Resting in the magnificent Great Rift Valley and presided over by the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya is characterised by hauntingly beautiful natural landscapes of forested hills, patchwork farms, wooded savanna and vast forests brimming with an extraordinary abundance of wildlife. The nation’s diverse range of traditional African cultures is influenced by over 70 unique ethnic groups from the Maasai, Samburu, Kikuyu, and Turkana tribes to the Arabs and Indians that settled on the coast. Add to this: an exquisite tropical coastline fringed with breathtaking golden sand beaches; gorgeous coral gardens providing excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities; and a slew of lively beach resorts, and it is easy to see why so many visitors flock here from around the world to experience a truly unique African adventure in one of the world’s most pristine safari destinations.
Widely regarded as one of East Africa’s most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities, Nairobi sits along the Nairobi River and serves as Kenya’s capital and largest urban centre, acting as a major gateway for safari travel across the country. The city features a growing café culture, active nightlife, and cultural landmarks such as the National Museum of Kenya and the Karen Blixen Museum. Just outside the city centre lies Nairobi National Park, where wildlife, including lions, giraffes, and buffalo, roam against a backdrop of skyscrapers — one of the rare cases in the world where a major national park borders a capital city. Visitors also often stop at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage for close encounters with rescued calves.
Bordering the capital city of Nairobi, in beautiful Kenya, the Nairobi National Park is one of Africa's smallest parks and one of the only parks on earth to be in such close proximity to a city centre. It boasts a large and varied wildlife population, amid wide open grass plains against a backdrop of city scrapers. The park is home to one of Kenya's most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries with the world's highest concentration of black rhinoceros. Its wetland areas are abundant with birdlife boasting over 400 bird species. Visitors can enjoy the many facilities the park has to offer such as scenic picnic sites, well-positioned campsites, and hiking trails. Commonly spotted species include lion, hyena, warthog, zebra, giraffe, ostrich, gazelle, buffalo, and sometimes if you're lucky, leopard and cheetah.
Encompassed by the golden grass and the flat-topped acacia trees of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, Mara Ripoi Conservancy features an abundant variety of wildlife - especially Maasai giraffes - for visitors to explore. Lions, cheetahs, elephants, herbivores and more roam freely from one wildlife area to the next. With only three small safari camps in residence at any given time, nature enthusiasts will have thousands of acres of conservation at their fingertips to enjoy in solitude. Local Maasai guides are available to share their extensive knowledge of what to see and do while visiting here.
Palm-fringed white-sand beaches, tropical weather, and teeming coral reefs welcome visitors at the captivating Kenyan Coast. The offshore reefs are remarkable, offering excellent snorkelling and diving in an underwater wonderland inhabited by brilliantly coloured fish, turtles, dolphins and dazzling coral gardens. Deep-sea fishing is also a popular activity here, with ample opportunities to enjoy the sport. The Marine National Park of Watamu and gorgeous Diani Beach are must-sees, along with a visit to the paradisiacal wonderland of the Lamu Archipelago, and the idyllic and vibrant port city of Mombasa. A rich Mijikenda and Swahili culture is still celebrated along the coast, and if you enquire about events you will probably be invited. History and architecture enthusiasts will enjoy seeing the impressive and well-preserved Fort Jesus and the glorious Lord Shiva Temple.
As previously described
