There is a lot more to Kenya apart from being the motherland of former American President, Barrack Obama. Thanks to its location in the tropics of East Africa, Kenya’s 580,367 km² landscape is packed with lots of astonishing contrasts that sums up many travelers dreams. These include rugged Savannah plains with spectacular wildlife, countless forests with an endearing bird life and endless miles of pristine beach on the Indian Ocean shoreline.

Simply put, Kenya is like an irresistible candy. When you have it, you will never say never. On the contrary, you will keep coming back for more. That’s exactly why over 500,000 tourists make countless return visits to it annually.

This former colony of Britain is blessed with an extensive scope of the world’s second largest freshwater Lake Victoria, pleasant, warm tropical weather, and a rich, diverse cultural heritage. In brief, Kenya is the “Safari Capital of the world”. If you wish to behold the beauty of Africa from it’s second highest peak, Destination Kenya will make your dream come true at it’s Mountain Kenya. It is a snow capped paradise for hikers, soaring at 5,199 metres above sea level.

Since the 1990’s, the royalty, aristocracy, politicians and movie stars have flocked there to hunt the “Big Five'(lion, rhino, buffalo, elephants and Leopard). Today Kenya boasts an incredible 56 national parks and reserves.

Kenya’s key attractions include the famous big five, the fabulous sugar pink flamingos found in the rift valley lakes of Nakuru, Bogoria, Elementeita and Magadi. The Masai people have captured the imagination of the world with their red cloaks, proud demeanor, mystic love of their cattle and intricate bead work.

Masai Mara is Kenya’s most famous national park and the scene of the world-famous annual migration of the wildebeest.

Kenya’s Indian ocean beaches are ranked among the top ten in the world while her stunning array of marine parks offer coral gardens, rainbow fish and water that is warm and clear all year. Not forgetting the unique Swahili culture of the Kenyan coastline, a colourful fusion of Arab, African and Portuguese influences, has created a pace of life, a style of cuisine and a mosaic of architecture, heritage, myth and magic that is unique.

With over 7 years experience in organizing Kenya Holiday Packages, Umoja prides in being one of the East Africa Tour operators that can’t to treat you wonders of this magical destination.

Best time to visit

Wildlife viewing is fruitful throughout the year. However you want the most spectacular sightings, the Dry season from late June to October is great for wildlife viewing. In July, wildebeest migration climaxes in Masai Mara and remains until October when they migrate back to the Serengeti in Tanzania.

KENYA NATIONAL PARKS INFORMATION

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.

ACTIVITIES

• Bird watching
• Game viewing
• Camping
• Photographic
• Scenic

ATTRACTIONS

• Large Herds of Elephants
• Mt. Kilimanjaro
• Big Five
• 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 fowls like pelican, Egyptian goose
• Contemporary Maasai culture and indigenous lifestyle

NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK

A short drive out of Nairobi’s central business district is the Nairobi National Park. Wide open grass plains and backdrop of the city scrapers, scattered acacia bush play host to a wide variety of wildlife including the endangered black rhino, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes and diverse birdlife with over 400 species recorded. Visitors can enjoy the park’s picnic sites, three campsites and the walking trails for hikers

ACTIVITIES.

• Camping
• Picnics
• Game viewing
• Corporate and special events

ATTRACTIONS.

• The only Wildlife park in the world that is so close to the city
• Black rhinoceros :which is an endangered species
• The first park to be gazetted in Kenya on December 16, 1946
• Major rhino sanctuary for breeding and restocking other parks
• Diverse birdlife:Has over 400 bird species. At least 20 of which are seasonal European migrants.
• Home to over 100 mammal species, four of the Big Five (lion, Buffalo, leopard and  rhino)
• Has a spectacular wildebeest and zebra migration
• Large predators- lion, leopard, hyena and cheetah.
• Aggregations of large herbivores- eland, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest
• Ivory Burning Site Monument
• Walking trails at hippo pools
• Nairobi Safari Walk & the Orphanage.
• Spacious accommodating picnic sites

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK.

On the floor of the Great Rift Valley, surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland, lies the beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park. 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.

ACTIVITIES.

• Camping
• Game viewing

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 etc
• 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

MAASAI MARA NATIONAL PARK

Masai Mara National Reserve (also known as Maasai Mara or the Mara) is situated within the Great Rift Valley in the southern part of Kenya. Measuring approximately 1510sq. kilometres (approx. 938sq. miles) in size, this unfenced savannah grassland is roughly 150 miles southeast of Nairobi.

Maasai Mara derives its name from the indigenous people of Kenya – the Maasai tribe – and the Mara River that cuts through the park.The Masai Mara provides the best view of the famous wildebeest migration as the animals cross the Mara River between July and August.The Mara is also home to the richest concentration of wildlife, including the “Big Five” (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo), zebras, antelope, gnus, Oribis, hyenas, giraffes, warthogs, gazelles, hartebeests, hippos, crocodiles and others. The park has the largest concentration of African lions, including the black-maned lion.

ACTIVITIES.

• Game viewing
• Wildebeest migration
• Hot Air balloon rides
• Bird watching
• Maasai cultural tours
• Walking tours
• Camping