Kenya Holidays

Kenya is the epitome of the African adventure. Sitting across the equator, the country offers a magical mix of incredible scenery, impressive wildlife and a rich tribal culture. From the flamingo-filled lakes of the Rift Valley to the wide expanses of the Masai Mara it is east to fall in love with Kenya. Its coast is the perfect escape from everyday life with long sweeping beaches, fringed by palms and bathed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. There are few places that can offer the combination of safari and beach so effortlessly.

Best Time To Visit: The weather is hot and humid on the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast of the country. The hottest months are usually February and March and the coolest months July and August. Rainfall is at its heaviest from April to June.

Time Difference: GMT +3 hours.

Visas: Required for stays of up to 3 months for British passport holders. Can be issued on arrival for US$50, this can cause delays on arrival so we do recommend obtaining in the UK before departure.

Language: English and Kiswahili.

Currency: Kenyan Shilling.

Flight Information: There are direct flights to Nairobi with Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Kenya Airways, with connecting flights to Mombasa.

Flight Time: Approx 8 hours and 30 minutes.

1. Ultimate Experience
A balloon safari over the Masai Mara is an experience like no other. Drifiting over the plains as the sun rises with oblivious wildlife sprawled below is awe-inspiring. The Champagne breakfast isn't bad either.

2. Great Journey
A journey more wondrous than any you could imagine, the great migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle floods the grasses of the Masai Mara from late June.

3. Where To Go For Adventure
The Great Rift Valley is a prehistoric fissure that slices through much of eastern Africa. With volcanic lakes and towering cliffs, it is an adventure of cinematic proportions.

4. Water Parade
Designated a bird sanctuary in 1961, Lake Nakuru National Park has over 450 bird species; but the thousands of flamingos are the main draw.

5. Shopping
Almost every town and village has markets selling traditional arts and crafts - perfect for presents for those back home.

6. Dates For The Diary
Every November Mombasa come alive with the sights and sounds of Mombasa Carnival, filing the streets with colour. For something a little different head to northern Kenya in August for the Malaral Camel Derby.

7. Best For Kids
It's not easy to get up-close to Africa's wildlife but at Nairobi's Giraffe Centre you could get to hand-feed one of these amazing creatures.

7. Splash Out
In peak season some safaris can get quite busy. If you want to avoid the crowds choose a more intimate safari camp such as Amboseli Safari Camp or Porini Rhino Camp.

9. Live Like A Local
You may not be able to live like them but make sure you take a visit to a Masai village and discover a culture little-changed for millennia.

10. Best Beach
Kenya's Indian Ocean coastline not only has magnificent beaches such as Diani Beach, it also has some of Africa's finest diving and snorkelling.