The December holidays provide an excellent opportunity for the family to spend quality time together. Here is a list of ten fantastic places you can visit this Christmas to enjoy yourself and your family.
The most important question for this Christmas holiday is where to spend time as a family.
To look at the turquoise water’s horizon or the endless green savannah plains?
Kenya provides a plethora of options with numerous stories for your children to write about in their January essays. So, should you spend your Christmas vacation in the bush or on the beach?
Whether you choose to be adventurous in Samburu or laze on Watamu beach
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara (Maasai Mara) is one of Africa’s largest wildlife reserves, located in south-west Kenya. Together with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, it forms one of Africa’s most diverse, incredible, and spectacular eco-systems, as well as possibly the world’s best safari big game viewing eco-system.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve covers 1,510 square kilometers (580 square miles) and rises 1,500-2,170 meters above sea level. When the conservancies are included, the area is at least double the size. It is home to over 95 mammal species and over 570 bird species. This is the world cup of wildlife, and there is no better place to witness the best wildlife viewing in the world than the Serengeti National Park.
It is approximately 270 kilometers from Nairobi City and takes approximately 4-5 hours by road or 40-45 minutes by flight. For the most part, the road is excellent. There is a section of dirt road from Narok town to Sekenani Gate that is fairly good. The other road through Lemek and Aitong town is very bad and bumpy.
This is the best time to see the wildebeest migration, which occurs between July and October. Although it is not guaranteed that the wildebeest will arrive in Maasai Mara, it has yet to disappoint us. Also, the months of December to February are ideal because the weather is dry and ideal for Big Cats.
Also Read: Breakfast: Is it the Most Vital Meal of the Day?
The Great Rift Valley Lakes
Did you know that Lake Naivasha and Nakuru are home to endangered species such as the white rhino and over 400 different bird species, including the famous pink flamingos? Lake Bogoria, on the other hand, is well-known for its hot springs and geysers. Isn’t it fascinating? So, if you enjoy animals or nature, you are in for an unforgettable experience.
Take a two-hour drive from Nairobi to enjoy the scenery at the Great Rift Valley Lakes of Nakuru, Naivasha, Baringo, Bogoria, and Elementaita. These lakes are home to a diverse range of wildlife as well as a large fish and hippo population. Enjoy the colorful flocks of birds and other wildlife such as lions, leopards, and buffaloes.
While there, you can visit nearby attractions such as Hell’s Gate National Park or hike the many summits of Mt Longonot. In a nutshell, the Great Rift Valley Lakes are an ideal December destination for those looking for a short road trip or a few days away.
Tsavo National Park
Did you know that Tsavo National Park is one of the world’s largest game reserves? The Park is divided into east and west sections and is located in a semi-arid area near Voi, Taita Taveta County. It is also one of Kenya’s oldest and largest parks, covering up to 4% of the country’s land mass.
There is no better place to see large numbers of animals, particularly larger mammals such as red elephants, lions, hippos, and crocodiles, as well as a prolific bird life of over 500 species of wildlife, in their natural habitat. Enjoy the spectacular sight of dust-red elephants wallowing, bathing, and spraying each other with the Galana River’s midnight-blue waters.
You can also enjoy the park’s other major attractions, which include volcanic hills, rivers, waterfalls, plateaus, and savannah hills. In fact, the world’s largest lava flow, the 300-kilometer-long Yatta plateau, is located here. Tsavo, unlike most national parks, is clearly the whole package. Why not give it a try this holiday season?
Nairobi Safari Walk
The Nairobi Safari Walk is an eye-opener to Kenya’s Parks and Reserves. It offers you an opportunity to learn what you expect to see across the country. Introductory talks on Kenya’s parks and reserves can be arranged for you by the naturalists.
You will have a taste of Kenya’s rich Animal collection including the rare bongo, white rhino, albino zebra, a collection of cats, antelopes, and primates. NSW is also home to a collection of about 150 species of local trees. Get to learn their varied traditional uses too.
Situated 7km south of the city of Nairobi lies the Nairobi Safari Walk, Kenya’s new conservation based recreation facility. The combination of skilled and creative landscape design, unique wildlife species, and detailed interpretation render the facility supremacy in tourism and conservation education.
Malindi Marine National Park, Malindi
Malindi Marine Park was founded in 1986. The reserve is surrounded by beautiful sand seashores that stretch from Watamu to the Vasco da Gama Pillar. The park is located south of Malindi town and extends all the way to Mida Creek. It is close to the Gede ruins and the Arabuko Sokoke forest.
The park is rich in natural resources such as fringing reefs, coral, seagrass, mangroves, mudflats, a diverse fish population, marine mammals, turtles, and shorebirds.
This beautiful stretch of Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline offers everything from swimming with zebrafish to windsurfing. The park has magnificent resources such as fringing reefs, coral gardens in lagoons, seagrass beds, mangroves, mudflats, marine mammals, turtles, and various shorebird species are all present.
The Chaka Ranch Leisure Park
Nothing kicks off the Christmas spirit than a bonding experience at the Chaka Ranch Leisure Park situated in Kiganjo, Nyeri County. Without a doubt, Chaka Ranch is the ideal paradise for outdoor lovers. From riding quad bikes with the squad to skating, paintball games, swimming, and camping to the ultimate go-karting experience, this entertainment facility has it all.
If you are introverted and laidback, you would equally fit right in too. The ranch has a unique, expansive, and majestic view of Mount Kenya and the Aberdares Ranges as well as camping sites that offer tranquility and relaxation. Also, mouthwatering local food cuisines, barbeques, and drinks served at different food points and bars are a must-have because they are worth your while.
The 2023 Grammy Awards nominees
