Travel Destination: Africa - Kenya Safaris
But Kenyan authorities are still extremely wary of the future of the elephant in Tsavo. The country is very active in seeking a permanent ban on the international ivory trade.
I wish at this point to declare to all that I am a great fan of the African elephant. I believe this to be the true king of the jungle and not that overrated pretender, the lion.
You may recall in The Man-eaters of Tsavo how cowardly lions disrupted the building of the railway in the Tsavo area by feeding on the workforce. Would true royalty be involved in such a disgraceful affair?
Safari in Kenya
Kenya is a year round safari destination. The rains come around April-May and November-December. This does not however, much affect the travelers’ ability to get around; except for the heavily forested Aberdares.
In the wet season the roads in the Aberdares are extremely slippery and the park is at times actually closed down.
Best Time To Go On Safaris in Kenya
Generally, the best time to go on safari in Kenya is over the drier months, when the grass is short and sighting animals is so much easier. But in areas such as the Mara, the animals are so plentiful that you are going to see lots of them regardless of the season.
The peak tourist season falls around January to February and July to August. April to June is the low season and prices for accommodation in the lodges can be as much as 40% lower than in the high season.
Accommodation On Safari
Accommodation on safari varies from basic camping to luxury lodges and tented camps. Out there in the bush, you will be pleasantly surprised that all the trimmings of 5 star accommodations are available. But if you want to rough it out, you will find campsites in almost all the game reserves and national parks.
Info on Kenya hotels, lodges & resorts accommodation options is available online.
Kenya Safari Tours
It is generally recommended to take an escorted Kenya safari tour package that includes transport, park fees and accommodation.
The reason for this is that the tour guides are usually well versed about the animals, where to find them, how to get there and other such useful local knowledge.
Before you book your safari, be sure to look at the available offers of various durations and budgets.
Do It Yourself Safaris
If you have a lot of time and prefer more freedom to travel around, then hire a vehicle in either Nairobi or Mombasa.
For Kenya car rental there is a choice between self-drive and chauffer driven vehicles.
What To Wear On Safari
On safari, it is generally advisaable to wear light cottons and linen.
Warmer clothing is needed for the evenings and on your early morning game drives. Some rainwear is advisable between March and June and October and December.
You should also bring along a decent pair of sunglasses as the glare you experience in bright tropical light is a new and uncomfortable experience for most.
It is also a good idea to carry a pair of binoculars. They are very useful for spotting animals and will earn you the envy of your less knowledgeable travelling companions.
Above all, bring your sense of adventure.
Written by Andrew Muagai
Filed under: Travel, Africa, Travel Guides