5 Reasons Kenya is Becoming a Top Safari Destination for Indians
The Kenya tourism sector has recently focused its efforts on wooing Indian travelers. That has been through governmental incentives and favorable safari packages offered by the country’s premier holiday providers.
With its lifting of travel restrictions, the Kenyan government allowed the immediate resumption of direct flights to and from India via Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways. The airline provides direct flights twice daily between Mumbai and Nairobi.
Besides opening up its skies, the Kenyan government also took other steps to facilitate ease of travel between Kenya and India. Among these are a straightforward visa acquisition process and overall ease of access by Indian travelers.
Consequently, the country continues to witness an influx of tourists from the Asian market. Here are some things you can look forward to as part of your Kenyan safari.
- Phenomenal wildlife
Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects are abundant in Kenya. The country is home to several of Africa’s most well-known wildlife species, including lions, hippos, elephants, buffalo, zebras, and giraffes.
Marine animals make up a percentage of Kenya’s fauna because the country is located in East Africa and borders the Indian Ocean on one side.
Kenya shares boundaries with Tanzania on the southwest, Uganda on the west, Ethiopia and South Sudan, at least partly on the north, and Somalia on the east.
Experiencing Kenya’s incredible and distinctive wildlife up close while on safari is only one of the many reasons to travel there.
The East African lion (also known as Panthera leo melanochaita) is Kenya’s national animal. The magnificent beast has a dramatic roar and luxurious mane and is a majestic, regal sight.
It is one of the “Big Five” animals alongside the African elephant, Cape Buffalo, Leopard, and Rhino.
You can find these imposing creatures in various parks such as the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, the Samburu national park, Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park, and the Amboseli.
Overall, the country has more than 40 animal parks for you to choose from, each with a vast population of wild animals.
- Amazing weather
Since Kenya straddles the equator, it enjoys temperate, tropical weather for most of the year.
Many variables, including altitude, also influence the warm, tropical climate, but significant regional climatic variations exist.
Kenya’s daily highs range from 20°C (68°F) to 28°C (82°F), while the coast experiences higher temperatures.
The equator is too close to Kenya for a proper winter and summer. But there are dry and wet seasons as well.
The short rain season comes in November and December with a brief, erratic rainstorm. Although the brief rain can sometimes be heavy, it typically falls in the late afternoon or evening and rarely negatively affects Kenya safari holidays.
Meanwhile, January and February normally portend a dry spell with lower rainfall. The exact timing of the spell’s onset and duration is unpredictable.
Most of the rain in Kenya falls during the “long rains” season, which falls between March-May.
It is very foggy, particularly in the highlands, such as Aberdare National Park and the Laikipia Plateau. The coastal districts will be significantly affected by the increased humidity.
- Excellent infrastructure
Kenya enjoys a dependable and improved transport and telecommunication infrastructure, making it easy for the country to render some of the best safaris in Africa.
There are more hotels and guesthouses for locals and foreigners on a Kenya safari. Also, it is simpler to convert foreign currency to shillings because all major banks can do so, and public transportation is abundant. These range from Taxis, matatus, railroads, and even domestic flights.
These are widely available and can take you practically anywhere in the country.
Nonetheless, it is still possible for adventurous travelers to delve into the Kenyan bush setting, particularly in places such as the Maasai Mara.
Also worth noting is that international air travel prices and safaris to Kenya are significantly less expensive than other African safari destinations.
Besides that, park entry and related fees may also be higher in other countries than in Kenya.
- Knowledgeable guides
Besides having a plethora of competitive Kenya safari packages, the country’s tourism sector is endowed with some of the most knowledgeable and experienced tour guides.
Depending on the travel agent you opt for, you can have the benefit of being guided by a native who knows the country like the back of his hand.
Also, Kenya’s tourism industry has witnessed rapid growth in later years, and you can now get a bespoke Kenya safari holiday tailored to your preferences.
Even more importantly, these travel agents and guides are equipped with modern luxurious yet tenacious vehicles to scale the off-road terrain.
It has never been easier to get a Kenya safari package, including game drives in the wilds of the Maasai Mara and other wildlife hotspots.
- Fantastic beaches
Although Kenya is well recognized for its national parks and animals, it has some of the most excellent beaches on the planet. Kenyan beaches are nearly the same latitude as northern Brazil, Seychelles, the Maldives, and Bali.
Kenya shares similar geographic characteristics with some of the globe’s full sun, sea, and sand vacation spots. Most of Kenya’s stunning beaches are found in Diani, the southeast, roughly north and south of Mombasa.
The unique Lamu island, Watamu, Malindi, and a few hideaways near Mambrui are also on the northeast shore.
Besides the incredible coastline, the Kenyan coast is also a rich repository of heritage and culture, with towns such as Lamu and Mombasa dating back to the slave trade era.
