What is the first place that comes to mind when you think of safari in Africa? It is very likely to be Kenya, because every year travelers from many parts of the world watch the Great Migration of thousands of animals from the Serengeti National Park to the Masai Mara National Reserve, lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants called the Big Five. and flock to Kenya to see buffaloes. Kenya is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Africa. Apart from this magnificent migration, Kenya is a country that fascinates with its nature and surprises with its tribal life. Kenya is a center of attraction with its cultural and natural riches, Indian Ocean beaches, steep mountains, lush forests, and national parks where you can see wildlife. Let's get to know this country together!
Kenya in a nutshell
Officially the Republic of Kenya, it is almost in the middle of the world because the Equatorial Line runs through Kenya. The country is located in the east of the African continent, on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Its neighbors are Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan.
Kenya got its name from the mountain of Kenya in the country, which means white mountain. It would not be wrong to say that Kenya's past dates back millions of years. In the country, where there are many dinosaur and crocodile fossils from the prehistoric period, the oldest fossil remains date back 200 million years. The world's oldest human fossils were found around Lake Turkana, also in Kenya. Here are the old lands of our old planet.
Best Time to Go to Kenya
If your reason for going to Kenya is to go on safari in the Masai Mara and witness the great migration, the best time to go is October and November. The Great Migration is in a continuous loop within the national park between Tanzania and Kenya, and the cycle reaches Kenya in the autumn months. During this period, the weather is also suitable for swimming, because there is a suitable climate for swimming every month of the year, except for the high parts of the country.
Kenya requires a visa from Turkish citizens, but a door visa is sufficient, if you enter the country by air, you can get your visa at the airport.
9 Must-See Places in Kenya
There are undoubtedly many places to see in Kenya, and I wanted to list the must-sees as a priority list. There is a place on the list for everyone who is looking for a sea holiday, who wants to go to the mountains, who wants to go on a safari!
1. Let's Get to Know Kenya with the Capital Nairobi
Nairobi, which is at the top of the list of 9 places you must see in Kenya, is both the largest city and the capital of the country. This is the first stop of those who come to Kenya from almost all over the world to go on safari. Nairobi was the main stop for traders trading tea and coffee during the colonial period. Colonial colorful neighborhoods, coffee shops where you can drink the famous Kenyan coffee, Nairobi National Museum are places to visit in the city center. Another tourist spot in Nairobi is the Karen Blixen Museum, the restored residence of the famous Danish author of the book Out of Africa. Nairobi National Park, right next to the city center, is like the gateway to wildlife, giraffes, rhinos and zebras are just some of the things you can see in this park. One of the most popular tourist activities in Nairobi is visiting the Giraffe Park and taking pictures while getting kisses from the giraffes. Nairobi will also attract your attention with its vibrant nightlife and markets where you can buy African souvenirs.
The thing that impressed me the most when I landed in the city was seeing zebras and giraffes on the side of the road as I was walking from the airport to the city center. Just as we see cows and sheep in Turkey, you see these animals in Kenya, which are very different for us.
2. The Great Rift Valley That Separates the Continents
There is a fracture in our world that has forgotten to leave as the continents separate. That fracture is a 9.600 kilometer long valley that starts in Mozambique and continues into northern Syria. This magnificent formation, which has a great geographical importance, can be watched in all its glory from the viewing point in the town of Iten in Kenya. It is one of the places that must be on your route when you visit Kenya.
Many of the places such as Nakuru National Park and Hell's Gate National Park, which are among the most popular spots in Kenya, are located on the Rift Valley. Kenya alone has eight lakes on the Rift Valley. One of the most popular, Lake Naivasha is home to more than 400 species, from hippos to pelicans.
3. The Most Famous Village in the World, Masai Mara
The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the top tourist destinations in Kenya and the country's most popular safari destination. Every year, the Masai Mara National Reserve is visited by thousands of tourists who come here to watch the zebra and wildebeest migration, the Great Migration. The “Great Migration” takes place from July to October each year as millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Masai Mara Reserve. During this migration, it is possible to witness live scenes such as animals crossing the Mara river being eaten by crocodiles, and predators such as lions and leopards hunting migrating animals.
In addition, the Masai tribe living in this region is famous as the most popular tribe in the world. Tourists, who come to the region to watch the Great Migration, visit the Masai villages and have the opportunity to see the tribal life in place. However, I can't help but mention that tribal life has become a touristic activity to a large extent, and don't be surprised to see the tribe members, whose traditional clothes you visit in their village, made of sedge and mud, dressed in jeans and T-shirts at the bar in the evening.
4. Flamingo Sanctuary Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park, which includes Lake Nakuru, one of the eight lakes of the Great Rift Valley, is famous for its herds of pink flamingos, home to thousands. Located in the national park and known for its soda water, Lake Nakuru is a center of attraction for these birds. It is said that more than a million flamingos can be in the lake at the same time. Nakuru is home to more than 450 bird species, lions, leopards, wild boars, pythons and endangered white rhinos. The lake can be visited by safari vehicles and endangered white rhinos can be seen from a distance. There are rocky cliffs and acacia forests in the continuation of the large meadows surrounding the lake. For stunning views of the national park, you can head to one of the high lookout points of Baboon Cliff.
Nakuru is also home to Africa's largest spurge forest. The plant with long, branched and succulent fruits is among the endemic species of the region.
There are camping areas in the national park and a lodge that offers a luxury accommodation experience. It is also possible to stay in hotels in settlements outside the national park.
5. The Equatorial Line We Learned From Barış Manço
If you continue a little further north from Lake Nakuru, you reach a point where the Equatorial Line, which separates the world from the middle with a virtual line, crosses. They put up a sign saying "You Are Crossing the Equatorial Line" here. Taking pictures in front of this sign is another touristic activity in Kenya.
If, like me, you grew up watching Barış Manço's 7 to 77 program and your curiosity to travel the world got into your blood that way, this line has another meaning for us. An experiment to prove that the world rotates!
If you want to fill a bottle using a funnel to the north and south of the point where the line is thought to be crossed, the water pouring into the funnel in the northern hemisphere turns clockwise, the water pouring into the funnel in the southern hemisphere turns counterclockwise, and the water pouring into the funnel at the zero point is poured directly and empties. I will never forget my surprise when I watched this situation, which is caused by the magnetic field of the earth, on television for the first time with Barış Manço!
6. The Address of the Most Beautiful Mount Kilimanjaro View Amboseli National Reserve
Mount Kilimanjaro, home to Africa's highest peak, is located in Tanzania. But the most beautiful viewpoint of the mountain is in Kenya. Amboseli National Reserve welcomes tourists who want to watch the elephant herds in the front and the view of Mount Kilimanjaro in the back. This beautiful park is counted among the most beautiful national parks in East Africa.
The name Amboseli means "salty dust" in the Maasai language. It is possible that the huge elephants got this name because the ground crushed under their big feet turns into dust. Animals such as giraffe, lion, cheetah, gazelle, especially large herds of elephants, more than 600 bird species can be observed in their natural areas in the protected area. There are also settlements where you can see the Masai tribes.
7. Mount Kenya, Where You Can See Snow in Africa
Mount Kenya National Park is one of the rare places where you can see snow with its height of 5.199 meters even though it is just below the equator line. This national park is one of the places on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list in Kenya. Mount Kenya, which was formed by volcanic eruptions, consists of three peaks covered with glaciers. Although the highest peak is Batian, the most difficult to climb is Nelion Hill. The lowest, Lenana Peak, is the easiest to climb.
Mount Kenya is a national park where you can see many beauties such as stunning landscapes, glaciers, lakes, streams, dense bamboo forests. White colobus monkeys, buffalo, elephant, tree hyrax, leopard, hyena are just some of what the wildlife has to offer.
8. Mombasa for a Sea Vacation
Mombasa, the second largest city and largest port of Kenya, is a very good alternative for those who want to have a cultural and sea holiday after safari. It is a center of attraction for tourists with its architecture and cuisine that mixes British, Portuguese, Arab, Indian and Asian cultures. Mombasa promises a paradise for both swimming and diving lovers with its 480 kilometers of coast and coral reefs in Mombasa Marine National Park.
Mombasa, with its narrow streets along the coast, Swahili residences, markets, souvenir shops, 16th century harbor and old city center, offers many options for those who love history and culture.
I have to insert a note here. Generally, those who come to Kenya for safari prefer Zanzibar Island for sea vacation, swimming and diving, which is what I did. However, Mobasa beaches and underwater are just as beautiful as Zanzibar Island.
9. The Perfect Mixture of Different Cultures Lamu Island
When you continue towards the northeast from the coast of the Indian Ocean, you will meet Lamu Island. The old city center of this small island is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This place is included in this list because it is the oldest permanent settlement in Kenya, dating back to the 12th century. The island is rich in trade. Thanks to the traders from the Arab world, Europe and India, these different cultures were combined with the Swahili culture and reflected in the architecture. In the labyrinthine streets of the city, you can see wooden doors, buildings decorated with coral stones, secret courtyards, buildings with roof terraces.
While walking on the streets, you can feel like you have skipped time in history. You will see very few motor vehicles on the streets, mostly donkeys. Most of Lamu's population is Muslim, and both men and women still wear their traditional clothing.
Lamu Museum, Lamu Castle and Donkey Temple are among the places to see on the island. Don't forget to take some of your time to enjoy the white sandy beaches!
There are many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Kenya that you can add to your list. If you have more time, you can add to your list; Hell's Gate National Park, Ol Pejeta Reserve, David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Lake Naivasha, Shaba National Reserve, Tsavo National Park.
Kenya is Africa's gateway to the world, a country that is God's grace to this world. If you're going to Africa for the first time, it's definitely the right place to start!
An edited version of this article was published in the September 2021 issue of Skyroad Magazine.