Kenya Holidays

Planning a holiday to Kenya is setting yourself up for an unforgettable experience and it is little wonder that a number of visitors to this East African nation end up becoming residents there. Right from the airport you will receive a taste of Kenya’s uniqueness in the warm welcome you receive.

The ride from the airport will give you a sneak preview of the safaris to come with lush savannah escorting you halfway to the city. There is plenty to see and do in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital and if you didn’t know, this is one of the world’s few capitals that has a fully fledged game park in it. But there is much more awaiting you in other parts of the country so you can’t afford to remain stuck here.

Kenya holidays – Sightseeing and activities

The Nairobi National Park is less than half an hour away from Nairobi’s central business district and visitors will want to start their interaction with Kenya’s vast wildlife there. At the entrance of the park is an animal orphanage where you can get up close with lions, cheetahs, buffalo and various species of birds and monkeys.

In a hired vehicle you can take a game drive through the park and see these animals in their natural habitats. Imagine seeing a pride of lions lazing in a shade a stone’s throw from where you’re having a picnic. Or a lanky giraffe striding gracefully across the road as you drive along. But you might want to visit the country’s more renowned parks such as Tsavo National Park which starts about halfway on the road to the coast.

This is where the famous man-eater lions that devastated those working on the country’s railway line. While here visitors will get to see not only several animal species, but astonishing volcanic features such as the Shetani Lava Flow which is made up of pumice and other jagged, black volcanic rocks. If you’re lucky you will catch a group of elephants congregated at one of the many water points in the park.

Heading out to the Rift Valley region of the country is an excellent idea as you will get to see the amazing view of the escarpments and the floor of the valley from a number of vantage points. While at some of these viewpoints you can secure some beautiful handicrafts and other souvenirs. Along this valley are several amazing volcanic formations such as the dormant Menegai crater and Mt. Longonot. At Lake Bogoria you will find some hot springs that spray hot water high into the air. It is claimed that this water has some medicinal properties.

Travelling north from the capital will lead you to one of Africa’s tallest mountains, the snow-capped Mt. Kenya. This imposing mountain and Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro left early explorers like David Livingstone dumbfounded as they never expected to see snow in Africa. Several travellers have climbed up to the mountain’s highest peak.

To go to the coast you will need to travel about 450 kilometres south. There you will find the island city of Mombasa which has several beautiful beaches where you can relax or take a boat ride or do some kite surfing. For a rich dose of coastal culture be sure to visit the island of Lamu. There is so much more to a holiday in Kenya, you just have to experience it for yourself.