10 Things To Know Before Booking a Kenyan Safari

For example, you may want to ask yourself the following questions – when are the better weather conditions to see the Big Five or what time of year is best to experience authentic Kenyan culture? Take a look at the facts below so you know when and where in Kenya you're going to have a safari experience that suits you best. This guide will give you the starting blocks of what to think about before booking, from information about Kenya's national parks and animal sanctuaries through to low-impact tourism options.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE: CHIMPANZEES

If you're travelling to Kenya in the hopes of seeing chimpanzees then Ol Pejeta Conservancy is the place to go. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is the only place in Kenya where you can find these remarkable animals. Chimpanzees that are in danger, or those that have been orphaned, find lifelong protection in Ol Pejeta. The chimpanzees were introduced to the sanctuary in 1993, when three orphaned chimps were rescued from a civil war in Burundi. Nineteen further chimpanzees were given refuge between 1995 and 1996 and the numbers have continued to grow over the years bringing a current total of 42 chimps living in two groups within the Ol Pejeta sanctuary.

• Best Place to See Them: Ol Pejeta in Laikipia District
• Best Time to See Them: Open all year 9:00am to 10:30am and 3pm to 4:30pm, free entry

IF YOU WANT TO SEE LIONS:

The Meru National Park is one of the more wild and untamed areas of Kenya and is where George and Joy Adamson famously hand-reared lioness Elsa in the true story of Born Free. Founded in 1968, Meru was exposed to severe poaching in the 1970s and 80s, however today it attracts visitors who want a safari that offers a less crowded and more authentic experience of Kenyan wildlife. Here the sightings of big cats are increasing, with visitors having a chance to see ‘bush' lions. These lions are leaner than others and have more of a mohawk style mane. To see the bigger lions with full manes, the best opportunities are found in the Laikipia Plateau and again the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

• Best Place to See Them: Ol Pejeta in Laikipia District, Meru National Park
• Best Time to See Them: December to February and June to September



IF YOU WANT TO SEE: RHINOS

During the early 1980s, the African population of black rhinos dramatically fell from around 65,000 to 10,000 and kept falling until just 3,100 were left in 2001. Kenya's black rhinos were one of the most affected, with just 300 rhinos left from a population of 20,000 – a chilling equivalent of 5 rhinos being killed every day for ten years. This critically endangered species is now slowly rebuilding, with roughly 620 rhinos now living in Kenya. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya specialises in breeding black rhinos and is home to 88 of them, making it the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. The conservancy is found in the Laikipia District and spans over 19,000 acres. As well as rhinos, safari-goers can see the rest of the Big Five animals in Ol Pejeta; elephants, buffalo, leopards and lions.

• Best Place to See Them: Ol Pejeta in the Laikipia District, Nairobi National Park
• Best Time to See Them: December to February and June to September

IF YOU WANT TO SEE: THE GREAT MIGRATION

The Masai Mara National Park in south west Kenya is famous in safari circles for being one of the best places in Africa to spot the Big Five and in particular has some of the best opportunities for spotting big cats. The Masai Mara is also the setting of the Great Migration, a famous annual event that sees well over a million animals stampede the 500 kilometres route between the Serengeti and the northern border of the Masai Mara. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, gazelle, zebra and buffalo charge across the savannah each year, watched by opportunistic lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas, making it one of the most awesome events in the safari calendar. The best way to view this spectacular event is when the animals cross the water at the Mara and Talek Rivers. The Great Migration changes each year but usually starts between July and September, with the animals arriving in Mara and then continuing their migration to the Serengeti in December or January.

• Best Place to See It: Masai Mara National Reserve
• Best Time to Go: River crossings usually happen in September

IF YOU WANT TO SEE: GIRAFFES

Whilst Nairobi National Park isn't the biggest or most visited of Kenya's parks, it is the oldest and has some fantastic opportunities to see giraffes. The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife's Giraffe Centre provides protection to Rothschild Giraffes here and the famous Giraffe Manor is located just 20 kilometres from the park. The exclusive Giraffe Manor is renowned for its unique set-up; giraffes roam freely through the grounds and can even pop their head through the windows of the hotel to say hello to the guests!

• Best Place to See Them: Nairobi National Park, Meru National Park
• Best Time to See Them: December to February and June to September

IF YOU WANT TO SEE: FLAMINGOS

One of the most sought-after sights, not just in Kenya, but all of East Africa, are the flamingos of Lake Nakuru. The soda lake grows algae which attracts the birds in huge numbers, causing them to merge into one huge colourful mass of legs, feathers and beaks. Natural World Safaris will incorporate Lake Nakuru as a popular stop-over point on a safari to the Masai Mara Reserve which is a nice way to make the most of your visit. The lake has gained national park status as a bird sanctuary, not only for the greater and lesser flamingos but also the many other birds that live in the area, from yellow-billed storks to pelicans.

• Best Place to See Them: Lake Nakuru National Park
• Best Time to See Them: December to February and June to September

IF YOU WANT TO SEE: ELEPHANTS

The Amboseli National Park has one of the most archetypal landscapes of Africa, with Kilimanjaro overshadowing the valley and plains that attract zebras, giraffes, buffalo and gazelle. The park is sometimes referred to as Africa's Elephant Park due to the safari opportunities it provides to view family groups of elephants and lone bulls up close. If you want to stay near the coast, the eastern part of Tsavo National Park is another great spot for seeing elephants. The dry and flat plains are a good space to see elephants roaming in their natural, wilderness-like habitat.

• Best Place to See Them: Amboseli National Park, Tsavo East
• Best Time to See Them: December to February and June to September



IF YOU WANT TO SEE: KENYA'S CULTURE

The Lamu archipelago is found in the Indian Ocean, just off the northern coast of Kenya. The islands are thought to be one of Kenya's oldest settlements and believed to be where the Swahili civilisation began. The islands acted as a trading post in the 1500s, crucial in exporting spice, ivory and slaves. Today the islands are the perfect place to escape city-life, with donkeys and dhows replacing cars and an extremely peaceful and laid back atmosphere. The local markets of the old town offer a bit of buzz to visitors and the restaurants serve deliciously fresh seafood.

• Best Place to See Them: Lamu Archipelago
• Best Time to See Them: December to March are the best months to visit Kenya's coast

Acacia House

IF YOU WANT: AUTHENTIC SUSTAINABLE ACCOMODATION

Within the Masai Mara area there are many privately owned wildlife conservancies that have been founded with low-impact tourism in mind. These parks have tighter regulations to sustain both the wildlife and the local Maasai people. The Mara North Conservancy was established to create a system where tourism supported local communities, with fewer vehicles and more authentic accommodation options such as the tented Kicheche Mara Camp and discreet Elephant Pepper camp. The Olare Orok Consevancy has been ground-breaking in creating its sustainable tourist framework; local land owners have given their land to create a pristine environment for the animals which gives visitors a chance to see prey and predator animals in an unspoiled environment. Exclusive accommodation options in Olare Orok include the breath-taking Mara Plains Camp and the unfenced and beautiful Kicheche Bush Camp. Discover other sustainable places to stay in Kenya with these low-impact accommodation recommendations.

BEST TIMES TO VISIT KENYA

Kenya lies on the equator, meaning it enjoys warm weather all year around. However, it's geography is diverse, with difference attitudes affecting the climate, meaning there are still plenty of weather changes throughout the year including two rainy seasons. As a rule of thumb, December to February and June to September are the most popular times of year to go as they have the best weather for travel and safari visibility. The coastal areas of Kenya actually have a higher average temperature of 30C but the ocean breezes keep the heat bearable. The rainy seasons typically fall between March to May and October to November.



TEN MORE FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT KENYA

1. British passport holders need either a single entry or multiple entry visa to visit Kenya. Kenya visas require one unused page of your passport and your passport must be valid for six months from the date you enter Kenya. Apply and find out more about Kenya visas here.
2. Kenyan currency is known as Kenyan Shilling (KES) and 100 Kenyan Shilling equates to roughly £0.77 British Pound Sterling or $1.18 American dollars.
3. Kenya is in the East Africa Time zone (EAT) which is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (London) and seven hours ahead of North American Eastern Time (New York).
4. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, formally known as Nairobi International Airport, is the largest airport in Kenya but the county has 52 international and domestic airports in total.
5. Kenya has two official languages; Bantu Swahili and English. However, there are thought to be 69 languages in use in Kenya today.
6. It's thought the hottest temperature recorded in Kenya was 42.6°C, documented in the North Eastern Province of Kenya in the town of Wajir. The coldest temperatures in Kenya are found on Mount Kenya, which is topped with snow all year around and has summit temperatures that can reach minus 10°C.
7. Football and athletics were the first two sports to be formally recognised and organised in Kenya in the 1920s.
8. Kenya has the biggest economy in East and Central Africa, and its biggest exports to Europe are tea and coffee, and in more recent times fresh flowers.
9. Despite not being a traditional tourist destination, Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, has a number of tourist attractions, the most popular being Nairobi National Park and Nairobi National Museum.
10. Kenya's flag symbolizes the country's majority (black), the bloodshed (red) and the land (green). The white lines separating each colour represents peace and honesty and the traditional Maasai shield and spears was chosen as a symbol to protect everything the flag stands for.