Kenya Safaris: Is Kenya (Still) A Worthy Safari Destination?

Kenya is a land of enormous variety and striking beauty, from the teeming savannah plains of the Masai Mara to the Great Rift Valley, from the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya to the warm blue beaches along its coastline. Not forgetting the fresh and salt water lakes, extinct volcanoes and coral reefs. It is not Eastern to imagine how beautiful Kenya is until you have experienced it.

As a vacation destination, Kenya has a rich diversity of natural wonders, wildlife, climate, and habitats of its people with their rich culture. It is not possible to see and appreciate Kenya quickly, and the visitor may need to decide on a few specific areas of attraction at once.

For the sake of comparison with other Safari destinations, I have 5 points that I think give Kenya some advantages. You can consider these points when trying to make a decision.

Cheaper international flights
Kenya has been a regional trading hub and safari destination for much longer than its neighbors. This meant, and still means, that major airlines established routes from many parts of the world to Kenya. Major airlines like KLM, BA, Air France, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways operate regular flights to Kenya. Other regional airlines such as South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Air and Kenya Airways also offer flights to and from Kenya.

This situation has in turn resulted in competition and efficiency for the various airlines. For travelers this means affordable prices for airline tickets. Therefore, traveling to Kenya from North America, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and even Australia is still relatively cheaper compared to other East and Central African countries.

Large parks, reserves and wildlife sanctuaries
Although there is genuine concern about the value of wildlife viewing in Kenya due to overcrowding and degradation of some of the major parks and reserves, Kenya still has a lot to offer. In fact, the concern about overcrowding is mainly related to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. This wonderful reserve actually suffers from its own fame and popularity and also from the lack of control and regulation by the authorities in charge.

Other than that, Kenya still has other parks and reserves that will offer a satisfying game viewing experience. Parks like Meru National and Tsavo have fewer visitors and more unique attractions both in terms of natural landscapes and wildlife.

Better still, there are many private wildlife sanctuaries and ranches that are smaller and better managed, usually with the cooperation of the local communities that live around them. Such places as the Laikipia Plateau (Kuki Gallmann of “I Dreamed of Africa” ​​famously lives there), the Taita Hills Saltlick Game Sanctuary, and the Olonana Sanctuary are extremely picturesque and have a sizeable animal population. .

Authentic traditional African cultural experience
Kenya enjoys diversity in terms of people and culture. This diversity is so visible in the different ways of life, the different ways in which traditional houses are built, the way of dressing, the rich and elaborate cultural ceremonies, the dances, the cuisine, etc.

Of the 42 different tribes, there are those that have excelled in preserving their traditional identity and way of life. In this sense, the Maasai and Samburu would be the best known. But there are still more, though less prominent tribes like the Njemps and El Molo who appreciate the way of life as it was centuries ago. A visit to Kenya will give you the opportunity, if you wish, to visit and interact with these people as they go about their daily business.

Hospitality service and high-quality medical facilities
Kenya enjoys superior hospitality and safari guide services compared to its regional neighbors. Having had a head start in developing tourism infrastructure, the destination has developed a relatively reliable workforce with the skills to handle the demands of tourists from around the world. World famous hotel chains like Fairmont Hotel operate hotels in Kenya.

There are training institutions (Utalii College) and commercial and industrial institutions that also regulate the practice and provision of services. The medical facilities in Kenya would not rival those in the first world, but they are the best compared to others in the sub-region: East and Central Africa.

Great opportunity for beach and safari experience
The combination of 25 national parks, 29 game reserves, private sanctuaries and ranches with more than 480 kilometers of white sand beaches on the Indian Ocean, make Kenya one of the few African holiday destinations where one can easily combine a safari of wildlife and a beach vacation. The distances between the different destinations are manageable and bearable both on road trips and on internal flights. Therefore, it is easy to organize a vacation that combines all the culture, wildlife and the beach.