Best Kenya Backpacking Safari

Kenya’s Wildlife Jewel

The renowned Masai Mara National Reserve is regarded as the premier game-viewing destination in Kenya. It has received accolades as the best game reserve in Africa for two consecutive years from the World Travel Awards. Notably, this reserve provides an exceptional opportunity to observe the Big Five.

The Big Five, which includes lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, and rhinos can be encountered here. Significantly, the annual migration of over a million wildebeests and zebras from the Serengeti plains is a wildlife phenomena. A diverse array of ungulates is also readily observable, including wildebeests, Thomson’s gazelles, grant’s gazelles, buffaloes, rhinos, impalas, Topis, elands, zebras, giraffes and duikers.

Common predators in the area include lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, jackals and foxes. Masai Mara is home to over 450 identified bird species, with notable examples being the common ostrich, secretary bird, Kori bustard, hornbills, storks, eagles and vultures.

Pink Lake

Lake Nakuru is recognized as one of the alkaline lakes situated within the Great Rift Valley. Commonly referred to as the “Pink Lake” or Africa’s Bird Paradise, it is strategically positioned in central Kenya, within the confines of Lake Nakuru National Park. The park spans an area of 188 square kilometers, while the lake itself covers approximately 62 square kilometers.

The lake is renowned for the vast numbers of flamingos that congregate there, although these birds can be unpredictable and may not always be present in large quantities through out the year. From the vantage point of baboon cliff, the lake appears pink due to the presence of flamingos. The landscape surrounding Lake Nakuru features a mix of grasslands, rocky cliffs, acacia woodlands, and a forest dominated by euphorbia trees.

Bird’s Paradise

There are two primary species of flamingos found in the lake. In particular, the lesser flamingo and the greater flamingo, both of which feed on algae that thrive in the warm alkaline waters. In addition to flamingos, the area is home to various other bird species, including ducks, pelicans, cormorants, plovers, vultures, eagles, and buzzards.

Lake Nakuru also hosts over 50 species of mammals, such as hippos, reedbucks, waterbucks, Rothschild giraffes, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, hyenas, cheetahs, leopards, lions, gazelles, and impalas, among others.

Hell’s Gate is renowned for its natural hot geysers and serves as a breeding habitat for eagles and vultures. Visitors can choose from a variety of activities, including driving, walking, camping, cycling and rock climbing within the park. Additionally, horseback safaris can be organized. The landscape features several iconic viewpoints, such as Fischer’s Tower, which was once a volcanic plug, along with the Central Tower and Njorowa Gorges.

The park is also home to two extinct volcanoes, Olkaria and Hobley’s, which are worth visiting. Natural steam vents emerge from fissures in the volcanic rock, and obsidian—an impressive black, glassy rock formed from solidified lava—can be found throughout the area. Wildlife in the park includes buffalo, Masai giraffes, elands, Coke’s hartebeest, gazelles and various antelopes.

A paradise for birdwatchers and rock climbers alike, the cliffs of Hell’s Gate provide breeding grounds for vultures, Verreaux’s eagles, augur buzzards, and thousands of swifts. A total of 103 bird species have been documented within the park.

Lake Naivasha is situated at the highest altitude among the lakes in the Kenyan Rift Valley, reaching an elevation of 1,890 meters. It is nourished by two rivers, the Malewa and Gilgil, and notably lacks a visible outlet. The lake spans an area of 140 square kilometers, although this size fluctuates annually in response to rainfall patterns. Its average depth is 8 meters and it is classified as a freshwater lake.

Surrounding much of the lake are forests of the yellow-barked Acacia Xanthophlea, commonly referred to as the yellow fever tree. These woodlands are rich in avian life, making Naivasha a premier destination for birdwatching enthusiasts.

The lake is home to populations of hippopotamuses and a diverse array of bird species, with the fish eagle being particularly prevalent. A delightful way to enjoy the scenery is by taking a boat ride either in the morning or afternoon.

The Park

Amboseli National Park is situated to the south of Nairobi, approximately 140 kilometers away, which translates to a four-hour drive from the city. The park encompasses an area of 392 square kilometers. Its ecosystem features a seasonal body of water known as Lake Amboseli, from which the park derives its name, along with swamps, expansive plains, acacia woodlands, rocky outcrops, thorny bushes, and marshlands. The landscape is prominently characterized by the stunning snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa. These snow caps are most visible during clear weather, particularly in the early morning and late evening hours. The picturesque scenery provides ample opportunities for capturing memorable photographs to share with friends and family back home.

Amboseli: A Wildlife Treasure

Many tourists regard Amboseli National Park as Kenya’s second most significant wildlife destination, following the Masai Mara Game Reserve. It is notable for having the highest population of elephants among Kenya’s national parks. Despite its relatively small size compared to other parks, Amboseli supports a diverse array of bird species and wildlife. The local population primarily consists of the Masai, although individuals from other Kenyan tribes have also settled in Amboseli in search of better opportunities. In addition to wildlife viewing and the breathtaking vistas of Mount Kilimanjaro, visitors have the chance to explore a local Masai village, gaining insights into their culture and engaging with the community.

The Park

Tsavo West National Park spans an impressive area of 9,065 square kilometers and is situated in South Eastern Kenya, approximately 240 kilometers from Nairobi and 250 kilometers from Mombasa, leading to the Mtito Andei Gate. The park is renowned for its stunning landscapes, Mzima Springs, diverse wildlife, well-maintained road network, a dedicated rhino reserve, opportunities for rock climbing at Kichwa Tembo Cliffs and guided excursions along the Tsavo River.

The park is home to a rich array of wildlife, including the black rhinos, Cape buffalos, elephants, leopards and lions. Additionally, visitors may encounter smaller species such as bushbabies, hippos, hartebeests, lesser kudus and Masai giraffes.

Attractions

Mzima Springs serves as a natural aquifer located beneath the Chyulu Hills to the north. The Chyulu range consists of volcanic lava rock and ash, which is highly porous, preventing the formation of rivers. Instead, rainwater seeps through the rock and may remain underground for up to 25 years before surfacing 50 kilometers away at Mzima Springs.

This spring generates an astounding 450 million liters of water daily, supporting the Tsavo ecosystem and supplying some water to the coastal region via a pipeline. At Mzima Springs, one can observe schools of hippos, crocodiles, various fish, and water birds such as cormorants. Hippos typically graze at night and spend their days lounging in the water, either fully or partially submerged.

The Shetani Lava Flow, a striking black lava formation measuring 8 kilometers in length, 1.6 kilometers in width, and 5 meters in depth, is a remnant of volcanic activity that occurred 240 years ago. Local communities refer to this flow as “shetani,” meaning evil in Kiswahili, due to the legends surrounding its eruption. Ascending the flow can be challenging, as the thick black soil consists of uneven fragments of solidified magma.

The Roaring Rocks offer breathtaking panoramic views, typically reserved for the eagles and buzzards that soar around these cliffs.

The Park

Tsavo East National Park stands as one of the oldest and largest national parks in Kenya, encompassing an area of 11,747 square kilometers. Situated near the village of Voi in the Taita-Taveta District of Coast Province, the park is divided into eastern and western sections by the A109 road and a railway line.

The park shares its borders with Chyulu Hills National Park and the Mkomazi Game Reserve in Tanzania. The region experiences a warm and arid climate. Access to the park requires a smart card, which can be recharged at the Voi gate.

Among the notable attractions of Tsavo East National Park are the renowned “Red Elephants.” This distinctive coloration results from the elephants’ behavior of wallowing in the Galana River and rolling in the region’s red soils.

Attractions

Aruba Dam, located on the northern bank of the seasonal Voi River, serves as a popular gathering spot for numerous animals and offers excellent opportunities for game viewing.

Mudanda Rock is a prominent 1.6 km inselberg of stratified rock that functions as a water catchment, creating a natural dam below. It provides an outstanding vantage point for observing the hundreds of elephants and other wildlife that come to drink during the dry season.

The Yatta Plateau, recognized as the world’s longest lava flow, extends along the western boundary of the park above the Athi River. This 290 km formation was created by lava from Ol Doinyo Sabuk Mountain.

Lugard Falls, named in honor of Frederick Lugard, consists of a series of white-water rapids on the Galana River.

Tsavo East is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including the iconic “big five”: lion, black rhino, cape buffalo, elephant, and leopard. Additionally, the park boasts a wide variety of bird species, such as the black kite, crowned crane, lovebird, and the sacred ibis.