It’s true, everyone has a special place in the world. But Africa is the place that unites us all, the land where we originated. I don’t know if this has happened to you, but every time Africa manages to amaze me anew, it fascinates me, with its colors, people, songs, and traditions. These are ancestral sensations, which flow under the skin, imprinted in the DNA, emotions that materialize in the savannah infinity, when the sun goes down below the horizon and the stars appear, in the mountains, in the sounds that populate the night, when we sleep and everything wakes up.
Kenya is the epitome of this, with its parks home to large African mammals, such as wildebeests, zebras, elephants, and also pink flamingos. Here you can meet local peoples like the Maasai, Samburu, Turkana, Swahili, and Kikuyu, each one with own traditions. Here you can explore cities like Mombasa and Nairobi, where Arab, Portuguese, and English influences blend with the local culture.
The country’s name derives from Mount Kenya. Its original name was Kirinyaga (so called by the Kikuyu community), meaning “place of light”. When the British colonized the country, they couldn’t pronounce it correctly and used an abbreviation that became ‘Kenya’.
Climate
Kenya is located in Central Africa and straddles the equator. There is a summer season, from October to April, and a cooler season. There are also two rainy seasons: the “long rains” from March to May, and the “short rains” from October to December.
The most beautiful beaches
Diani Beach, a beach of fine, white sand overlooked by palm groves and casuarina trees, home to a splendid coral reef. You can reach it by foot from the city center, and Diani Road is full of restaurants, shops, and cafes.
Watamu is Kenya’s most beautiful beach, nestled between three bays and surrounded by mangroves. Not far from it are the Gede Ruins, immersed in the forest, the remains of an ancient merchant city.
Safari in Kenya
Seeing wild animals in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience. A typical safari day begins at dawn with a morning game drive, as wildlife is most active in the cooler hours. Afterwards, return to camp for breakfast. Afternoon activities may include another game drive or a walking safari. Evenings typically include dinner around the campfire for stargazing.
Due to their size and diverse ecosystems, Tsavo East and Tsavo West are among the most important wildlife parks in the world. Two permanent rivers, the Tsavo River and the Athi River, are here. Red elephants, whose coloration comes from the soil, live here. A safari here allows you to observe up close lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo – the Big Five – as well as cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, gazelles, zebras, antelopes, and more.
The Masai Mara is the icon of the great migration, when between July and October, every year, over a million wildebeest migrate from Tanzania to the Masai Mara, crossing the river. The park is in southern Kenya, within the Great Rift Valley, and there are three rivers (Mara, Talek, and Sand). The landscape is characterized by grasslands and savannahs, hills, and acacia forests. It takes its name from the indigenous Masai people and the Mara River that flows through it.
Amboseli is dominated by Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. The park’s vegetation is sparse, making it easy to spot wild animals. The surrounding area is home to several Masai people who graze their herds.
Before leaving: the visa for visiting Kenya
From 2024, a visa is no longer required. The new procedure requires applying for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), which is issued within three working days by completing the form on the official website. It costs approximately €30 per person and is valid for a single entry and a maximum stay of 90 days.
Useful tips: when to go, what to pack
The dry season, from late June to October, is considered the best time for safaris, as vegetation is less dense and animals congregate around waterholes, increasing the chances of sightings.
In 2017, Kenya introduced a ban on plastic bags. These can be replaced with jute bags or biodegradable materials.
The art of dressing in layers
There is a significant temperature difference between day and night, especially from June to October. A sweatshirt, fleece, or a windbreaker can be very useful! Essentials: a hat that can be tied around the neck with a drawstring (otherwise it could fly off during 4×4 travel), sunglasses, a scarf that covers your mouth and nose to avoid inhaling dust, and comfortable shoes. Don’t forget sunscreen, mosquito repellent, antidiarrheal medication, painkillers, fever reducers, and ointments for burns or stings. As for technology, binoculars to observe animals in the distance without disturbing them, an adapter, and of course a camera!
To be continued…