Kenya
What makes a perfect holiday destination? Palm beaches, sunshine and relaxation? Perhaps exotic wildlife in perfect harmony with natural surroundings? There's countless things to do in Kenya, and here are ten good reasons to visit!
With 480 km of beautiful coastline, Kenya has a variety of coastal locations to visit, ranging from quaint little fishing villages with hardly any cars to be seen, to thriving tourist areas with every amenity for party animals or families. Remote stretches of coastline can easily be found, and as the sun rises and sets over the Indian Ocean each day the clear, warm water laps gently against the shore. Tall palm trees gently swaying in the cool breeze – it’s just heaven.
Straddling the equator, Kenya’s climate offers sunshine and warm weather all year round – great for beach holidays or a Kenya safari. With average temperatures between 22ºC and 30ºC, there’s brilliant sunshine all year round for a fabulously sunny holiday. Tropical rainstorms are usually at night and the two rainy seasons (less predictable in recent years) generally occur in March and September. The good news is that no sooner does the rain stop before the sun comes out again – grey overcast days are uncommon. Kenya’s climate is perfect for those who like it hot, but not too hot!
Roaming freely in an untamed wilderness, Kenya has a diverse and unparalleled range of must-see animal and plant species. From the millions of flamingoes on the shores of some of Kenya’s great lakes to the huge herds of elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions, leopards and cheetahs - you name it. In the open savannah, the animals roam freely, making them easy to observe. Enjoy the exciting experience of watching these amazing creatures up close, all from the back of your jeep. With the wind in your hair, and the warm sun on your skin, listening to the cry of an eagle, this is about as close to nature as your can hope to be.
Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain and stands majestically in neighbouring Tanzania overlooking the Amboselli plains in Kenya. This iconic snow-capped mountain is a real treat for those looking for an exciting and challenging climb. However, for those who simply want to admire the beautiful natural surroundings, Kilimanjaro is perfect too. particularly for those interested in photography who are able to capture the unspoiled wilderness, bright sunshine and exotic animals roaming freely in the foreground. For those needing exercise and adventure, Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain and is an extinct volcano that straddles the equator. For easy day treks foothills, Mount Kenya is just great, but to get to the top, this is no easy climb. Be fully prepared for a hard 3-5 day trek to the 5200m summit. Depending on the route you take, this mountain is suitable for both school trips or for the experienced mountaineers. Whichever route you take though, go prepared as it’s a long way to the top and you’ll need an experienced guide to take you!
With over 70 different tribes living within Kenya, the Kenyan people are perhaps one of Kenya’s most valuable and interesting assets. Although most Kenyans are sophisticated and highly educated, there is also an opportunity to see rural communities where traditional lifestyles have remained the same over many centuries. The regal Maasai with their striking attire, are probably the best known tribe in Kenya. Visitors can go to a traditional village in many areas of Kenya, where they will be welcomed and invited in to meet and learn about the people living there. Here, the livestock are often herded into the village in the evening to protect them from lions. Visitors are invited to sit in the low, dark, smokey huts where they learn about the rituals of daily life and traditions that have been passed down for generations.
Rated by divers as one of the top three dive destinations in the world, Kenya’s coral reefs have much to offer. There is an amazing variety of marine life, from starfish to turtles, rays, octopus and squids, not to mention the countless varieties of stunning, brightly coloured fish. There are many excellent locations all along the coast which could include the Malindi and Watamu Marine National Parks in the north, or the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park in the South. The reefs are protected, by strict laws, and whether you view this fascinating undersea world from the bottom of a glass-bottomed boat, or snorkel or dive we’re sure you’ll enjoy the warm, crystal-clear water and the secrets, hidden within its depths.
Kenya offers a range of cultural places to visit, read about and discover. In modern times, Kenya has made the news by being President Obama’s ancestral homeland. Three million years ago, Kenya had been dubbed “The Cradle of Mankind.” Enormously significant archaeological discoveries from Kenya and neighboring countries have shown that our earliest human ancestors originated from this part of the world. Kenya has always been attractive to settlers and colonizers; from the early nomadic bantu tribes to Arab settlers five hundred years ago, these settlers have had an impact on the culture, infastructure and the architecture in Kenya, and the more recent European settlers have perhaps had the most noticeable impact, which you can still see evidence of today.
Kenya is famous for it's diverse eco-systems with an amazingly diverse range of environments for you to explore; ancient rainforests, grasslands, deserts, mountains, lakes, coral reefs, woodlands, wetlands and more. The life-forms that inhabit these environments remain in fragile harmony. By visiting Kenya and practicing responsible and sustainable tourism, you can play your part in helping to keep these complex eco-systems healthy and alive. With some of biggest and most beautiful trees to be found, more bird species than almost anywhere else in the world, Kenya needs responsible tourism to help protect its diverse wildlife including the long list of endangered mammals that still roam freely on the open plains.
No matter what type of holiday you’re looking for, Kenya offers many styles of accommodation and restaurants. You can stay at a hotel, lodge, cottage, beach house , luxury tented camp or exclusive retreat. Kenya has them all, and our sophisticated tourist industry caters for people from all over the world with every type of requirement. A melting pot of cultures is evident through the rich array of food options available: Upmarket seafood restaurants, sushi diners, bistro style dining , jazz bars etc. are all easy to find. Child friendly dining and high standards of European and North American cuisine can be found all over. Whatever your taste, it’s available.
To fly over the African savannah in a Hot Air Balloon is possibly one of the most exciting and awe-inspiring things you can do. Visitors to Kenya are offered adventure in the wild outdoors but you won’t always need to get dirty or exhausted when doing so! It may be that you want to view the game from the back of an open-top jeep, with the wind blowing through your hair as you bounce along on rough roads. Fly in a small charter plane to a remote destination, or perhaps you prefer to stroll barefoot on a moonlit beach as the waves lap gently on the sand. Whatever your idea of fun is, you don’t need to rough it. Every luxury is available with impeccable service and experienced, qualified guides who can take care of you, tell you the things you need to know and ensure that your trip is special and that you are well taken care of.
Main image by Michal Vogt (Flickr)
"I haven't been everywhere, but it’s on my list" - Susan Sontag
