Kenya : Safari Explorer

Resting on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River and neighbouring the Buffalo Springs National Park, Samburu National Reserve is remote, hot and arid. The reserve spans over 165 square kilometres of spectacularly scenic landscape featuring rugged hills, undulating plains and riverine forests. The park is home to abundant wildlife including a variety of rare species such as the reticulated giraffe, the long necked gerenuk, Somali ostrich, Grevy's Zebra and Beisa Oryx. Samburu was one of the homes of 'Elsa the Lioness', star of the best selling book and award-winning movie 'Born Free'. Visitors can enjoy viewing over 900 elephants, a variety of predators, and over 450 bird species.

Situated in along the Nairobi River in beautiful Kenya, the capital of Nairobi is East Africa's most cosmopolitan city. It serves as an excellent starting point for African safari trips around Kenya. Nairobi is Africa’s 4th largest city and is a vibrant and exciting place, and although it has developed a reputation which keeps tourist visits brief, there are some fascinating attractions: its cafe culture, unbridled nightlife, the National Museum, the Karen Blixen Museum and most notably just 20 minutes from the city centre wild lions and buffalo roam in the world’s only urban game reserve. Make sure you pay a visit to the elephant orphanage operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Resting at the foothills of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountain Range, in central Kenya's Laikipia County, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. It is also home to the last three remaining northern white rhino in the world. Originally a working cattle ranch in colonial Kenya and now a pioneering wildlife conservancy, Ol Pejeta works to protect wildlife and provide a sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees. The Conservancy is a popular safari destination and is home to the renowned ‘Big Five’ as well as a wide selection of other African animals including: zebra, giraffe, hippo, cheetah, jackal, serval, hyena, vervet monkey and many more. Visitors can enjoy an assortment of outdoor activities such as horse rides, game walks, and nocturnal game drives.

Lake Naivasha is the highest of the Great Rift Valley Lakes and despite having no outlet, it is one of only two Rift Valley freshwater lakes. This beautiful lake is fringed by papyrus and acacia trees, a unique geologic landscape and supports a vast array of over 450 bird species. It serves as the main drinking hole for wildlife in the area such as zebra, eland, hippo, waterbuck, buffalo and much more. Visitors can look forward to excellent game viewing, intriguing night safaris, boating excursions around the lake as well as to Crescent Island for spectacular bird watching opportunities. Other popular activities include: guided nature walks, horse riding, village visits and tours to neighbouring national parks.

The Masai Mara together with Tanzania’s Serengeti form Africa’s most famous wildlife park, the Masai Mara National Reserve. The image of acacia trees dotting endless grass plains epitomises Africa for many, then add a Maasai warrior and some cattle to the picture and the conversation need go no further. The undeniable highlight of the Masai Mara National Reserve is undoubtedly the annual wildebeest migration traversing the vast plains of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. It is known as the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet – with more than a million animals following the rains. Large prides of lions, elephants, giraffes, gazelles and eland can also be spotted in the reserve. Aside from horse riding safaris and traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Mara plains has become almost essential.

Sandwiched between Mount Kenya and the northern deserts, Laikipia is where Kenya’s wild and semi-arid northern frontier country begins. The region is made up of privately owned and community ranches centred around the Laikipia National Reserve. Known as one of Kenya’s best safari areas, the high plains of Laikipia feature vast open stretches of African savanna scattered with abundant game including: Grevy’s zebras, black rhino, lion, leopard, wild dogs, buffalo and thousands of elephants. Visitors can enjoy a luxury safari experience at a private lodge or stay in the worthwhile community-run lodges which support the local Samburu and Ilaikipiak and Mokogodo Maasai communities.

The Rift Valley is a colossal geological feature stretching for 6000 kilometres. It runs from the Middle East all the way down Africa to northern Botswana into Kenya and can be visited just a short drive north of Nairobi. The ground drops away and opens up to a massive valley which is home to lakes, soda lakes, savannah and impressive volcanic formations. This spectacularly scenic landscape is scattered with abundant plains game, a string of reserves and Maasai villages. Visitors can soak up these stunning panoramas against beautiful backdrops. Some highlights include: the dramatic cliffs of Hell's Gate, Mount Longonot, Lake Elmenteita, and the beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park.