Heading out from Nairobi North West. About a 3 hour drive we stop at the lookout before descending into the Great Rift Valley. Plenty of souvenirs and onions for sale around here. Check out the signs on the medical centre. Just one example of a multitude of interesting shopfronts and signs.
The Great Rift Valley is one of the most spectacular natural wonders on Earth. It is a vast geological formation that stretches over 6,000 kilometers from Syria to Mozambique. Along the way, it passes through several countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. In the following posts, we will take a closer look at the Great Rift Valley and explore some of the most fascinating places to visit in this region.
A Geological Wonder
The Great Rift Valley is a geological wonder that was formed over millions of years. It is a massive crack in the Earth’s surface that was caused by tectonic plates shifting and pulling apart. The valley is comprised of a series of rifts, or valleys, that are separated by highlands and mountains. The valley is home to several active and dormant volcanoes, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and Mount Longonot.
Exploring the Great Rift Valley
One of the best ways to explore the Great Rift Valley is by visiting some of the national parks and reserves that are located in this region. These parks are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, lions, giraffes, and zebras. We will be visiting some of the most popular parks including the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park and the Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya, Ngorongoro Conservation Park in Tanzania. We could see the the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania but did not go there this trip nor to the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of the most famous parks in Africa. It is home to an abundance of wildlife, including the famous Big Five: lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo. The park is also home to the annual wildebeest migration, which is one of the most spectacular wildlife events on Earth.
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is located in Tanzania and is home to some of the most diverse wildlife in Africa. The park is home to over 500 species of birds and 70 large mammal species, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. The park is also home to the Great Migration, which is the largest land migration on Earth.
People and Infrastructure
The buildings are ‘rustic’ with most people just trying to make a living anyway they can.
The Great Rift Valley is a truly remarkable region that is home to some of the most incredible wildlife and landscapes on Earth. We are interested in wildlife, geology, and history so cant wait to explore more of this region.
