serengeti plains in Tanzania. Between July and September, visitors can witness the remarkable annual wildebeest migration which takes place in the Mara.
- Treetops Hotel is where the then Princess Elizabeth of England was staying with her husband when her father died. So she technically became a queen while in Kenya. Kenya still has a special place in the heart of the British royal family.
Kenya Travel Information
Visas: Citizens of most countries require a visa. Passports must be valid for 6 months from date of entry & have at least 2 blank pages.
A new e-visa service has been introduced via the e-visa portal. Visas are valid for 3 months from the time of entry and cost $50 (U.S. citizens pay $100).
Apply for visas in advance of arrival into Kenya via the e-visa portal.
Yes, Kenya is safe.
Kenya has suffered from sporadic terrorist attacks over the last 15 years. It should be noted that there have been fewer terrorist attacks here than in London; however, these attacks have had a hugely negative impact on tourism. Unlike other African countries, Kenya continues to see a drop in tourist numbers. This is good news for you. The infrastructure is set up for a high-end safari holiday. None of the wildlife has disappeared. But you don’t need to share the safari with dozens of other vehicles. Even better, fewer tourists mean better prices.
These terrorist attacks occurred in Kenya’s cities, absolutely nowhere near the safari destinations. Travel advice from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has never recommended for British citizens to avoid travel to Kenya’s safari destinations. Do note that there is a no-go zone near the Somalian border, which is nowhere near the destinations you would want to visit.
The best months for game viewing are generally the dry seasons, which are January to March and June to September.
July and August are peak seasons for Kenya Safaris. The climate is cool and dry, and the wildebeest are crossing the Mara River. It’s the only time of year when the parks become busy, so we’d recommend using private conservancies for a more personal safari experience.
September and October offer even better game viewing, but the safari will be cheaper and quieter.
January to March is also recommended. During these months the lack of rain makes it the easiest time of year to spot wildlife.
Note that many of Kenya’s safari lodges close during the long rains of April and May. June can also be wet.
November and December are also a good time to visit although some of the parks are inaccessible due to rain – we can advise on the best destinations for these months.
The rumble of 2 million wildebeest and zebra hooves fill Kenya’s Masai Mara from July to October. These animals charge over the Mara River from the Serengeti in Tanzania, where the migration is in full swing for all the other months of the year. Bear in mind that the Mara has excellent game viewing all year round, it’s only in July and August when it gets really popular with visitors. For these months we recommend small private camps, away from the crowds.
Also note that trying to catch the actual Mara River crossing can be frustrating. The herds gather for many days before actually crossing, so it can mean many wasted hours or days, when you could be enjoying a more diverse safari experience. Travel outside July and October and we can arrange a safari that combines the great wildebeest migration in Tanzania, with destinations in Kenya.
Language: English and Kiswahili (spoken in Kenya Tanzania & Uganda), are both official languages.
Time zone: GMT + 2
International dialling code: +254
Health: Proof of a yellow fever vaccination may be required if arriving from within Africa. Consult your doctor at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to your trip, especially since some vaccines require time to take effect.
Money: The unit of currency is the Kenya shilling (KSH). Major credit cards are accepted by many tourist hotels.
Getting there: International flights serve Nairobi and Mombasa. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is the main point of arrival for most visitors; Moi International Airport in in the coastal area of Mombasa, also sees international arrivals and ideal if you are beginning with a beach stay before your Safari.
Getting around: A good network of domestic flights link Nairobi and Mombasa to most other attractions & African destinations. National Parks are easily visited on tailored safaris including internal flights.
Every Kenya safari should be different. With so much choice over what to do and where to go, we don’t believe in a cookie-cutter approach to planning your holiday. We’d like to know your interests, preferences, wishes and questions. Then we can handcraft a holiday a lifetime, one that really makes the most of what Kenya has to offer. This country is the birthplace of African adventure and we will find an adventure that is best suited to you.
