Kenya tours & vacations

Most safari destinations are at their best during the dry season from June to October when it's not too hot, rainfall is low, and vegetation is thinner, making it easier to spot wildlife. December and January are particularly popular with travelers, so expect larger crowds and higher accommodation rates.

Learn more about the best time to visit Kenya

Archaeological findings in Kenya have revealed the remains of one of the earliest species of hominid, placing Kenya among the first places humans inhabited. Before the arrival of outsiders, Kenya was inhabited by nomadic tribes, most prominently the Maasai and the Kikuyu.

Kenya is one of Africa’s most multicultural countries, with a population as diverse as its terrain. There are more than 40 different ethnic tribes, each with its own language, culture and customs. The red-robed, beaded Maasai of the south are undoubtedly the most famous tribespeople of the region.

The Maasai and other tribes typically lead pastoral lives based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Their daily life is based on centuries of tradition, and clothing, dance, song and ceremonies keep this proud culture alive in the face of modernization.

Unique Swahili culture dominates the coastal regions, and Islam is quite common in the North. Nairobi is home to significant Indian, African and Western populations, and as a result, you’re likely to see mosques, churches and temples, taste international cuisine from all over the world and hear the sounds of Kenyan hip-hop, traditional African drumming and Western pop.

Kenya is located in East Africa and shares borders with Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Its diverse topography includes lofty mountains, dense rainforest, stark plains and soft-sand beaches.

Kenya’s crowded capital is a heaving melange of cars, buses, skyscrapers, street stalls, markets and people. The idyllic Loita Hills is the heart of Maasai country, the national parks run wild with exotic creatures, and rustic Lamu Island is a car-free piece of living history.

Overall, most Kenyans either live a fast-paced existence in Nairobi's modern metropolis or a quieter, agricultural-based life in Kenya’s rural towns and villages.

From traditional Swahili cuisine to Indian, European and Middle Eastern food, many cultures are represented in Kenya, especially in large cities like Nairobi. While the average Kenyan lives mostly on maize, beans and vegetables, tourist areas and large cities offer much more variety for visitors.

Things to eat in Kenya:

1. Seafood

Kenya’s coastal areas, such as Mombasa and Lamu, are the best places to feast on fresh crab, lobster, oysters and kingfish cooked to perfection in sumptuous spices.

2. Nyama Choma

One strictly for the carnivores, Nyama Choma is a popular Kenyan style of cooking and eating meat. Goat, beef and chicken are roasted and served on a communal cutting board, sometimes with condiments such as chilli, salt, chopped tomatoes and avocado.

3. Curries

With a significant population hailing from India, Kenya is a great place to savor spicy curries made with an East African twist.

4. Tropical fruit

For a cheap and cost-effective snack, head to the market stalls that sell a colorful array of tropical fruit. Pineapples, papayas, bananas, and passionfruit are usually plentiful in Kenya. Any fruit that you can peel is a more hygienic, easy option than the one you have to wash.

Learn more about what to eat in Kenya

1. Cheetah chase

The cheetah, the Ferrari of the animal kingdom, is the fastest land animal on the planet. This slick predator can reach speeds of up to 75 miles per hour and can accelerate to 160 miles per hour in just three seconds. Seeing a cheetah stealthily stalk, then pursue, a gazelle, springbok, or an impala is a thrilling sight.

2. Lioness kill

See how the circle of life plays out in real time. Lions might be the kings of the jungle, but in Kenya, it's the lionesses that do the hunting. Working in groups, these big cats track down prey such as wildebeest, impalas, zebras and buffalo. If you are lucky, you will see a kill.

3. Wildebeest migration

The annual migration of 1.5 million wildebeest across the grassy plains of Eastern Africa is an extraordinary spectacle of nature. The wildebeests risk drowning in rivers and attacks from big cats and crocodiles to travel nearly 1200 miles in search of food and water. Around 200,000 zebra and 500,000 Thomson's gazelle also join this boisterous group each year, making it one of the greatest shows on earth.

4. Sea of flamingos

See Lake Nakuru turn a shimmering sea of pink as millions of flamingos flock to feed in the shallow waters. The sheer amount of these long-legged creatures (among 400 species of birds that inhabit the area) is an incredible sight.

5. Elephant bath time

Elephants love water, and despite their size, they are excellent swimmers. To cool off from the scorching African sun, they splash about in lakes, paddle in rivers and give themselves a shower using their trunks. Witnessing these gentle giants having a bath is a truly memorable experience.

6. Rhino love

A baby rhino stays by its mother's side for up to five years after it is born, and during this time, the mum is extremely protective of her calf. With an adult white rhino weighing up to 6,000 lbs and reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour when charging, you don't want to get between a mother rhino and her baby.

7. Giraffe parade

It's the classic African image – giraffes striding across the African savanna at sunset, nibbling on acacia trees and carving a graceful silhouette on the orange-tinged skyline. Kenya has the biggest giraffe population on the continent, so a dusk safari to see these unique creatures is a must.

8. Hippos wallowing

One of Africa's best locations for hippo spotting is Lake Naivasha. Here, you can see large pods of these mighty animals submerged in the water and wallowing in mud. More than just social interaction, the water helps them cool down and protects their skin from drying out. With the exception of feeding, hippos spend most of their lives in the water - from childbirth and reproduction to fighting with other hippos - so it's very likely you'll see them playing in their aquatic playground.

9. Zebra crossing

For many, the highlight of the annual zebra migration is hundreds of thousands of these black-and-white-striped animals making the death-defying dash across the Mara River. Vulnerable to massive crocodiles lying in wait for a tasty meal, the zebras don't waste any time once they decide to take the plunge.

10. Monkey business

That chatter from the treetops above is most likely from cheeky colobus monkeys. As these creatures spend nearly all of their lives in the forest canopy, your best chance of spotting them is as they dart through the trees, a flurry of black and white fur. Treating branches like trampolines, they leap high into the air, then drop downward, using the long hair on their shoulders like a parachute. Listen out for males, whose croaking roars can often be heard resonating throughout the forest.

Become a pro wildlife spotter on a safari in Kenya

Credit cards are usually accepted by large hotels and western-style restaurants but not by smaller vendors. Ensure you have adequate cash to cover purchases not able to be made on credit.

ATMs are easily found in large cities and tourist areas like Nairobi and Mombasa but are rarer in small towns, rural areas and villages. Be sure to have other payment methods available when venturing out of the big cities, as ATMs aren't always an option.

Many businesses and banks in Africa, especially East Africa, do not accept US dollar notes older than 2013. When exchanging USD into local currency, we strongly recommend using bills in good condition dated 2013 and onwards. The slightest marking can result in your bill being rejected, so check for torn, marked, or damaged bills.