The essence of Africa rolled into one country? Maybe. From dense mountain forests to acacia-studded savannah; colourful tribes to vibrant coral reefs; and chalk-white beaches to some of the continent’s best wildlife, this is a country that certainly packs it all in.
"Kenya is a great choice for combining safari and sea, with heavenly tropical beaches and coral reefs both north and south of Mombasa: itself home to a buzzing nightlife, historical old town and the mighty Fort Jesus."
Romantic. Peerless. This is Africa. More specifically, this is safari. It’s where the whole idea of big game hunting trips was invented well over 100 years ago.
While cameras have replaced rifles, Kenya is as good as ever in terms of wildlife. Big game doesn’t come any bigger than the annual Great Migration – when over two million wildebeest, gazelles, zebras and attendant predators cross into the fabled Maasai Mara in search of good grazing.
But that’s just one aspect of wildlife viewing here. There are the picture-postcard views – like the definitive Kenyan wildlife shot of elephants against a backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s a top destination for birds too, especially the flamingo-fringed shores of Lake Nakuru and the sightings-rich Marine National Park on the Indian Ocean coast.
A well-developed tourist industry means many options for travellers, from classic safari camps to colonial country houses, and bush cool to barefoot luxury. Add a human population as fascinating and varied as its animals (with around 40 different ethnic groups), and it’s no wonder that Kenya is one of Africa’s crown jewels.