Are you looking for a Self-Drive Safari in Africa? Explore remarkable Kenya on a self-drive safari. Road trips are hugely becoming popular in East Africa and many road tripper tourists have opted to visit Kenya as their first choice self-drive destination within East Africa. The country has beautiful landscapes and very many attractions tourists can choose to include on their road trip itinerary around the country. Among the attractions, are over 24 national parks, 15 national reserves, 6 prime parks and many other private conservancies and all these rank the country as a perfect destinations to visit while on a game safari, visitors will have a chance to encounter variety of wildlife species as they roam from one place to another searching food and water. These species are usually spotted within wide open Savannah as they happily graze on the open grasslands, lions and other predators are commonly seen while hiding in the long grass as they are sneaking up on their prey. More so, big herds of elephant encounters especially at Amboseli national park grace the occasion as are watched through the valley and tower of giraffes on the horizon.
Best places for self-drive Kenya safari
Tourist planning to go on a self-drive Kenya safari are advised to always use a 4×4, four wheel drive vehicles, these are recommended due to the nature of country road network and Park tracks. Customized 4×4 vehicles are perfect for these drives because they sit high on the ground, and have a pop up roof, which will grant them opportunities to capture classic views of all attractions, landscapes and excellent photography if you are on an organized guided tour. For Self-drive clients can order for a 4×4 Jeep with sunroof and a rooftop tent for outstanding experience, here are some of the safe national parks where tourists can go while on a self-drive Kenya safaris. They include; Mount Kenya, Amboseli national park, Chyulu hills, Mount Longonot, Abardare national park, Nakuru National park, Arabuko sokoke, Hell’s gate national park, Samburu National Park, Buffallo springs national park, Laikipia plateau, Maasai mara national park, Thomson falls, Tsavo west and Tsavo East national parks Lake Elementaita National park before you retire at the East African Coastal beaches.
Kenya is a great Safari destinations for small and big groups, Families and couples be it on self-drive or organized guided tours and will be rewarded with great wildlife encounters while on their safari. Maasai Mara National Reserve in the south, is by far Kenya’s best national reserve park while on Self-drive Kenya Safari in the country. It is actually an extension of the great Serengeti National Park on the Tanzania side. From September through January, the Great Wildebeest Migration takes place in the Masai Mara National Reserve, where about two million wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara, Talek, and San Rivers while crocodiles and other predators quietly wait to grab a meal. Maasai Mara Game Park can be visited all year round, because the park is just more than the great migration. It is home to large herds of different antelope species, zebra, eland, giraffe towers, elephant, herds of buffaloes, wildebeest, and topis, as well as a number of lion prides, well-fed cheetahs, leopards and rhinos.
For anyone looking to adventure less crowded Kenya National parks and other attractions on offer, the dramatic Aberdare National Park treats visitors to game walks and great fly-fishing. Kakamega Forest Reserve has hundreds of plant and bird species, as well as 400 types of butterflies and 7 different primate species, rare Sitatunga Antelope at Saiwa Swamp National Park can be spotted and the endangered black and white colobus monkey is beautiful to see.
Another unique and attractive place which is worth a drive is the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, here is where three of the world’s last four Northern White Rhinos can be found. In addition, it is also, where Southern White Rhinos and Black Rhinos live. The conservancy is also a Chimpanzee Sanctuary because it is home large chimpanzee troops, it is a home to the Big five animals as well, and many wildlife species lncluding colorful birds birds. Among other activities at the conservancy is the Lion tracking, going on day game drives as well as the amazing night game drives, walking through the bush, and bird watching. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is an interesting safari destination for children as well.
Tourist activities to combine to the self-drive in Kenya
On a Self-drive Kenya safari you’ll be rewarded with opportunities to engage in a wide variety of adventure activities to create remarkable memories and experiences such as; magnificent waterfall views like Thomson falls, wildlife viewing including the big five animal species like; lions, leopards, , rhinos, elephants, buffaloes. Other regularly spotted include cheetahs, giraffes, Warthogs, Zebras, Impalas, Gazelles, Elands, Oryx and many other antelopes. Witness the great wildebeest migration, sail on a boat cruise along Lake Naivasha, guided nature walks, Bird watching and Mountain hiking including a day hike of mount Longonot as well as reaching the second highest point in Africa at the peaks of Mt. Kenya before you relax at the East Africa coast one of the finest beaches on Indian ocean.
Tourists can explore the Vibrant Nairobi, the Kenya’s capital city. This is the only city in the world which has a national park – Nairobi national park. Located 7 km from the city Centre with 117 Square kilometers and home to a number of wildlife including lions, buffaloes, birds among many. Other attractions includes the giraffe center and elephant orphanage, museums, Ghetto places to mention but a few. With the status of a cosmopolitan city, you can find western-style shopping malls, supermarkets to do your bush shopping, restaurants to taste variety of foods, and specialty stores with everything from hip fashion shoes to artisan bakeries and traditional German sausages, therefore making your visit as comfortable as possible. However, despite the civilization, Nairobi city, traditional African charm still exists. You’ll find many local markets to buy items at an affordable price from used clothes to pots and pans. You’ll see street vendors and hawkers in traffic germ who sell “real” Ray-Bans, necklaces, crafts while food vendors sell everything from boiled eggs to samosas to watermelon and pineapple slices.
How to Reserve your 4×4 Jeep for your Self-drive Kenya Safari
Search for a genuine car rental Kenya agency online, please be specific for the particulars you may need to come with the 4×4 car. Is it a 4×4 Land cruiser with a Rooftop tent and Camping gear or a 4×4 jeep with ground camping tent and all equipment? You can still ask for a car with a pop up roof if you plan to sleep in safari lodges. Reputable rental agencies like Drive East Africa Ltd will issue you a Proforma Invoice listing all what is included in the price for you to pick or edit what you actually need to be included. When you confirm everything in the invoice and a car type, you can go ahead to pay a small deposit which range between 10% – 30% depending of the rental agency policy after the agency has shared its bank account details. From here the agency will confirm you 4×4 reservation and will issue you a booking confirmation form.
