Dave McKelvie

Maasai Mara National Reserve

There is abundant game throughout the year. From July to October you have the chance of seeing the world's most fascinating traffic jam – the annual wildebeest migration. The game viewing is excellent and so are the many lodges and camps which care for you. Here too you can experience a balloon safari, drifting over the sweeping landscape to observe the animals from up high.

Tsavo National Park

Described as ‘land of lava, springs and man-eaters,’ this is Kenya's largest national park and one of the world's largest game reserves, home to vast numbers of animals. (The man-eating lions of Tsavo hindered the building of the Kenya railway more than one hundred years ago!) Here, too, you can observe from a sunken observatory the hippos of Mzima Springs.

Chyulu Hills National Park

This park offers tremendous views with diverse habitats ranging through mountains, river forest, lakes and grassland. You may see game such as leopard, cheetah, buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe, zebra, lion, plains game, crocodile and small mammals including mongoose, hyrax, dik dik and porcupine. This is an excellent park for visitors who enjoy walking or horse-riding, offering a number of nature trails and the opportunity to explore the Chaimu volcanic crater. Guides are available.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to large herds of elephants, among other wildlife species. Other attractions of the park include opportunities to meet the Maasai and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

Lake Nakuru National Park

This Park is famous for its fluorescent flamingo-fringed shores, rosy pink from the millions of flamingoes sifting through the waters for their food. It is also a rhino sanctuary and home to many other easily seen animals. From the rugged cliffs bordering the park there is a wonderful view over the lake and park.

Hell's Gate National Park

Here you can see craggy gorges and cliffs with steaming vents in an area of recent geological activity – geothermal electricity is produced nearby. You have the chance to mingle with the wildlife as you explore on foot or by bicycle.

Mount Kenya

Equatorial glaciers, tremendous treks and jagged peaks are a challenge to experienced climbers. At 5,199 m, Mount Kenya is the second highest peak in Africa. It is an ancient extinct volcano. With its rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes, Mount Kenya is one of the most impressive landscapes in East Africa. The evolution and ecology of its afro-alpine flora also provide an outstanding example of ecological processes.

Laikipia

The Laikipia district is situated to the north-west of Mount Kenya. The ecosystem is home to the second largest population of elephant in Kenya and hosts high populations of endangered species such as rhino, Grevy's zebra, and reticulated giraffe.

There are several ranches and community group ranches in this arid but beautiful area dedicated to the conservation of wildlife.

Lewa Downs is one such ranch. It was once a cattle ranch which later became a heavily guarded black rhino sanctuary. It is now the headquarters for a non-profit wildlife conservancy, which has gained a world-wide reputation for extending the benefits of conservation beyond its borders. The wildlife experience on Lewa Downs suits guests from all walks of life and all ages. You can drive, walk or ride on horseback or camel among the game, accompanied by an experienced guide.

Samburu National Reserve

This is a reserve of stark, spectacular scenery, home to the northern ‘Big Five’ a group of animals found only in this area, namely the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the Beisa oryx. The park is located on the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro River in the nothern plains of Kenya.

Mombasa Old Town

Mombasa is Kenya’s main port, and the "Old Town" has a history dating back before the first Portugese seamen who stopped here in their search for the East Indies. Fort Jesus, built by the Portugese is now a museum

North and south of the town there are many beautiful hotels on stunning white beaches.

Kisite Marine National Park

Home to some of the world’s most colorful reefs and most complex eco-systems, Kisite stretches for 3-4 KM and it can be reached via motorboat or traditional dhow. It is perfect for snorkelers and divers. It is located south of Mombasa towards the Tanzanian border.

Tana Delta

At this remote location you can go on beachcombing expeditions or travel by boat through the maze of the delta channels, viewing buffalo, hippo and other game as you go. Delta Dunes Lodge is perched high up on the ridge of one of the many sand dunes that shield the delta's flood plains from the waters of the Indian Ocean and overlooks Kenya's largest river.

Lamu Archipelago

The island of Lamu, the biggest in the archipelago, is a beautiful place of rolling sand dunes and endless beaches washed by the Indian Ocean. The town of Lamu began life as a 14th century Swahili settlement, but the island has seen many visitors and influences, including Portuguese explorers, Turkish traders and the Omani Arabs. All left their mark, but Lamu developed its own particular Swahili culture, which has ultimately endured. The town is listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site.