Masai Mara
The Masai Mara is one of the most popular wildlife parks in Kenya - and in much of East Africa. Thousands of tourist flock to the Masai Mara every year to spy on the legions of zebras, wildebeest, elephants, buffalo, giraffe, (and thousands of others animals) as they go about their daily business. During the month of July and August, perhaps the best time of year to visit the Masai Mara, the wildebeest begin their annual migration south in search of greener pastures. The beauty of the Masai Mara, much like the Serengeti, is its color and rawness. It's not uncommon to travel through the savanna grasslands and see prides of lions chasing a lone baby zebra, or cheetahs with their recent kill hanging in the trees, or even a group of elephants bathing in a stream.

Another beautiful site in the Masai Mara is the colorful, stunningly tall and radiant Masai tribe who also share the national park with the animals (and the tourists). The Masai, known as proud noble people, who still live somewhat traditional lives, are the biggest and perhaps most colorful tribe in East Africa. Because the Masai have been grazing their animals in these parks for thousands of years, they still have certain rights, although certain laws forbid the hunting of some animals, like lions(although not always enforced). The pastoral Masai tend to live from in central Kenya down to central Tanzania, and there are currently more than 1 million in population. Many of the men are coming into the city to work as security guards for a few months and then return home to purchase more cattle.

Lamu
Lamu is sometimes called the Kathmandu of Africa. Only discovered by travelers 15 years ago, Lamu is an ancient old-world Swahili city that has changed little since the 12th century. Although there has been some recent "western" hotel developments, it still evokes a somewhat surreal atmosphere. Known as Kenya's oldest living town, and perhaps the purest Swahili town surviving, Lamu lets you peer into an authentic culture that has withstood modern day influences. The beauty of Lamu, and why it's better than Zanzibar, is that gas powered vehicles, such as cars, are not allowed on the island, except for the police. Therefore, a typical taxi is on the back of a donkey.

Mt. Kenya
Often overshadowed by its big sister to the south (Mt. Kilimanjaro), Mt. Kenya is still the second highest mountain in Africa, towering at 16,900 feet (5,199 meter) summit. Mt. Kenya fascinates climbers because of its flora variations, which with the altitude. It also tends to attract a more technical mountain climber with its variety of difficult climbs, as opposed to Mt. Kilimanjaro, which almost anybody could climb. Mt. Kenya is a modern day volcano and its peak is regarded as the realm of Ngai, god of the local Kikuyu people. Traditionally, all Kikuyu home were built to face this sacred peak.

Amboseli National Park
Perhaps one of the smallest parks in Kenya, Amboseli encapsulates the classic tourist perception of a safari in East Africa. With Mt. Kilimanjaro towering in the background, tourists can take the stereotypical pictures of elephants wandering around the plains. Although you can see Mt. Kilimanjaro from many parks in the north, this park is shoved right up next to the border of Tanzania, and makes it feel almost surreal. There are many type of wildlife, mainly huge groups of elephants. Sadly, the last of the black rhinos are gone and are migrating toward Tsavo Park.

Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our Africa Insiders page.