Kenya is a foremost travel destination in the East African region. From the arid northern region to the magnificent coastal region, Kenya remains the heart of the African safari experience.

A safari in Kenya guarantees you to see the big five – lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino and elephant as well as other popular wild animals.

A jade jewel lying encrusted in red brown earth is what the satellite image of Lake Turkana brings to mind. Surrounded by lava beds and extinct volcanoes, Lake Turkana is the world’s largest desert lake. It is adjacent to the Kenya-Ethiopia border and owes its stunning color to algae that rises up and floats during calm waters. However, as John Hillaby noted in his book Journey to the Jade Sea, Lake Turkana is moody and often tempestuous.

This beautiful color has been known to go from blue to gray to jade in a matter of minutes. Fishing, bird watching and water sports are just a few of the activities available to the guest. More interesting is the historical aspect of Lake Turkana. Koobi Fora in the Sibiloi National Park on the northeastern shores of the lake is often referred to as the cradle of mankind. It is a literal hotbed for fossils including a three million year old giant turtle and the remains of a three million year old hominid.

South of Turkana, Lake Naivasha is one of only two fresh water lakes in the Rift Valley. On your journey through Kenya, it is definitely a stopover that you dare not miss. Along with Lake Baringo, the lake attracts an immense variety of bird life numbering upwards of five hundred species. Most of these species are either rare or only found in these regions. Lake Nakuru is  also among the Great Rift Valley’s lakes. Being a saltwater lake it is the habitat for the pink flamingo, one of nature’s most magnificent creatures. The breathtakingly vibrant sight of a million flamingoes in flight is something everyone on a Kenya safari should not miss.

Straddling the equator, Mt. Kenya is the heart of the country and also its tallest peak. It is a sacred mountain to the tribes that live on its foothills. The Kikuyu believe that Mt. Kenya is the home of their god, Ngai while the Masai believe that their ancestors descended from this mountain. Its perpetually snowcapped peaks can be seen from miles away in the plains. The flora on Mt. Kenya has evolved in a way that is distinctly unique.
Plant life on the mountain varies with altitude such that the species closest to the glaciers are quite different from the species at the foothills. There are thirteen species of plants that you will only be able to find in Mt. Kenya. The Mt. Kenya Safari Club will provide you with easy luxury and comfort and from this base you will be able to go on excursions into the rich forests or even go mountain climbing.

Masai Mara is probably the first word to come to mind while flying to Kenya. The open, untamed savanna is dotted by the occasional acacia trees. Lying on the border of Kenya and Tanzania, Mara is the northern continuation of the world famous Serengeti. Masai Mara is most famous for the annual wildebeest migration which takes place there.

Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration occurs every July as thousands of wildebeest migrate from the Serengeti in a millennial old search for greener pastures. The animals migrate back in October and November. Any visitor to Kenya must go on safari in the Mara, not just to see the wildebeest, but the hundreds of other species that make this place their home.

Further south, are the Amboseli National Reserve and the Tsavo National Park. The Amboseli will give you vast endless views of the African savanna only broken by the white-capped peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest free standing mountain in the world, to the south. Amboseli is especially famous for its herds of elephants, and here more than anywhere else, you can really get up close to them.

The Tsavo National Park is the largest national park in Kenya. Divided in half by the Mombasa-Nairobi highway, it is habitat to more than 60 mammal species and about 1000 plant species. It is perfect for Safari. The nearby town of Voi will provide an adequate base to explore both the Tsavo and the nearby Taita hills.

The initial impression that Mombasa makes on a first time visitor is that of an eclectic mix of old and new, traditional and modern, beauty and practicality. Yet, somehow, Mombasa works out quite beautifully. Dating back to the thirteenth century, Mombasa is a trading town that has been a crossroads for Africa, Europe and Asia. Spice, ivory, slaves and silk all came past Mombasa. Needless to say, Mombasa has some historical elements that are a must see.

Fort Jesus, build in the late sixteenth century by the Portuguese, is an excellent example of a European fortresses. The fort now houses a museum that chronicles not only the known history of Mombasa but that of surrounding ethnic tribes as well. The Mamba Village in Mombasa is the largest crocodile farm in East Africa. Crocodiles can be viewed in their natural habitat. Mamba Village also has a restaurant that specializes in delicacies such as crocodile, ostrich and zebra meat. Mombasa is a town in which you will feel very much at home no matter how you choose to spend your time there.

Up the coastline from Mombasa are Malindi and Watamu. At Watamu, the history aficionado will find a centuries old mystery to rile up anyone’s imagination.  The Gedi ruins are the remains of a thirteenth century Swahili town that was mysteriously abandoned in the seventeenth century. The really puzzling part is that there are no records of Gedi in any of the historical texts of the time. Malindi, just north of Watamu, is famous for its luxurious resorts and white sandy beaches. Malindi has some of the best hotels in Kenya.

While in Malindi, you should definitely visit the Vasco de Gama monument where he is said to have landed in 1498. The church of St. Xavier Francis, near the monument, it the oldest Christian church in east Africa. If you are feeling more adventurous than historical, then the waters of Malindi will provide for excellent snorkeling and diving. Don’t miss the coral reefs, they are to die for.

Lamu town, North of Malindi, is part of the Lamu archipelago. It is an old Swahili town, perhaps the oldest living town in Kenya dating back to the thirteenth century. Lamu takes you back in time with both its architecture and its people. The city itself is built in typical Swahili style with European and Arab influences.

Passports valid for 3 months from date of entry are required of all visitors. All visitors require a visa except for citizens of some commonwealth countries. There are also exceptions with varying conditions for citizens of Ethiopia, Turkey, Malaysia, and Uruguay and a few other countries. Airport visas are available although this may result in delays upon arrival. It is advisable to obtain visa’s in advance from Kenyan Embassies and High Commissions as some airlines may require it before allowing you to board.

Light clothing is generally recommended in Kenya. The highlands are however temperate and you need a sweater and jacket year round. This is necessary for the evenings and early mornings. If you plan to climb Mount Kenya be ready with special clothing not only for the climb, but to protect yourself from sub zero temperatures.

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