Kenya

Kenya: the home of the original safari. With its infamous safari parks and expansive coastline, Kenya is the obvious choice for a safari and beach holiday. However, due to mainstream tour operators now sending over a million visitors a year to the country, safari&beach are very particular as to where we might direct you. We limit our recommendations to smaller lodges, off the beaten track and away from the minibuses.

Kenya offers a diversity landscapes from the open plains, deserts and stunning beaches to the Great Rift Valley, giving way to vast and spectacular lakes, Mount Kenya and neighbouring Mount Kilimanjaro. Most of the parks lie in the south west quarter of the country, dominated by the Masai Mara spilling into the Serengeti in Tanzania.

As well as spectacular wildlife and the annual migration in the Masai Mara or the richness of Amboseli, there are some lesser known more discrete parks, reserves and conservancies well worth a visit. For a safari and beach holiday to Kenya, we would recommend combining one or a few of the following:

Masai Mara – one of Africa’s most famous national parks and home to the annual wildebeest migration (alongside the Serengeti). The Masai Mara offers an abundance of both wildlife but, unfortunately, tourists. We tend to stick to the smaller concession areas where game is plentiful but minibuses are rare.

Amboseli – beautiful landscape hence being one of the most photographed areas of the world: mount Kilimanjaro forming the backdrop to the numerous herds of elephant populating the region

The Kenya Coast – vast stretches of white sandy beaches lapped by turquoise seas but regrettably spoilt by tourism. Head north towards Malindi or Watumu or south towards Tiwi or Diani for some good beach options. However, Mombasa, where Africa embraces mass tourism with high rise hotels littered along the coastline, is not a place Safari&Beach would recommend.

Lamu and Manda – relatively unspoilt islands retaining original Swahili charm and great beach hideway options

Nairobi – the gateway to safari in Kenya and a central hub for many eastern African airlines. Only really worth a night’s stop over at the beginning and/or end of your trip

Kenya evokes all kinds of emotions and memories from the story of Joy Adamson, The young Queen at Treetops, the beaches of Mombasa, to the hustle and bustle of Nairobi. We guarantee a trip to Kenya will leave you with plenty of your own emotions and memories and Safari&Beach look forward starting that process with you.