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Kenya

Kenya

Kenya is the home of the safari - which is a Swahili word meaning ‘long journey’ - and as a holiday destination it offers a range of interesting safari options, from mountain biking to camel rides, and hot air ballooning to horse riding safaris. Home of the ‘Big Five’ (lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and the rhinoceros) Kenya is a haven for wildlife and hosts one of the most spectacular events in the animal world: the great wildebeest migration, which takes place from July to October each year. More than 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra on the run for the green pastures of the iconic Masai Mara: it is one of Kenya’s most dramatic experiences.

With a 500km stretch of Indian Ocean coastline, Kenya’s beaches are not to be missed. With luxury spas, world class diving and a host of water sports on offer, Kenya is the perfect twin-centre destination to combine safari and beach experiences.

Travel Tips

  1. Bring a new angle to your holiday and attempt to climb Mount Kenya, Africa’s second highest mountain. Learn to find the strength of will and self confidence as you begin your journey at the bottom of this magnificent mountain and work your way up to the point where you can't go any further. The climb, though hard, is worth it because once you reach the highest point, you will be able to take in the breathtaking views of the Kenyan plains and watch as the animals roam free. This once in a lifetime experience will leave an imprint on your memory forever. Visit Africa Climbing for more. 
  2. With a 500km stretch of Indian Ocean coastline, Kenya offers an array of fantastic diving spots. South of Mombasa, scuba diving sites range along the coast between Tiwi to Shimoni. The Kisite Mpunguti Marine Reserve covers 39 square kilometres of ocean and has some of the best dive sites on the coast, including the Nyali Reef, a coral reef dive with tidal currants and Kisite Point, a 12m dive ideal for an encounter with bottlenose dolphins and hawksbill turtles.
  3. Take a hot air balloon safari for the perfect vantage point. Trips leave daily at dawn and can be booked through most safari companies. See great plains of the Masai Mara, and the chance to drift unobtrusively over the remarkable animals below.
  4. Lamu Island , listed by UNESCO as a prestigious World Heritage site,  offers visitors the hypnotic experience of entering another world. The narrow streets remain unchanged and in the markets and squares around the fort, life moves at the same pace as it always has. There are no vehicles on this island and the donkey and dhow remain the dominant forms of transport. After basking on one of the pristine beaches, visitors can take to the seas on a traditional dhow boat which are still used by the fishermen today. A great time to visit is during the three-day Lamu Cultural Festival each November, which showcases traditional dances, displays of handicraft and music and theatre performances from both local and visiting artists.
  5. Spend a few days at the Maji Moto Campsite and learn about the Masai culture. Take a walking safari with a Masai who will introduce you to the sights and sounds of the bush and experience their way of life for something truly Kenyan. Visit Maji Moto for more.

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