Touring in Kenya

Kenya is the place where those picture postcard scenes of Africa come to life, a land of savannahs and snow-capped mountains, Maasai warriors and magnificent wildlife. Although relatively small by African standards, Kenya is defined by a surprisingly varied topography, from the crumpled mountains and shimmering lakes of the Great Rift Valley to the gorgeous beaches of the Indian Ocean coast. But it’s the savannah of the Masai Mara that draws most people here, and each summer this landscape plays host to one of the world’s great natural spectacles as millions of wildebeest and zebras pass through during the Great Migration, with predators hot on their heels.

Kenya also has a fascinating human geography. The big cities are not everyone’s cup of tea, though Mombasa has plenty to offer, with a fascinating mix of cultures that reflects its history as a key Indian Ocean trading post. Many of Kenya’s various ethnic groups are famous beyond the country’s borders - Maasai, Samburu and Swahili, to name just a few - and a tour of their ancestral lands will teach you more about their traditions and way of life, as well as the challenges they face in the present day. Kenya also has some pioneering community tourism projects, where local tribes manage the land and the profits are reinvested in conservation and the community.

Touring Highlights of Kenya

• The huge seasonal movement of wildlife known as the Great Migration is one of the most astonishing sights on earth, as millions of wildebeest and zebras travel from the Serengeti across the Masai Mara in search of fresh grass, pursued by Africa’s apex predators.
• Amboseli National Park provides one of Africa’s most iconic vistas, as herds of elephants graze on the plains against the backdrop of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro.
• The cultural melting pot of Mombasa, with its mix of African, Indian and Arabian influences, is the gateway to Kenya’s beautiful coast and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
• The Great Rift Valley is a vast rupture in the land that runs from Jordan all the way to Mozambique, and in Kenya the valley swells with beautiful lakes such as Naivasha and Nakuru.
• Tsavo West National Park wows visitors with its stunning volcanic scenery and rich variety of game, including lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles and black rhinos.