Rift Valley Lakes Safari Tours
The basaltic cliffs of the Rift Valley, situated northwest of Nairobi, Kenya, enclose a quintessential East African landscape characterized by open savannah interspersed with forested mountains, valleys, volcanoes, rivers, grasslands, and expansive lakes, contributing to the Great Rift Valley’s status as Africa’s most biologically varied region.
Owing to its distinctive location within the Great Rift Valley, it is unsurprising that Kenya hosts over fifty percent of Africa’s lakes. Numerous areas resemble marshy wetlands throughout the terrain, punctuated by the thousands of flamingos that have congregated to forage on the algae and crabs scuttling laterally among the reeds.
Visitors can traverse the valley in open-air safari vehicles in pursuit of the Great Rift Valley Lakes. The Great Rift Valley is home to lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, cheetahs, giraffes, antelopes, zebras, and monkeys. The region is distinguished for its abundant avian population, particularly the vast flocks of flamingos, numbering in the millions, that regularly congregate at Nakuru and Bogoria lakes. Lake Nakuru, Naivasha, and Bogoria provide optimal observations of these fuchsia-feathered avians. The alkaline characteristics of the Rift Valley lakes foster a flourishing ecosystem for algae and small crustaceans, attracting substantial populations of greater and lesser flamingos for nourishment. At times, the formidable flapping of a fish eagle’s wings can be detected when it descends to hunt our long-legged companions.
The Rift Valley Lakes region of Kenya, formed over millennia when the African tectonic plates shifted apart, hosts a variety of indigenous species and well-preserved hominid remains. Lake Turkana is regarded as the Cradle of Humankind because to the abundance of hominid fossils discovered in the area.
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What is the time to visit Kenya?
Kenya, akin to the all of Africa, is a perennial destination. Certain months are more conducive to game watching and the renowned Great Migration, while others are optimal for beauty, avian life, and mixtures of coastal and wilderness experiences. The outcome ultimately depends on your individual interests and choices. Let us examine the seasonal highlights.
August to October
The optimal period to visit Kenya for wildlife safaris and to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Maasai Mara is now. The migration is initiated by precipitation patterns and the emergence of new grass. The arid, winter months are optimal for general game observation. Whether or not you observe the Great Migration, your East African safari experience will be extraordinary!
December to March
The optimal period to visit Kenya for beaches, landscapes, avian life, and wildlife observation, excluding peak season, is from December to March. In these months, wildlife observation remains exceptional, and a reduced number of travelers results in advantageous offers. The days are warm, predominantly clear, and relatively low in humidity along Kenya’s tropical coastline.
April to May
When is it not an optimal time to visit Kenya? The long rains inundate Kenya in April and May with a humid monsoon, transforming the shoreline into a humid haze and the interior into a soggy yet visually appealing muck. The optimal period to visit Kenya for solitude. Consult our vacation Experts before to determining your vacation dates for Kenya.
What distinguishes Kenya safaris?
East Africa is renowned for its wildlife-abundant plains, quintessential African vistas, and the Great Wildebeest Migration, which should be at the pinnacle of every best-of Kenya compilation.
– Witness the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebra, topi, Thomson’s gazelles, and other plains game traverse in search of seasonal water and food resources.
– The “Samburu Special 5” comprises distinctive species that are not found elsewhere: Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, beisa oryx, and reticulated giraffe.
– Expansive unfenced national parks, where substantial herds of animals traverse their historical migration routes unimpeded.
– The effective coexistence of humans and animals in conservancies adjacent to national parks.
– The citizens of Kenya appreciate the vibrant and distinctive Maasai and Samburu, who embody traditional African lives.
Kenya offers remarkable wildlife and other intriguing destinations, including World Heritage Sites like Lamu Old Town on Lamu Island, the 13th-century ruins of Arab port cities, Mount Kenya, and the spectacular Swahili coastline.
Optimal bush-and-beach combinations with convenient access to the coastline and tropical islands such as Lamu, the Zanzibar Archipelago, and Seychelles.
Kenya safari holidays are suitable for families due to the use of enclosed vehicles, for instance. Numerous hotels provide triple accommodations, family units, and activities exclusively for youngsters during safaris.
What is the method to reach Kenya?
Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is a prominent commercial center in East Africa, attracting international visitors from all regions globally.
Spend a few nights immersing yourself in Nairobi’s urban culture or only one night to relish a comfortable bed following the lengthy travel. Depending on the arrival time of your international flight, you may opt to bypass the city and proceed directly to your intended destination — a quintessential East Africa safari.
Although carriers frequently alter their itineraries to Africa arbitrarily, you can presently access Kenya from the following prominent cities:
Abu Dhabi via Etihad Airways
– Amsterdam via KLM or Kenya Airways
– Bangkok via Kenya Airways
– Doha via Qatar Airways
– Dubai via Emirates or Kenya Airways
– Frankfurt via Lufthansa
– Istanbul via Turkish Airline
– London via British Airways or Kenya Airways
– Mumbai via Kenya Airways
– New York via Kenya Airways
– Paris via Air France or Kenya Airways
– Zurich via Swiss Air
What are the transportation options for your safari holiday in Kenya?
Upon arriving in Nairobi following your long-haul journey, you may partake in your Kenya wildlife safari via road, air, or a mix of both methods. The factors of time, money, and convenience will impact your decision-making process.
Aerial navigation over Kenya
Domestic air travel is the most comfortable, convenient, and time-efficient means of transportation for your Kenya safari trips or classic bush and beach excursions. Aircraft are typically of the smaller Cessna variety and are serviced by Nairobi’s domestic airport, about a 90-minute drive from the international airport, which is a crucial factor for same-day connections. A fly-in safari is an exceptional method to experience Kenya’s attractions, significantly reduces travel time, and avoids the inconveniences of a lengthy, arduous journey.
What is the cost of a safari in Kenya?
The expense for a safari in Kenya varies between $200 to $3,000 per individual each day. Consult with one of our Travel Experts to guarantee an optimal Kenya safari experience tailored to your schedule and financial constraints. The following factors affect the overall cost of your Kenya safari:
– A period characterized by significant disparities between off-peak and peak season pricing.
– Your selection of safari lodges and camps.
– Length of your visit, featuring significant discounts for prolonged reservations
– The cost increases in direct correlation to the remoteness of your location and your mode of transportation, such as flying versus traveling by overland safari vehicle.
– A selection of safari activities, encompassing both inclusive wildlife experiences and exclusive hot air balloon excursions.
Am I have to take any prescription or prophylactic medication for Kenya?
Affirmative. We advise the use of anti-malarial medicine regardless of the season during which you want to visit Kenya. Seek guidance from your healthcare provider regarding the appropriate prophylactic measures for your body well ahead of your travel date. If you reside in or want to travel through a yellow fever endemic area, vaccination and a certificate are required.
A concise overview of Kenya’s history
Kenya possesses a rich and intriguing history that extends back to 6 million BC, marked by the presence of Orrorin tugenensis, one of the earliest known hominins, inhabiting the Tugen Hills. Currently, this region of Kenya is safeguarded and conserved, allowing for the exploration of human antiquity at the National Museum of Kenya in Nairobi.
Over the years, the advancement of tool-making by Homo erectus and Homo sapiens was documented, underscoring the profound historical significance of this country.
In 1498, the Portuguese, led by Vasco da Gama, arrived in Kenya and assumed control of most ports, including Mombasa. Two centuries later, Arab influence compelled the Portuguese to evacuate. In the 1840s, European missionaries arrived, astonished by their initial view of Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
In the 1850s, lakes Tanganyika and Victoria were found by Burton and Speke, whose travels are chronicled in the historical novel by William Harrison. Following the expansion of British dominance in Kenya, the British Government annexed Kenya and Uganda, establishing British East Africa by 1895.
In the subsequent six years, Nairobi was forcibly converted from a Maasai agricultural settlement into the railway hub connecting Mombasa and Uganda, which extended to Kisumu on the shores of Lake Victoria in 1901 to facilitate trade among these prosperous regions. In 1920, Kenya was formally designated as a British colony.
After numerous attempts to expand colonization in Kenya, its inhabitants resisted. Beginning in 1942, representatives from many indigenous tribes collaborated to fight British colonial power. Ten years later, Jomo Kenyatta, then 61, was actively leading the independence struggle and was subsequently incarcerated alongside 82 other nationalists.
The rebellion persisted, and in 1963, Kenya attained independence with Jomo Kenyatta elected as Prime Minister. Since its independence, Kenya has been forging a path for its citizens, and despite a tumultuous history, the nation persists in its collective struggle to thrive and advance for its future. Currently, tourism constitutes a significant component of Kenya’s expanding economy and prosperity.