Where in the world can you find “The Big Five”: Elephants, Lions,
Rhinos, Leopards, and Hippos? In Kenya ofcourse! Forget zoos, this
is the real deal. All these animals, in their natural habitat…running
free yet viewable to humans. Pretty cool, huh? It’s an entirely
different experience; thrilling yet scary. The knowledge that you
are “in” the cage, so to speak, instead of just looking in heightens
the sense of danger a hundred fold.
Kenya is the birthplace of that animal observation activity, the
Safari. For more than a hundred years, visitors have come to Kenya
expressly to experience one of these tours. It is truly a once in a
lifetime experience.
One of the most popular
places to visit in the world, Kenya is located in East Africa. Though it
is best known for its safaris, this country has more to offer visitors.
The attraction of this country is mostly its wild, untamed resources.
Nowhere else in the world will you see wild animals such as giraffes,
lions, antelopes and other beasts running free.
Kenya’s landscape is spectacular and breathtaking. Its topography is
varied from high mountain ranges, to dense forests, deep lakes, sandy
beaches, and vast, open deserts. Its climate is tropical. The coast is
hot and humid, the inland parts are temperate and very dry, especially
in the northern and northeastern parts of the country. Generally, Kenya
enjoys sunshine all year round and locals dress in summer clothes,
though it can get chilly at night and early in the morning.
The country has several national parks and reserves, untouched and as
wild as possible. Aberdare National Park is well-known for its
spectacular views, beautiful waterfalls, mountainous vegetation, and its
rare species of antelope called the Bongo.
The Amboseli National Park is known for its spectacular scenery which is
dominated by Mt. Kilimanjaro. The park also boasts herds of elephants
and other species of animals.
Lake Bogoria National Reserve, though not
as popular as the other two parks, features over one million birds,
thermal springs, and several geysers. Surrounded by deserts, wildlife is
limited in the area in terms of species.
Chyulu Hills National Park had volcanic
episodes five centuries ago which left it its beautiful scenic ridge and
mountains great for trekking and exploring. The park boasts of a large
variety of species and being the home of the world’s longest lava tube.
Mount Elgon National Park is located on the slopes of Mt. Elgon and has
a wide variety of big game hunting with untouched forests as its
backdrop. More than 200 species of birds are found here and is
considered a bird watcher’s paradise.
Hells Gate National Park is one of only three of Kenya’s national parks
that allows visitors to walk around. It is also home to more than three
hundred species of birds, along with other animals, even leopards, so a
walking tour around the area would be really exciting.
Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the most breathtaking parks in the
whole of East Africa. With over 400 species of birds, indigenous forests,
and savannahs, this park is famous for over one million pink flamingos
that live here.
Malindi and Watamu Marine National Parks is home to hundreds of marine
life and was declared one of the four biospheres in the country. To
fully appreciate the tour, glass bottomed boats are recommended so as to
see the areas of the reef.
Marsabit National Park is home to Ahmed
and Mohammed, two famous tuskers. Forests here are dense and there are
two scenic crater lakes. This park is for the adventurous.
Masai Mara Game Reserve is arguably the
most well-known wild life reserve in the country. The herds of
wildebeest here are spectacular and it is the best area to witness wild
game such as the Big Cats.
Meru National Park is located in a remote part of the country and is not
a well-known as the other parks. The advantage to this park is its very
remoteness which allows one to take in the beauty of one’s surroundings
without the usual crowd of tourists found at more popular parks.
Other parks in the country are the Nairobi National Park, the Ol Donyo
Sabuk National Park, the Saiwa Swamp National Park, the Samburu National
Reserve, the Shaba National Reserve, the Shimba Hills National Reserve,
the Sibiloi National Park, and the Tsavo East and West National Park.
There are many places to see in Kenya. If wild, untamed adventure is
your thing, then Kenya is for you.
