Top 8 Interesting Kenya Safaris Facts You Should Know : Kenya is an ideal safari destination, located in East Africa and boasts because of the Masai Mara National Reserve renowned for its highest concentration of wild animals among others thus making it one of the leading safari destinations in the world. Below are the interesting facts about Kenya as listed;
Kenya safari have existed since the 14th century
Kenya has been the world’s leading safari destination since 2015
Hunting is banned in Kenya in 1977
Kenya outstands with over 25 national parks ,18 national reserves and 6 marine parks- reserves
Masai Mara hot air balloon safaris
Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa
The great wildebeest migration
The East African lion in Kenya’s national animal
Lake Turkana- the world’s largest permanent desert lake
Great Rift Valley formed 20 million years ago
- Kenya safaris have existed since the 14th century
In the 14th century, Arabs used the East African trading route to make it easy their trades. But these journeys weren’t focused on the region’s wildlife, they were known as safaris. The word ‘’Safari’’ translates travel or journey. It took the Arabs months of planning before they headed out on these trade safari tours.
Travelers from different races of the world, especially from European countries started planning safari trips to Kenya and other African safari destinations. Many wanted to escape the harsh winters, while others are more interested in the region’s wildlife. This gives new meaning to the word safari and over the years led to the development of the safari industry as we know it.
- Kenya has been the world’s leading safari destination since 2015
According to the World Travel Awards, Kenya was selected as the world’s leading safari destination since 2015. The country won the prestigious award by beating other premiere destinations like Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa and Zambia.
- Hunting is banned in Kenya in 1977
Well, Kenya hosts a bucket of national park and wildlife reserve that stuns with diversity of attraction wildlife and it has been renowned all over the world because of the wildebeest migration events and were created to protect the depleting wildlife against natural risk factors and hunting. In 1977, the Kenyan government published a legal notice in the Kenya Gazette and enforced a strict ban on all types of hunting. Strict rules given to those found hunting or poaching; They must pay a steep fine or be jailed.
- Kenya has over 25 national parks, 18 national reserves and 6 marine parks-reserves
Due to ranking as the world’s leading safari destination, Kenya’s wildlife attraction is superb including famous national parks and wildlife reserves. More so, Kenya is a home to world’s famous wildlife reserve such as Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Amboseli and Tsavo East and West National Parks. Fact, these reserves boost with highest population of wildlife and offers visitors a great chance to witness Africa’s famous big five animals many more wildlife and various bird species.
Sambura National Reserve and Buffalo Springs National Reserve, lies on the opposite sides of the banks of River Ewaso Ngi’ro, a home to over 300 bird species. To most of parks in Kenya are home to Africa’s big fives; lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffaloes but the three destinations Sambura, Buffalo and River Ng’iro also home to Africa’s three big cats; lion, leopards and cheetah.
The Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve sound as one of the six marine reserves in Kenya, offering visitors opportunity to experience water activities like; water skiing and windsurfing as well as exploring marine life on dives and snorkeling trips.
- Masai Mara hot air balloon safaris
Besides doing game drive to adventure a bucket of wild animals and bush walks, you can engage in an up-close aerial view of Kenya’s wildlife. Hot air balloon safari offers a new perspective and among other top safari destination – Masai Mara is one of the few African safari destinations that offers this memorable experience.
The fact about hot air balloon safari allows tourists to float above the herds of wildlife grazing on the open plains of the Masai Mara. This is sought after activity, that gives a perfect bird eye view of the wildlife activity below. Also offers spectacular aerial views of the endless Masai landscapes.
- Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa
Despite the fact, Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro that lies over the border in Tanzania. Mount Kenya highest peak measures 5,199 meters. More so, it is an extinct stratovolcano that was active during the Plio- Pleistocene period, during that time Mount Kenya used to be covered with ice caps and reportedly higher than Mount Kilimanjaro. However, the ice caps eroded their peaks thus leading to their current height.
- The great wildebeest migration
Kenya and Tanzania are popularly known for the annual wildebeest migration, where millions of wildebeest can be watched on their annual migration as they look for green pastures to survive. Their journey is a continuous cycle, which starts from Tanzania’s Serengeti crossing to Kenya’s Masai Mara; these are two of Africa’s iconic safari destinations. During the month between July to October, millions of wildebeest along with herds of gazelles and zebras cross via Mara River where most of them don’t survive to be eaten up with crocodiles – water predators which lies in wait.
- Great Rift valley formed 20 million years ago
The East African Rift valley, begins in Ethiopia and runs through East Africa include Kenya, run down to Mozambique, was formed over 20 million years ago as a result of geological tension in the earth’s crust. The result forms of many habitats, including the Great Rift Valley Lakes in Kenya including Lake Baringo, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Lake Turkana.
Get stared now! Planning a safari to Kenya a home to diversity of wildlife species.
