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TOP 8 TRAVEL DESTINATIONS IN KENYA EAST AFRICA

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Kenya- Africa. The reserve is located in the Great Rift Valley in primarily open grassland.

Wildlife tends to be most concentrated on the reserve’s western escarpment.

The Masai Mara is regarded as the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife viewing areas. The annual wildebeest’s migration alone involves over 1.5 million animals arriving in July and departing in November.

See affordable Masai mara travel packages
There have been some 95 species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles and over 400 bird species recorded on the Masai mara game reserve.

Attractions

The Masai Mara has Wildlife- Nowhere in Africa is more wildlife abundant. The Mara is known as one of the finest wildlife destinations in the world, with an excellent chance of seeing the big five, cheetah, serval, hyena, bat-eared foxes, black-backed and side-striped jackals, hippo, crocodile, baboons, warthog, topi, eland, Thompson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle, impala, waterbuck, oribi, reed-buck and zebra.

Activities

Game viewing, camping, night game drives, visits to Masai cultural villages, ballooning, bush dinner, lunch and breakfast. Masai Mara makes is the best spot for a destination wedding photographer to engage different scenes with clients.

Camps

Some of the eight major camps in the Masai Mara include;

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

Lake Nakuru National Park is located on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, its surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland, colorful flamingos and majestic sceneries. Visitors can enjoy the wide ecological diversity and varied habitats that range from Lake Nakuru itself to the surrounding escarpment and picturesque ridges. Lake Nakuru National Park is ideal for bird watching, hiking, picnic and game drives.

Lake Nakuru was first gazetted as a bird sanctuary in 1960 and upgraded to a National Park status in 1968.

The Park has Kenya’s largest population of rhinos. The surface of the Lake Nakuru occupies about a third of the park. It supports a dense bloom of the blue-green Cyanophyte Spirulina platensis from which it derives its colour and is a food source for flamingos.

During peak season over millions of flamingos and Pelicans congregate on the lake making it a site to behold.

Attractions

  • Flamingo (Greater and Lesser) and other water birds including a variety of terrestrial birds numbering about 450 species in total.
  • Mammals: 56 different species including white rhinos, waterbuck etc.
  • View-points: Lion hill, Baboon cliff and Out of Africa
  • Hills: Enasoit, Honeymoon, Lion hill ridge among others
  • Waterfalls: Makalia.
  • Unique vegetation: About 550 different plant species including the unique and biggest euphorbia forest in Africa, Picturesque landscape and yellow acacia woodlands.

Cycle with rhino event every September yearly.

  • KWS Self Catering
Camps

Naishi Guest House

Campsites

Privately Owned Lodges

AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

Crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, the Amboseli National Parks is one of Kenya’s most popular parks. The name “Amboseli” comes from a Maasai word meaning “salty dust”, and it is one of the best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close. Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here ranging from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulphur springs, the savannah and woodlands.  They can also visit the local Maasai community who live around the park and experience their authentic culture.

Amboseli lies immediately north-west of Mount Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania. The Park covers 392 square km, and forms part of the much larger 3,000 square km Amboseli ecosystem. Amboseli lies immediately north-west of Mount Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania. The Park covers 392 square km, and forms part of the much larger 3,000 square km Amboseli ecosystem. Large concentrations of wildlife occur here in the dry season, making Amboseli a popular tourist destination. It is surrounded by six communally owned group ranches.

The National Park embodies five main wildlife habitats (open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland) and covers part of a Pleistocene lake basin, now dry. Amboseli is famous for its big game and its great scenic beauty; the landscape is dominated by the towering Mount Kilimanjaro.

The National Park embodies five main wildlife habitats (open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland) and covers part of a Pleistocene lake basin, now dry. Within this basin is a temporary lake, Lake Amboseli, that floods during years of heavy rainfall.

Attractions

Major Attractions

Mount Kilimanjaro; Observation Hill which allows an overall view of the whole park especially the swamps and elephants; Swamp below observation hill hosts many elephants, buffaloes, hippos and a variety of water fowl like pelican; Egyptian goose; contemporary Maasai culture and indigenous lifestyle; herds of elephants.

Wildlife

Amboseli has over 80 different mammals to be found ranging from the tiny (and rarely seen) spectacled elephant shrew to the huge bulk of the African elephant. Few visitors will go home without superb elephant pictures with Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. There are over 400 bird species.

Amboseli Tour Packages

Camps

Amboseli has a range of accommodation to suit all budgets, tastes and interests. There are very basic campsites where one can pitch a tent and sleep under canvas in the wild, well appointed safari lodges, luxury tented camps with large, fully furnished tents, small private camps for your exclusive use and much, much, more.

KWS Self Catering

Campsites

Privately Owned Lodges

MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK

Being the second tallest mountain in Africa, the scenery surrounding this designated world heritage site is breathtaking. The wilderness is perfect and Mount Kenya peaks are of great beauty. It is pristine with lakes, tarns, glaciers, dense forest and mineral springs. The montane and alpine vegetation here is unique, with a wide variety of wildlife which include elephants, tree hyrax, white tailed mongoose, black fronted duikers, bushbucks, waterbucks, leopards, black rhino and buffaloes. It is as well an excellent destination for bird watchers.

Visitors can enjoy mountain climbing, camping and cave exploration, as you marvel at the sight of the mountain’s rugged glacier-clad peaks and equatorial snow. While the 5199 meter summit is a difficult technical climb, the lesser peak of Point Lenana (4985m) can be easily reached by any fit trekker which takes 3 to 5 days. Scenery here is just pure bliss.

Climbing to 5,199 meters, Mount Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa. The scenery surrounding this designated World Heritage Site is breath-taking. It is pristine wilderness with lakes, tarns, glaciers, dense forest, mineral springs and a selection of rare and endangered species of animals, high altitude adapted plains game and unique montane and alpine vegetation. Visitors can enjoy mountain climbing, camping and caving with the mountain’s rugged glacier-clad peaks providing the perfect backdrop.

Attractions

Pristine wilderness, lakes, tarns, glaciers and peaks of great beauty, geological variety, forest, mineral springs, rare and endangered species of animals, High altitude adapted plains game, Unique montane and alpine vegetation with 11 species of endemic plants.

Tour Packages

Camps

KWS Self Catering

Campsites

TSAVO NATIONAL PARK

The sight of dust-red elephant wallowing, rolling and spraying each other with the midnight blue waters of palm-shaded Galana River is one of the most evocative images in Africa. This, along with the 300 kilomtere long Yatta Plateau, the longest lava flow in the world, make for an adventure unlike any other in the Tsavo East.

The park forms the largest protected area in Kenya and is home to most of the larger mammals, vast herds of dust –red elephant, Rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, pods of hippo, crocodile, waterbucks, lesser Kudu, gerenuk and the prolific bird life features 500 recorded species.

Attractions

  • Bird watching
  • Camping
  • Game Viewing
  • Trekking
Tour Packages

Camps

  • Satao Camp
  • Manyatta Camp
  • Kiboko Camp
  • Ithumba Camp
  • Ndolo Safari Camp
  • Loyk Tsavo Camp
  • Sentrim Tsavo Camp
  • Man Eaters Camp
  • Galdessa Safari Camp
  • Kulalu Camp
Tsavo West National Park

From the sight of fifty million gallons of crystal clear water gushing out of from the under parched lava rock that is the Mzima Springs to the Shetani lava flows, Tsavo West is a beautiful, rugged wilderness. The savannah ecosystem comprises of open grasslands, scrublands, and Acacia woodlands, belts of riverine vegetation and rocky ridges including the Poacher’s.

The lookout where visitors can see the teeming herds in the plains below. Tsavo West offers some of the most magnificent game viewing in the world and attractions include elephant, rhino, Hippos, lions, cheetah, leopards, Buffalos, diverse plant and bird species including the threatened corncrake and near threatened Basra Reed Warbler.

Activities

  • Cave exploration
  • Game Viewing
  • Underwater Hippo and Fish watching
Attractions

The spectacle Mzima Springs is the sight of fifty million gallons of crystal clear water gushing out of from the under parched lava rocks, forming the most welcoming and lovely scene in Africa. Ancient lands of Lions, in 1898 the Uganda railway construction was abruptly halted by the two of the most voracious and insatiable man-eating lions appeared upon the scene, and for over nine month waged intermittent warfare against the railway and all those connected with it in the vicinity of Tsavo.

A vibrant volcanic arena; molten lava that form Shetani lava spewed from the earth just about 200 years ago and its fiery fury was thought by locals to be work of the Devil.

Poacher’s Lookout and roaring rocks; the Park abound the panoramic vintage point from which to view the movement of the herds.

Glorious game drives;

Tsavo west offers some of the most magnificent game viewing in the world.

Ngulia Sanctuary; this is where the growing population of highly endangered black rhino are inching from chasm of extinction forced upon them by rampant poaching in the 1960s.

Lake Jipe, lies astride Kenya and Tanzania boarder and is teeming with aquatic life, Bird watching is also a major activity around the lake.

First World War Site-East African Campaign, Perhaps the most bizarre campaign of the world war was fought in the “Bundu” (Bush) – the barely explored wilderness of thorny scrub and dense forest of Tsavo west. This last ‘gentleman war’ was waged under the code of honor-sometimes; or under guerilla tactics adopted from African tribal fighters. The Guided tours of the Crater, Kichwa Tembo and Mzima fort will enable you trail the real footsteps of the world war veterans.

Camps

KWS Self Catering

Privately Owned Campsites & Lodges

DIANI BEACH

Surrounded by the breathtaking Indian Ocean, soft white sands, lush greenery and the striking shade of emerald blue that emerges from its clear warm waters, Diani is Kenya’s most relaxing retreat. It is the perfect place to get away from the stress of everyday life or to relax before and after an exciting safari.

With its 17 kilometers of beautiful, flawless, soft white sand, Diani Beach has been awarded the best beach destination in Africa for 5 years running and is popular with families, honeymooners, backpackers and water-sports enthusiasts alike. From visiting its marine national park, diving with dolphins and sea turtles, spotting whale sharks, kitesurfing, skydiving and nightlife, Diani offers a range of activities for all ages.

Diani boasts a wide range of resorts, hotels, B&Bs and budget stays. From the backpacker to the luxury traveler, everyone can find the ideal retreat.
A foodie’s heaven, eat al fresco at various local cafés serving the best of local fresh Swahili dishes or enjoy a luxurious seafood platter in one of the highly rated international restaurants.
There is plenty to do in and around Diani, on, off and above water. Take a day trip out on an original dhow boat to Wasini Island to look for dolphins and sea turtles.

For a small adventure take a glass bottom boat or small fishermen’s dhow to the sandbank and marvel at the fantastic underwater world. Go a bit deeper into the ocean and dive with one of the PADI certified diving companies in Diani. The constant trade winds make Diani a top spot for kite surfers and windsurfers.

Take it to the sky for the thrill seeking; skydiving down onto the pristine beach is a fantastic adventure. On land, guided walks through sacred forests, a monkey sanctuary, a turtle information centre and a trip to Shimba Hills, the only coastal national park that is home to the endangered Sable Antelope, are some of the many options waiting to be explored.

GIRAFFE CENTRE

The AFEW (African Fund for Endangered Wildlife) Giraffe Centre is located in Langata, just outside Nairobi.

Giraffe center was purposefully set up as a breeding center for the endangered Rothschild giraffe, a subspecies of the giraffe, only found in the grasslands of East Africa. The conservation center now operates conservation/education programs for Kenyan school children.

There is good information on giraffes available here, and an elevated feeding platform where visitors meet the resident giraffes face to face.

Hand feeding giraffes is an education in itself. You will see, close at hand, how they use their long, prehensile tongues to remove leaves from prickly acacia branches.

The AFEW center is also home to Giraffe Manor, a beautifully maintained colonial home, now an exclusive guesthouse.

Giraffe Manor

Built in 1932, Giraffe Manor was modelled on a Scottish hunting lodge. This is the oldest of the ‘Safari Collection’s Properties’. The endangered Rothschild giraffe have been roaming these loans since the 1970s, when an orphaned Rothschild giraffe was adopted. The center’s giraffe population wander freely through the lush gardens, and pay an occasional visit to the house itself. Some of the unique experiences while here include the giraffe pushing their heads through the French windows to inspect the breakfast tables. Such a close encounter with the Rothschild giraffe gives a chance to appreciate of just how beautiful these creatures are.

HELLS GATE NATIONAL PARK

Named for the intense geothermal activity within its boundaries, the Hell’s Gate National Park is a remarkable quarter of the Great Rift Valley. Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa. Hell’s Gate is an ideal venue for a day trip from Nairobi where, in addition to the bio-diversity that includes raptors, visitors can enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing and a natural spa.

Activities

  • Biking
  • Bird Watching
  • Camping
  • Game Viewing
  • Hiking
  • Rock Climbing

Attractions

  • Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa.
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Raptor nesting in cliffs
  • Hot springs
  • The Olkaria Geothermal Station
  • The Mervyn Carnelley Raptor Hide
  • Tourist circuits, nature trails
  • Health spa

Campsites

The magical Kenya has amazing destinations, majestic sights, and adorable culture. Wakenya Watalii tours travel offers tour packages that are customized to meet your travel requirements.

For tour packages across Kenya, email to connect@wakenyawataliitourstravel.com

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