Exploring Magical Kenya

by | Africa, kenya

Kenya is a magical place to travel. It’s a country with a rich history, diverse culture, and vibrant landscape. With massive wildlife migrations and UNESCO World Heritage sites, Kenya delivers an exceptional vacation experience.

Kenya is in East Africa, bordering Somalia and Ethiopia. The landscape varies significantly across its vast landmass. You’ll find lush rainforests along its southern border with Tanzania; arid grasslands in its north; snowcapped mountains along its eastern border with Uganda and Rwanda; and tropical beaches along its western border with Tanzania.

The Annual Wildebeest Migration at the Maasai Mara

Every year, the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya hosts one of Earth’s largest and most spectacular wildlife migrations. 

The annual migration occurs when wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti migrate to the Mara River in search of fresh grazing and water. This migration is a sight as hundreds of thousands of animals cross this vast savannah, including elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, and crocodiles.

The wildebeest migration is one of nature’s most dramatic events. The Wildebeest Migration has been declared one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

Read more about the Maasai Mara safari experience here.

 

Maasai Mara Migration - Kenya

Maasai Mara Migration – Kenya

Kenya is home to World Heritage Sites.

UNESCO has designated six specific Kenyan locations as world historic sites, and Kenya is quite proud. These world heritage sites come together to represent the very best of the country.

Lamu Old Town

If you’re looking for an authentic African experience, look no further than Lamu Old Town in Kenya. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a labyrinth of narrow streets that wind around the island’s largest mosque through bustling markets and past traditional Swahili houses. 

Today, Lamu Old Town is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Swahili architecture—and you’ll get to see how traditional homes were built during this period.

Fort Jesus

The Portuguese built the fort in the 16th century to protect their trade route from Portuguese ships to India. It’s also one of the best examples of European colonial architecture in East Africa.

The ruins are also a favorite location for films and television shows that want to shoot on location in Kenya. You might recognize some scenes from the movie “Out of Africa” starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford—filmed here!

 

Fort Jesus - Kenya, Africa

Fort Jesus – Kenya, Africa

Kenya’s Lake Systems of Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru, and Lake Elementaita

Kenyan Lake Systems of Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru, and Lake Elementaita are three of Kenya’s most unique and beautiful lakes. They are all located in the Rift Valley, which is a region of Kenya that is best known for its volcanic activity.

Volcanic eruptions formed the three lakes over 30 million years ago. As the lava cooled, it created a flat-topped mountain that now forms the bottom of each lake. The volcanic activity made hot springs and geysers rise along shorelines from cracks in the Earth’s crust.

Lake Bogoria is known for its “strawberry” geysers (which look like red spots), while Lake Nakuru has many hot springs and steam vents that release sulfur dioxide into the air, creating an orange haze around it. The third lake in this system, Lake Elementaita, has white sand beaches and clear blue waters that are perfect for swimming!

 

Lake Bogoria - KenyaLake Bogoria – Kenya

Lake Turkana National Park 

This protected area in Kenya is home to the world’s largest desert lake. The park contains the most important fossil sites in Africa, where you can see a wide range of fossils from the Miocene period, which took place around 23 million years ago.

 

Lake Turkana - Kenya, Africa

Lake Turkana – Kenya, Africa

Mijikenda Kaya Forests – Kenya

The Mijikenda Kaya Forests are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and they are worth visiting because of the rich biodiversity that they contain. The forests are home to over 1,600 plants, including the endangered baobab tree and the endangered liana. The woods also have many animals, including elephants, leopards, and monkeys.

The Mijikenda Kaya Forest Reserve was first established in 1894 by a British colonial governor named Sir Harry Johnston, who wanted to protect the area from logging companies. In 1968, it became Kenya’s first national park.

Mt. Kenya National Park is a sacred place where the people of Kenya go to pray and pay homage to their ancestors. It is also home to over 100 species of animals, many of them endangered.

Mount Kenya National Park

The name Mt. Kenya comes from a local legend about how God gave the mountain its name after he made it rise out of the Earth. The mountain’s highest peak is called “Nguruman” (which means “God’s throne”).

The park’s forests are home to many rare species, including elephants, leopards, and buffalo—but you’ll also find endemic species like giant forest hog and giant ground pangolin here!

 

Mount Kenya National Park - Kenya Wildlife Service

Mount Kenya National Park – Kenya Wildlife Service

Your Home in Kenya

Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy

Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy tucked away within a 58,000-acre wildlife conservancy, is the definition of exclusivity. Enjoy late-afternoon spa treatments and early-morning game drives. Candlelight dinners and bush lunches using organic garden produce from the property. Uniquely themed houses furnished with the owner’s collection of art and antiques. From a private balcony, lucky visitors may even catch a glimpse of giraffes, elephants, and hippos sipping from their preferred watering hole.

Take that fantastic opportunity to see the world from a different perspective. Immerse yourself in nature and forget about the stresses of everyday life. The animals here are so friendly; it’s like being at home! 

 

Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy- Virtuoso

Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy- Virtuoso

 

Your next vacation will be full of adventure, wonderment, and incredible access to the world’s most impressive sights—and it will come together seamlessly. Discover the inspiring experience! Let’s connect!