KENYA, MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
Altitude: 5000 ft
Area: 1510 sq kms
Distance from Nairobi: 260 kms
South west of Kenya’s capital Nairobi, the reserve is blessed with an outstanding concentration of animals and panoramic views of across the plains and dotted woodlands and therefore, the Masai Mara provides an experience unsurpassed. As the northern extension of the great Serengeti grassland, the reserve is host to the annual migration of over a million wildebeest –the most awesome wildlife spectacle on planet earth.
The Mara covers an area of about 1,500 square kilometers, is not fenced and is bordered on the west by the Olooloo escarpment and in the east by the Ngama hills. The common language of the Masai is Maa in which the word Mara means spotted –referring to the clusters of bush which dot the plains.In addition to the wildebeest and hordes of zebra which join them in their annual pilgrimage for pastures, the Masai Mara supports the lion, cheetah, elephant, leopard, kongoni, topi, Thomson’s gazelle and the Defassa waterbuck, as well as eight species of primate.
KENYA, LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Distance from Nairobi : Appx 170kms
Driving time from Nairobi : 2HRS
West of Kenya’s capital Nairobi, the park is situated on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, the descent into the valley on your way to the park provides spectacular photography opportunities. The salt water lake plays host to flamingoes on their migratory path from Lake Baringo in northern Kenya to Lake Natron in southern Tanzania. The birds give the lake an unmistakable pink hue very much visible on the horizon, an excellent combination with the setting sun for a great photo. The park is home to lions, leopards, buffaloes, the endangered white rhino, giraffes, zebras, topis and other plains game.
KENYA, AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Distance from Nairobi : Appx 250kms
Driving time from Nairobi : 3.5 – 4HRS
South east of Kenya’s capital Nairobi, the park nestles at the foot of the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro, which borders both Kenya and Tanzania. The park is famed for the huge herds of the African Elephant that it is home to. The park also plays host to lions, buffaloes, the elusive leopard, wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, a variety of antelopes and other smaller plains game. During the dry season it is semi arid terrains and during the wet season, the seasonal “Amboseli Swamp” becomes home to many species of birds.
KENYA, THE ABERDARE RANGES
Altitude: 2500-4000 ft
Area: 104 sq kms
Distance from Nairobi: 200kms
The Aberdare National Park is part of the Aberdare Mountain Range. Deep valleys, streams and rivers as well as cascading waterfalls feature in this region. Game viewing includes elephant, buffalo, giant forest hog and Kenya’s indigenous and endangered Black Rhino.
KENYA, MOUNT KENYA REGION
Altitude: 2500-4000 ft
Area: 104 sq kms
Distance from Nairobi: 280 kms
North East of Kenya’s capital Nairobi, the reserve is huddled at the foot of the majestic snow capped Mount Kenya and is a dense rain forest that comes alive at dusk with sounds of animals that the African bush is so well known for. The region provides excellent game viewing. Examples include the black and white Colobus and Sykes monkeys, bushbuck, buffalo, elephant, waterbuck, black rhino, genet cat and the bongo which is a rare type of forest antelope. The area also has a fascinating variation of flora and fauna.
KENYA, SAMBURU GAME RESERVE
Altitude: 2500-4000 ft
Area: 104 sq. kms
Distance from Nairobi: 360 kms
North of Kenya’s capital Nairobi, the reserve is in the semi arid part of this country and also home to the Samburu tribes people, the fearless cousins of the Masai. The Samburu people are known for crossing the crocodile infested Uaso Nyiro river which meanders through the reserve with inherent ease. A unique vista of rounded rugged hills and undulating plains are offered by the reserve. The mix of wood and grassland with riverine forest and swamp is home to lions, elephants, antelopes, hartbeasts, buffaloes, reticulated giraffe, grevy’s zebra, leopard, Somali ostrich, hippo, crocodile, gerenuk, hyena and other plains game. The park is also a bird watchers paradise, there are over 600 species of birds, most with habitats on or around the river. Most lodges are situated on the river bank giving the guest the best of the plant, animal and bird life.
KENYA, TSAVO NATIONAL PARK
Altitude: 500-600 ft
Area: 9065 sq. kms
Distance from Nairobi: 240 kms.
Arguably the largest park in Kenya, on offer are tremendous views with diverse habitats ranging from mountains, river forest, plains, lakes and wooded grasslands. It borders the southern Serengeti plains in Tanzania. Game includes leopard, cheetah, buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe, zebra, lion, plains game, crocodile and small mammals including mongoose, hyrax, dik dik and and the nocturnal porcupine.