TOP KENYA TRAVEL TIPS
(Everything you need to know before travelling to Kenya for a safari)
Top Kenya Travel Tips : Kenya is one of the must visit African safari destinations, Kenya is gifted with many tourist attractions protected in various safari national parks, reserves and other conservation areas including Maasai Mara national reserve, lake Nakuru national park, Amboseli national park among others.
As a traveler, visiting Kenya is very tricky since most travelers are not well versed with the country. Below are the top Kenya travel tips, and they are more elaborated below.
- Should I think about driving?
One of the first and most important travel tips in Kenya is having your own vehicle and getting your driver is the most ideal option as it gives you more time and freedom to enjoy your Kenya safari. Kenya a great 4×4 action is offered though it is not for faint-hearted as the roads can be bumpy and a little dusty most especially in dry season but still it is an excellent way to explore Kenya.
Travelling to Kenya for a safari in a group of 4 or 4 or more is the best way to cut on your expenditure on the safari when compared to sole travelers, also try to combine your Kenya wildlife destinations such as Naivasha with Masai Mara national reserve with a quick stopover in Nairobi then transfer to Amboseli national park.
- What about flights?
Like most other African countries, Kenya is served by various flight companies offering both international and domestic flights. Kenya’s international flights are accommodated by Jomo Kenyatta international airport and Nairobi Airport found in Nairobi handling most of the international flights and domestic flights are handled by Wilson airport to various airstrips found in Kenya’s national parks.
When travelling to Kenya for safari international flights are offered by various flight companies including Qatar airways, Turkish Airlines, Condor Airline, South African Airways, Swiss International Airlines, British Airways and many more. Domestic flights are offered by Kenya Airways. Africa Express Airwaya, Air Kenya Express, Fly540 and Safarilink Aviation among others.
- Don’t be scared of the Masai Mara
Maasai mara national reserve is Kenya’s tourism gem and the most popular tourist destination in Kenya, Maasai Mara national reserve is the most visited tour destination in Kenya and it owes to popular to being a home to the biggest population of wildlife in Kenya including the big five and the great wildebeest migration.
Though Maasai Mara national reserve is a top ranking safari destination worldwide, at many occasions this amazing destination has been getting a lot attention from the media and most of the times it is not good press. While reading these articles, kindly don’t believe all your read because Maasai Mara national reserve is a great destination worth visiting.
Maasai Mara national reserve offers a number of amazing Kenya safari activities ranging from game drives, walking safaris, hot air balloon safaris and many more.
- Make the most of Nairobi
While visiting Kenya for a safari, it is ideal that you make the most Nairobi. Nairobi city is more than just the capital city of Nairobi as it also Kenya’s tourism capital where most safaris to various Kenya destinations start from and at most occasions you will have an overnight before the start of your safari. Nairobi itself consists of many Kenya tour destinations such as Nairobi national park, Giraffe centre, Karen Blixen Museum, Ngong Hills among others which you can visit during a Nairobi city tour.
- The Great Wildebeest Migration
The great wildebeest migration is the greatest tourist attraction and the world’s largest migration of animals ever witnessed, the great wildebeest migration occurs when millions of wildebeests accompanied by thousands Thomson and grant’s gazelles and zebras cross from Serengeti national park to Maasai Mara national reserve in search for green pastures and water.
The great wildebeest migration is Kenya occurs from July to September with the Mara River crossing event, the river crossing is the most thrilling ad jaw dropping event of the whole migration as the migrating herds faceoff with the predators including lions, leopards and crocodiles in the water of the river waiting to feast on them.
If you are traveling to Kenya to witness the great wildebeest migration, the best way to do so is to plan your safari a year in advance as many tourists visit Kenya for the same reason.
When should I go?
The best time to go for a Kenya safari is generally dictated by the climate of Kenya, dry season is the best time to go for a Kenya safari and is experienced from July to October. What makes this season the best time to go for a Kenya safari is that the short grass vegetation makes viewing of the animals easier and animals are seen in large numbers congregating around water holes as many water sources dry up. Also this is the same season when the wildebeest migration occurs in Maasai Mara national reserve.
For travelers visiting Kenya for beach safaris, January to March is the best of the year as the temperatures are balmy and water visibility of up to 30 meters is excellent for diving and snorkeling experiences. For budget travelers wanting to save money February – March and June are the best time to visit Kenya.
Off the beaten track
Embracing the unfamiliar and step off the beaten track to explore more of Kenya is very encouraged while on a Kenya safari, most travelers know of Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo national parks, Lake Nakuru as the best Kenya tour destinations but Kenya has more to offer.
If you are looking for a more adventurous encounter during your Kenya safari, abandoning your 4 wheel car for a camel or a horse is one of the best option to tour Kenya’s destinations such as Samburu’s arid lands on the back of a camel or a horse.
Most people know Kenya for Maasai Mara national reserve but Kenya is more than that.
Bush and beach
Kenya is a perfect destination for bush and beach safaris and this is because of the beautiful Indian Ocean coastline comprising of porcelain beaches, these beaches feature coconut palm trees million miles away from the bush savanna landscapes. At the coast there are a number of beaches with crystal white sands and blue waters offering snorkeling and diving experience offering an opportunity to tour the enchanting underwater world. Some of the most beautiful beaches in Kenya include Msambweni beach, Diani beach, Bamburi beach, Manda Toto among others.
While on a Kenya safari to Maasai Mara national reserve, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli national park and others its best to plan your safari with a few days on the beach to relax and these days should be the last days on your itinerary
