Kenya

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Rothschild's giraffes, Kenya

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.

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Tips & articles

  1. 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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  2. 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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  3. 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...

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See all tips & articles for Kenya

Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. Gobhoza avatar
    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…
  2. christopher_haslett avatar
    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…
  3. croissantaubeurre avatar
    RE: Places on earth you would like to visit...

    by croissantaubeurre 27 May 2012

    Mongolia Iran Morocco Kenya

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