Why Kenya is ranked as a top destination for reptiles and amphibians or Herpetology tours and safaris
Kenya is one of the most biodiverse countries on earth. The country boasts great numbers of both reptiles and amphibians. Kenya has over 120 species of amphibians and over 300 species of reptiles. A herpetology safari tour in Kenya is guaranteed to offer you one of the best species lists.
With Kenya being located right at the Equator, the country enjoys rather stable weather all through the year. The coldest month is often July, the rains fall in two seasons (long rains around March to May and short rains around October to November), with the warmer months being December to February. Temperature also changes with altitude, whereby it tends to be cooler as you move higher into the highlands. The coast is relatively warm throughout the year.
Kenya’s different habitats and biomes also contribute to the huge array and diversity of reptiles and amphibians. Some of the biomes in Kenya include the Somali-Maasai dry savannah, the Great Rift Valley and the associated lakes, Afro-montane Highlands and Mountains, Lake Victoria Basin, Guinea-Congolian Equatorial Forest, Sudan-Guinea Savannah, Eastern Arc Mountains and East-Coast Forests. These diverse biomes allow for amazing species diversity in Kenya, making it a prime destination for reptiles and amphibians safaris and tours.
Kenya has another huge advantage as a destination for herpetology tours and safaris. This is the fact that the tourism infrastructure in the country is very well developed. Kenya has been a key destination for tours and safaris in Africa, for many years. This has allowed for good road networks across the entire country. There are also very nice tourist lodges, camps and hotels in Kenya. The national parks, forests, lakes and other tourism sites are well established and managed well too.
Kenya’s herpetofauna has also been studied relatively well, and this allows for a good understanding of the local species of reptiles and amphibians. Kenya has great books on reptiles and amphibians too. These include A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Kenya by Patrick Malonza and Beryl Bwong. The National Museums of Kenya has a great Herpetology Section that also hosts a collection of most of the species of reptiles and amphibians known in Kenya. There are also several Snake Parks and Farms across Kenya that help to spread knowledge and awareness on reptiles and amphibians.
