Kenya is where the safari began and continues to flourish. The word ‘safari’ means ‘journey’ in Swahili, Kenya's national language. Kenya is one of the best countries in Africa for game viewing and experiencing the famous migration of a million wildebeest in the Masai Mara.
The Masai Mara is legendary as the setting for the spectacular annual Great Migration: in July and August, over a million wildebeest and zebra brave the crocodiles of the Mara River to reach the fresh grasses of the savannah – where they are hunted by predators like lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena.
Throughout the year, the Mara offers the most diverse wildlife in Kenya. The abundant plains attract prides of lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena, jackal and the smaller nocturnal cats. Over 500 bird species – including 53 birds of prey - have been recorded in the Mara’s varied landscapes.
The Mara encompasses the Masai Mara National Reserve and the equally extensive Maasai group ranches which, up to now, have served as wildlife dispersal areas. There are various concession arrangements between the group ranches and private safari operators, with large tracts of land dedicated to conservation. Game-viewing within the reserve is more strictly regulated. Beyond the boundaries of the national reserve, in the concessions, game is equally prolific, there are fewer visitors and game walks and night drives are permitted.
For more advice on safaris in Kenya, contact our Africa specialists at Rainbow Tours who will share their first-hand knowledge of this wildlife paradise and help tailor-make the tour of a lifetime for you. Or click here to visit their website.