KENYA
Split into three main wildlife rich areas.
You have the Great Rift Valley which includes the Great Lakes (Baringo, Nakuru, Naivasha and Magadi) along with the world famous Maasai Mara eco-system. This area is world famous for the Wildebeest Migration but it is actually about more than just a lot of crazy gnus’! Nakuru and Naivasha have an incredible diversity of bird life, the Mara has one of the highest densities of predators anywhere in Africa and between Lake Magadi and Lake Natron lies one of the largest flamingo breeding areas in the world!
Then you have Northern Kenya (Laikipia, Lewa, Meru and Samburu). This area has incredible rugged landscapes and stunning views on Mount Kenya. The area is also home to the “Northern Five” – Oryx, Gerenuk, Somali Ostrich, Grevys Zebra and reticulated Giraffe!
In Southern Kenya you have Amboseli National Park, nestled in the shadows of the snow caped Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli is famous for its density of elephants but also has a lot of predators and plains game to compliment. The Greater Tsavo Eco-System is home to Kenyans largest population of elephants and offers a varied landscape to tease and challenge the photographic minded. This area is also a stones throw from the gorgeous beaches and the Indian Ocean, so is an ideal destination for those wanting a bit of bush and beach…
Barely a two hour drive from Nairobi, Naivasha is about so much more than just a lake. Surrounded by extinct and dormant volcanos, the landscape is rugged and breathtaking. The Hells Gate National Park is perfect for the cycling or climbing enthusiasts and the surrounding area is full of well managed private wildlife conservancies teaming with predators, plains game and a diversity of bird life unrivalled anywhere else.
Lake Nakuru and Lake Elementaita are two of the Great Rift Valley "Great Lakes" and are home to huge populations of flamingos. The landscape is dramatic, with volcanic rock outcrops, shear cliffs and rolling hills leading up to the shores of the two lakes. The area is famous for its massive herds of buffalos and good lion populations and is also home to the unique and very rare Rothschild Giraffe. Motorbike or camel safaris are both popular in the region.
Nairobi National Park borders Kenya's capital city, making it one of the only capital cities in the world with a full blown wildlife area on its' doorstep. Home to a healthy population of the big cats, a plentiful variety of plains game and one of the best places to see the endangered Rhinos, Nairobi Park is not to be underestimated.
The Lake Magadi/ Natron eco-system is one of the largest Flamingo breeding areas in the world. Added to this are hot springs, a magical fresh water swamp and a massive land mass where elephants and lions live side by side with a Maasai community that have learnt to co-exist with the big game.
The Maasai Mara almost needs no introduction. Possibly the best place in Africa to witness a big cat hunting and home to the Great Wildebeest migration every July and August, the "Mara" certainly lives up to its reputation. Even outside of the migration season this wilderness is a wildlife photographers heaven and has a wide variety of accomodation options to please any budget.
The Aberdare National Park is one of Kenyas largest true rainforests. With awe-inspiring waterfalls, trees dripping with orchids and ferns, an incredible variety of birds and unique primates, the Aberdares will make you feel like Tarzan.
And then there are the unique Giant Forest Hogs, herds of Buffalo and Elephant and occassionally a Leopard slinking by...
Northern Kenya has more wildlife and land under private wildlife conservancies than under government control, making this a very valuable eco-system. Home to all of the big five and with dramatic landscapes and stunning views of the mighty Mount Kenya
This 80,000 acre wildlife conservancy and cattle ranch is home to one of the largest populations of Rhinos left in Africa, including the last two remaining Northern White Rhinos. Ol Pejeta also runs a chimpanzee rehabilitaton sanctuary which is also worth visiting.
In the rugged Northern frontier of Kenya lies the stunning arid landscape of the Samburu National Park. With the Ewaso Nyiro River lazily flowing through the heart of this area it provides a perfect paradise for hundreds of elepehants and many desert and unique Northern animals. The area is also one of the best places to see the very rare African Hunting Dogs.
Meru National Park is like no other Kenyan park. Dissected by numerous bitterly cold rivers and streams, all fed with the melting snows on Mount Kenya, this beautiful paradise is historically famous for Elsa the lion. Due to its location not many tourists visit the park so you often have the sense of total isolation in the Garden of Eden - teaming with wildlife and an amazing array of birds, plants and stunning landscape will make you want to stay as long as you can!
Amboseli National Park and its surrounding conservancies have one of the highest densities of elephants in East Africa. And with an all year round swamp and the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro towering overhead, this area is a wildlife photographers wet dream!
Kenyas largest wilderness and home to a large population of both the big cats and elephants, this enormous and rugged landscape extends almost all the way to the coast, making this a perfect add on to any beach holiday.