Kenya is well known for its wide variety of animals and is considered to be an ideal location for anyone who is passionate about wildlife. In addition to being the center of the Great Wildebeest Migration, which has been recognized as one of the most stunning natural spectacles, Kenya is home to the Big Five, which include the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is renowned for its landscape, animals, and the extraordinary migration of wildebeest and zebras that occurs every year. It is an excellent destination for a safari trip.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is perhaps the best place to see wildlife, especially during the Great Migration which occurs between July and October. The annual wildebeest migration is one of nature’s greatest spectacles. Over two million wildebeest, along with zebras and gazelles, migrate from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara. This mass movement is a survival race and offers breathtaking natural scenes, especially when these animals cross the Mara river, often encountering crocodiles and other predators.
Big Five
Lion: Lions thrive in the Maasai Mara, making it one of the best places to see prides in action. Amboseli is well-known for its elephants, but visitors may also see lions against the amazing backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Leopards: Leopards are easier to spot in the Samburu National Reserve due to the park’s dry environment. Leopards are also common in the Maasai Mara due to the thick vegetation and plenty of prey, but they can be difficult to track down.
Rhino: The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is well-known for its rhino conservation efforts and is a great place to see both black and white rhinos. Nairobi National Park is a unique reserve where you may see both black and white rhinos against the backdrop of the city skyline.
Buffalo: The Lake Nakuru National Park is well-known for its flamingo population, and it is also possible to see buffalo and other types of wildlife there. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is typically home to large herds of buffalo.
Elephants: In Amboseli National Park, with Mount Kilimanjaro as its backdrop, there are many opportunities to spot large herds of African elephants.
Special Five
For a different wildlife experience travel to Samburu National Reserve. The Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, Reticulated giraffe, Gerenuk, and Beisa oryx are the five species that have adapted to the dry conditions and are found in northern Kenya. It is extremely rare to come across them in other regions of the country.
Birds of Kenya
The Rift Valley lakes, such as Lake Nakuru, Lake Turkana, and Lake Naivasha, are famous for their flocks of flamingos that turn the lakes pink. Flamencos rely on algae as their principal source of nutrition, and the alkaline waters of these lakes provide the necessary conditions for algae growth. Along with flamingos, visitors to Lake Nakuru National Park get the opportunity to see over 450 different species of tropical birds.
Flamingo
African Crowned Eagle
Lilac-breasted Roller
Secretary Bird
Superb Starling
Shoebill
Yellow-billed Oxpecker
Grey Crowned Crane
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
Great Blue Turaco
White-headed Vulture
These are only a few examples of the remarkable variety and singularity of the animal and bird species that may be found in Kenya. The country is home to a wide variety of environments, many of which include savannahs, forests, marshes, and mountains. As a result, the country is home to a greater range of animal species than other countries.