Have you ever thought about other experiences in Kenya apart from the big five safari? When you plan for a Kenya safari, the first thing that comes to mind is safari in search of wildlife. The beautiful wildlife that has been spoken about, or perhaps seen in art exhibitions and galleries. The thought of it is always exciting. The idea of seeing this wildlife in their natural habitats and not confined. Kenya is home to a good number of wildlife reserves and national parks.
What more can you do apart from going on safari? There are several other excursions that you can engage in away from the game drives. These happens in the city or close to the wildlife game reserves. They therefore do not disorient your safari itinerary. In an average 2 weeks safari, you will have covered several of this destinations and lots of wildlife. The beauty of it is that in the process you will also have several magnificent shots of the birds, the lakes, the landscape and the cultures and people of Kenya. Below activities will enrich your Kenya safari experience.
Visit a cheese farm
Are you a cheese fan? It is within a 30 minutes’ drive from the city center. You will experience firsthand crafting of cheese and diary by products and Brown farm. The farm promotes local production and improving the lives of the local community. Enjoy a taste of cheese, Yoghurt, ice-cream and organic milk straight from the farm. The visits are booked from Thursdays to Saturdays. Get a chance to enjoy sumptuous lunch in the farm setting. Nothing beats an organic farm to plate presentation.
Enjoy Tea and brunch straight from the farm.
Kiamebethu tea farm in Limuru offers amazing tea and brunch for visitors to the farm. The farm offers an opportunity to learn about tea from growth, picking, processing and into your cup. Learn how to pick the best buds and how to carry the baskets while harvesting. You also get an opportunity to buy some to take back home. Along the farm edges is an indigenous forest, where birds and Columbus monkeys reside. Enjoy a walk in the serenity of the forest canopy and enjoy the green views of the team plants down the valleys.
Fancy freshly brewed coffee, join us to Fair view estate.
How well do you know your coffee? There is medium, dark and light roast. We also have roasted beans and ground coffee. Fairview is a farm located in the outskirts of Nairobi. Here you enjoy a walk in the farm, learn about the growing, processing and packing process of some of the world renowned coffee brands. When its season, you may be allowed to participate in some of the activity. You also get an opportunity to buy straight from the producers. The local barista then engages you in tasting some of the finest coffee you can ever have.
Local organic farm experiences.
Ololo farm and lodge is located along the southern border of Nairobi national park. The park is only 7 kilometers from the city center. Talk of a wild game drive that leads to a farm for a farm to table experience. The farm specializes in organic farming. Meals include fresh ingredients from the farm which include farm and animal products. The rooms within the lodge offer great views of the Ngong hills in the distance. Wildlife roams in the horizon as you enjoy a cup of afternoon tea in the African horizon.
Enjoy breakfast and trout fishing on Kenya’s rooftop.
Mt Kenya is Kenya’s iconic mountain and with the highest peak. It is located in central Kenya and straddles the equator. A sunrise breakfast on the shores of the mountain lakes is a mind-blowing experience. The excursion takes about 2 hours. You also don’t want to miss trout fishing in one of the lakes. The trout fish is constantly restocked to keep the breed healthy. Fishing is controlled and most of the fish is released back into the clean crisp waters. The flights are taken from the Nanyuki airstrip and the lodges including Sirikoi and solio lodge.
Indulge in a gastronomic tour within the city.
Nairobi is a cosmopolitan city attracting expatriates from all over the globe. Restaurants have responded well to the needs of the foodies around. Engage is a culinary experience in some of the top city restaurants. From Mexican to Chinese’s, Indian to Mediterranean. Fine dining, chocolate tasting, cheese and wine pairing, organic meals and barbecue roasts are just some of the experiences on the table. You have a wide range to choose from. While at it take a sneak peek into Nairobi’s night life.
Horseback safari in Laikipia, Chyulu hills and Masai Mara.
This is a different way of experiencing the big five safari apart from Jeeps. Ever thought of a safari on horses in the wildlife destinations? It’s a great way to Gallop away amongst the herbivores and towering giraffes. This enables you to go in areas inaccessible by vehicles and close to wildlife. Perhaps climb on vantage point and get panoramic views of the Savannah below. As the wind blows away, enjoy a toast to the beautiful sunset and soothing winds across the plains. This guide tours are booked prior.
Pack for a purpose and support local community initiatives.
Travel can be viewed by many as luxury. However to others it’s an eye opener and an opportunity to impact lives. Sanitary items, stationary, story books and playing toys are some of the things that you can pack to bring when traveling to Africa. Children in local schools especially in slum areas will truly appreciate the same. Locally you can buy the items from local suppliers and self-help groups that make recyclable sanitary wear. This way you impact society and improve lives too.
Engage in conservation activities.
Conversation activities especially for the endangered species are highly monitored. However, visitors have an opportunity to indulge in the same. Good examples include the elephant sanctuaries in Reteti in the north and Ithumba in Tsavo. You can also engage the Masai Mara ant poaching units for some activity around the conservancies surrounding the park. There is a Grevy zebra and wild dog monitoring group in Laikipia. At Olpejeta there is a rhino sanctuary and the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya. Engage us and let’s plan.
Run a Marathon in the wild.
Have you ever thought of a wild run amongst giraffes, impalas, lions, elephants, rhinos and zebras in their natural habitats? Lewa conservancy is home to the highest number of rhinos in Kenya, the big five and some of the most exclusive lodges in Kenya. Every year it is home to a fantastic marathon that attracts participants from all over the globe. Run with the world elites in the sport. As you enjoy a game drive on foot. The proceeds are sued in conservation efforts, improving school and health care in the local communities.
Take a helicopter trip to Northern Kenya.
A helicopter is versatile and easily maneuvers the terrain. It’s such an exciting way to go to places that are out of reach. You will easily get from the hills to the valleys, the gorges and the rocks, the lakes, deserts and sand dunes. The north is the most beautiful yet least explored. The landscape seems unrealistic. It is home to the largest desert fresh water lake in the world. The area is rich in topography and diverse physical features but not wildlife. Northern Kenya offers an exhilarating out of Kenya experience.
Visit a Kenyan shopping mall.
After a safari and you return to Nairobi, why not visit one of the shopping malls. The ambience is inviting and activities are in plenty. You can opt to shop around in local supermarkets. The eateries offer a variety of meals from local cuisines, internal cuisines, coffee snack bars and even Kentucky chicken. Once full, take a stroll and enjoy the local games and entertainment sports within the malls. This include bowling alleys, Virtual reality, movie theaters, Trampoline parks or the steak hose bar and grill, Mingle with locals and enjoy a local drink.