Kenya: Where the Urban Meets the Wild

Experience the thrill of a city where the modern skyline meets untamed wilderness—Nairobi is the world's only capital with a National Park right on its border. Begin your adventure with an early morning game drive in Nairobi National Park, where you can spot lions and rhinos with skyscrapers in the background. Later, witness the heartwarming conservation efforts at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust as orphaned baby elephants come in for their midday feeding. The afternoon offers unique interactions at the Giraffe Centre, where you can hand-feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes. Round off your visit by exploring the rich cultural heritage at the Nairobi National Museum or the historical Karen Blixen Museum.

Journey to the legendary Maasai Mara, the pinnacle of African safari destinations and home to the planet's most spectacular wildlife event. The Mara is famous for its exceptional concentration of the Big Five, offering incredible opportunities to spot lions, leopards, and cheetahs on daily game drives. From July to October, witness the epic Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebra traverse the treacherous Mara River. You can immerse yourself in the culture of the resident people by visiting a traditional Maasai Village. For a truly unforgettable view, take a breathtaking hot air balloon safari at sunrise over the vast savannah.

Prepare for one of the most iconic views in all of Africa: the majestic peak of Mount Kilimanjaro forming a snow-capped backdrop to the rolling plains of Amboseli. This park is arguably the best place in the world to get up close to large herds of free-ranging elephants, including some of the largest tuskers in Africa. Explore the park's fragile ecosystem, which includes dried-up lake beds and vast open marshlands that attract a huge variety of plains game and predators. For panoramic views and photography, ascend the easily accessible Observation Hill.

Escape the city bustle for the freshwater beauty of Lake Naivasha, a serene haven for birdlife and unique wildlife encounters on the Great Rift Valley floor. The lake is teeming with hippos, easily viewed during a relaxing boat safari, and is home to a staggering variety of bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Adjacent to the lake, Crescent Island Game Sanctuary offers a rare chance to walk freely among giraffes, zebras, and antelopes. For the adventurous, a day trip to the stunning gorge and hiking trails of Hell's Gate National Park is an absolute must.

Discover Lake Nakuru National Park, a critical conservation area renowned for its dense wildlife and its stunning, soda-lake spectacle. The park is one of Kenya's best places to track both the black and white rhinos, which are heavily protected within its fenced boundaries. While the flamingos that once coated the lake pink are migratory, the park still hosts an abundance of other bird species, including numerous water birds. Visitors also enjoy seeking out the rare Rothschild's giraffe and the large pythons that often hang from the fever trees along the shoreline during game drives.

Embark on an adventure to the dramatic landscapes surrounding Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest peak and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The national park offers far more than just summit climbs; you can explore the unique alpine and forest ecosystems on lower-level guided treks. Discover the diverse wildlife, including elephants and Cape buffalo, often seen around the park's lower slopes and salt licks. Stay at one of the unique forest lodges, which often feature watering holes for spectacular floodlit night-time animal viewing. This destination is a haven for serious hikers, climbers, and nature lovers seeking stunning, high-altitude scenery.