Kenya Wildlife at Maasai Mara National Reserve

The Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa. Lying along the Indian Ocean, at the equator, Kenya is bordered by Ethiopia (north), Somalia (northeast), Tanzania (south), Uganda plus Lake Victoria (west), and Sudan (northwest).

Kenya is the jewel of East Africa, revered as the "cradle of humanity", Kenya is a land with amazing landscapes: sand beaches, emerald water, and coral reefs in the coast; desert areas in the north, memorable mountainscapes such as the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Kenya (the second highest peak in Africa). There are also many brilliant lakes, including lake Victoria and Lake Naivasha.

In Kenya you will enjoy a wide range of activities such as safaris, bird watching, mountaineering, climbing and many more. A safari in its more than 40 national parks and reserves is a unique opportunity to explore the most magnificent wildlife in Africa. just like Ernest Hemingway did some time ago.

Kenya also has a fascinating cultural diversity with around 40 different ethnic groups, the major tribes include the Kikuyu farmers, the Turkana fishermen and the Samburu warriors, of them all, however, the most famous are the red-clad Maasai.


Kenya Maasai Mara - Afirca great wildebeest migration

The Masai Mara National Reserve is a large game reserve in south-western Kenya

The annual Wildebeest Migration at the Maasai Mara is a natural cycle that replenishes and renews the grasslands of East Africa. Each June, around 1.3 million Wildebeest gather in the Serengeti to calve. They slowly mass into a huge single herd, until the dry season withers their supply of fresh grass.

The scent of rain to the North begins to draw the herd throughout July, and soon the planet’s greatest animal migration is underway. This is one of the remarkable wildlife attractions that make's Kenya one of the best wildlife destinations in the world. Kenya’s most popular attraction, the Mara was awarded its title for its sheer volume and variety of game.



One traveller summed up the appeal of the Maasai Mara Reserve; “This is the total sensory experience holiday. Your senses are constantly stimulated by the sights, smells and sounds of the Mara and its many inhabitants. The thrill of leaving camp at dawn, in search of big cats is an experience that is difficult to repeat.”

There is no better time to visit the Mara than during the Great Migration. The sound of the approaching herd is a deep, primal rumbling of thundering hooves and low grunts.


Kenya Wildlife Safari



Kenya’s wildlife remains at the heart of its attractions, yet there is much more to discover in this fascinating country outside the game reserves. You can climb the slopes of Mount Kenya to find tropical ice on the Equator, or explore the coral reefs of the Mombasa coast. Seek out the origins of man and a rich cultural heritage in Kenya’s Rift Valley. Or simply explore the country’s natural wilderness, from northern deserts to the wildebeest migration: the greatest wildlife show on earth.

Kenya has always been on the intrepid travellers wishlist. It is, after all, the place where the Safari originated. Kenya has been on the forefront of African tourism as early as the 1930’s when overseas visitors and explorers started visiting Kenya mainly for big-game hunting expeditions. Others came in search of solitude. Locals dubbed these expeditions “Safaris”.



Following the 2007 presidential election and the 2007-2008 Kenyan crisis, tourism revenues plummeted 54 percent from 2007 to 2008 and tourist arrivals more than halved. People’s perspectives of Kenya as a destination changed dramatically once footage of the violence that ocurred in certain areas was shown repetitavely on international television screens. Many people cancelled their bookings or opted to visit Tanzania instead, even though the main tourism areas were totally unaffected by the crisis.

Kenya’s abilitity to bounce back from the 2007 crisis is phenominal. I visited Kenya during October 2008, the end of their traditional peak season. I was amazed at the positive changes in the country since my previous visit in early 2007. The city of Nairobi has had a major cleanup, serious development plans have been implemented for Jomo Kenyatta Airport, and the locals are more than happy to welcome the steady increase in tourists.

On the Safari circuit, the game reserves are quieter than usual. This offers excellent game viewing opportunities without the masses often associated with the major reserves in Kenya. The road networks between the reserves are receiving a major upgrade and I am pleased to say that you will soon be able to halve the travel time from Nairobi to the Masai Mara by road thanks to a new tarred road being built by the lovely Italians.

With over 70 different tribes in Kenya you are surely going to have a rich cultural experience … the people are as diverse and contrasting as the landscape. One thing that does bring the people together is the realization that the natural resources of Kenya need to be protected. During my trip to the Masai Mara in October, local children were being taken around in Matatu’s (local transport). For many of these children, this is the first time they have seen animals in a wilderness area. Traditionally Park entrance fees have generally been too expensive for locals to even consider.

It is good to see that the Kenyans are getting to enjoy their own Game Reserves. They are also welcoming the return of tourists and have a renewed appreciation for their land and its attraction for foreign visitors. Most Kenyan’s you will encounter on your visit are extremely grateful and proud that you have chosen to visit their country

Mount Kilimanjaro & Mount Kenya

The second highest mountain in Africa - Mount Kenya in central Kenya

 

Kenya Beach Travel organizes mountain climbing treks to the second highest mountain in Africa - Mount Kenya in central Kenya, which heights at 17,058 ft and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania - the highest in Africa. Mountain climbers are normally grouped into more than three-person team. Our experienced and professional mountaineers provide all the possible help and training given when acclimatizing. If you have the desire to stand on the highest vantage points in Africa and have an unobstructed view Kenya & Tanzania, then Kenya Beach Travel is your choice. We recommend climbing Mount Kenya as a full day trek or a complete seven days Sirimon & Naro Moro Trek on Mount Kenya, and in Tanzania, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on Rongai, Shira, Umbwe, Machame or Marangu Trek


Kenya Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru National Park

Nakuru means "Dust or Dusty Place" in Maasai language. Lake Nakuru National Park, close to Nakuru town, was established in 1961. It started off small, only encompassing the famous lake and the surrounding mountainous vicinity. Now it has been extended to include a large part of the savannahs.

Lake Nakuru, a small (it varies from 5 to 30 square kilometers) shallow alkaline lake on the edge of the town of Nakuru lies about 160 kilometers north of Nairobi.





Kenya 2010 Safaricom Marathon at Lewa

Run wild at the Safaricom Marathon at Lewa

The 2010 Safaricom marathon gives participants an opportunity to experience the Kenyan wild in a most unique way. What makes this marathon unique is that it is run within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy a protected game reserve located at an altitude of 5,500 feet above sea level.

This year’s Safaricom Marathon is expected to attract competitors from all over the world. The race, which is organized by Tusk Trust and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in conjunction with Safaricom, is in support of conservation and community projects in the Lewa/Il Ngwesi area, in North Central Kenya, about four hours drive and a 45 minute flight from the capital, Nairobi.





Watch Safari in Kenya. The video was filmed at three locations: Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Samburu.