Introducing Kenya
Travel Alert: The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office recommends against all non-essential travel to some areas, please check with your relevant national government.
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For a country of its size, Kenya sure packs a lot in: mountains and deserts, colourful tribal culture, beaches and coral reefs, and some of Africa’s best wildlife attractions. In fact, to say Kenya is Africa in microcosm would not be stretching the point. There are a million different reasons to come here, and picking just one is nigh impossible. Stunning landscapes set the scene, from Kakamega’s rainforests to Indian Ocean beaches by way of Mt Kenya National Park; the rolling grasslands of the Masai Mara to searing deserts on the shores of the Jade Sea; with The Rift Valley, home to Hell's Gate National Park, cleaving a massive gash through it all.
Wildlife safaris have been the mainstay of Kenya’s tourism for decades, and several Kenyan parks, like Tsavo National Park, are among the best places in Africa to see lions, elephants, leopards and the famous wildebeest migration. Kenya rates as one of the top five bird-watching destinations in the world; other activities for outdoor enthusiasts include trekking the glacial ridges of Mt Kenya, ballooning over the Masai Mara, snorkelling at the Marine National Park in Malindi on the Indian Ocean coast, and much more besides. Kenya's biggest city, Nairobi, with the baddest of reputations, is sidestepped by many visitors, but, in fairness, has an interesting urban appeal with its cafes and nightlife.
The people, too, represent a wide cross-section of everything that is contemporary Africa, and everyday life brings together traditional tribes and urban families; ancient customs and modern sensibilities. Swapping the latest political gossip with the switched-on locals is just one more small pleasure that comes with the culture.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- Experience the best of East Africa in 17 days
- Take an enchanting break on idyllic Lamu beach
- Explore the Masai Mara with a guide
Last updated: Mar 30, 2012
Tips & articles
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Eight steps to a Kenyan adventure
9 May 2012
Take a trip on Kenya’s pioneering railway line and discover the stories behind the first safari expeditions with Lonely Planet...
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Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel: top 10 regions for 2012
27 April 2012
When people talk about the best places to travel, it’s often all about a city or a country. But if...
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Where to go in August
24 April 2012
Not sure where to travel for your August holiday? Try one of these choices from the Lonely Planet Magazine:Kenya...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Guest manners
by Gobhoza 28 May 2012
We employ expats because they happen to be the best person for that particular job not because us African's need expats to come and show…
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RE: Travelling in Kenya
by christopher_haslett 27 May 2012
Just a few points: mattyboy876 is incorrect when he states that you need a guide in national parks. You are free to drive in without one…
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RE: Places on earth you would like to visit...
by croissantaubeurre 27 May 2012
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Hotels & Hostels
Top cities in Kenya
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Fisherman's Camp
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Kenya
Things to do
- All things to do (359)
- Activities (27)
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- Tours (69)
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Our Top Picks For Kenya
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1 Amboseli National Park
Elephants and Kilimanjaro, Kenya's most famous picture-postcard views
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2 Lake Nakuru National Park
Fluorescent flamingo-fringed shores, ragged cliffs and more wildlife than you can shake a stick at
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3 Hell's Gate National Park
Gorgeous gorges, steaming hills and the chance to mingle with the wonderful wildlife on foot
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4 Tsavo National Park
Kenya's largest national park, famed for its wild, wild wildlife
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5 Mombasa Old Town
The coast's focal port, with an earthy old quarter and the mighty Fort Jesus
Fast Facts about Kenya
- Time
GMT/UTC +3
- Population
31.6 million
- Borders
- Seasons
Rainy (March to May, October to December), dry (January to February, June to September)
- Telephone
Country code 254; international code 00
- Budget
About US$75 a day, although one quality safari could blow it sky-high.
- Capital
- Visa
All visitors need a visa
- Languages
Kiswahili, English, tribal languages
- Area
583, 000 sq km
- Money
Kenya Shilling (KSh);US$1 = KSh70
Our favourite Kenya Blogs (beta)
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Update from the Field: Translation Follies, Contemplating Kindness and Comfort and KF Cribs
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 21 May 2012
Compiled by David Gorgani | KF17 | Dominican Republic This week's stories from the field span topics ranging from ill-equipped law enforcement to the "luxurious" living places of Kiva Fellows.
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Update from the Field: Thoughts on Wealth, Religion and History, Foods from the Field, and a Day in the Life of a Fellow
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 7 May 2012
Compiled by David Gorgani | KF17 | Dominican Republic As our fellowships wind down and as the first batch of KF17 fellows packs up to head home, the time has arrived to reflect on our experiences in the field and on the realities faced on a daily basis by the people living in the countries in which we've spent t
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Sweet Deliciousness
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 4 May 2012
Compiled by Michael Slattery | KF17 | Togo Despite the often upbeat tone of fellows’ posting on the blog, I’ll be the first to admit that the position entails some universal hardships. There is the occasional social isolation that leaves you Saturday night at home with a book and bottle of the local plonk, despite apparently [...]
