KENYA

Why Go on a Kenya Safari

Experience a safari vacation in Kenya, the place where safari travel originated. The best Kenya tours and safaris include Big 5 game viewing, incredible natural beauty and cultural encounters, often combining Kenya's top attractions with Tanzania and the tropical beaches of the Kenyan coast.

The safari bucket list for Kenya includes seeing the Great Migration in the legendary Masai Mara, Amboseli's unforgettable views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Samburu's leopards. Encounter fascinating cultures in authentic Masai villages and taste the flavours of Africa, India and Europe in the melting pot that is Swahili culture.

Kenya's biggest attraction is the natural movement of mega-herds – wildebeest, zebra and gazelle – following the summer rains and sweet grasses in an annual pilgrimage called the Great Migration. Depending on when your Kenya safari takes place, you may witness the life-and-death struggles of the Mara River crossings or dramatic encounters with Africa's top predators on the open plains.

Kenya combines easily with Tanzania and Rwanda, which means you can add gorilla trekking to your Kenyan safari. You'll also find a wide range of safari and beach combination tours to make the most of Kenya’s scenic beauty and wildlife, rounded off with relaxation on a tropical island.

Kenya offers a holiday for every traveller. From unforgettable Kenya family safaris that offer child-friendly activities and services, to exclusive hideaways for romantics, from adventurous honeymoons to small groups of friends and family celebrating a milestone anniversary. Whatever type of traveller you are, there's not much that beats a Kenya holiday – the standards of service are high and Kenya's top destinations offer luxury accommodation ranging from lavish, colonial-style lodges to funky boutique hotels and amenity-packed resorts.

Things to do in Kenya

  1. Bird watching

  2. Wildlife and safari

  3. Cultural interactions

  4. Hot air ballooning

  5. Private concessions and conservancies

  6. Scenery

  7. Wildebeest Migration

Places to visit in Kenya

  1. Central Kenya – typically, this is where all Kenya safari itineraries start because Nairobi is the heart of the country.

  2. Western Kenya – home to the biggest name in safari, the Masai Mara National Reserve.

  3. Northern Kenya – there are superb safari options here, including Samburu National Park, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Laikipia.

  4. Southern Kenya – this is where you will see Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. Way down on the south-eastern coast are some of Kenya's best beaches.

Masai Mara: Wildebeest Migration & Year-Round Game-Viewing

Kenya’s hottest spot, the Masai Mara, may not be the country’s largest but it forms part of the Masai Mara-Serengeti ecosystem that is home to the famous Great Wildebeest Migration. It's here where a Masai Mara safari offers the most dramatic game viewing and widest range of experiences suited to all travellers. It’s where to go in Kenya for hot air balloon flights, action-packed game drives, cultural interactions and guided nature walks in private conservancies. All of this, coupled with spectacular Masai Mara lodges, make it one of the top Kenya destinations.

Amboseli National Park: Best Views of Mt Kilimanjaro

A short distance from Nairobi, Amboseli National Park is the ideal Kenya destination to soak up the classic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, situated across the border in Tanzania. There’s great big game viewing as well – especially around the Amboseli’s wetland areas – it’s a popular and busy park , and excellent game viewing can be done all year-round -­ so expect to share your sightings with other visitors.

Lake Nakuru: Spectacular Game Viewing

Lake Nakuru in Kenya is just a three-hour drive from Nairobi in the Great Rift Valley. It boasts an abundance of wildlife and spectacular landscapes. Rhino and hippo are among the heavyweights, though bird watchers will be more interested in the 400 species of birds recorded here.

Shaba and Samburu: Untamed Wilderness

Shaba and Samburu National Reserves lie to the north of the region where Kenya’s savannah gives way to desert scrub and mountains. The scenery is dramatic, and besides a familiar cast of classic African animals you’ll find species here that don’t occur in Kenya’s more popular parks, making it one of the most appealing places to visit in Kenya. Samburu National Reserve is widely considered one of the prime Kenya vacation spots due to its magnificent topography and wildlife, while Shaba is no different except for its slight change in landscape.

Mount Kenya & Central Highlands: Game Viewing Away from the Crowds

While there’s no doubting the allure of the Masai Mara, visitors to Kenya who are after less crowded safari destinations should head for the rugged Central Highlands. Africa’s second highest peak, the 5200m Mount Kenya looms over much of the region which includes great wildlife destinations such as family-friendly and multi-activity Meru National Park, the private Lewa Downs Conservancy in the foothills of Mt Kenya, the Mount Kenya National Park and the amazing forests of Aberdares National Park.

It can be tricky deciding between visiting Mount Kenya vs Kilimanjaro, given each have their own unique charm. But, If you’re looking for a relaxed Mount Kenya safari, then any one of these parks fits the bill. Recently UNESCO has announced that the Mount Kenya-Lewa Wildlife Conservancy will be added as an extension to Mount Kenya National Park, enhancing the protection of the land as a World Heritage Site and skyrocketing the region to a top Kenya vacation spot.

Laikipia Plateau: Private Reserves & Outstanding Accommodation

Kenya’s newest safari destination lies just north of Nairobi on the rim of the magical Great Rift Valley. An area of thriving private reserves, luxurious family-friendly accommodation and considered one of the best honeymoon destinations in Africa, Laikipia is a must-visit Kenya vacation spot. If you’re in search of an air of exclusivity and a diverse, intimate Kenya safari experience away from the crowds, this is it.

Mombasa & Kenya Beaches: Family Resorts & Luxury Lodges

With all the attention on Kenya’s safari destinations, it’s easy to forget that the country has a dazzling tropical coastline. However, the sandy shores and crystal blue oceans are widely considered some of Kenya's prime vacation spots. Mainland Mombasa is a one of the family-favourite Kenya destinations for got-it-all Kenya beach resorts, but ask us about Kenya’s more exclusive mainland beach lodges where the accent is on exclusivity, luxury and indulgence.

Lamu Archipelago: Classic Barefoot Luxury Beach Experience

Scuba diving and snorkelling on pristine reefs, sunset dhow cruises and swimming with dolphins – the unspoilt Lamu Archipelago combines all the elements of a fantastic beach holiday and is a perfect add-on to a Kenya safari. It is also one of the best holiday destinations in Kenya for a sensational honeymoon getaway. Superb luxury accommodation is available both on Lamu Island and nearby Manda Island.

Month by Month Guide for Travelling to Kenya

Visiting Kenya in January & February

January is a great time to visit Kenya for game viewing and is the height of the summer season. January lies outside of the two notable ‘long' and ‘short' rain periods and is a good time for beach holidays on the Kenyan coast, but the temperatures are high.

February is another great month for a Kenya safari, the central highlands are warm in the day and cool in the evening, while the coast is extremely hot in the daytime and temperatures follow suit in the evening. February experiences the lowest levels of precipitation in the Masai Mara, compared to the rest of the year, and the chances of encountering wild species at watering holes is higher. February is where to go in Kenya to conquer Africa's second highest peak, Mount Kenya.

Travelling to Kenya from March to May

In March, the weather transitions quite quickly from ‘hot and dry' to ‘wet and rainy'. Rain is commonplace throughout large parts of the country, and the savannah often becomes a muddy landscape – with some areas difficult to visit due to impassible roads. The silver lining to the less-than-ideal weather is that crowds are absent and costs are lower.

April is one of the wettest and rainiest months in Kenya. Nairobi and the central highlands are hot in the day and comfortable at night, while Mombasa is hot both in the day and at night. Game drives can be challenging on muddy roads in this month, but it's a fantastic time for photographers to go on safari. There is no dust, the landscape is lush and beautifully green, and the skies provide moody backdrops for incredible wildlife images. Just be sure to protect your equipment from the elements!

In May the long rains have settled in to quench the African plains, and along the coastline, the beaches are no longer a sunshine paradise. It's not an ideal time for a powder-soft sand, ocean escape.

Travelling to Kenya from June to October

The months of June through to October mark the start of the long dry season, which is regarded as the best time to go to Kenya for a truly ‘Out of Africa' safari experience. The weather is at its best in these dry months, wildlife congregate around water sources, and there is an air of anticipation for the arrival of the Great Migration's mega-herds into the Masai Mara.

Towards the end of July is when the herds of Mother Nature's greatest spectacle start arriving in the Masai Mara and when you could have a front-row seat to dramatic river crossings. The weather is temperate and dry but not too dusty, and occasional bouts of showers are still possible.

In August, the Great Migration is at its height. Temperatures are pleasant, and awe-inspiring action can be witnessed when thousands of zebras and wildebeest perform their death-defying river crossings, with hungry crocodiles in wait. The weather is generally dry in September and the game-viewing action continues.

In October, the migratory herds usually start leaving the Masai Mara, but Kenya has no shortage of resident wildlife that will keep safari enthusiasts delighted in Big 5 country.

Visiting Kenya between November & December

November is the start of the short rainy season and most of the parks and camps remain open, while some camps close on the Laikipia Plateau. Despite the rain, this is a good time to take the opportunity to enjoy a less crowded Kenya safari at lower prices.

The last month of the year can be very hot with potential rain, but viewing the local wildlife is – as it always is – spectacular. December is also great for birdwatchers as bird numbers increase greatly at this time of the year.