Kenya Tours & Holidays
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays
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Overview
The quintessential African safari destination, Kenya is home to the full sweeping range of wild African landscapes. The stuff of dreams and wildlife documentaries, its vast plains shake under the thundering onslaught of thousands of wildebeest and antelope, whilst the ever-present predators take centre stage as the epic drama unfolds. It really is everything that you imagined Africa would be, from cheetahs sitting on termite mounds, to crocodiles basking by the banks of the Mara River, just waiting ...
The quintessential African safari destination, Kenya is home to the full sweeping range of wild African landscapes. The stuff of dreams and wildlife documentaries, its vast plains shake under the thundering onslaught of thousands of wildebeest and antelope, whilst the ever-present predators take centre stage as the epic drama unfolds. It really is everything that you imagined Africa would be, from cheetahs sitting on termite mounds, to crocodiles basking by the banks of the Mara River, just waiting for their cue.
Straddling the equator and overlying the East African Rift, the Republic of Kenya is named after Africa’s second highest mountain, which at over 5,100 metres dominates the landscape.
Home to a bountiful diversity of tribal traditions, Kenya’s landscapes encompass a rich mix of natural highlights, from the coastal plains of the Indian Ocean, to the fertile plateaus of the Kenyan Highlands, one of the most productive agricultural regions in Africa. To the west you can find the waters of Lake Victoria, the largest tropical fresh-water lake in the world, whilst its national parks provide an A-List of premier safari favourites. Kenya is “Out of Africa”, “Born Free” and “Big Cat Diary” rolled into one. This is Africa at its most beautiful, romantic and wild.
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TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
HIGHLIGHTS OF KENYA
BEST EXPERIENCES
Witness the Great Migration
The annual migration of giant herds of grazers is a truly spectacular event. Over 2 million wildebeest, Zebra and Gazelle move through the Serengeti and Masai Mara in search of greener pastures, and is truly one of the most marvellous sights.
See herds of elephants
Amboseli National Park is the best place to get close to free ranging elephants, see impala, cheetah and other big game. The park offers some of the best opportunities to see African wildlife because the vegetation is sparse due to the long, dry months.
Learn about the Maasai people
The Masai people have captivated travellers for decades. With their rich local culture and history, you will be introduced to daily life and rituals and introduced to the local community.
Safari in the shadow of Kilimanjaro
Take in the vast landscapes of Amboseli National Park sitting in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. Track and follow African grey elephants, hyenas, buffalos, wildebeest and lions with your local guide.
See the Big Five
An experience you will never forget is seeing the 'Big Five’, lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, and buffalo. Venture out in your vehicle with your local guide where you will track and follow these incredible beasts through the Masai Mara.
Take a night game drive
Venture out on Safari at night to see the local wildlife in their natural habitat. Your local guide will help you find all the big cats, game and local inhabitants in the area for a unique experience on this authentic, away from the tourist trails plateau.
Support wildlife conservation
Learn about the efforts to protect wildlife and nature at the Lewa Conservatory. The research centre takes in continuous data on the local surroundings and ecosystem health. The conservancy monitors the rhino, predators, ungulate, elephants and the rangeland.
Enjoy a walking safari
Take a hike in the Samburu National Park to watch gazelles, elephants and zebras up close. Learn from your local guide how to track and safely view the local wildlife, while feeling like a safarist of old.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT
Amboseli National Park
Found in the far south of Kenya, the game-rich Amboseli National Park is often missed off itineraries in favour of more well-known parks but this shouldn't be the case. Large herds of elephant are ...
Laikipia Wildlife Reserve
The game-rich Laikipia Wildlife Reserve spreads north west from the lower slopes of Mount Kenya and is a worthy addition to any Kenya itinerary. The reserve is actually made up of a number of privately ...
Maasai Mara Conservancies
Found to the North of the main Maasai Mara National Reserve, the eight conservancies that surround the Maasai Mara offer visitors a truly wonderful safari experience. Their location means that they ...
Lewa & Borana Wildlife Conservancies
Located around one hour from each other in central Kenya, both the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the Borana Wildlife Conservancy serve to protect the critically endangered black rhino and Grevy's zebra,...
Samburu National Reserve
At the Samburu National Reserve, the focus is very much on alternative activities, with visitors able to explore the area on foot, by quad bike and also via camel. Further to the east, the Shaba National ...
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
Borana Lodge, Borana Wildlife Conservancy
A stay at Borana Lodge affords stunning views out across the dry plains of Laikipia to the snow-capped massif of Mount Kenya. Owner run and managed, this is an absolute paradise for visitors looking to…
Elephant Bedroom Camp, Samburu National Reserve
Occupying an idyllic location on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, Elephant Bedroom Camp is simple yet stylish with 12 spacious, rustic chic safari tents. Each has roll-up fronts and sides with…
Kicheche Mara Camp, Maasai Mara Conservancies
Found deep in the famed Mara North Conservancy, Kicheche Mara Camp boasts a Gold Ecotourism rating, so it is rightly regarded as one of the most ecologically friendly camps in Kenya. There are eight…
Laikipia Wilderness Camp, Laikipia Wildlife Reserve
Laikipia Wilderness Camp offers its guests a chance to enjoy a wonderfully rustic safari experience in one of Kenya’s most scenic landscapes. Whilst the camp may lack some of the luxuries offered by…
Lewa Wilderness, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Lewa Wilderness is arguably one of the best-known lodges in Kenya, and remains home to the Craig family, pioneers of conservation in Kenya. With just nine rooms, this small property has a very homely…
Porini Amboseli Lodge, Amboseli National Park
Porini Amboseli Lodge is tucked away within the Selenkay Conservancy of the Amboseli National Park. The camp is relatively small with just 10 spacious guest tents, all of which are nicely spread apart…
Sasaab, Samburu National Reserve
Sasaab is one of the most stylish and luxurious safari camps in northern Kenya. Occupying a beautiful location in the Westgate Conservancy, this is a wonderful spot to spend a few days in the lap of…
Sosian, Laikipia Wildlife Reserve
The old 1940s ranch house of Sosian is one of the most iconic properties in Kenya and a superb place to spend your time whilst in this stunning part of the country. Small and boasting wonderful…
Tawi Lodge, Amboseli National Park
Tawi Lodge has an enviable location within the Tawi Conservancy of the Amboseli National Park and Kilimanjaro as its backdrop. Each of the 13 guest cottages are spacious and beautifully designed with…Discover more
WHEN TO GO
This is complicated as weather patterns across Africa are becoming increasingly unpredictable. It is not uncommon to see downpours in the middle of deserts and damaging droughts when rains should be falling. Generally speaking, Kenya has two seasonal rains, the 'long rains' which fall between mid March and May and the 'short rains' which usually run from November until early December.
Meet the Expert, Clem
Clem is our Sub Saharan African expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Clementine by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Kenya though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. There is a risk of yellow fever transmission and Malaria is present in some parts of Kenya, so we recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Kenya the unit of currency is the Shilling.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
Language & Religion
The official language of Kenya is Swahili, or Kiswahili to give the official name! English is also widely spoken and there are a number of tribal dialects in various area, particularly out towards the coast. In total there is thought to be around 69 different languages spoken.
The vast majority of Kenyans are Christians, and the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches are the most established Christian denominations. Other well-established African religions and denominations include the African Inland Church (AIC), Seventh Day Adventists (SDA), and the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA). In addition, there are a number of Evangelical churches and Independent African Christian churches.
Islam is the other major religion in Kenya. Followers include both Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims. The largest number of Muslims in Kenya are found in Mombasa and the neighbouring coastal regions, as well as the north-eastern regions of Kenya. Nairobi also has numerous mosques and a notable Muslim following.
Time
Kenya is 3 hours ahead of GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
Kenyan food covers all bases from the wonderfully exotic and eclectic to the most basic street food, and all of it is delightful! Alcohol is also widely available and local beers are well worth trying. The wine is mainly imported from South Africa and spirits are freely available.