Have you ever wanted to go on a safari and discover how animals in the African savannah live in the wild? Now is your chance; take advantage of being in the ideal country to do so. Kenya is one of the best-known destinations for safaris, thanks to the vast array of animal species it harbors. Depending on the location and the natural park where this adventure takes place, you’ll see different animals.
Some of the places where you can go on a safari include the Samburu National Reserve, which comprises three parks: Laikipia, Shaba, and Buffalo Spring. This reserve is located in central Kenya, and you can observe many animals there. It’s quite common to see leopards and elephants, although you can also spot lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes, and zebras. In the river, there are also large crocodiles, along with many species of birds such as storks.
Another well-known national park where the “big 5” live is the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. The animals that make up the “big 5” list are lions, buffalo, elephants, rhinoceroses, and leopards. But you won’t only see these species; you can also observe giraffes, crocodiles, cheetahs, and zebras, among other native species. One of the most well-known and spectacular phenomena is the migration season, during which you can see zebras and wildebeests migrating from the Serengeti National Park to this park.
There’s also Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for the thousands of flamingos that inhabit it, although the number of individuals of this species has decreased considerably due to climate change.
Nevertheless, you can still see many wild animals, such as the white and black rhinoceroses; the latter is endangered, and this park is one of the few places where you can see them. You can also observe gazelles, buffaloes, zebras, impalas, baboons, and giraffes living in their natural habitat.
When is the best time to go on a safari?
The high season is from January to March and from June to September. During this period, it’s a good time because the temperature is high and warm, and you’ll be able to see many animals since the vegetation is less dense. Between March and May is the rainy season, so it’s not the best time because the animals are more scattered, although there are far fewer tourists.
Between October and December, it may rain occasionally, but it’s the perfect time to see many species of birds, as it’s the arrival of migratory birds. And in October, it’s the migration of wildebeests and zebras from northern Tanzania to Maasai Mara. It’s an incredible spectacle as hundreds of animals make this journey every year.
Many volunteers embark on this adventure during weekends, as they have these days off to explore, visit, or rest.
You might be interested in an environmental conservation or agriculture program if you’re a nature lover. On the other hand, there are also orphanage, teaching, special education, community aid, daycare, and special needs programs. If you enjoy being with children and playing with them, this program is perfect for you, and you’ll also get to know their way of life and learn many things from the little ones.
You’ll also find programs to support women since women in Kenya still face discrimination and inequality due to their gender. The volunteer programs addressing this discrimination include women and youth development program, Maasai women program, and women empowerment program. In these programs, women will be helped and given tools to start a business and become independent. This goal will be achieved through basic teaching of subjects such as mathematics and English or workshops where they can improve their skills and learn new activities, such as sewing or making objects to sell and make a profit.
If you have medical knowledge or experience and want to put it into practice, the medical program may be a good option. Depending on your specialty and knowledge, you’ll be assigned various tasks. You’ll assist and work alongside healthcare professionals in a rural hospital in Kenya.
Volunteer programs will take place in different locations in Kenya, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale, Kisumu, Diani, Ukunda, Gatanga, Muranga, and Maasai Mara. Some programs are conducted in more than one location, so you can choose the location you prefer.