Top Six destinations in Kenya

THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY

The Great Rift Valley, Kenya

The Great Rift Valley, one of the worlds wonders that stretches all the way from Lebanon to Mozambique, cuts its way right across Kenya, offering a visitor a rare chance to enjoy staggering views just a few kilometres from Nairobi. A drive down the floor of the Great Rift Valley leaves one fascinated as the ground suddenly disappears from under you to show the huge expanse of the great rift that stretches for thousands of kilometres in both directions. As if the stunning introduction to the rift valley is not enough, the end of the descent leads one to the exploration of the lakes of the rift valley, an opportunity never to be missed.

These include Lake Naivasha which is popular for its abundant birdlife and schools of hippos that are resident at the lake, Lake Nakuru the pink lake; popular for the myriads of fuschia pink flamingos that feed on the abundant algae that thrives in the alkaline lake, Lakes Bogoria and Baringo which are great ornithological sites as well as great attractions for researchers and those who seek to understand nature. The shorelines of the two later lakes are dotted with steam jets, boiling geysers and fumaroles.

LAKE NAIVASHA

Lake Naivasha, Kenya

Lake Naivasha is a beautiful freshwater lake, fringed by thick papyrus. The lake is almost 13kms across, but its waters are shallow with an average depth of five meters. Lake area varies greatly according to rainfall, with an average range between 114 and 991 sq kms. At the beginning of the 20th Century, Naivasha completely dried up and effectively disappeared. The resulting open land was farmed, until heavy rains a few years later caused the lake to return to existence, swallowing up the newly established estates.

Afternoon wind and storms can cause the Lake to become suddenly rough and produce high waves. For this reason, the local Maasai christened the lake Nai’posha meaning ''rough water'', which the British later mis-spelt as Naivasha. The lake and its surrounds are rich in natural bounty, and the fertile soils and water supply have made this one of Kenya’s prime agricultural regions.
Much of the lake is surrounded by forests of the yellow barked Acacia Xanthophlea, known as the yellow fever tree. These forests abound with bird life, and Naivasha is known as a world class birding destination.

LAKE NAKURU

Lake Nakuru, another one of the Great Rift Valley lakes is a UNECSO recognized World Heritage Site.This famous park, is popularly referred by many as the greatest ornithological spectacle in the world because of its myriads of fuschia pink flamingos whose numbers are legion, often more than a million. They feed on the abundant algae, which thrives in the warm alkaline waters. Scientists reckon that the flamingo population at Nakuru consumes about 250,000 kilos of algae per hectare of surface area per year.

Lake Nakuru, Kenya

There are two types of flamingo species: the lesser flamingo can be distinguished by its deep red carmine bill and pink plumage unlike the greater, which has a bill with a black tip. The Lesser flamingos are ones that are commonly pictured in documentaries mainly because they are large in number. Apart from the abundant birdlife (over 400 resident species), the park is also home to a  majority of wild animals (with over 56 different animal species) including Lions, Black and White Rhinos, Leopards, Buffalos, Water Bucks, the endangered Rothschild’s Giraffe to name but a few.

THE MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE

Of the many National Parks and reserves that Kenya boasts of, the Maasai Mara National Game Reserve tops the list. The reserve, which is the highlight of a Kenyan safari, covers an area of about 1510 square kilometres. Everything about this reserve, which was recently named as one of the seven wonders of the modern world, is outstanding. The reserve has abundant wildlife and has gentle rolling grasslands that ensure that animals are never out of site leaving one spoilt for choice. All the big 5, including the now rare black manned lions are to be found in this reserve

The Masai Mara, Kenya

Between the months of July and October every year, one of the world’s greatest spectacles and nature’s mystery takes place in this world famous reserve. Far south in the vast Serengeti, millions of wildebeests raise their heads and sniff the air and as if in one accord, start the long journey towards the Maasai Mara.

Only the strong of these herds survive the migrating cycle as the sick and lame are mauled by the predators. More of them also die either by the teeth of the cunning crocodiles or by drowning as they attempt to cross the swirling muddy waters of rivers Talek and Mara. By the time they have exhausted the Mara Grass, the Serengeti plains have once again benefitted from rains and it is time for the herds to turn back home towards Serengeti and onto Ngorongoro plains. This spectacle is one that can only be witnessed in Kenya and is one main reason as to why a safari to Kenya is a must for those who are moved by acts of nature.

AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Amboseli National Park, is popularly referred to as the land of the Kilimanjaro. This park, which covers an area of around 392 square kilometers, lies about 1,155 meters above sea level, 250 kilo meters south east of Nairobi. Joseph Thomson, the first European to penetrate the dreaded Maasai land in 1883 was astonished by the fantastic array of wildlife and the contrast between the arid areas of Amboseli’s dry lake bed and the oasis of swamps. Hippos, buffalos and Zebras together with several water bird species are near permanent residents of the swamps that are irrigated by ground water which trickles down from Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest Mountain.

Amboseli’s contrast between the dry lake bed and the swamps which many define as “hidden nature’s treasures” persists up to date. Amboseli National Park is also a world famous as the best park for one to get up close with the free ranging African Elephants, as it boasts of a very high concentration of them. Another attraction to this park is Mount Kilimanjaro - one has an opportunity to enjoy the best views of Africa’s highest mountain from this park, especially at sunrise.

Visitors to this park have a rare chance to take spectacular photos of wildlife against the back drop of this mountain. Apart from this, the park also boasts of several other animal species including lions, cheetahs, buffalos, rhinos and spotted hyenas. Birdlife is abundant too; from the Kori Bustard, the world’s heaviest flying bird to the king fishers and plovers that are to be found near the swampy areas. This park can be visited on a weekend or as part of a package including Tsavo National Park or Lake Manyara or Ngorongoro in Tanzania.

MOUNT KENYA

Mount Kenya

Mt. Kenya National Park is located to the east of the Great Rift Valley, about 175 km north east of Nairobi. The eco system lies in Central and Eastern provinces of Kenya. Standing at 5,199 m, Mount Kenya is the second highest peak in Africa and makes for excellent viewing and climbing activities for mountaineering enthusiasts. Mt. Kenya National Park is an important water tower for Kenya. It provides water for about 50% of the population and produces 70% of Kenya’s hydroelectric power.
UNESCO has inscribed Mount Kenya as a World Heritage Site. It’s described as one of the most impressive landscapes in Eastern Africa with its rugged glacier – clad summits, Afro –alpine moorlands and diverse forests that illustrate outstanding ecological processes. For botanists and birders, this is a park you don’t want to miss out on as it’s a haven for several indigenous tree species, prolific birdlife as well as some endangered /rare animal species which include the forest hog, black fronted duiker, mole rat, leopard, bongo and the giant forest hog.