Kenya

Kenya is one of Africa’s exceptional wildlife-watching destinations, and home to the big five: lion, African elephant, buffalo, leopard, white and black rhinos along with an array of other wildlife.

A highlight from mid-August to October is when over a million wildebeest migrate from the Serengeti neighbouring Tanzania to Kenya’s Maasai Mara—accompanied by thousands of Thomson’s gazelle, zebra and eland. Crossing the river is a game of chance as crocodiles patiently wait on cue each year for a meal. It’s considered the most significant migration on Earth and one of the great wonders of the natural world.

Kenya boasts more than 1,000 bird species including flamboyant crowds of pink flamingos who feed on algae. The algae are said to attribute to their stunning colouring with Lake Bogoria currently an excellent place to view them. At Lake Naivasha, you are likely to see Golden-winged Sunbirds, Superb Starlings and African Fish Eagles.

This unique African country isn’t all about beasts roaming the vast plains. Along with dozens of national parks, the coastline offers excellent white sandy beaches, intimate retreats and resorts from the five star to the boutique with funky African music where you can gaze across the mighty Indian Ocean as the sunsets. There are trails for mountain bike riding and hiking. Watamu is a brilliant location for kitesurfing while the Tana River is maybe the best for white-knuckle white-water rafting fun.

Climbing a Kenyan peak has become a coveted outdoor activity. Mount Kenya resides in its self-named national park sprinkled with endemic fauna and flora. The highest of the three mountains rise to 5,199m. The climb should only be attempted by the very advanced, experienced and technical climber.

For those that would prefer to look around old ruins, in the former town of Gedi near Kenya’s coast, there are captivating sites. Its history began in the 12th century, and its wealth is attributed by clusters of gigantic mosques, magnificent palaces and houses, all set within 45 acres of a primeval forest.

Kenya is ideally suited for every traveller from the first-time safari adventurers, thrill-seekers and historians, wildlife lovers and artists to those that may like to spend time merely flopping with a view.

Best time to visit Kenya

Kenya has four distinct seasons, and they vary dramatically from the mountains through the grasslands and forests to the beaches. If you want to witness something specific like the wildlife migration, your trip needs to be planned around that – this is nature in the real sense.

April to June are the wettest months while July to October are usually dry. Temperatures vary and are determined principally by altitude: as a rule of thumb it drops around 0.6°C for every metre you climb above sea level.

The main tourist season is between December to January and July to August. One advantage of visiting during the dry season is your increased advantages of watching wildlife as they congregate around diminishing waterholes. October, November and March are the best months for diving and snorkelling with the most transparent seas.