Kenya

Masai Mara GR

Just 390km from Nairobi in the southwest corner of the country, lies a vast rolling plain beneath the Mara escarpment striped back once a year by millions of wildebeest and zebra migrating north from the Serengeti plains. During the annual wildebeest migration (from late July to Nov) the reserve's resident lions lounge prominently in the sun, fat and seemingly placid. Maasai tribes people live on the reserve's fringes and are co-owners of the reserve, sharing in revenues from tourism. This reserve is one of Africa's premier wildlife destinations, and boasts all the big game species. Besides the normal safari activities, it is also possible to go hot air ballooning across the plains, a unique and wonderful safari experience.

Amboseli NP

Amboseli National Park (Amboseli means "salty dust" in the Maasai language) is an arid region fed by underground water channels that run down from Mount Kilimanjaro. The mountain itself making a spectacular backdrop wherever you are in the park. The vista of elephant grazing on the plains below the snow-capped peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of Africa's most stunning.

Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba

Situated in the more arid region of northern Kenya, Samburu is an altogether refreshing experience. Not only is the landscape quite unlike elsewhere in Africa it also boasts some of the most distinctive and unique of its wildlife - from the alarming Vulturine Guinea Fowl and cartoon-book appearance of the Reticulated Giraffe and Grevy's Zebra, to the perfectly adapted Gerunuk and Beisa Oryx.

In truth the Samburu region encompasses not only the Samburu but also the Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves and also includes the adjoining grasslands and thorn scrub of Laikipia, Loisaba and Lewa Downs extending to the foothills of Mount Kenya. With the beautiful Ewaso Ngiro river running through the region and with its characteristic landscape of stunning acacia forests, doub palms and distant hills, the Samburu region is more than just well worth a visit.

Mount Kenya & Aberdares NP

Home to Kenya's highest mountain and Africa's second highest mountain Mount Kenya (1,600m-5,199m), Mount Kenya National Park is situated approximately 193km's north-east of Nairobi and is located in the central highlands in the districts of Nyeri and Meru. The entire area of the park is situated above 3,200m. Straddling the equator, Mount Kenya's icy peaks reach an altitude of 5,100m.

The Aberdares are a densely wooded mountain range rising to over 4000m, with magnificent views over nearby Mount Kenya to the north, and the Rift Valley to the south. The mountain slopes are covered in dense stands of rare Afro-montane forest, while the high grasslands feature Afro-Alpine and sub-Alpine heath and groundsels. The vistas are often more like those of Scotland than of Africa. A number of crystal clear streams and rivers, all stocked with rainbow trout, criss cross the plateau, with some spectacular waterfalls as the rivers tumble off the escarpment. The plateau is rich in game, with elephant, leopard, lion, giant forest hog, bushbuck, blue monkey, colobus monkey, black rhino, buffalo and suni being some of the characteristic species. Lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of the rare melanistic (pitch black) strains of leopard and serval. This is also one of the last strongholds of the critically endangered bongo.

Meru NP

Once part of Kenya's old Northern Frontier District, Meru National Park is perhaps the least visited of all Kenya's parks. Wildlife is not as abundant as in other places, but this is a spectacular land of kopjes, streams, baobab trees and riverine forests. It is certainly one of the prettiest parks in Kenya and boasts many of the same species as Samburu - Grevy Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, and Gerenuk - but without the crowds! To walk with a professional guide through the bush, stopping en route for 'sundowners' on a rocky outcrop, is to experience raw wild Africa at its most alluring. Meru was also the former home of George & Joy Adamson who helped to return orphaned lion cubs to the wild, in particular Elsa of Born Free fame.

Lewa Downs & Laikapia

Lewa Downs and Laikapia, once a series of large private cattle ranches and traditional grazing land, changing tunes and fortunes have seen these vast, spectacular tracts of land turned into successful wildlife and conservation areas. Local communities and private ranchers work together to conserve both wildlife and traditional lifestyles and cultures - creating stunning eco-tourist destinations using only natural building materials and features. Beautiful private homesteads can be found amongst herds of Antelope, roaming Elephant and Rhino conservation areas. An ideal area for Camel trekking, walking, riding and biking.

Tsavo NP

At 21,000 sq kms, this is Kenya's largest park by far, although much of the eastern section is closed to the public. The landscape comprises mostly open savannah and bush woodlands, inhabited by buffalo, lion, antelope, gazelles, giraffe and zebra along with large herds of elephant. Tsavo is a combination of dramatic escarpment landscapes combined with the raw, untamed flavour of one of Africa's great wilderness areas. At Mzima Springs, in Tsavo East, crystal clear water bubbles out of the ground at a rate of 500-million litres (110-million gallons) a day. The spring is fed by snow melt off Mount Kilimanjaro, and a pipeline from the springs provides Mombasa with a large portion of its drinking water.

Maasai, Samburu and Turkana tribes

Kenya is home to many African tribes. Some, including the Maasai, Samburu and Turkana, continue to live according to their traditional way of life and can provide a fascinating insight into the ancient customs and lifestyles of Africa.