Kenya features in Times’ 52 places to visit in 2024
Kenya is among 52 places in the world to travel in 2024, according to latest New York Times annual travel list.
The paper’s experts have compiled this year’s list of destinations with sustainable travel and cultural events in mind as many regions realize slow but steady recovery from Covid-19 pandemic which hit international tourist arrivals hard.
The world renowned Tsavo National Park in Taita Taveta County has made it to the list as a favourite for would-be tourists. Africa has four key spots identified by the report in Madagascar, Morocco and Egypt as both captivating and alluring for tourists.
“From supporting local recovery in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Morocco and celebrating Africa’s most successful elephant rehabilitation programme at the Tsavo National Park, Kenya, to exploring textiles and contemporary art in Madagascar and Hurghada’s abundant marine ecosystem, The
Times has travel ideas for every type of traveller,” reads an excerpt of the report.
In Kenya, the elephant population has grown by 21 per cent since 2014, to a total of 36,280. Almost half live in Tsavo, home to Africa’s most successful elephant rehabilitation programme, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
The remarkable story of Tsavo has encouraged conservation projects abound, plus eco-lodges which have thereby contributed to the economic mainstay of the communities around through employment with tourists relishing the unique ecosystem.
International tourists
With important components therein like orphanages and clinics, the animals being protected in that enclosure have found a home worthy of note with international organisations engaging in partnerships to rehabilitate and do away with poaching.
This in turn is attracting buzzing interest from local and international tourists to come and have a date with the over 40,000 animals total on location.
In 2024, the Trust plans to open the first lodge next to the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, dedicated to saving the critically endangered black rhino. In an effort to support “rhino activities” in the Tsavo West NP rhino areas, Tsavo Trust has partnered with the Kenya Wildlife Service by establishing a unique “Rhino Viewing Platform” at one of the main waterholes within the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary.
The aim being to offer visitors a rare and exclusive opportunity to view rhino close up with the backdrop of the prehistoric-looking Ngulia cliffs.
Morocco that recently suffered a strong damaging earth tremor that killed 3,000 persons, had some eye-catching attraction sites too, according to the report.
“Places like Ourika Valley is considered dreamy as it sits just facing the majestic Atlas Mountain,” it says.
The place offers a variety of activities that tourists can love like fresh cuisine, hiking and horseback riding and it is near the centuries old Marrakesh City.
In Madagascar, there are more than tourism aspects in play which offer wildlife viewing and wildlife exploration.
However, now the vibe in Antananarivo is all about Art as the scene explodes with the Capital City housing a magnificent Museum known as La Fondation H that opened its doors to the public last year in April.
The contemporary art space was created to showcase Malagasy talents. One of the star production legends Madam Zo has a dedicated area where her pieces of textiles, basketry and fabrics from Madagascar stand tall, the Times report adds.
