A lion in the grass, Kenya

We’re pleased to announce a new destination on Viator.com: Kenya. We’ve just completed an exhaustive search for Kenya’s best tours, safaris and things to do from Nairobi to Mombassa, Lake Nakuru to Hell’s Gate, Maasai Mara National Reserve to Amboseli National Park.

We’re excited because Kenya offers some of the best wildlife viewing in all of Africa. Kenya is home to all of the “Big Five” animals (elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo) and has some of the largest animal reserves and national parks on the continent. A main focus of travelers is the annual migration of wildebeests (usually between July and October) between Kenya and Tanzania, though wildlife spotting is excellent year-round.

Kenya is also home to Lake Turkana and the Great Rift Valley, made famous by Richard Leakey and his discoveries of ‘Turkana Boy’ and other ancient hominid fossils. And let’s not forget about the local culture, from the Swahili tribes on the coast to the nomadic Maasai tribes inland.

The menu at Carnivore, Nairobi, Kenya

One of the best things about a trip to Kenya is the diversity: wildlife, culture, natural scenery and everything from deluxe eco-lodges to backpacker-friendly campgrounds.

Have a look at our complete list of safaris, tours and things to do in Kenya. I’ve also made a “Suggested Itineraries: Kenya Wishlist” for when I make it back to Kenya for a second visit:

• Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi. I had one of the most amazing meals here. I sampled crocodile, hartebeast, zebra, chicken, cow… and a bowl of pumpkin soup, I believe. The crazy thing about Carnivore is they keep serving food until you (literally) raise a flag of surrender at your table, indicating that your stomach has reached maximum capacity. I am definitely going back.
• Three-day Safari to Amboseli National Park. Amboseli is one of the top places to see wildlife in Kenya. Its famous for herds of elephants roaming the plains, with Mt Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. Lions, leopards, caracals, cheetahs, jackals, hyenas and serval cats are all frequently seen in the park. Sign me up.
• Three-day Safari to Maasai Mara National Reserve. If it’s wildlife you’re after (I am), then this is the place. Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve is famous for its scenery, wildlife and overall beauty. I’m sold on it.

I’ll finish up with photos from my trip (you can see more photos of Kenya on the Viator Flickr page). The first (clockwise from the left) is of two lion cubs, hanging out underneath our parked Jeep on safari. The temptation to reach out and pet the cubs was cooled by a mamma lion nearby, keeping a close watch on her bairn. The second shot is of a group of Maasai boys on the road to Tanzania. Next is a photo of zebras and wildebeests during the migration. I was lucky enough to witness the migration, I consider it one of my all-time best travel experiences. Last up, a photo of two lions hanging out on a rock. The rock was on high ground, giving the lions plenty of perspective on their next meal.

-Scott McNeely

Find all Viator blog posts about Africa

This entry was posted on Friday, January 5th, 2007 at 7:21 pm and is filed under Destinations, Middle East & Africa, Press & Publicity, Suggested Itineraries, Travel Inspiration, Travel Wishlists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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