Geography
Some 583 000 kilometers square, bisected by the equator, inhabited by over 40 different tribes, and populated by the most numerous and varied wildlife in the world, Kenya is the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ and a land of spectacular contrast. From the pre-historic splendour of the Rift Valley to the beautiful beaches of the Indian Ocean, from the cultural hub of Nairobi to the game-parks of Tsavo and the Masai Mara, this vast country is a traveler’s heaven. Kenya. In Hemingway’s words, ” Unknowable, unimaginable, unbelievable.” And completely unforgettable.
Climate
Kenya enjoys a warm tropical climate because of its position astride the equator. However despite this proximity to the equator its very cool on the highlands where altitudes reach up to over 17, 000ft in Mount Kenya. Other cool areas include Nairobi, the capital city; The Highlands of the Rift Valley and Western Kenya. The places where temperatures reach over 33 degrees Celsius are the Coastal strip including Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu; Northern Kenya and the Turkana region and the North Eastern province. In most parts of the country the long rains start in March and continue through to June/July. Other places such as Western Kenya and Nyanza have short rains in September to November and possibly through to December. The best times to visit the country is therefore the Summer Holidays, July to September and the Winter Breaks – namely December to February.
One of the most requested events in the migration is the arrival crossing of the Mara River that occurs around late July to August with parts of September and again on their return south, around the last two weeks of October through early November. These are the best times to track and see the annual wildebeest migration in Masai Mara. While the sight of masses of animals thundering across the open plains is spectacular, the Mara River crossing will take you through a range of emotions – awe, anticipation, heartache, inspiration, excitement and much more. The crossing is the subject of many documentary films from the BBC to the National Geographic, but even superb filmmaking cannot give you the experience of being on-site.
Attractions
Kenya has a myriad attractions for the traveler and these include wonderful beaches with unending white sands that end in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean with its rich history of seafarers. Among the most popular activities in the country, apart from beach holidays and water sports, is wildlife viewing in the famous game sanctuaries of the Maasai Mara (renowned for its annual migration of the wildebeest), Amboseli National Park, Samburu Game Sanctuary and Tsavo National Park. Other game watching activities take place in Lake Nakuru Park, Shimba Hills, Taita Hills Conservancy, Ruma National Park and Meru Game Park. Apart from Wildlife Safaris we have trekking in the Tsavo Game Park and Shimba Hills, hiking to the snow covered peaks of Mount Kenya, boating in Lake Naivasha, birding in Lake Nakuru and the Greater Rift Valley. Other safari adventures in Kenya include Honeymoon Safaris, Water Rafting, Fishing, Cultural Immersions, Conference Tours, Slum Tours, Pro Poor Tourism and Philanthropy Safaris.
