Kenya

Kenya is a true gem of East Africa and one of the most beautiful countries in the continent. Kenya is blessed with abundant natural wealth – it has a landscape that includes the extremes of snow-capped peaks and hot deserts, rolling grasslands, dense forests and coral reefs. In addition to this, it has an exciting mix of life – be it diverse tribal groups or the rich flora, fauna and aquatic ecosystems.

Kenya’s capital, Nairobi is popularly known as ‘Green City in the Sun’ due to its lush green landscape of rainforests and grasslands. Nairobi offers an unparalleled experience of modern, natural and cultural sights that stuns every visitor. The city boasts of great restaurants and a vibrant nightlife along with museums, parks and thrift markets. Nairobi National park, located outside the city is the most accessible national park in Kenya and is home to abundant wildlife including a large population of black rhinos.

Watching wildlife on an exciting jungle safari is probably the primary reason why you’re planning a trip to Kenya. If you’re visiting between July-August or November-December, we strongly suggest you start your adventure witnessing Maasai Mara’s great wildebeest migration – where millions of wild animals including wildebeest, zebras and antelopes travel north from the Serengeti in Tanzania to Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, in search of greener pasture. Rich wildlife aside, you can explore many Masai villages around the national reserve to know more about Maasai people’s distinctive rituals and customs.

Amboseli National Park is popular for large herds of elephants which roam below the highest peak in Africa – Mt. Kilimanjaro. The twin national parks of Tsavo – Tsavo East & Tsavo West are known for their diverse landscape. While Tsavo East is larger and harder to access, Tsavo West National Park is more popular and has a rich lion population.

Located in the center of the country, Mount Kenya National Park is home to the second highest mountain in Africa – Mount Kenya. The mountain is considered a sacred site by the Kikuyu people – the largest ethnic group in Kenya. Climbing the mountain will surely give you a great adrenaline rush, but keep in mind that it isn’t an easy task as it requires a tremendous level of skill to reach the summit.

The majestic sight of thousands of flamingos nesting along the shores of Lake Nakuru (also a national park) is certainly an iconic sight to behold. The lake is located about 150 km away from the capital Nairobi. From here, you can reach Hell’s Gate National Park, which offers a distinct wildlife watching experience. As there are very scarce numbers of big carnivores, you can explore the park through walking and cycling tours. You can walk to the crater rim of Mt Longonot inside the park for some amazing panoramas.

If you thought Kenya was just about wildlife, you are completely wrong! The country has much more in store. For instance, Lamu Archipelago, in southeastern Kenya will mesmerise you with its tropical island vibe. The main island, Lamu houses the UNESCO designated Lamu Town with beautiful medieval architecture and some of the loveliest beaches in Kenya. It is also a car-free island which means you will only see pedestrians, bicycles and donkey traffic on its narrow streets!

Mombasa is the second-largest city after Nairobi. Located on the coast of the Indian Ocean, Mombasa is a perfect mixture of Arabain, African and Indian culture. It is East Africa’s biggest port city and features a couple of great beaches and the Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve.

Kenya is a country of diverse ethnic groups and tribes – Kikuyu, Masai, Samburu, Turkana, Swahili to name a few. This vast diversity makes Kenya famous for its handicrafts and while buying souvenirs, you always have plentiful options to choose from. The diversity is also visible in its numerous traditional dishes and flavours of local cuisine.

English is one of Kenya’s two official languages (the other one is Swahili), but outside big cities, people hardly understand the language. So learning a few Swahili words and phrases before starting your journey is always a good idea. Overall, Kenya is not only a paradise for those who love nature and wildlife, but also for those who seek to learn and experience different cultures and traditions.