By Vishnu Rajamanickam |
Curious to know what the Earth looked like back in its infancy? Head to Kenya on the East coast of Africa – home to diverse ecosystems and all kinds of topography known to mankind: undulating plains, plummeting valleys, vast highlands, scaling mountains, luminous deserts, and pristine beaches brought to life by a diverse family of birds and beasts.
Ruled by the lofty Mt. Kenya, Kenya is the place to be on the blue planet to witness it in its most unadulterated form. The only pickle you’ll find yourself in is zeroing down on the places you’d want to cross-off your list on your premiere visit. We know that you might be stuck in a dilemma and hence we bring to you the top 5 highlights of Kenya to guide your way.
The Great Migration at Masai Mara National Park
Treat yourself to a safari tour to witness the unparalleled sight of an entourage of zebras and gazelles in the millions, treading the national park in search of food and shelter. The Masai Mara National Reserve is a journey where these beasts migrate with their young ones to survive through the months of July to October when it gets really dry back at the Serengeti National Park, the flagship place for the Great Migration. Also noteworthy is the sight of the pride of the Big Cats and a host of other wildlife punctuating the grasslands of Masai Mara.
The Sight of Mt. Kilimanjaro at Amboseli National Reserve
Witness wildlife ambling across a sparse landscape peppered by occasional trees under the roof of the Africa, the great Mt. Kilimanjaro. The park is an unparalleled combination of a varied topography ranging from swamps and marshes to the sweeping plains, acacia woodlands, and speckled thorn-woods. There is a diverse variety of birds and beasts to be found in the park and since the park itself is not very large and the vegetation comparatively scarce, one can easily spot concentrated herds of the African elephants, hyenas, zebras, impalas, and cheetahs during one’s safari tour.
Conquering Mt. Kenya at the Mount Kenya National Reserve
The Mount Kenya National Reserve protects one of the rarest bounties of treasures on the earth. To conquer one of the three peaks of the edifice Mt. Kenya is a feat in itself. But the actual treasure lies in the rare and the endangered species of flora and fauna that mark the semi-arid plains and dense forests at the foot of the mountain. As you gradually ascend the feature, pristine glaciers, crystal-clear lakes, and freshwater springs teeming with wildlife can be witnessed. If you’re heading to Kenya, there is no way you could forget to greet the majestic Mt. Kenya and its humble inhabitants every time you visit.
Bird-Watching at Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru plays host to millions of studded pink flamingoes of the greater and the lesser variety every year, thanks to a special variety of algae that thrives in its bosom. However, it is not only flamingoes that have earned Lake Nakuru the notorious title of the Bird-Watcher’s Paradise. While herons, storks, and pelicans join the party, the coruscating colorful African fish eagles can be seen soaring above-board, anticipating the death of one of these birds to scavenge on their carcasses. The sight of the endangered white and black rhinoceros meandering the wild amidst the wooded and bushy grasslands surrounding the lake is a treat to the eyes.
Discover Rare Beasts at Samburu National Reserve
The Samburu National Reserve is an enviable combination of highly diverse birds and beasts and low tourist activities. Perched atop the northern shore of the roaring Ewaso Nyiro River, Samburu is a low-key national park that doesn’t exactly top many of the tourist itineraries visiting Kenya for a glimpse of its wildlife. And this is exactly why we recommend a visit here. For there is nothing that does not put the Samburu at par with the other African safari parks.
Samburu has its own “Samburu Special Six”, a retinue of six lesser-known African beasts – the Guenther’s dik-dik, the Somali ostrich, Grevy’s zebra, the long-necked gerenuk, and the beisa oryx. The three prominent members of the Big Cat family, the lion, the cheetah, and the leopard leap across its arid plains. While the rare African wild dogs are chasing smaller animals in the open, more than 450 different species of colorful birds are hiding amongst the thickets. From the famous Kamunyak lioness that adopted oryxes to the lesser-known game critters, Samburu can give the popular safaris a run for their money.
Of course, this list is just a compendium of a host of natural wonders that Kenya has to offer. By now, you know that just once is not enough to savor all of its scenic sights to your heart’s content. Such is the power of Kenya’s mesmerizing natural beauty that anyone who visits once is drawn back again. But if you haven’t even been here once, head to this natural wonderland today. For if life is one big journey, then your itinerary as a traveler is incomplete without a visit to Kenya.
Source: https://safarisharing.com/2017/11/30/top-5-highlights-kenya/
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