‘If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa,’ penned Hemingway after an eye-opening three-month safari through Africa’s varied landscapes. From untrodden beaches and mountain-fringed national parks to iridescent lakes and wildlife-filled savannahs, Kenya is home to some of the most spectacular African terrains and has plenty to offer the curious traveller. Here’s where to go and what to do for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Kenya.
Islands of Lake Turkana and Sibiloi National Park
The islands of Lake Turkana sit on the northwestern edge of Kenya along the boundary of Turkana and Marsabit. It’s here you’ll find the largest alkaline lake in the world, Lake Turkana, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and otherwise known as the Jade Sea because of its bright, incandescent colouring. The lake’s three islands are a breeding site for hippos and crocodiles and a stopover for Palearctic bird colonies, including flocks of flamingos, pelicans and storks. You can also catch a boat out to Central Island, the breeding ground of more than 120,000 Nile crocodiles annually. It’s particularly special to visit after the wet seasons peak in April and November and the scenery springs to life.
Right next to Lake Turkana, straddling the Ethiopian border, you’ll find the magnificent Sibiloi National Park, an excellent destination for travellers who yearn for the road less travelled and those with a keen interest in palaeontology. This volcanic park is known for its unique geo-morphological features, fossils and archaeological significance, which is how its nickname, The Cradle of Humankind, came about.
Crescent Island, Lake Naivasha
Two hours in the car from Nairobi, Crescent Island is a game sanctuary where you’re almost guaranteed to a wide array of wildlife
(Crescent Island Game Sanctuary)
Crescent Island is a game sanctuary on the eastern side of Lake Naivasha, rich in biodiversity and teeming with wildlife. It’s home to more than 1,500 hippos and 400 bird species, including flamingos, cuckoos, nightjars and more. The island is a two-hour drive from Nairobi, followed by a short 15-minute boat trip from the mainland, and it’s one of the best islands to enjoy a walking safari. You’re almost guaranteed to see grazing zebras, giraffes, wildebeests and impalas going about their daily business. If you’re an avian enthusiast and would rather take to the water, you can also hop on a guided boat ride to spot an incredible assortment of…
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