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Friday Feature: Kenya

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Kenya

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Most travelers who have never experienced Kenya before have the preconceived notion that it’s best at one thing and one thing only… fabulous safari experiences. And they aren’t wrong! But this beautiful country offers guests so much more than just wildlife experiences. Spend your days soaking up some beach time, connecting with the culture heritage, trekking mountain ranges, or experiencing it’s surprisingly good nightlife. How do you get to this exciting hot spot? Tourists can fly into one of Kenya’s two main airports: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Niarobi or Moi International Airport in Mombasa!

Best Times to Visit: One of the best times to visit Kenya is from July to September, during the country’s dry season and the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. The rainy seasons are also good times to travel with fewer visitors and beautiful green vegetation!

Things to do:

Climb Mt. Kenya. Mt. Kenya rises over 17,000 ft. and is the continent’s second highest peak, behind Kilimanjaro. However, this mountains trails are far less crowded and snowy! The trek typically spans 5 days from start to finish and there are many guided trips available for travelers.

Watch the great migration in Masai Mara. Between the months of July and October you can experience the great migration of millions of wildebeest, antelope, zebra… and other predators! This migration barrels through Masai Mara National Reserve and can be viewed by game drives, hot air balloons, airplanes, and more!

Spend time in their fabulous safari camps. Most people go to Africa for a chance to stay in one of the fabulous safari camp resorts it offers. Kenya has no shortage! Spend your days basking in the gorgeous African plains while taking game drives out to spot the Big 5.

Get some beach time in at Diani. This beautiful beaches stretches over 11 miles on Kenya’s southern coast and is arguably the best beach experience in all of eastern Africa. White sand and beautiful clear water is protected by a coral reef. It offers tourists trendy beachfront restaurants and plenty of outdoor sports like snorkeling, jetskiing, skydiving, and more!

Hang with rescued elephants at an ethical sanctuary. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is located on the outskirts of Nairobi and has saved hundreds of baby elephants since it’s opening! Visitors are offered plenty of baby elephant experiences and even a chance to foster them!

For more information or ideas, click HERE.

Feature Hotels: Spirit of Masai Mara, Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club

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Things to know before you go…

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  • . Carry some local currency along with you. Most safari’s are all inclusive properties, however it is smart to carry some Kenya Shilling for local purchases and tipping.

  • Don’t trust roadside cafes or local water. It is better safe than sorry so stick to the food and bottled water at resorts.

  • English is one of the official languages. But it never hurts to dust up on your Swahili before visiting.

  • Keep your windows rolled up. Kenya has extreme poverty throughout the country. You will likely come across beggars or tribes of men/women looking to sell you souvenirs.

  • Check about visa and immunization requirements before traveling. Your travel agent will be able to guide you through this!

For more tips, click HERE.

Follow the adventure!

@explorateurtravel