Welcome to Kenya's Rift Valley Tour Circuit...

The Great Rift Valley cuts across Kenya from North to the South. It's very pronounced and can best seen in Kenya hence the region's name. 

The Rift Valley region is endowed with rich natural resources. This region houses most of the lakes in Kenya from which very large bird populations can be found. Rift valley also boasts of various historical and prehistoric sites . It has amazing wildlife species including the big five hence the many parks, reserves and conservancies. It therefore offers perfect sites for spectacular safaris.

Rift valley has diverse cultures such as the 11 Kalenjin sub-tribes, the Samburu and Maasai among others. Thus, the area offers diverse delicacies.

Most lakes in Kenya are found straddled within the Rift Valley such as L. Kamnarok in Elgeyo-Marakwet; L. Baringo and L. Bogoria in Baringo county, Lakes Nakuru, Elementaita and Naivasha in Nakuru County and others which are some of the best tourist attractions in the region.

All the Rift Valley lakes host diverse bird species. Lakes Nakuru, Bogoria and Baringo have been recognized as Ramsar sites;International Bird Area (IBA), which further boosts our country as a tourist destination.

The Rift Valley has many pre-historic sites like the Ologersailie prehistoric site in Kajiado County. This is a great source of history and heritage, and is a world renowned tourist attraction.

Cradle of Humankind reflects the fact that the site has produced a large number of hominin fossils ever found, as well as some of the oldest, some dating back as far as 3.5 million years ago.

Anthropological archaeology in Kenya is synonymous with the Leakey family, with Louis and Mary Leakey pioneering much of the work that is ongoing today. Louis Leakey is known for convincing eminent scientists that Africa is where human evolution began, and that Africa is the cradle of mankind; a view that is now universally accepted.

They are also responsible for discovering many of the archaeological sites. Their son Richard Leakey continued their work - and still plays a role today. Prehistoric sites are found throughout Kenya with some of the best known being:

Hyrax Hill - prehistoric site near Nakuru, it is considered one of the country's most important neolithic excavation sites. Hyrax Hill dates from 1500 B.C. and was discovered by Louis and Mary Leakey in 1926. A fortress and and several tombs were found there.

Kariandusi near Lake Elementaita - site of the hand-axe man was discovered in 1928. A rise in the Lake level drove prehistoric men from their lake-side home and buried all the tools and weapons which were left behind

Olorgesailie, Eastern Rift Valley about 70 Km south of Nairobi - this site is significant for geology, paleontology as well as archeology. Here volcano ash helped to preserve many animal fossils as well as some now extinct animals. There has also been found an abundance of hand axes. The first human fossil was unearthed here; the skull of Homo erectus.

Rich wildlife resources, flora and fauna are scattered across the region. National parks, reserves and conservancies are concentrated in Rift Valley which offer good sites for game drives and viewings within the reserves and parks as tourists enjoy the nature.

There are many parks, reserves and conservancies in Rift Valley, which are a must visit for any tourist. World famous protected areas are found in Rift valley such as Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Samburu, Ol Pajeta and Hells Gate among many others.

The Maasai Mara is one of the best-known reserves in Africa. It is globally renowned for its exceptional wildlife. It is an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzania border.

Across the vast plains of the Mara, visitors are able to see lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and an infinite variety of other species in their natural habitats.

The landscape has grassy and rolling hills and crossed by Mara and Talek river.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is home to several endangered species that include the black rhino, the last two Northern white rhino, wild dogs, and rescued chimpanzees.

Join in the conservation effort by visiting to experience the wild - elephants, wild dog, lion, hyena, buffalo, cheetah, rhino, ostriches; and a visit the conservation centers as well.

It is situated on the equator, west of  Nanyuki , between the foothills of the  Aberdares  and  Mt. Kenya. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy works to conserve wildlife and provide a sanctuary for  great apes . The Conservancy is host to the " Big five game " among a large selection of other African animals, which makes it a popular  safari  destination.

Sprawling on the edge of the Northern Kenyan Frontier, stretching from the slopes of Mount Kenya to the rim of the Great Rift Valley, is the Laikipia Plateau.

Vast open plains in the shadow of the snow-capped silhouette of Mount Kenya create a tranquil and secluded setting, where game drives encounter wildlife including endangered species such as black rhino, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and wild dogs.

Sauntering with camels is a fascinating way to feel that you are part of the bush, so much can be missed on a game vehicle but here you are privy to the teeniest tiniest thing.

 The comfortably leisurely pace and the sight, smell and feel of moving through the wild, harmonious and at one with the pulse of nature is extraordinary.

Be adventurous and do like the Samburu do; ride a camel through the African wilderness. A fun-filled alternative to the traditional game viewing experience, a camelback safari allows guests to get up-close with plains game such as zebra, giraffe, and ostrich. This activity can be tailor-made to your preferences.

If you really want to don your adventurer’s cap, opt for an overnight camel camp, where you can spend the night in a lightweight tent within the reserve.

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The reserve is reach in wildlife with fame for abundance in rare northern specialist species such as the Grevy Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk and the Beisa Oryx, also referred as Samburu Special.

Palm groves and riverine forests, in the midst of arid and semi arid ecosystems, create the magnificent landscape of the Samburu National Reserve. This vast expanse of remote pristine wilderness is inhabited by iconic wildlife and a tranquil ambiance blankets this wildlife haven.

The traditional homeland of the Samburu people, this arid terrain features northern Kenya’s biggest river, Ewaso Nyiro.

Quenching the thirst of the abundant wildlife that roam this reserve, the Samburu people were lured to this area due to the reliability of the Ewaso Nyiro that provides water for their herds.

The river courses through Samburu National Park, Shaba National Reserve and the Buffalo Springs National Reserve to the south.

The park is famous for being the best place in the world to get close to free-ranging elephants. Other attractions of the park include opportunities to meet Maasai and visit a Maasai village.

The park also has views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

Crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, the Amboseli National Parks is one of Kenya's most popular parks. The name "Amboseli" comes from a Maasai word meaning "salty dust", and it is one of the best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close.

Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here ranging from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulphur springs, the savannah and woodlands. They can also visit the local Maasai community who live around the park and experience their authentic culture.

• Leopard, Cheetah, Wild dogs, Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Crocodile, Mongoose, Hyrax, Dik- dik, Lesser Kudu, and Nocturnal Porcupine
• Prolific birdlife features 600 species

Kenya is almost synomous with Safaris because of the spectacular game drives in the various parks and reserves throughout the country. Another important and major tourist attractions in Rift Valley is the wild safari especially in Maasai Mara National reserve during the great wildebeest migration between July and October, which normally attracts thousands of tourists globally from different parts of the world .

Besides wildebeest, there are gazelles and antelopes, which are part of the great migration and has earned Kenya a reputation globally.

Diverse cultural heritage

Rift valley has diverse cultural groups. Kipsigis, Nandi, Keiyo, Marakwet, Sabaot, Pokots, Tugen, Terik, Sengwer, Lembus, and Ogiek are the 11 tribes of Kalenjin and are culturally and linguistically related. The Maasai occupy the south rift region namely; Narok,Nakuru and Kajiado Counties, while, the Samburu occupy the North rift region that consists of Samburu and Laikipia Counties.

The Maasai are some of the few tribes who have retained most of their traditions, lore and lifestyle. They are semi-nomadic pastoralists and live by herding cattle and goats.

The difference between the Samburu and the Maasai is that Samburu occupy Northern central rift valley, while the Maasai occupy south riftand the most important distinguishing feature between is the color of their shukas,Samburu has many colors popular as Bufferly,while Maasai has only two colors red and black with red dominating.

The traditional dress of the Samburu tribe is a striking red cloth wrapped like a skirt and a white sash. This is adorned with many colorful beaded earrings, bracelets, anklets and necklaces. Each piece of jewellery worn represents the status of the wearer.

The color of Maasai attire varies according to age and gender. After their circumcision, young men will wear black for several months. Older men usually wear red wraparounds, whereas women usually opt for checked, striped, or patterned pieces of cloth.

Rift Valley has diverse communities with diverse culinaries. Mursik (sour milk) is the most popular drink among the Kalenjins.

Mursik is a traditional fermented milk variant of the Kalenjin people of Kenya. It can be made from cow or goat milk and is fermented in a specially made calabash gourd locally known as a sotet. The gourd is lined with soot from specific trees which add flavor to the fermented milk. It is normally consumed with ugali (kimyet) or on its own and is served at room temperature or chilled.

Mursik has strong cultural significance for the Kalenjin both in terms of identity as well as socially. It is a common drink in the Rift Valley region and is available in urban areas of Kenya. It has over time become synonymous with Kenyan athletics.

A significant majority of Kenyan athletic heroes are Kalenjin and scenes of them receiving a sip of mursik at the airport having returned from international duty form part of Kenya's cultural tapestry

When a couple gets married, dowry negotiations are held as part of the koito ceremony. At the end of the negotiations, mursik is served and drunk together by those present as a symbol of agreement and unity, it is considered crucial to the process

This is just but a glimpse of some of the best features in Rift Valley, a lot in store for YOU...

MAKE A DATE WITH NATURE.......