Running wild in Kenya

Kenya has some of the greatest shows on earth. The annual migration of great herds of wildebeest stirring up clouds of red sand on the Serengeti may be familiar from a number of movies but it still instills a sense of awe and wonder in those who get to see it on the Masai Mara. It’s a grand open-air spectacle with Nature playing emcee. No hurry, folks – once you decide to  attend you are assured of a ringside view – in this case, the crocodile-infested waters of the Mara River across which the herds stampede – and the best seats in the house.

Hugging the eastern coast of Africa, Kenya is a repository of natural beauty that encompasses grassy savannahs, snow-covered peaks, a pristine coastline, tropical rainforests, and desert. Its myriad wildlife and magnificent scenery has made it the original home of the safari and the one place on earth that has come to be immediately associated with the experience. The word safari means  journey in Swahili. The traveler who wants an active holiday can take his pick from a variety of safaris: wildlife safari, scenic safari, beach safari, or sports safari.  

Kenya’s world famous wildlife reserves – Amboseli, Maasai Mara, Meru, Samburu, Shaba and Laikipia – are each unique. Amboseli’s plains are the backdrop for herds of elephant and the reserve is presided over by the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro. The Masai Mara, considered Kenya’s best reserve, is renowned for its great herds of zebra, gazelle, giraffe and wildebeest which in turn attract predators like the lion and cheetah. Meru is the wilderness where the lioness Elsa, of Born Free fame, was returned to the wild in the 1950’s. Laikipia is home to several private ranches which offer homestays and ways to discover not only the wildlife but local culture. A focal point for conservation efforts, some ranches are breeding sanctuaries for rhinos, and Ol Pejeta is a refuge for chimpanzees rescued from the pet and meat trade. Samburu and Shaba have verdant riverine forests along the Ewaso Nyiro River which is a magnet for wildlife in the arid areas of the North.

One of Kenya’s best adventure safaris is rafting along the Ewaso N’giro river. The trip can last between three and eight days. It promises sightings of game along its banks as well as crocodile and hippo that are the river’s inhabitants. No one said a holiday in Kenya was for the fainthearted! Trekking through the bush with an experienced guide, bush biking and rock climbing at Ol Olokwe, 30 kms north of Samburu reserve are other options. Kenya offers a variety of treks from less strenuous hill walks through game rich ranges to high altitude routes in the mountains.

The coast is an ideal place to explore by boat, and the beaches offer all kinds of watersports as well as big game, eco-friendly fishing where fish are tagged and released back into the water. The freshwater lakes of the Rift Valley inland have boating, waterskiing and windsurfing and a big population of birds. The lakes are perfect for world class fishing, from trout to the mighty Nile Perch.

Dining: Swahili cuisine is a blend of Middle Eastern and African cooking. One of the best known Kenyan specialities is Nyama Choma- meaning literally “roasted meat.” There are many popular Choma eateries in most Kenyan towns. Probably the best known is Nairobi’s Carnivore, Kenya’s most famous restaurant.

Meat is slow roasted over an open fire or charcoals, and served with a mixture of basic greens and Ugali, a popular dish in Kenya. It is a porridge of maize flour. There are an incredible range of restaurants in Nairobi serving everything from Korean BBQ to French cuisine, Ethiopian Injera to a traditional roast, hamburgers to tandoori specialities. Given the fabulous sunsets and scenery al fresco dining is very popular in lodges, reserves and restaurants across Kenya.

 By Chitra Mogul