Restore

Perhaps the most iconic of Kenya’s landscapes, the vast savannahs are home to an abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros). These grasslands, found in national parks like the Maasai Mara and Amboseli, are crucial for tourism and conservation efforts.

Kenya boasts several forest ecosystems, ranging from the tropical rainforests of Kakamega to the montane forests of the Aberdare Range and Mount Kenya. These forests are rich in biodiversity, harbouring numerous plant and animal species, and play a vital role in water catchment and climate regulation.

The country’s mountainous regions, including Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak, and the Aberdare Range, offer stunning scenery and are important for their unique flora and fauna. These highland areas are also key water towers, supplying water to major rivers and supporting agriculture.

Northern Kenya is characterised by arid and semi-arid landscapes, such as the Chalbi Desert and regions around Lake Turkana. These areas, though harsh, support pastoralist communities and unique wildlife adapted to the dry conditions.

The Great Rift Valley runs through Kenya, creating a dramatic landscape of escarpments, valleys, and volcanic formations. This region is known for its fertile soils, lakes like Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha, and geothermal activity, contributing to agriculture, tourism, and energy production.

Kenya’s coastline along the Indian Ocean features sandy beaches, coral reefs, and mangrove forests. Coastal cities like Mombasa are cultural melting pots, while marine parks such as Watamu and Malindi are biodiversity hotspots and popular tourist destinations.

Kenya’s numerous lakes, including the alkaline lakes of the Rift Valley (e.g., Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria) and freshwater lakes like Lake Victoria, support diverse birdlife and aquatic species. Wetlands like the Yala Swamp are critical for biodiversity, water purification, and supporting local livelihoods.