Safaris in Kenya
Safaris in Kenya : The most popular attractions in Kenya are Kenya game drive safaris and kenya wildlife tours, which annually bring in a large number of tourists. The “Big Five” species can be seen in Kenya’s more than 20 national parks and game reserves, which are home to some of the most amazing wildlife in the world. In actuality, the “Big Five” serve as the main attraction of the bulk of safari in Kenya and wildlife safaris in kenya that are provided within the parks. The Masai Mara, which shares a border with Tanzania’s Serengeti plains, is Kenya’s most well-known game park. Visitors can view the spectacular yearly wildebeest migration that occurs at the Mara between July and September. During the time the park is highly visited with nearly all the tour operators station their offering Kenya migration tours for clients who wish to capture the spectacular natural phenomena.
The Masai Mara National Reserve, Tsavo East and West, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba National Reserves, as well as other locations, are the principal Kenya safari destinations. The traveller’s interests, desired animal or bird species, and trip budget all factor into the decision of where to go. But because of the spectacular yearly wildebeest migration, Mara is the most visited wildlife reserve in Kenya.
Nairobi national park is the least expensive national park in Kenya for safaris, with an entrance cost of $40 per person per day. Meru National park Tsavo West and East National parks, the Maasai Mara National Reserve, and Amboseli National Park all have entrance fees of $52 per day.
Scheduling a wildlife safari in Kenya via kenya game drive safaris is usually a really special experience, but you can also partake in other activities like hot air ballooning, horseback riding, river rafting, guided nature walks, night game drives, and Kenya cultural tours., all of which have an additional cost.
The dry season, which lasts from late June to October, is the ideal time to visit Kenya for wildlife safaris and trips. The wildebeest migration often enters the Masai Mara game reserve in August and stays there until October, when it departs for the Tanzanian Serengeti once more. Many migration tours safaris are done during this period between Serengeti National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve. Otherwise, game viewing is excellent everywhere, however this may not be true for all parks.
With over 1,100 bird species reported, Kenya is among the top places in Africa for bird viewing excursions in addition to wildlife safaris. On any Kenyan birding safaris, you can easily see a number of endemic and near-endemic species. From September to April, there are constantly migrants from Europe. The endemic & near-endemic bird species in Kenya include; Abbott’s starling, Aberdare cisticola, Amani sunbird, Clarke’s weaver, Grey-crested helmet-shrike, Hinde’s pied babbler, Jackson’s hornbill, Jackson’s francolin, Montane white-eye, Sharpe’s long claw, Sokoke pipit, Sokoke scops owl, Taita thrush, Tana River cisticola, Taveta golden weaver, Williams’s lark. Other special birds to spot on your bird watching safaris are; Abyssinian crimsonwing, Bar-tailed trogon, Blue-headed bee-eater, Friedman’s lark, Golden-breasted starling, Golden-winged sunbird, Great blue turaco, Kori bustard, Red-naped bush-shrike, Secretary bird, Somali courser, Somali sparrow, Taita apalis, Turner’s Eremomela, Vulturine guineafowl and Yellow-bellied wattle-eye.
The Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru national park, Bogoria, Lake Baringo, Samburu, Arabuko-Sokoke, and Kakamega Forest are among Kenya’s top birding locations. Although there are many of migratory birds from Europe and north Africa from September to April, this is the greatest season to go bird watching in Kenya. Many local bird species are nesting and in breeding plumage around this time.
Every day is extraordinary when on a Kenyan safari. One of the most amazing experiences in the entire world, it’s at the top of many people’s wish lists. The specifics, though, can be somewhat overwhelming when it comes to making travel arrangements for a safari.
Not only are there a tonne of possibilities, but many individuals also have no idea what to anticipate when they go on a safari vacation. Our Africa Specialist, Thea, is here to answer some of your most frequently asked concerns about safaris and to outline all you can expect on a normal day in Kenyan safari.
What to anticipate on an average safari day in Kenya?
Everywhere in Kenya, having two game activities each day, with game drives being the most frequent of these, is the norm.
6:00am wake up
Fresh coffee or tea served inside your tent or at the restaurant will help you start your day off well. The finest game watching of the day requires an early start to avoid the heat of the sun.
During this time, the big cats are most active and the gorgeous lighting makes for some of the most spectacular photos. Even though it would be tempting to stay in bed and put off exploring until the afternoon, I can assure you that this game drive is one you won’t want to pass up.
6:30 – 7:00 am morning game drive safari
Join your knowledgeable guide as you board your safari van to search for cats and other game. You may want to bundle up in the mornings, but remember to carry clothing you can remove as the temperature rises with the spectacular dawn.
At the beginning of your game drive, let your guide know if you have any particular interests. To begin your safari excursion, all you need to do is sit back and relax because they’ll usually design their itinerary based on recent local sightings.
10:00 am – 1:00 pm Free time
Even though a safari in Kenya can involve long, busy days, you’ll still have spare time to relax, unwind, or participate in extracurricular activities.
Many lodges and camps offer a variety of extra programmes, like excursions to nearby villages, visits to specialised wildlife refuges, or even more opportunities for game viewing. Some even feature on-site spas where you may pamper yourself with a relaxing massage. Personally, I enjoy reading on the viewing terrace while taking in the nearby nature.
1:00 pm Lunch
At lunch, replenish your energy with more mouth-watering food and drink. Typically, meals consist of three courses and will keep you full till evening. Snacks are always available, and your host is always available if you get hungry in between meals.
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Free time
This is the hottest time of the day and a great opportunity to relax by the pool or take a siesta. Your lodge or camp will provide a variety of fun amenities and activities if you choose to be active to pass the time.
4:00pm – 7:00 pm evening game drive
As the sun begins to fall, take a game drive safari once more. Animals are more active and less likely to be lurking in the bushes for some shade in the lower evening temperatures.
Your guide will halt at a viewpoint as the sun makes its magnificent exit and will then bring out a chilled box with your selected drinks for a sundowner, a toast to the sun after an amazing Kenya safari day. This is a customary way to conclude a day safari in Kenya, and the settings are always magnificent.
8:00 pm
After arriving back at camp, eat a delicious three-course lunch before relaxing by the fire with a drink in your hand. While it may be alluring to remain up late in such a stunning setting, remember that you have a 6:00am wake-up call the following morning, so make sure you get a good night’s rest in order to be ready for your journey.