Kenya and Tanzania host a beautiful balance of wildlife, landscapes and cultures. Across the endless plains of Amboselli, the Serengeti National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve, we are treated to Africa in all its majesty whilst the unique setting of the Ngorongoro Crater is safari at its most spectacular.

With miles of white sand and a warm sea protected from sharks by a coral reef, Kenya offers a diverse range of things to see and do. Rich in wildlife, Kenya is the most popular tourist holiday destinations in East Africa, as visitors enjoy a safari experience hoping to catch a glimpse of the ‘Big Five.’

Lying on the eastern coast of Africa, you will find savannahs rich in game, traditional cultures unchanged by the modern world, pristine beaches, snow-capped mountains, searing deserts and coral reefs.

An array of National Reserves and Park offer a safari experience second to none. The Masai Mara is the northern extension of Tanzania’s vast Serengeti plains and is undoubtedly Kenya’s most famous game park. Here the endless struggle for survival plays out across the open plains of this captivating land and each year, from July through to September, the Mara explodes into life as the annual migration journey from the Serengeti towards new pastures.

The annual Wildebeest migration across the plains of the Masai Mara is perhaps one of the most spectacular wildlife pageant on earth as each year, at the end of the rainy season, hundred of wildebeest move north from the Serengeti in Tanzania into the Masai Mara in search of greener pastures. Arriving in July and August they are joined by countless herds of gazelle, antelope and zebra, their progress keenly watched by the ever-present predators who relish their ready-made source of food.

The Amboseli National Park lies within sight of the imposing shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. The expansive plains and infinite skies of the park present us with a landscape that is truly African. Home to the proudly independent Maasai, its dry savannahs thunder beneath the vast herds of elephants for which it is famed, whilst cheetahs, lions and hyenas hunt in the open grasslands.

Away from the sweeping savannahs, Lakes Naivasha, Victoria and Nakuru are home to some of the most abundant bird and wildlife in Kenya.

Situated within the eastern Rift Valley of equatorial Africa, this shallow, alkaline lake is famously home to the breathtaking spectacle of the thousands of flamingos that flock to its rich waters, turning the lake into a blaze of dazzling colour, Covering nearly 200 square kilometres of forest, savannah and swampland, Lake Nakuru can also boast a spectacular concentration of other wildlife including rhino, leopard, and nearly 500 species of birds.

In northern Kenya, the Samburu National Reserve offers a rich diversity of habitats that encompass montane forests, acacia grasslands and the Ewaso Nyiro River. Home to the semi-nomadic Samburu, close relatives of the Masai, it is an area that provides some quite spectacular safari encounters. The waters of the Ewaso Nyiro attract a steady stream of animals to its banks and it is one of the best places to view reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra.

With such a perfect location perched on the edge of the African continent and facing the Indian Ocean, Tanzania offers a wealth of wild majesty with some of the most uniquely African experiences on the continent.

The Serengeti is the african word for ‘endless plains,’ a somewhat apt description of this magnificent setting. Tanzania’s oldest game park is a vast expanse of seemingly endless plains that covers nearly 15,000 square kilometres. Boasting practically every species on the continent, the Serengeti is famous for its huge concentrations of wildlife, especially the big cats, as well as being the stomping ground of the Great Migration, this is Africa at its majestic best.

The world’s largest intact caldera (collapsed volcano), Ngorongoro Crater is a World Heritage Site and the stalking ground of around 250,000 wild animals at any one time. Although animals are free to move in and out of this contained environment, the rich volcanic soil and spring source lakes tend to incline both grazers and predators to remain here throughout the year. This is also on of the most likely areas in Tanzania to see the endangered Black Rhino.

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Lake Manyara lies at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment, its shallow lake a mecca for bird and animal life. Surrounded by a rich mix of habitats, this small but scenic park is excellent for bird watching and a good area to find elephant, as well as the opportunity of spotting a legendary Lake Manyara tree-climbing lion.

Remote and unspoilt, Tarangire National Park encompasses a 2,600 square kilometre landscape of open plains, acacia woodland and regions of dense bush, with high old baobab trees. The land is hilly and dominated by the impressive valley of the Tarangire River which attracts a fantastic number of colourful birds and concentrations of game.

You can view all our safari’s, tours and holidays on balesworldwide.com including Serengeti safari and Kenya safari or alternatively contact our Africa specialists on 08452 703 862 to discuss Tailor Made holiday options.

About Sarah Jane Phelps

Other articles by Sarah Jane Phelps

Having been with Bales for many years I have been fortunate enough to travel extensively to destinations I would never have imagined. It is very difficult to pick just one place as a favourite as they all meant so much in many different ways. My introduction to travel was Egypt – a country which still fascinates and intrigues me today. Each time I have been I get caught up in the mythical world of Egyptology, the enormity of the achievements of the Ancient Egyptians and the beauty of the Nile. Other areas that inspire me are the Himalayas and hill stations of India, The Rocky Mountains in Canada and the mighty thunder of Iguassu falls. However, my newest love is the plains of Africa. Having visited both Kenya and Tanzania I have become completely absorbed in the thrilling world of Safari. To see such majestic animals in their natural surroundings has topped all my experiences in travel and my ambition is for my children to share this wonderful experience firsthand.