Kenya is best known as a safari destination. A Kenya safari conjures up images of hungry lionesses searching for prey, marching elephants and curious giraffes. A red-colored sun sets on the savanna. The acacias turn dark when night falls. It is therefore the dream of many travelers to go on holiday to Kenya. Are you going on a Kenya tour? We share the highlights that you should not miss, in addition to a safari!
HOLIDAY KENYA, MUCH MORE THAN AN UNFORGETTABLE KENYA SAFARI
It’s true: Kenya is magical. Its nature is breathtaking and nothing beats camping in the Masai Mara! But Kenya has so much more to offer than an unforgettable Kenya safari. The coast around Mombasa is beautiful. White sand beaches and rocky cliffs alternate. Diving enthusiasts will have the time of their lives and snorkelers will discover the vibrant coral in Watamu Marine Park. The west of Kenya is green: green with banana plantations, tea fields and rolling hill landscapes. The country borders Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria, and after Mount Kilimanjarothe highest mountain on the continent: Mount Kenya. In short, enough reasons to book a Kenya holiday quickly. With this itinerary for a Kenya tour we help you on your way to a great trip in which you combine a safari in Kenya with many more beautiful Kenya sights.
START YOUR KENYA HOLIDAY IN THE METROPOLIS OF NAIROBI
You love it or you hate it. Nairobi is not for everyone. Those who love chaos, colors and vibrancy will certainly enjoy themselves in the Kenyan capital. Nairobi has everything from luxury shopping malls and colonial villas to slums and endless markets. Traffic is constantly at a standstill. Pastors sneak into stationary buses to pray with travelers and street vendors see their chance to sell bored motorists sunglasses and phone cards. Whatever you do, keep an eye on your belongings. Nairobi is also known as “Nairobbery”. After sunset, it is wise to take a taxi to cover longer distances and not to carry valuables with you.
Prefer to get away from the bustle of the city? Then use Nairobi as a stop-over on your way to a fantastic Kenya tour. Or visit the beautiful Nairobi National Park from Nairobi for an introduction to Kenya’s wildlife: savanna with skyscrapers in the background. Where in the world do you find that?
CYCLING THROUGH HELL’S GATE NATIONAL PARK
What could be better than spotting a zebra from your bike? In Hell’s Gate National Park you cycle across the savannah with a view of red canyons, herds of buffalo and lovely antelope. A Kenya safari by bike is a special experience and therefore a must on your Kenya trip. Travel from Nairobi by coach to Naivasha and spot hippos on the shores of the lake before exploring nearby Hell’s Gate National Park by bike. At the entrance you can rent bicycles. Are you not a cyclist? Hiking is also allowed here! There are no predators or elephants in this national park, but smaller game that is very worthwhile.
THE UNFORGETTABLE KENYA SAFARI
The country may have more to offer, but if you do go there, an unforgettable safari in Kenya cannot be missed during your holiday. There are several places where you can do such a safari.
SAFARI KENYA IN NAKURU
From Navaisha you will be in Nakuru in no time, at the beautiful Lake Nakuru and its national park of the same name, where you can make a wonderful Kenya safari. Here you come face to face with Africa’s predators, bathing elephants and large flocks of flamingos. Kenya comes alive in Nakuru. Take a game drive in the early morning hours or late afternoon for the best chance of action – who wouldn’t want to see lions on the hunt?
KENYA SAFARI IN MAASAI MARA
In the west of Kenya is also the famous Masai Mara. Here you see the great migration, when game moves to or from the Serengeti in Tanzania in search of water. Thousands of wildebeest and zebras migrate across rivers and plains, while leopards grab the weakest. Camping in the Masai Mara is a unique experience during your holiday in Kenya: hear the hyenas nibbling on your tent cloth and watch the sun set over the savannah. The romantic image from the books.
EVEN FURTHER INTO WESTERN KENYA: GREEN, GREENER, GREENEST
If you have more than three weeks to travel through Kenya, it would be wise to travel to the west of this vast country. Stroll through tea plantations, walk among banana trees and visit lively Kisumu on the shores of Lake Victoria. Have a Tusker Lager beer at Hippo Point and wait for the hippos to stick their snouts out of the water.
HIKING IN CENTRAL KENYA: MOUNT KENYA AND THOMPSON FALLS
Mount Kenya is familiar to every traveler: this majestic mountain makes all others pale. Do you want to go to her top? Then it is wise to hire a guide and set aside several days for a major climb during your Kenya holiday. Do you like hiking, but do you not have enough time or is this too much of a challenge? Then choose to visit Nyahururu and the Thompson Falls. This waterfall is located in a green valley, where you can take both easy and challenging walks. Nyahururu is also a great place to do some shopping: this medium-sized town has beautiful supermarkets and richly stocked fresh produce markets.
THE BEACHES OF KENYA
The fastest way to get to the coast is to catch a bus from Nyahururu to Nairobi and fly from there to Mombasa. Are you more of a slow travel fan? Then consider the train from Nairobi to Mombasa or a long-distance bus. Optionally, you can build in a stop in Voi. Here you can spend the night and for example visit the Tsavo East NP for even more safari in Kenya.
THE GEM WATAMU
Kenya has an incredible number of beautiful beaches. The name Diani Beach will ring a bell with many: a long coastal strip with pearly white beach and azure blue water. The palm trees are blowing back and forth. Behind the sand you will find discotheques, beer halls and grill restaurants. You can easily enjoy yourself here for a week.
Do you want something quieter during your Kenya holiday, but certainly something beautiful? Then consider a visit to Watamu. This lovely coastal town has great beaches, which are still undiscovered by the masses. Here you don’t stay in huge all-inclusive hotels, but you rent a room in a villa with a pool for only $30 or you stay at people’s homes. You get here in a few hours by bus from Mombasa. You can enjoy snorkeling and diving in the nearby Marine Park, endless walks on the beach and visit nearby coastal towns such as Malindi and Kilifi on a day trip.
MORE PRACTICAL TIPS FOR YOUR KENYA HOLIDAY
The bus is the simplest and cheapest form of public transport in Kenya. Minibuses run to cover distances of less than four hours. These vans work according to the ‘first come, first serve’ principle: is there room? Then sit back and pay the conductor. Do you want to cover longer distances? Then you go to the bus station to book your bus. Do count on the fact that the bus will only leave when most of the seats (if not all) have been filled. Flying from Kisumu, Nairobi or Mombasa can save a lot of time.
INTERNET IN KENYA
It can be useful to buy a Kenyan SIM card. You can then cheaply use the mobile network and use Google Maps to navigate. There is often wifi in backpacker hostels and more expensive hotels, but not always in local guesthouses!
VISA FOR YOUR KENYA HOLIDAY
To make a tour of Kenya you need a visa. An e-visa is sufficient for this, which you can arrange online up to 72 hours in advance via, for example, e-visums.nl.
