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A safari is one of life’s greatest adventures, and Kenya – the birthplace of the modern safari – is an unforgettable choice for families seeking a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience
Straddling the equator in the heart of Africa, Kenya is wildlife documentary heaven, nowhere else are animals so visible from the high plains of the Masai Mara, home to the legendary Big Five and host to the awe-inspiring Great Migration. For a magical perspective, take to the skies in a hot-air balloon ride, an experience that will etch this incredible spectacle into your memory forever. In Swahili, ‘safari’ translates as ‘going on a journey’ and few adventures compare to the extraordinary journey that awaits in Kenya.
Top Family Holidays in Kenya
Kenya Client Reviews
There are very few places in the world where I really can't find the words to capture how unique and very special they are. To be part of something that is so valued and embedded in the local Samburu community is quite unique; this morning we spent several hours at the singing wells as the herdsmen sang and watered their cattle (a tradition that goes back thousands of years and has never been filmed or photographed to reflect the beliefs of the local people who believe photographs take away part of their soul). A truly remarkable place - we are losing our hearts to Kenya!!
The Elliott Family, Kenya
100% of our clients leaving feedback on AITO.com (the Trip Advisor of Tour Operators) have rated us 'excellent'
Where to Go in Kenya
With a flight time of just 8 1/2 hours from London to Nairobi, Kenya is a natural choice for a first-time safari; if you catch an overnight flight from Heathrow you can transfer to a light aircraft the next morning and be in the Masai Mara in time for brunch. All this is possible thanks to an established and efficient safari industry that has grown over the years to provide visitors with a superb choice of accommodation and experiences.
Kenya delivers variety in spades. Nairobi is a thriving metropolis – ideal as a stopover before or after a safari. We recommend combining the Masai Mara with the contrasting North around Lewa, Laikipia and Samburu, famous for elephant conservation.
There are high concentrations of game throughout Kenya. In the Central and Northern Regions, the Laikipia plateau at the foot of Mount Kenya is firmly on the safari circuit with good populations of rhino and rare species of zebra, giraffe and antelope. It also has the appeal of game-drive alternatives, such as riding safaris and walking with camels.
For dramatic landscapes and glittering lakes, the Great Rift Valley cuts through Kenya from North to South. And there’s more than just wildlife and scenery – this region is packed with culture. It’s fascinating to see the different tribes in all their finery wherever you go, and a visit to a Masai village is a highlight.
Finish with some time on the beautiful Kenyan Coast, with its white-sand beaches and azure-blue ocean.
Please note this country is malarial.
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Best Time to Visit Kenya
Located on the equator, Kenya has no obvious summer and winter but does have rainy and dry seasons.
There is a short dry season in late January and early February, and a much longer one lasting from late June to October. The short rains fall in November and December, but by far the wettest season is the period from March to May. April and May are best avoided altogether as bush roads become impassable and camps close down.
Temperatures are relatively consistent in each region, but vary according to elevation. The coast is considerably hotter than the plateaus of central Kenya, while Mount Kenya is permanently capped with snow.
If the focus of your trip is a safari then the best time to visit is from June to October, during the country’s dry season. Be aware that our midsummer is the African winter and you will need warm clothes for dawn game drives. If you want to witness the Great Migration when herds cross the crocodile-filled Mara River the best time to travel is August. In September and November the Mara plains are full of game.
Kenya Gallery
Kenya Travel Advice and Essentials
Flights: Kenya’s main International airports are in the capital, Nairobi, and in the coastal resort of Mombasa. From both airports, you will be able to catch onward connections to other destinations, such as Masai Mara or Nakuru. You can fly direct to Nairobi from London in under 9 hours with BA or Kenya Airlines. Flights are also available with connections including KLM via Amsterdam or Qatar via Doha. Flights to Mombasa require a stopover with BA, Kenya Airways or Lufthansa. Typical carbon emissions for a return flight to Nairobi (Economy) per person: 2.74 tonnes.
FCDO travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya
Time Zone: GMT+3
Local Currency:
US Dollar / Kenyan Shilling
Capital City: Nairobi
Where to Stay in Kenya
Spekes Camp - Masai Mara
Instinct of the Mara - Masai Mara
Roca River Camp - Masai Mara
Waterlovers - Kenyan Coast
Chale Island - Kenyan Coast
Nomad Beach Resort - Kenyan Coast
Naibor Tented Camp - Masai Mara
Lewa Safari Camp - Central & Northern Regions
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Kenya Travel FAQs
Our Articles about Kenya
Know before you go – Kenya
Top tips for your Kenya Holiday
24 hours in Nairobi
so much more than just a stopover
What to expect on your African Safari
24 hours in the bush
A guide to planning an African Safari
How to choose the best safari holiday for you.
Safari with a difference?
Up the adrenaline for a more Active Safari
Movements of the Migration
Understanding when and where to see the herds
Lewa Legacy, the experience of a lifetime.
Magical Kenya
How to keep Safari’s sensible
Advice for Saving on Safari