Kenya is a hugely rewarding country to visit and you can easily combine beach and safari action in one holiday. Kenya straddles the equator on the east coast of Africa and its beaches border the turquoise tepid Indian Ocean. Most holidays in Kenya centre round one or more of the wildlife-rich safari parks and reserves. The many lodges and tented camps in Kenya offer exciting extras like safari outings in hot air balloons. Kenya has fine mountains and the stunning Rift Valley. The other big holiday draw is the white sand, palm-fringed beaches centered on the coastal hub of Mombassa. You can find smaller beaches around Malindi and the Watamu Marine National Park.
A gentle introduction to the African holiday experience
Exciting, outdoorsy soft adventure
Dramatic local colour
Romantic escapism
Buying any safari tour or hiring any guide except from reputable agents. Wandering alone after dark on empty beaches - no matter how romantic they look.
EU passport holders will need to buy a visa. You can buy them when you arrive but it’s best to organise yours before you leave. (Your Travel Counsellor can advise you) A departure tax is payable but it is usually included in the airline ticket price. You need to act on the most up-to-date medial advice about inoculations etc some weeks before you leave home. The majority of visitors who contract malaria have usually failed to take any preventive measures. The famous annual migrations take place in the south roughly between July and October.
Kenya’s diverse geography means its climate varies but generally the main tourist season is December to January when the weather is dry, hot and sunny (30°C/86°F on the coast, 25°C/77°F in Nairobi). July and August can be good overall months for game viewing (27°C/81°F). October to January is when the sea is clearest for snorkelling and diving. The ‘long rains’ should be from March to June, peaking in May but they usually fall in short afternoon or evening bursts.
Flights to Kenya from the UK take around eight hours.
Driving is on the left-hand side and there are car rental agencies in the major cities. Most major roads have now been paved or covered with tarmac in the southwest but the quality of the lesser roads is very variable. During the rainy season (April-June) these roads can become highly unstable and if you are not on an organized tour, it’s recommended you use a reputable driver with local knowledge.