Kenya Safaris - Is Kenya (Still) a Safari-Worth Destination?

Kenya is a land of enormous variety and stunningsanctuaries and ranches that are smaller and
beauty, from the teeming savannah plains of themanaged better, usually with the co-operation of
Masai Mara to the Great Rift Valley, fromthe local communities living around. Such places,
snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya to the warmlike the Laikipia Plateau (Kuki Gallmann of the "I
azure beaches along its coast. Not to forget freshdreamed of Africa" fame lives there), Taita Hills
water and salt lakes, extinct volcanoes and coralSaltlick Game Sanctuary and Olonana Sanctuary,
reefs. It is not east to imagine how beautifulare extremely scenic and with considerable animal
Kenya is until you have experienced it.population.
As a vacation destination, Kenya has a richAuthentic African Traditional Cultural Experience
diversity of natural wonders, wildlife, climate andKenya enjoys diversity in terms of people and
habitats of its people with their rich culture. It isculture. This diversity is so visible in the different
not possible to see and appreciate Kenya in aways of life, the different ways the traditional
hurry, and the visitor may need to decide on ahouses are constructed, the manner of dress, the
few specific areas of attraction at a time.rich and elaborate cultural ceremonies, dances,
For the sake of comparison with other Safaricuisine etc.
Destinations, I have 5 points I think give KenyaOf the 42 different tribes, there are those that
some advantages. You might consider thesehave stood out when it comes to retaining their
points when trying to make a choice.traditional identity and life style. In this regard, the
Cheaper International FlightsMaasai and Samburu would be the best known.
Kenya has been a regional commercial hub andBut there are still more, even though less
safari destination for a much longer timeprominent tribes like the Njemps and El Molo that
compared to its neighbours. This meant, and stillcherish the lifestyle as it was centuries ago. A visit
means that major airlines established routes fromto Kenya, will offer you the chance, if you wish
many parts of the world to Kenya. Major airlinesto visit and interact with such people as they go
like KLM, BA, Air France, Emirates Airlines, Qatarabout their daily chores.
Airways operate regular flights into Kenya. OtherHigh Quality Hospitality Service and Medical
regional Airlines like South African Airways,Facilities
Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Air and Kenya AirwaysKenya enjoys superior hospitality and safari
also offer flights into and out of Kenya.guiding services in comparison with its regional
This situation has in turn resulted in competitionneighbours. Having had a head start in the
and efficiency for the various airlines. To thedevelopment of tourism infrastructure, the
travelers this means affordable pricing for flightdestination has developed a relatively reliable
tickets. Thus, traveling to Kenya from Northworkforce with skills to handle the demands of
America, Europe, Asia, Americas and eventourists from all over the world. World-famous
Australia is still relatively cheaper when youhotel chains like Fairmont Hotel operate hotels in
compare with the other countries in East andKenya.
Central Africa.There are training institutions (Utalii College) and
Great Wildlife Parks, Reserves and Sanctuariestrade and industry institutions that regulate
Even though there a genuine concern about thepractice and service delivery too. Medical facilities
value of wildlife viewing in Kenya due toin Kenya would not rival those in the first-world,
over-crowding and degradation of some of thebut are the best when comparing with others in
major parks and reserves, Kenya still has a lot tothe sub-region - East and Central Africa.
offer. In fact, the concern about over-crowding isGreat Opportunity for Beach and Safari
mostly related to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.Experience
This marvelous reserve actually suffers from itsThe combination of 25 National parks, 29 Game
own fame and popularity and also from the lackReserves, the Private Sanctuaries and Ranches
of control and regulation from the authorities inwith the over 480 kilometers stretch of white
charge.sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean, Kenya is one
That aside, Kenya still has other parks andof the few African vacation destinations where
reserves that will offer fulfilling game-viewingone can easily combine both a wildlife safari and
experience. Parks like the Meru National andan beach vacation. The distances between the
Tsavo have lower visitors and boost uniquevarious destinations are manageable and bearable
attractions both in terms of natural landscapesboth on travel by road or by way of internal
and wild animals.flights. A vacation blending all the cultural, wildlife
Better still, there are many private wildlifeand beach is therefore easy to arrange.