The Return of the Classic Safari in Kenya

When it comes to African safaris, Kenya has always been the place to go for most travelers. The country’s abundance of wildlife, stunning scenery, and legendary hospitality have been considerable draws for adventure travelers for decades. Unfortunately, that changed in 2007 and 2008 when political unrest gripped the nation, as a disputed election caused riots and looting, causing many countries to issue a travel advisory for anyone heading to the East African country.

But stability has slowly returned to Kenya, opening the door for travelers to return, and experience the classic safari once again. That’s exactly what Glenys Roberts, writer for the U.K.’s Daily Mail, discovered when she recently made the journey, and went on safari for herself. For Glenys, it was an eye opening experiencing, as she, and her companions, encountered zebras and elephants while they were barely off the plane from Niarobi to Amboseli National Park, where their adventure began.

The author notes that British visitors to Kenya will feel right at home, no doubt because of their colonial ties. But the country’s economy has long been built on tourism, and visitors from any country will no doubt feel welcome as well. Airfares to Africa are at the lowest they’ve been in years, making 2009 the best year to visit the continent perhaps ever, and with Kenya stable and safe for the first time in months, travelers can once again experience the classic safari adventure, in the quintisential safari destination.

Kenya's Masai Mara

CNN’s travel site is
featuring a really great
personal account of safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara
.  The author, Leigh Murray, was lucky enough to visit Kenya
during the Great Migration, when more than a million wildebeest, zebras and other animals cross from the Serengeti into
the Masai Mara in search of fresh grass.

It’s a great read, especially when you read of the author’s up-close
encounter with a cheetah.  Kenya is a country I’ve always wanted to visit (a desire made more potent recently by my
two-year-old’s sudden obsession with "The Lion King") — this article has me ready to call my travel agent
now.