Kenya: Big 5, Wildebeest Migration and Maasai Culture

Kenya is undisputedly a must-go destination for every traveler as it yields some of the best experiences featuring immense herds of wildlife. The most notable ones are viewing the Big 5 game, witnessing the wildebeest migration, Maasai culture, mountain hiking, and unwinding at the beach coast of Mombasa to grace your entire Kenya odyssey. 

Planning a memorable solo or family adventure in Africa? Your first thought should definitely be Kenya! For decades, Kenya has hosted wildlife safaris, and thousands of travelers across the world have found themselves lavished with great opportunities to experience up-close encounters in some of Africa’s pristine wilderness jungles.

Kenya is the origin of the popular notion of “going on safari,” which first began in 1895 when the British Empire established the East Africa Protectorate. White hunters, including big names like Teddy Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, later made a safari in Kenya popular. Tourists started flocking to Kenya in their thousands after the Second World War, conspicuously after being overwhelmed by stories of the abundance of wild animals. At the time, more than 3 million large mammals were roaming East Africa’s plains. Today, visitors still flock to this magical destination each year. Despite the impact of humans, who have made their mark, Kenya still preserves its pristine wilderness.

From the vast savannahs where immense herds of wildlife roam to the snow-capped equatorial mountains, Kenya is undisputedly a must-go destination for every traveler and nature lover. Thanks to the traditional people whose histories and everyday lives tell the story of a country whose authentic culture is there to be preserved for generations to come.

Scattered between Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean are more than 30 national parks and nature reserves covering every imaginable landscape, featuring the renowned Big Five and the world’s largest and last mass terrestrial wildlife movement, the Great Migration. The rugged hills, where the ridges are a mix of smallholdings and plantations, are where most of the population lives. The Great Rift Valley, an archetypal East African scene of dry, thorn-tree savanna spotted with lakes and studded by volcanoes, spreads out through the heart of the highlands.

The abundance of Kenya’s wildlife is attributed to one of Africa’s most innovative and successful conservation communities. Through passion and love for nature expressed by their ability to pioneer the deployment of armed rangers to protect wildlife (especially rhinos and elephants), Kenya prevented the emptying of its wilderness and brought its wildlife back from the brink of extinction after the poaching holocaust of the 1970s and 1980s.

Besides, in places such as Laikipia and the Masai Mara, private and community conservancies emerged, fusing tourism with community development and wildlife conservation to impressive effect. All in all, your choice of Kenya undoubtedly guarantees you a life-transforming visit and experience!

Start Planning Your Safari Trip Today!

Visiting Kenya for the first time? Booking a Kenya safari will most likely reveal Africa’s big games and some of the country’s iconic destinations. So, whether it is your first or fifth safari to Kenya, we will help you plan an exciting lifetime experience to fulfill your dream Africa adventure. Contact one of our travel experts to help you craft a safari itinerary that matches your travel style!

What is the Climate of Kenya?

Kenya’s diverse topography results in a wide range of climates. While the coast is typically hot and humid, inland areas are more temperate. The country’s northern and northeastern areas are generally very hot and arid, the central highlands are cooler and are formed of a mix of tropical highlands, which become increasingly arid towards the country’s interior.

Kenya’s climate is strongly influenced by the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which drives rainfall in the country. The western, central and coastal regions, which occupy less than 20% of the country, houses nearly 90% of the country’s population, and includes productive agricultural land which is principally rainfed.

Given its diverse topography, temperatures across the country vary significantly, with the highlands experiencing much cooler temperatures than coastal and lowland zones. Little seasonal variation in temperatures has been observed, with average temperatures ranging between 18°C at the higher elevations to 26°C along the coast. Rainfall varies considerably across the country, with less than 250 millimeters (mm) falling in the arid zones of north, to over 2,000 mm per year in the west annually.

Highland areas, where the majority of agriculture takes place, receives approximately 1,000 mm of rainfall each year. The seasonal migration of the ITCZ define four distinct seasons in Kenya, dominated by two rainfall periods: January to March, which is generally considered the ‘warm dry season’, April to June known as the ‘long wet season’, July to September the ‘cool dry season’, and October to December as the ‘short wet season’.

Reasons for your first Kenya safari

1. The Great Migration

Vast herds of herbivores, i.e., wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles, move in an endless cycle of birth and death through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of grazing. It’s a bitter-sweet movie sequence as the ungulates cross the Mara River with predators and prey locked in a life-or-death dance—the most remarkable wilderness spectacle on earth, also referred to as “the greatest show on earth“.

2. Big Game Viewing

Kenya is one of Africa’s best destinations, where you are guaranteed to view some of Africa’s big game, like the famous Big Five animals popularized by the colonial white hunters in the early days of African safari. They are dispersed across Kenya’s legendary national parks and game reserves. Expect to see a vast array of plains game and hundreds of beautiful birds.

3. Encounter the Nomadic Tribes

A safari to Kenya features an encounter with some of the world’s most iconic and distinctive people, the Maasai and Samburu. These communities are popular for their unique cultures and for living in national parks and game reserves. Visitors have the opportunity to visit Maasai villages to see their way of life, such as men herding livestock and women carrying water or firewood, among others.

4. Beach Escapes

While many justly celebrate Africa as the perfect destination for wildlife viewing and a classic safari experience, Kenya in fact offers a holiday for everyone; it’s also home to a diversity of world-class beaches in the span of just 536 km (333 mi) of coastline. From the powdery white sand beaches lined by an azure ocean south of Mombasa to the ancient shores of Lamu Island, featuring water sports such as diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, deep-sea diving, adrenalin sports, and simple seaside fun while sipping sundowners, Kenya’s safari’s last magical moments happen at the coastline.

5. Visiting Historical Sites

You can take your Kenya safari to the next level by visiting popular historical sites for a more educational immersion into Kenya’s rich history and culture. There is a vast array to explore, such as ancient forts, mysterious caves, and town centers like the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lamu; there’s literally something for every history buff in this country.

6. Primate Tracking

Kenya neighbours Uganda and Rwanda, where primate tracking (gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking) is made possible. It is way easier to combine a Kenya safari with a Uganda primate safari with the help of local flights. Don’t miss a once-in-a-lifetime moment with the primates in their natural world.

When is the best time to Visit Kenya?

High/Peak season

Wildlife viewing is possible throughout the year. However, the best time to visit Kenya for a safari is during the periods of July to September and January to March, aka the dry seasons. They are the best months for wildlife viewing. The days are sunny with clear skies, and that means it’s unlikely to rain. The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Masai Mara in August and remains there until October, when the ungulates return to the Serengeti in Tanzania. Wildlife is easier to spot because of the thin vegetation, and animals gather around waterholes.

In these periods, unfortunately, it gets very busy and crowded in most popular parks, and prices usually hike because of high demand. We recommend booking earlier with us for early preparation; you can still make your booking up to two years in advance.

Low season

April to June and October to December, aka the wet seasons, are associated with heavy rains, making park access rather difficult. Some lodges and camps are compelled to close down during part of the Wet season. Wildlife viewing is quite challenging since animals are scattered throughout the park because of the abundant food supply. However, expect to see green and beautiful scenery. Rates tend to drop because it’s the low season, newborn animals can be spotted, and migratory birds are usually present. At the same time, these are breeding seasons for the endemic.

Popular parks to visit on your first trip

Masai Mara NR

Masai Mara renowned for hosting the epic Great Migration welcomes over 1 million wildebeests onto its sprawling savannahs each July through October. 

Amboseli NP

Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya’s elite parks set against the backdrop of Africa’s best views of Mt Kilimanjaro and popular for hundreds of big-tusked elephant sightings as its signature attraction. 

Tsavo East & West

The East and West national parks separated by the Mombasa railway form the largest protected area in Kenya and are home to most of the larger mammals and a prolific bird life. 

Nairobi NP

Kenya’s most accessible wildlife park and one of the only national parks on earth bordering a capital city. Sometimes called Kifaru Ark, which means “Rhinoceros Sanctuary”. wildlife.

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