Kenya

The best time to visit Kenya is during the Dry season from June to October when the skimpy vegetation makes it easier to spot wildlife. The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Masai Mara in August and remains until October when they move back to the Serengeti in Tanzania. Wildlife viewing is good year-round, but this can differ for some parks. See below to learn when to visit which park.

The Masai Mara offers year-round wildlife viewing, but most of the visitor comes in between July to October. In the peak of the rainy season, most other parks, especially in the highlands and along the coast, can be problematic with regard to heat, humidity and continuous rain. Some of the lodges closed as a result. The dry months offer quality wildlife viewing throughout Kenya.

Safari excursions in Kenya are notable for their amazing wildlife. The most well-known safari game parks are typically found along the main route between Nairobi and Mombasa. Amboseli, Chyulu Hills, Masai Mara, and Tsavo East and West are located here. The northern game parks of Buffalo Springs, Samburu, and Shaba are also exceptional because they are dry wildernesses where animals congregate to drink at the waters of the Ewaso N'yiro River, attracting sizable herds of elephants, leopards, gerenuk, oryx, and giraffe. The impressive wildlife that one can find in Kenya, including Big cats like the Lion, Leopard, and Cheetah, Elephants, Rhinos, and Giraffes, and that's just the beginning, is most likely the main draw.

Samburu and Meru in the north are home to some fascinating limited dry-country species. The odd-looking gerenuk is regularly seen standing on its rear legs benefiting from dry bushes. The Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe are lovely variations to the more normal species found all through the area. Tsavo is home to the uncommon periphery-eared oryx.

The Great Wildebeest Migration

Those wishing to encounter the great migration of the white-bearded wildebeest can observe this scene directly in the Maasai Mara when the migration passes into southern Kenya from July through late October. More than 2,000,000 herbivores advance north from the Serengeti in Tanzania into Kenya as they follow the yearly downpour designs in their interminable hunt for lusher, greener grass. 

Wildlife viewing can be done throughout the year in Kenya, but still, the best time to visit is in the Dry season from June to October. This includes the great wildebeest migration in Masai Mara. The parks are much quieter in the low season, and prices are more competitive as well.

With over 1100 species recorded, Kenya is one of the best birding destinations in Africa, from the alpine Mt. Kenya and the western lowland forests at Kakamega to soda-encrusted, flamingo-filled Rift Valley lakes. On any birding trip, you can without much of a stretch see a respectable number of endemic and near-endemic species. These birds are targeted specifically because they unexpectedly enter the country or pass by without being noticed. From September to April, immigrants from Europe are available.

Birding can be done throughout the year in Kenya, but the best time to visit is from September to April when migratory birds from Europe and northern Africa are present. At this time, many resident bird species are nesting and breeding plumage. For wildlife viewing, however, the Dry season is better.

Kenyan dishes are among the best you will ever devour. Ask any Kenyan who lives away and they will tell you how much they miss Kenyan cuisine. Kenya is a country with 42 tribes and almost every community has its own unique dish. The culinary scene varies throughout the country. The fact is you will never taste all of them but make sure you try the following dishes before leaving Kenya so you can judge Kenya’s cuisine. The fact is you will never taste all of them but make sure you try the following dishes before leaving Kenya so you can judge Kenya’s cuisine.
Ugali (Cornmeal), Samaki (Fish), Nyama Choma (Grilled Meat), Kachumbari (Tomato and Onion Salsa), Githeri (Boiled Corn and Beans), Mukimo (No occasion is complete without mukimo), Matoke (Plantain Banana Stew), Omena (Silver Fish), Ingoho (Chicken), Sukumawiki (Kale/Collard Greens), Kenyan Style Stew, Mutura (Kenyan Sausage), Mrenda (Jute Mallow), Wali wa Nazi (Coconut Rice), Makai (Roast Maize) and Chips Mayai (Omelet and French fries).

 

Kenya is not a homogeneous country ethnicity-wise. The make-up of Kenyans is primarily that of 13 ethnic groups with an additional 27 smaller groups. The majority of Kenyans belong to ‘Bantu’ tribes such as the Kikuyu, Luhya and Kamba. There are also the ‘Nilotic’ tribes such as the Luo, Kalenjin, Maasai and Turkana. The ‘Hamitic’ people include the Turkana, Rendille and Samburu. Around 13% of the population are of non-African descent, i.e. Indian, Arab and European.
Kenyans are group-orientated rather than individualistic. “Harambee,” (coming from the Bantu word meaning “to pull together”) defines the people’s approach to others in life. The concept is essentially about mutual assistance, mutual effort, mutual responsibility and community self-reliance.

Kenya is one of Africa's most popular tourist destinations, with world-class national parks, the annual wildebeest migration, and a stunning coastline. The country has had several security issues, which harmed tourist numbers for a while, but it has recovered thanks to its tourism pedigree. People from all over the world visit Kenya to experience the richness of its culture as well as its stunning parks with abundant wildlife. The United States has sent the most tourists to Kenya, followed by the United Kingdom, India, and China.

Please see the links below for travel advice on Kenya Safari Trips:

• United Kingdom: UK Travel Advisory
• United States: US Travel Advisory
• Canada: Canada Travel Advisory
• Australia: Australia Travel Advisory
• Ireland: Ireland Travel Advisory
• New Zealand: New Zealand Travel Advisory
• EU member states: EU member states Advisory

Tourists can visit these safari locations once in Kenya and can show up via air, land or ocean, however, flights are the most favoured mode of transport. Kenya is a huge nation and while you can go via vehicle on a safari circuit, getting between the various regions is better on a booked flight.
Kenya's main airport is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), located 15km/9mi southeast of Nairobi. Kenya's second international Airport is Moi International Airport (MBA), located 9km/6mi west of Mombasa, but aside from flights to Zanzibar, this is primarily used for domestic and charter flights.
From Nairobi or Mombasa, one can fly or drive between reserves, or opt to do a bit of both. Most domestic flights out of Nairobi depart from Wilson Airport (WIL), 6km/4mi south of Nairobi.

Wilson Airport (WIL) is used for flights to Tanzania and domestic flights.
Domestic flights can be booked with several carriers:

• Mombasa Air Safari
• Airkenya
• Safarilink
• Fly540
• Kenya Airways
• eastafrican.com
   

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