For most of us, Kenya conjures images of elephants strolling through grassy plains.

We picture a part of the world where lions, giraffes and cheetahs walk the landscape.

Now, the recent resolution of the political landscape in Kenya draws our attention back to this spectacular African destination.

Maisa Fernandez, Public Relations Manager of the Kenya Tourist Board suggests the popular Maasai Mara park as a spot tourists are sure to see the most animals in mass.

"High season for the Mara is during the great migration when millions of Zebra and Wildebeest come into the park from the Serengeti plains into the Mara Plains."

"Following the mass of herbivores come the carnivores, big cats, crocodile. It’s a wonderful spectacle … the greatest game show on the planet."

Wild Elephants at the Maasai Mara Reserve

She also recommends Amboseli, a park full of elephant herds with a stunning view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. "Kenya boasts an amazing 64 national parks and private reserves. All of them unique in their own right."

Top Park Picks:

Maasai Mara
Named for the Maasai people and the Mara River, the game reserve is located in southwestern Kenya and is considered to be the best in the country.

Amboseli
See elephants on the park's dry, plains terrain and look up to see Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Lewa Downs
A private ranch ideal for spotting rhinoceroses.

Samburu
In the drier terrain of northern Kenya, this region is a particularly good area for spotting giraffe and zebra.

Tsavo East and West
Two national parks which form a 10 million acre wilderness reserve.

Laikipia
A frontier ranch land, wild and sparsely populated. This area offers opportunities for more intimate and adventurous game viewing at private ranches.

 

Notable Lakes :

Lake Nakuru
Part of a group of south-western lakes, Nakuru is famous for its flocks of flamingos.

Lake Victoria
On the inland western border, this huge lake is the source of the Nile River.

Lake Naivasha
A once dry, now renewed lake prone to rough storms.

 

In addition to the parks and lakes above, the must-see beaches in Kenya include: Diani Beach, Niali, and Watamu, as well as the coastal islands of Lamu and Shela.

Cuisine

East African cuisine is famous for multicultural influences that date back around 1000 years. "On the coast discover Swahili cuisine where Indian and Arabic influence abound. Nyama Choma is a classic feast for the local Kenyan people. Something everyone should try when there."

"Kenya hosts over 42 tribes with additional sub-tribes under those. Culture abounds and belief systems vary from one culture to the next, so do cuisines," says Fernandez.

Weather

Located on the equator, its geography makes Kenya a reliable all-season destination, with consistently moderate temperatures. Fernandez says, "My favorite time to visit is October. There are fewer tourists, the migration is still occurring and the weather is always wonderful."

"Rainy seasons are March-May and late October-November. But our rains are civilized and usually come in the afternoons or evenings. During these times though animals are less abundant in specific areas because there is water to be found all over, not just watering holes."

Indian Ocean near Malindi, North Coast of Kenya

RCI in Kenya