Located in central Kenya, this ridiculously scenic region is wedged within the 4,000-mile-long (7,000-kilometer-long) Rift Valley lowland region that stretches from the Red Sea toward Southern Africa. Long believed to be the birthplace of humankind, the Rift Valley Province is home to craggy volcanoes, freshwater lakes, diverse wildlife (including the fabled Big Five), and Indigenous tribal communities like the Maasai and the Turkana. Things to do in the Rift Valley center around safaris and nature.
Aim to come to the Rift Valley region during one of Kenya’s two dry seasons, when the skies clear, animals venture out in search of water sources, and the roads become passable. The first dry season runs from December to March, which is considered Kenya’s summer. Another dry weather window is from July to October. You’ll find fewer tourists the rest of the year and lush green foliage, though thunderstorms can make remote areas inaccessible even to SUVs.
Intrepid travelers can rent vehicles—or even hop on a matatu (minibusses used as shared taxis) if feeling adventurous. You may want to join a guided excursion to get to more off-the-grid areas, just as national parks. Many tours offer door-to-door transportation, which scratches off one less thing to worry about. Lake Naivasha is even reachable on a day trip from Nairobi.
Visitors have multiple opportunities to spot wildlife in this region, famed for its expansive vistas. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is known for its annual wildebeest migration (usually between July and October, the Kenyan winter). Lake Nakuru National Park is famous for its black and white rhinos and the hundreds of flamingos that loiter on the water. In Amboseli National Park, travelers can spot lions, elephants, and giraffes under the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
