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Kenya, East Africa

About Kenya

Kenya is located in the wildlife-rich East Africa. The warm Indian Ocean runs along the country and offers beautiful beaches and sun-bathing opportunities. The landscape is one of savannah, lakelands, mountain highlands, the Great Rift Valley making this home to a plethora of wild animals such as lions, elephants and rhinos. There are many National Parks and reserves perfect for day and night safaris.

Kenya is twice the size of Nevada and borders Somalia and Ethiopia. The capital city, Nairobi, is the country’s main commercial and business centre with over a thousand businesses and more than one hundred major international organisations and companies.

** Please note in 2017 Kenya has instituted a Zero Tolerance on usage of All Plastic Bags. On the spot fines (400 USD) are being issued.  **

Why go to Kenya?

* Safaris in the Masai Mara

Hot air ballooning

* Local craft markets

* Feeding giraffes in Nairobi

nairobi-giraffe-centre

* Flamingos in Lake Nakuru

* Getting involved in local community projects

Wildebeest Migration

* Safaris in National Parks

* Birdwatching at the Great Rift Valley

* Learning the culture of the colourful Masai Mara Tribe

* White sandy beaches and isolated islands

* Amazing underwater activities

* Discovering interesting facts about ‘The cradle of Mankind’

Weather in Kenya

Kenya has a tropical climate due to the fact that it lies on the equator. The weather is very variable, influenced by the altitude and other climatic factors. The average daytime temperatures are between 20°C and 28°C, but you will find the coast to be warmer affected by the strong monsoon winds. The dry season is from June to October with the wet season being from November to May.

More about the dry season:

These are generally the coldest months where temperatures vary quite significantly from region to region. The sky during the days are clear with the sun peeking out, but the early morning temperatures can be low at about 10°C. These can make the early morning safaris chilly, so pack for these cold conditions. There is very little rain and humidity is low so driving out on safaris can be pleasant.

More about the wet season:

Here you will find the temperatures to be between 24°C and 27°C. Lower altitudes are more consistent at 30°C. Early morning game drives are once again quite chilly, so layering is advisable. The humidity from December to April is very high.

Best time to visit Kenya

This often depends on what you want to see and how the temperatures can vary in Kenya. The great thing about the weather though is that the sun is always peeking out.

For safaris whether you go in Winter or Summer, the early morning game drives are cold and as you climb from sea level you can expect a drop in temperature. It makes sense that you would want to go during the dry season (see above) because if you are outdoors, you will get wet and your shoes muddy.

Of course many of you will want to witness the Wildebeest Migration where thousands of herds form a black mass of colour as they return from the Serengeti. To witness this then go between mid-August and late October.

when is the best tme for the migration

For beach lovers the Indian Ocean is warm all year round, but rain can fall at any time, but soon the sun comes out and dries up the earth. It might be best to avoid the coast between mid-March to late May when the temperatures can be extremely high, and there is a lot of rainfall.

How to get to Kenya

Kenya Airlines is the national airline, but there are also other airports:

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. Approximately twenty minutes from the main business district.
Moi International Airport in Mombasa.
Kisumu International Airport is the main airport connecting western Kenya with the world.
The number of airlines flying to Kenya are on the increase so it is easy to get there, but our consultants will assist you in this regard depending on where you are coming from and where you are headed.

Kenya airways

Facts on Kenya

Full name: Republic of Kenya

Capital city: Nairobi

Area: 583,000 sq km; 225,096 sq miles

Population: 31,639,000

Time Zone: GMT/UTC +3 ()

Languages: Swahili (official); English (official)

Religion: 35% Protestant; 30% Roman Catholic; 30% Muslim; 5% Animist

Electricity: 240V; 50HzHz

Electric Plug Details: British-style plug: 2 flat blades & 1 flat grounding blade

Country Dialling Code: 254

Money matters: Per Capita Income: US$370, Currency: Kenya Shillings (Kshs) and USD

Medical matters: Meningococcal meningitis, Malaria, Cholera, Hepatitis, Typhoid, HIV/AIDS, Yellow fever

 

Kenya Tours

budget safari bookings

Where to go in Kenya

The Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is home to hundreds of elephants, as well as buffaloes, hippos and a variety of birdlife, such as the pelican and egyptian geese. The ecosystem is mainly savannah with a few swamp areas which you can get a clear picture of from Observation Hill. One can also take in amazing views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The Masai Mara National Reserve

Established in 1961, the Masai Mara National Reserve is situated in an enormous game park in Narok County, Kenya, and is joined to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The reserve was named in honour of the Masai folk, who were the original occupants of the region. Translated from the Masai word ‘Maa’ meaning ‘spotted’, the Masai Mara was also named due to how the area looks from a distance, with circles of trees, thickets, savannahs and cloud shadows that seem to dot the park. The reserve is renowned as one of the greatest and most popular wildlife parks in all of Africa, and is famous the world over for its incredible abundance of the big cats: lion, leopard and cheetah, as well as its annual migration during which masses of zebra, Thomson’s gazelle and 1.5 million wildebeest make their way to and from the Serengeti while crossing through the crocodile infested Mara river. The area is also very well-known for its Masai people who have a fascinating culture and an extremely distinctive style of dress.

Safaris inside the Masai Mara are absolutely incredible and offer some of the best game viewing available. The Masai Mara Ecosystem supports one of the largest lion populations in the world and covers an amazing 1,510 square kilometres, reaching up to 2,170 metres above sea level. The reserve is home to more than 95 mammal species and approximately 570 documented bird species. Discarded arrowheads and pottery of the Neolithic man, who lived over 2,000 years ago, have been discovered in the Masai Mara National Reserve. The Masai have inhabited the region since the 17th century and, together with the magnificent wildlife of the park, remain the true landlords of the area.

kenya-nairobi

The various landscapes of the reserve include sandy soil and small shrubbery in the east, the Siria Escarpment that forms a remarkable plateau which acts as border in the west, dense grass and woodlands around the Mara River, and vast savannahs with dispersed thickets that cover the biggest portion of the park. The topography here is extremely diverse, giving visitors a romantic view of beautiful Africa. The Mara River is home to an abundance of hippo and crocodile, and the birdlife around the park is simply spectacular with eagles, ostriches, storks, vultures and over 50 different birds of prey.  Other animals to be seen in the reserve include hyena, giraffe, impala, topi, baboons, warthogs, buffalo and elephants.

In 2005, a visionary conservationist named Jake Grieves-Cook approached the Masai people, who technically owned the land, and offered to rent out portions of it for them. In exchange, the Masai vacated the land and stopped their cattle from grazing on it. The lands swiftly transformed back into lush grassland, allowing the wildlife to prosper. The Masai are now paid rent, and numerous families are benefiting from employment at some of the eco-friendly camps that have been erected in the area. The number of tourists and safari vehicles in the reserve are firmly limited, resulting in magnificent safari experiences.

Other than game drives through the park, feel free to participate in walking tours of the area with a knowledgeable Masai guide. You could also participate in a cultural tour of a traditional Masai village, during which you will be treated to an educational experience of the Masai lifestyles.  You could also game view in luxury from the aerial viewpoint of a hot air balloon at dawn, giving you an awe-inspiring view of magical Africa.

Masai tribe (ancestral inhabitants who first lived here).

Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru is where you’ll see those thousands of pink flamingos, gathered together to feed on Lake Nakuru’s algae. This pink spectacle moves back and forth as they feed, and, occasionally and spectacularly, takes to flight, creating a rosy drama African legends are made of.

Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha and its surrounds has fertile soils and plenty of water supply, making this area one of Kenya’s prime agricultural regions. Many forests surround this lake, drawing an astounding amount of birdlife. In fact, Lake Naivasha is known as a world-class birding destination. Keeping the birds company, are giraffe, buffalo, Colobus monkeys, hippos, zebras and many other game. Take a boat trip out on the lake, and try and spot an African Fish Eagle scoop itself a bite to eat.

lake-naivasha

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About admin

Article by: admin
on December 3, 2012
Filed under  Africa Blog • Destinations • Kenya 
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