What to do in Kenya - Nyumbu Beyond Journeys

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With over 35,000 elephants, 1,130 bird species, and 1.5 million wildebeest, safaris are Kenya’s top attraction. Sunrise on the savannah, observing elephants by the river, and tracking elusive predators create unforgettable mornings. Each game drive is a unique adventure; no two days are alike. Kenya offers a range of safari activities, primarily the classic open-sided game drive, available in its national parks. The day includes two drives – one at dawn and another in the late afternoon, as the midday sun makes animal sightings scarce when they seek shelter from the heat.

SAFARI
Watch the Wildebeest Migration
The Masai Mara is arguably the best wildlife destination in Kenya. The Masai Mara is home to an exceptional amount of resident wildlife, including elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, buffalo, giraffe and many more. On top of that, if you visit the Masai Mara between the months of July and November, you will get to see the famous wildebeest migration – an annual pilgrimage of over 1.5 million wildebeest!

Visit protected rhinos in Ol Pejeta
There are only two northern white rhinos left in the world! These are two female rhinos, named Najin and Fatu, who are protected and monitored 24 hours a day by dedicated rangers and caretakers in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Because of the species’ vulnerability, visiting the rhinos is one of the most popular things to do in Kenya. We would highly recommend it.

Adventure in the Laikipia Plateau
The Laikipia Plateau is located in central Kenya and is famous for its adventure activities offered. For families, it is a great destination to
include in an itinerary as you can do tubing on the Ewaso Nyiro River, horse riding, camel riding, bush walks, quad bike safaris, mountain biking, helicopter rides, and fly camping. The accommodation varies from simple tented camps to luxury lodges around the plains.

Sleep under the stars in Laikipia
While much of the game viewing is done in the daylight, a night under the African sky should not be underestimated. With little to no light pollution, stargazing in Kenya is often people come home raving about. Although you can see the stars from the campfire at dinner, or walking back to your tent at night, how about sleeping in a bed that allows you to stargaze all night? In the Laikipia Plateau, there are plenty of options that facilitate this. Loisaba Star beds is probably one of the most iconic properties to do this as, as the name suggests, offers you a bed under the stars. The camp is made up of just four rooms, each with its own private wooden veranda. At night, your four-poster bed is wheeled out onto the veranda for you to sleep under the stars. Of course, the bathroom facilities are nearby and you have a mosquito net around the bed but you are essentially stargazing all night. Other properties offering stargazing experiences in the Laikipia Plateau include Sabuk Lodge and Segera Retreat’s Bird Nest room to name a couple.

BEACH
Relax on Diani Beach
Kenya’s southern coast is a haven of tropical paradise, and for those who are looking for a twin-center holiday, it is a great option for the beach part. Although there are beautiful spots across all of the Kenyan coastline, the beaches in the Watamu and Diani Beach regions are idyllic. In fact, we would say that Diani beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Africa. But don’t just take our word for it – it has won the World Travel Award as Africa’s leading beach destination in 2019. There are a handful of fantastic hotels, boutique hotels and lodges to choose from along the Watamu and Diani Beach. Some of these include Afrochic, Alfajiri Villas, Hemingways Watamu and Kinondo Kwetu to name a few. The Indian Ocean is bright blue and inviting, and you can do a range of water sports here, including snorkelling, diving, kite surfing or heading out on a local dhow to enjoy the sunset.

CULTURE
Visit the Samburu People
The Samburu people are a semi-nomadic tribe who live in north and central Kenya including the Samburu county. The Samburu tend to their livestock every day, herding cattle, goats and sheep across a vast distance in search of fresh pasture. They also rely on their livestock for their diet, as they drink milk and blood from the cows. With this in mind, they are cousins of the Maasai people who live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are however, both very easily identifiable. The Maasai people usually have chequered clothing and shawls (red or blue). The Samburu people are very colourful in their appearance, and wear beaded earrings, bracelets and necklaces. The amount of jewellery worn represents the wealth of the Samburu warrior. There are many interesting traditions and ceremonies that are important to the Samburu people and it’s always worth visiting a tribe or village if you can. If you are visiting the Samburu National Reserve then it is likely that members of the staff in camp will be Samburu people, or come from nearby communities.