Masai Mara National Park, is one of Africa’s largest nature reserves. Acacia filled plains, tree-lined rivers and forests abundant with wildlife and a large bird life. Safarin (or in English “Game Drive”) is spectacular all year round. You can see a proud lion chase its prey, observe a herd of elephants, and learn about their fascinating social structure, or see lots of hippos floating in the rivers. The large wildebeest migration is one of nature’s wonders. An estimated two million animals migrate according to a special pattern, year-round, through the Serengeti and Maras ecosystems.
Lake Nakuru National Park is best known for its pink flamingos and its large flocks of pelicans. Recently, however, the rising water levels of the lake have reduced the salinity of the water and thereby reduced the algae, which is the most important food for flamingos. When this happens, the flamingos move to other lakes around the Rift Valley. There are over 400 bird species by the lake and lots of other animals, including buffaloes, baboons, impala, Rothschild giraffe, and waterbuck. A rhino reserve has been set up to protect this very endangered species.
Amboseli National Park is at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro (5895 m h). The parks’ sensitive ecosystems are home to a variety of animals. The dehydrated banks around Lake Amboseli, savanna, forests and swamps offer water holes and place for wildlife and birds during the dry season.
Rare and often endangered animals can be found north of the equator, such as the unusual reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, East African oryx (Beisa oryx) and Somali ostrich. Ewaso Nyiro River is a lifeline for people and animals in the area and crocodiles share the river banks with elephant, lion and even the elusive leopard. The native tribes, such as Samburu, have maintained a very traditional way of living and living with their “bomas” (home) in the area.
Aberdare National Park is part of the Aberdare mountain range, a fascinating region of Kenya which, according to the local inhabitants Kikuyu, says should be Ngai (God’s) home. Here you will find an area of bamboo, a favorite of the so-called Bongo, a rare forest antelope. In the forest you will also find elephants, buffalo, leopard and colobus monkey and many more exciting animals. The bird life is abundant and varied.
The park was formed to protect coral reefs and the marine life that exists here from damage by overfishing and where visitors and locals gather relics, shells, corals etc to bring home or sell. The national park is supported by the local hotels in order to prevent further damage and preserve the ecological diversity found here. Beaches where you can reach the marine park are Nyali, Bamburi and Shanzu. Here you can snorkel, dive and sunbathe.
Nairobi is the cosmopolitan hub of East Africa and it is often the first stop before or after a safari. Depending on how much time you have in Nairobi, there are plenty of exciting excursions that you can do, such as visiting the giraffe center for the thrilling experience of feeding the giraffes, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage where you can see the young orphan elephants fed and you will learn about their lives, learn about Kazuri beads that were started to help single women support themselves, the Karen Blixen Museum to catch a glimpse of the typical colonial life in Kenya, the Nairobi National Museum and much more.