If you plan on heading to Kenya, you are probably hoping to check off the Big Five. So, what is the Big Five exactly? The term is used to refer to the 5 African animals that early big game hunters considered most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot in Africa.
The Big Five in Kenya are like the celebs of the animal kingdom there. We’ve got the African lion, the African leopard, the African elephant, the White or Black rhino and Cape buffalo. Seeing these five magnificent creatures in the wild is a top-notch safari goal when you’re exploring the beautiful landscapes of Kenya!
Encountering any of these incredible creatures in their natural habitat is a thrilling and awe-inspiring experience. Kind of like seeing a super star in person. But Kenya’s wildlife scene is packed with a stunning supporting cast that’s equally thrilling to spot on a safari. Here are just a few of the wildlife we were lucky to see while in Kenya:
- Giraffes: Towering gracefully above the savannas, giraffes are iconic and captivating with their long necks and unique spotted patterns.
- Cheetahs: The fastest land animals, these sleek predators are usually hard to spot unless you catch them sprinting across the plains in pursuit of their prey. We we lucky to have a special encounter during our visit where we were able to witness a female cheetah with her cubs – and not once but twice!
- Hippopotamuses: Often seen lazing in water bodies, hippos might seem calm but are incredibly fascinating and, surprisingly, can be quite feisty which we witnessed when we saw a crocodile get a little too close for comfort. The hippo let him know really quick that he was not welcome!
- Hyenas: Often underestimated, hyenas are skilled predators with unique vocalizations and fascinating social structures. These were the ones we looked out for. They are always on the prowl and to see them on the hunt and watch them was fascinating.
- Birdlife: Kenya is a paradise for birdwatchers with over 1,000 bird species, including colorful flamingos, majestic eagles, to the ostrich, the worlds largest bird. You may not think of bird watching while on a safari but you don’t want to overlook them. The Secretary Bird was my favorite! These birds have really long legs and very striking when they stand and walk. They are also known for its distinct hunting style, stomping on snakes and small prey with its powerful feet. We saw the Marabou Stork which is nicknamed the “Undertaker” becuase of its distinctive look, with its large size, black color and bald head. The Kori Bustard is Africa’s heaviest flying bird and can weigh up to 42 lbs (19kg). In fact, the male Kori Bustard may be the heaviest living animal capable of flight. We definitely had to take a second look when our guide pointing out our first sighting of this massive bird! The most memorable thing we saw would have to be when we got to watch the mating ritual of the ostrich. It was so surreal to watch the entire process in the wild – from the dance, the chase and even final act which was nothing less than a beautiful.
So whether big or small, each of these creatures brings its own charm and adds depth to the safari experience. We found that every wildlife encounter we had in Kenya was a moment worth cherishing.
The first step in planning a trip like this is the pick the right company or agency so that they take care of all the details and you can just enjoy. Our trip was booked with Albatros and they met us at the airport and handled every part of our trip throughout Kenya. We had the same guide who traveled with us from city to city which made the entire time relaxing! It was also helpful in the fact that our guide knew what we had seen and what we wanted to see as we traveled into different areas throughout the entire week. Albatros did a fantastic job and we would recommend them if you plan on traveling to Kenya. And our driver and guide, Muchai, went above and beyond to make sure we got to see everything we wanted to while there.
Let our safari adventure begin!
Our adventure in Kenya kicked off in the vibrant capital of Nairobi, a city that seems to serve as the gateway to East Africa’s stunning wildlife. But before we move on, let’s take a moment and talk about this wildlife, specifically zebras.
In Kenya, zebras are indeed a common sight, much like deer in the United States. These striking striped creatures are an integral part of the country’s diverse wildlife. They can be found in various habitats across Kenya, from grasslands to savannas, and even in some forested areas, and more surprisingly just roaming the roadsides. When we first arrived to Kenya, every few minutes I was like “hey look! There’s a zebra!” By the end of our trip I equated seeing them to seeing deer on the side of the road. Crazy right?!
Nairobi
Our home base for the evening was in Karen, a serene suburb rich in history and culture. This area was perfect as it was the perfect location for the activities we had planned for Nairobi!
Delving into the heart of Kenya’s wildlife, we found ourselves at Nairobi National Park, a unique gem bordering the bustling city. The backdrop of skyscrapers on the horizon against the serene landscape of the savanna was a sight to behold. This park is a conservation success story, where wildlife thrives in close proximity to an urban landscape, was an unforgettable introduction to Kenya’s remarkable commitment to preserving its natural heritage.
As we embarked on a game drive within the park, excitement bubbled within us as this sort of adventure was new to us. Our vehicle was a modified Landcruiser 4×4 that is typical for game drives in this area. The vehicle had tiered rows of seating that could accommodate up to 6 guests while still providing everyone a window seat! But to see the greatest show on earth the best feature the pop-top roof hatch which can be raised for 360 degrees game viewing. And lucky for us, we had the vehicle all to our selves – which was amazing! Now I am not bragging but if there was an award of who spotted the most animals while out on our drive, besides our guide, I would have to say it was me. (Not that it was a competition but I just wanted to make sure I mentioned it….)
Nairobi National Park is home to a rich variety of wildlife. We had sightings of majestic rhinos, graceful giraffes, and herds of buffalo against the stunning backdrop of the cityscape. The highlight was the cheetah and her cub.
And no visit to Nairobi is complete without a visit to David Sheldrick Conservation Foundation. This facility rehabilitates baby elephants and other wildlife just outside of Nairobi National Park. If you want to get up close and personal and learn about these animals then you don’t want to skip this stop. These babies have lost their mothers to poaching, death, injuries, on getting lost in the wild or other tragedies and the team here does such an amazing job to ensure these animals have the best chance to get back to the wild. We were introduced to each animal one by one and learned their story. This was such a heartwarming activity and highly recommend if you are ever in Nairobi!
We even had time to stop by the Giraffe center where we got to hand feed giraffes that are also being rehabilitated. Feeding the giraffes was fun but we also got a quick education on this long legged beauties. The most important one was always keep eye contact. If you are close to them and aren’t giving them your full attention you are fair game for a head butt!
Our last stop was the Karen Blixen Museum, once the home of the famous author of “Out of Africa,” which offered a captivating glimpse into the region’s colonial past. We had a guided tour and learned the full history of the impact that Karen Blixen made on Kenya.
Our visit through Nairobi really set the stage for the adventures that awaited us on the rest of our journey through Kenya and we couldn’t wait!
Lake Naivasha
Next we set off for Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake located northwest of Nairobi. Our home away from home was Simba Lodge, a haven nestled along the banks of the lake surrounding by beautiful landscapes. When we arrived our welcoming crew included zebras grazing by our door. There is plenty of wildlife right here at lake Naivasha. You can even explore the lake by boat where you will be guaranteed to encounter hippos lazing in the water and myriad bird species gracing the skies.
With beautiful grounds, spacious rooms, catering staff, our stay at Simba Lodge was one to remember!
Lake Nakuru National Park
We scheduled a day trip from Simba Lodge that took us to Lake Nakuru National Park, a conservation gem famous for its flamingos that cast a pink hue across the lake’s shores. The park’s diverse habitats gifted us sightings of not just a few of the iconic Big Five but also an array of amazing birdlife. Inside Lake Nakuru national park we have a chance to see rhinos (black and white rhinos), Rothschild giraffes, cape buffaloes, olive baboons, impalas, waterbucks, colobus monkeys, spotted hyenas, zebras, gazelles, leopards, and of course the majestic lion. There are also plenty of slithery things in this park, like the mighty pythons, but we didn’t see any of those (and I am not complaining as that was not top on my list!)
Lake Nakuru National Park is also a Rhino Santuary this is where you need to go if you want to check this one off your Big Five list! The other unique animal to this park was the Rothschild giraffes which is one of the endangered and most rare populations of giraffes. They were introduced to this park in the 80’s and their population has been steadily on the rise.
The one thing you won’t find here is elephants, but fear not as we have a chance to check that off the list on our next stop!
Masai Mara National Reserve
The pinnacle of our Kenyan safari awaited us in the world-renowned Masai Mara. Fig Tree Camp became our base as we ventured into the vast savannas on thrilling game drives. The Mara, teeming with life, treated us to close encounters with lions lounging under acacia trees, herds of elephants crossing the plains, and elusive leopards hiding amidst the golden grass.
Fig Tree Camp was the perfect place for our Mara Safari. We stayed in the “tent accomodations” which were more like luxury tents (or glamming if you will) as they had full plumbing and electricity. But the best part was to unzip the entrance and step out onto the porch where we could enjoy the evening sunsets. The on site spa was appreciated to enjoy a nice massage after a long morning game drive. The staff were all very welcoming and made it really feel like home for every night of our visit.
Each sunrise brought the promise of another exhilarating day filled with wildlife sightings, while evenings by the campfire allowed us to relive the day’s adventures under a star-studded sky. Now let’s talk about the sunrise, our day started way before the sun rose becuase outside our tent was a hippo pond and we were lucky enough to get a wake up call at around 3:30 each morning when these graceful beasts returned to the pond in the early mornings after their nightly scavenge. I can only say that this was an early morning wake up call we didn’t mind. Just laying in the dark listening to their grunts, squeaks, croaks, and whines just outside our tent was surreal and will never forget!
We saw so much during our time it is hard to even put it all in words. From witnessing the an ostriches mating ritual to seeing a territorial hippo chase off a wandering crocodile. The pride of 14 lions leisurely strolling through the banks of the river. The large herds (or crashes as they are also known) of hippos lounging in the river. The enormous female crocodile protecting her nest on the bank just 100 yards away from our tent. We saw nature in the raw and it was absolutely amazing.
From the captivating landscapes to the unforgettable encounters with Kenya’s iconic wildlife, our journey through Nairobi, Karen, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Masai Mara gave us a front row seat to the country’s natural wonders along with learning bout the ongoing efforts to to preserve it.
The Modern Nomads 
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