Kenya Safaris | Kenya Wildlife Safaris | Discover Kenya’s Iconic Destinations with Mountain Rwenzori African Safaris

Kenya is the original Africa safari destination and still one of the best. Around 8 percent of the country’s land is protected, and it is home to nearly 400 species of mammals and more than 1,000 species of birds. Its landscapes range from sun-bleached savannahs to jagged mountain peaks.

Located in the heart of Africa, Kenya shares borders with five countries: Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. To the east, it is bounded by the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean.

The Great Rift Valley runs north to south through the country, which is named after Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak. It is also home to Lake Victoria, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world.

The Masai Mara national reserve is arguably the most famous Big 5 national reserve in the world, and therefore the setting for dozens of BBC and National Geographic wildlife documentaries.

As well as its high concentration of lion, leopard, and cheetah,  the Mara is the site of the Great Wildebeests Migration river crossings, when approximately 1.5 million wildebeest must cross the crocodile-filled waters as part of their endless journey around the Mara and the adjacent Serengeti national park in Tanzania.

In the central county of Laikipia, conservancies such as Ol Pejeta protect critically endangered black and northern white rhino. Around Mount Kenya national park, travelers will find high-altitude trails to hike, run, or mountain bike.

In the east, white-sand beaches at Lamu and Diani are lapped by the warm Indian Ocean. Nairobi, the bustling capital, is one of the continent’s biggest business hubs, with a national park right on its limits.

The people are just as diverse as the landscape: Kenya is home to 44 officially recognized tribes. Throughout Kenya, old cultures meld with new and ancient traditions sit alongside modern customs.

The predominant religion is Christianity, however, there is a significant Muslim population and many people still practice traditional African religions.

Kiswahili and English are the official languages of this multicultural country, although many indigenous languages are widely spoken. In the Mara, most guides and camp staff are Maasai and you’ll likely meet many Samburu people from northern Kenya in Samburu National Reserve.

With a major international airport, fly directly to Nairobi from travel hubs including New York, London, and Bangkok. The quickest way to get around the country is by light aircraft, but it’s also easy to drive to Laikipia or the Mara, seeing some of rural Kenya en route.