Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya is home to a vast array of biomes, experiences and people. From the soft sound of the wind in the grass on the Maasai Mara hills, the zing of cicadas in the riverine forests of the Samburu National Reserve, to the creaking of a dhow sailing past white-sand beaches, Kenya has an abundance of gifts.
A strong Maasai culture dominates Kenya, where English and Swahili are the two national languages. You’ll quickly get used to the cheerful and ubiquitous greeting of “Jambo” (“Hello, how are you?”).
SAMBURU: Cultural experiences with the Samburu, home to the Northern 5 – endangered species
LAIKIPIA: Home to private conservancies, the best rhino sightings in Kenya, the hub of safari activities. Homely family-run and hosted lodges.
MAASAI MARA: Rolling plains and Big 5, incredible game viewing and diverse activities in the private conservancies adjacent to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Prime migration viewing from June to September?
AMBOSELI/CHYULU HILLS: Iconic views of Mount Kilimanjaro over the grassy plains and hills. Wonderful game viewing and large herds of elephants.
NAIROBI: Vibrant city packed with interesting local markets and animal conservation centres.
MATHEWS MOUNTAINS: Covered in lush forests and home to a multitude of animal and bird species. Important biome of indigenous vegetation and forests, and home of Samburu culture.
TSAVO: Largest national park in Kenya, home to a diverse range of species and large herds of elephant. Known for its rugged and diverse terrain.
GREAT RIFT VALLEY: Spectacular natural wonder running from the north of the country to the south dotted with lakes and grassy plains hemmed by soaring cliffs.
KENYAN COAST: Long white sandy beaches fringed with palm trees and lots of water-based activities. Head north to Lamu to experience an ancient trading port.
The Kenyan coast of white sandy beaches, caressed by a wonderfully warm tropical breeze, stretches from the UNESCO world heritage site of Lamu down to Mombasa in the south. Heading inland in a southeasterly direction, you encounter the rolling plains, hills and valleys of Amboseli and Chyulu Hills, overlooked by Mount Kilimanjaro. Slightly further north is the Tsavo National Park, a stronghold for large herds of elephants.
Continuing your journey north, the landscape changes dramatically to more stark and rugged topography characterised by craggy cliffs, hills and arid plains, until you encounter the lush Aberdares mountain range and Mount Kenya.
The landscape becomes a gentler series of lush hills and valleys on the Laikipia plateau and the wildlife reserves of Meru, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Borana. From here, the topography descends to the plains of Northern Laikipia, Shaba and Samburu area with its dry landscape carved up by sandy riverbeds and peppered with towering granite inselbergs. Heading up to the farthest reaches of northern Kenyan on the border with Ethiopia, you will find dry desert-like areas ringing the shores of Lake Turkana, a turquoise oasis.
To the west lies the Great Rift Valley carving down Africa, starting in the north and petering out in Mozambique. Kenya’s section is characterised by a series of lakes running down to the south, including Lake Turkana, Lake Naivasha and Lake Victoria. Following the Great Rift Valley south will take you past the Matthews mountain range to the west and ultimately the forested border with Uganda.
The southwest corner of the country is home to Lake Victoria and the rolling plains of the great Maasai Mara, loosely separated in part from Tanzania’s Serengeti by the Mara River. This is one of the world’s most iconic wildlife destinations and is made up of national park and private wildlife conservancies extending into the Serengeti on the Tanzanian side.
Nairobi is the bustling hub of Kenya and offers a range of accommodation, from the vibey inner city to the quieter suburbs of Karen and Langata. Depending on your flight connections, you may need to stay overnight in the city. We highly recommend visiting the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre.
There are many wonderful and unique places to stay in Kenya and narrowing it down can be difficult. This is why we plan trips around your interests. Tell us what you love to do, where you’ve been before, your preferred levels of accommodation, budget and what you want out of your safari to Kenya. From this, we can recommend and craft an itinerary for you.
If an overnight is required in Nairobi due to flight timings, there are plenty of activities on offer that may mean you might even want to add on a night! The Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre in Langata are inspiring places to visit, for adults and children alike. For a truly up-close and personal experience, spend a night at the world-famous Giraffe Manor and share your morning breakfast with the resident Rothschild’s giraffes.
The peak season for travel in Kenya is from June to August and December, coinciding with minimal rainfall and the epic migration in the Masai Mara. January, February, March, September, and October are also great months to visit, offering pleasant weather conditions. On the other hand, April, May, and November mark the green season, where occasional overcast and rainy days are possible. However, don't let the rain deter you, as these months still provide incredible game viewing opportunities and outstanding special offers.
June - Aug | Dec
Jan - March | Sept - Oct
April | May | Nov
Kenya is flying country, and an extensive network of flying routes linking different areas saves you many hours bumping around in a vehicle on rough roads. All international flights arrive and depart at Nairobi International Airport, while Nairobi Wilson airport caters for regional flights in small aircraft. We will meet you at international arrivals and transfer you by vehicle across Nairobi to the smaller airport for connecting flights. Another option is to charter your own flight, which saves lots of travel time. Nairobi is an 8.5-hour flight from London, 13.5 hours from New York, and 5 hours from Dubai.
The local currency is the Kenyan Shilling, but we recommend carrying US dollars in small denominations for tipping and buying curios. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and lodges. Euros and pounds are also accepted, but the dollar is the most widely used.
Passports must have a minimum validity of six months. Many countries require visas, which can be bought online via https://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html You can then print this out and present it at the arrivals desk along with your passport and itinerary. Single-entry visas cost US$51, subject to change. Transit visas are also available for US$21.
When traveling from certain destinations, a yellow fever certificate might be necessary.
- Kenya is an area with malaria, so it is advised to contact your doctor for advice and precautions.
- As of now, Covid-19 travel restrictions have been lifted and no protocols such as PCR tests or vaccination certificates are required for entry. However, please check for updates closer to your travel date.
- For additional health guidelines, please consult the Travelhealthpro website.
Nairobi
GMT +3
Swahili | English
