The 10 Best Things to Do in Rift Valley Province, Kenya

Ol Kinyei Conservancy is 18,700 acres of Wilderness which belongs to a Maasai community who leased it to Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps for it to be set aside for the purposes of wildlife conservation. Ol Kinyei Conservancy is home to only two small permanent camps, the Porini Mara Camp and Porini Cheetah which between them accommodate a maximum of only 24 guests at any given time - making this not only an exclusive experience but one that respects the principles of eco-tourism. Located within the Serengeti-Mara eco-system, Ol Kinyei is renowned for its unspoilt and breathtaking scenery with diverse terrain offering on one hand open savannah plains and rolling hills on the other.

The Mara is a beautiful but sensitive environment that can survive only if properly respected. Well-watered by the Mara River, enjoying abundant vegetation, wildlife and rainfall, its ecology would appear, at first sight, to be relatively resilient. It also appears to have withstood the erosive effects of huge numbers of visiting tourists extraordinarily well. There are signs, however, that the delicate balance between tourist numbers and wildlife populations cannot be properly maintained for much longer as evidenced by the reduction in the protective vegetation cover and the emergence of a series of dust bowls. Meanwhile, the Reserve is host to 95 species of mammals, amphibians and other reptiles and 485 species of birds. During the dry season (July to October) it also hosts a major concentration of migratory herbivores including about 250,000 zebra and 1.3 million wildebeest. Amongst the list of easy-to-view species are: gazelle, elephant, topi, buffalo, lion (Kenya's largest population), black rhino, hippo, hyena, giraffe, leopard and mongoose.

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a mosaic of grass plains, wooded grassland, Acacia woodland and evergreen thicket extending for over 350 square kilometres. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy, East Africa’s Largest Black Rhino Sanctuary, is situated at the foot hills of the Aberdares and the magnificent snow-capped Mount Kenya. Ol Pejeta boasts an astounding variety of animals including non-indigenous chimpanzees and the Big Five (the endangered black and white rhino, leopard, elephant, buffalo & lion). The combination of amazing wildlife and stunning views across the open plains guarantees an unforgettable safari experience.

Amboseli National Park is a photographer's paradise thanks to the abundant wildlife such as lions, cheetahs, rhinos, and buffalo roaming under the shadows of majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest peak. With its large concentration of African elephants, Amboseli National Park is a fantastic choice for a truly breathtaking camping safari, in front of the world's finest photographic backdrop.Day 1 Amboseli National ParkDepart early from Nairobi, venturing south to the famed Amboseli National Park. Stop at your camp to enjoy lunch before beginning your safari in search of lions, elephants, rhino, and other large game, with "Kili" providing the ultimate photo backdrop.Venture south to the famed Amboseli National Park located at the foot of Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. The snow-capped peak of the mountain dominates every aspect of the park, providing the ultimate photo backdrop. Amboseli covers only 392 sq km, though despite its small size and its fragile ecosystem the park supports a wide range of mammals (well over 50 of the larger species) and birds (over 400 species). After lunch at your safari camp, spend the afternoon criss-crossing the park in seach of lions, buffaloes, elephants, rhino, cheetah, and of course the photo of a lifetime.A part of the park is composed of a dried-up lake bed which in the shimmering heat produces mirages. Swamps and Springs, fed by underground rivers fromsafari camp, form permanent watering places for the wildlife through times of drought. The snows of Kilimanjaro form a majestic backdrop to one of Kenya's most spectacular displays of wildlife creating Kenya's most sought after photographer's paradise. The park's best game drives are around the swamps and there is a fine lookout on Observation Hill which offers views over the whole of the park and beyond.Years ago this was the locale around which such famous writers as Ernest Hemingway and Robert Ruark spun their stories of big-game hunting in the wilds of Africa. In addition, the park that has been made famous by Cynthia Moss, the noted American naturalist and author who has one of the longest-running studies on elephants. You might even see some of the elephants that Cynthia has immortalized in her many books and award-winning film Echo of the Elephants.Day 2 Amboseli National ParkThis is your full day to enjoy Africa at its best - countless wildlife encounters through open plains spotted with flat-topped acacia trees. Before returning to camp, stop at a traditional Masai village for an optional visit to learn about the local Masai culture.This is your full day to enjoy Africa at its best - countless wildlife encounters through open plains spotted with flat-topped acacia trees. Before returning to your safari camp in the evening, stop at a traditional "Manyatta" (Masai village) for an optional visit to learn about the local Masai culture.Part of Maasailand, Amboseli National Park is thus the home of the Masai people, those tall, proud nomads whose legendary prowess in battle and single handed acts of bravery in fights with wild animals has spread across the globe. Perhaps more than any other community in Kenya, the Masai have learned to live in complete harmony with their environment, and coexist and thrive together with the wildlife that surrounds them. The park is surrounded by Manyatta quickly built out of bent poles and sticks and plastered with cow dung and equally swiftly abandoned when the grazing is finished and the herds must move on.Day 3 Amboseli National ParkRise early for a final morning game drive, enjoying the African sun as it rises over the savannah of the Amboseli plain. Return to Nairobi in the afternoon, where your safari ends. Rise early for a final morning game drive, enjoying the African sun as it rises over the savannah of the Amboseli plain. Return to Nairobi in the afternoon