There is great demand this summer for Kenya, back to being a strong destination among long-haul destinations after the two-year pandemic and the resurgence of confidence in leisure travel.
As airline booking sites and major travel agencies confirm, the choice of Africa is prioritized over, for example, the East and usually attractive countries such as Thailand and Indonesia (the war in Ukraine and instability in the Islamic Middle East certainly do not play in their favor).
Unlike past years, before the fateful February 2020, there is a lot of desire to leave as early as July, in a season that is not exactly "summer" at the equator, but still recommended for the beauty of nature and enviable climate, especially in the face of the constant contrasts of humid, sultry heat and sudden bad weather that now characterize Europe.
So here is a small ranking of things to do and see in July and August in Kenya.

1. GREAT MIGRATION IN MAASAI MARA

Among the spectacles that should be witnessed at least once in a lifetime is undoubtedly the great wildebeest migration from the Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya to the Serengeti park in Tanzania and back. The natural phenomenon usually occurs from mid-June until mid-September.
The Maasai Mara is notoriously not a cheap destination, but the safari, even beyond the movement of thousands of animals (not just wildebeests of course) and the magical and tragic crossing of the Mara River, is something extraordinary. From the coast it is advisable to fly to the reserve, either directly or even to Nairobi, and from there continue by 4WD. From Italy, arrangements can be made by arriving in Nairobi.

 

2. LAMU ARCHIPELAGO

Kenya's "Arab Venice," at the northern end of its coast, is a small haven of relaxation without too much reference to contemporary civilization. Suffice it to say that no cars circulate there and only a few years ago motorcycles were allowed to move around. Lamu is one of the oldest towns on the Swahili coast and still thrives on traditions, such as using donkeys, which quietly roam the island's alleys, as a means of transportation and work. The sea is wonderful and the islands can be visited aboard historic dhows, the characteristic Swahili boats. Snorkeling and strolling on the long white beaches of Manda and Shela are unforgettable moments, as are discovering the nooks and crannies, architecture and handicrafts of the archipelago, before progress and the large international port project can even partially ruin everything.

 

3. MIDA CREEK.

The mangrove marine ecosystem is one of the possible salvations of the planet. Reforestation of the aquatic plants that still abound in some lightly contaminated places in Kenya protects against climate change and enables the reproduction of fish species that nourish the sea and land, as well as providing a source of livelihood and income for humans.
But ethical and environmental issues aside, havens like Mida Creek south of Watamu are first and foremost to be experienced, to be breathed in as sources of serenity and fulfillment of the eye and soul.
A marine excursion by boat, in traditional canoes or beautiful dhows, a sunset aperitif or a landing in one of the small restaurants where you can sample the fantastic mangrove crabs or the tasty little oysters, is a "must" for those staying in Kilifi County tourist destinations.

 

4. EAST TSAVO NATIONAL PARK

If in July in the parks and reserves in the north of the country the weather is a little harsher than in the rest of the year, July and August for wilderness lovers are great months to visit Tsavo East, the park on the outskirts of Malindi and Watamu but also accessible from Mombasa and Diani via the Buchuma entrance on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway and the Manyani entrance coming from Tsavo West, Amboseli or the Capital. The wonder of the park's various settings, from the green plains of Aruba overflowing with elephants to the red rocks of Mudanda to the waterfalls of Lugards and the course of the Galana River, amid hippos, crocodiles, and all the watering animals, are a spectacle so close to civilization but so infinite and far removed from the present that it is an experience to dive into, with prices certainly more affordable than in other nature oases in Kenya.

 

5 SABAKI RIVER AND MARAFA

Malindi's surroundings add beauty and enchantment to a tourist destination known for its many facets, history, and diverse cultures that make up and intertwine in harmony. Just a few kilometers from the center, for example, is the mouth of the Sabaki River, which at this time of year sees its plants flourish thanks to the rains of May and June and which, as is now customary, is filled with flamingos, once the preserve only of the Great Lakes regions of the Rift Valley. Alongside the colorful and romantic spectacle of the "flamingos" are the hippos and spectacular baobabs, including the historic one under the river bridge, which you can visit to learn the legend about it, with guides protecting it and also running a small restaurant with crayfish and seafood specialties. A morning and lunch at Sabaki and then you can continue on to Marafa's famous "devil's kitchens," the "Hell's Kitchens," a canyon-like karst phenomenon that at sunset time takes on distinctive colors and transports you inside a fantasy novel. This is the best time of year to visit the "Hell's Kitchens," because usually daytime temperatures exceed 40 degrees.