Immense herds of wildlife, colourful age-old traditions and palm-fringed beaches extend Kenya’s appeal to just about anyone. Here are 7 reasons why you should consider Kenya for your next long-haul holiday.
Why visit Kenya?
1) You could spot the Big Five in their natural habitat
Kenya and wildlife go hand in hand, with the elusive ‘Big Five’ being the savannah’s star attraction.
Coined by big-game hunters who once found these five animals the hardest to hunt, the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and cape buffalo are now protected by wildlife conservation centres and safari reserves.
See them for yourself on a safari drive around the Masai Mara – one of Kenya’s most popular safari destinations where sightings of the ‘Big Five’, cheetahs, zebras and hippos are almost guaranteed.
2) You can witness the world’s greatest migration
The annual migration of the wildebeest from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Kenya’s Masai Mara is one of the most spectacular natural phenomenons on Earth.
Starting around mid-August and ending in Kenya around October, the wildebeest, accompanied by zebra, gazelle, eland and impala, move en masse in search of fresh, green pasture.
Their route and timing is fairly predictable, meaning there’s a good chance you can witness the mass migration for yourself.
3) There’s beautiful beaches too
Many people think of Kenya solely as an adventure destination, but the East African country is making a name for itself as a blissful beach escape too.
Mombassa is one of the country’s finest: soft, powdery sand and azure waters make this the perfect retreat after a few days of exploring.
4) Your visit will help protect Kenya’s people and wildlife
While once suffering catastrophic hunting and poaching, Kenya is now proving that humans and wildlife can help and provide for one another.
Sustainable tourism discourages poaching and instead motivates Kenya’s local communities to protect the wildlife that brings in so many visitors.
In this way, travelling to Kenya and visiting the wildlife reserves, conservation centres and national parks is the best way to help preserve the wildlife for generations to come, and create jobs for the local rangers, game-drivers, hoteliers and village people.
5) It’s warm all year round
Kenya benefits from a warm, tropical climate all year round, making it a great destination for some guaranteed winter or summer sun.
June, July, August, September and October are the mildest months, with temperatures reaching about 23°C, while the country’s wetter season begins in November and lasts until May.
6) The sunsets are mesmerising
Every sunset is different, but a Kenyan sunset is truly special.
Vibrant and exploding with colour, these burning beauties are best experienced on a sunset safari drive – or even by a hot air balloon ride over the Mara plains.
7) Your money will go a long way
Bartering is way of life in Kenya, and you’ll generally find that everything you buy – from food, transport and souvenirs to additional excursions – is a lot cheaper than in the West.
This makes Kenya the perfect choice if you’re looking for a holiday where your day-to-day spending money will get you a lot.
Is it safe to travel to Kenya?
Yes, generally speaking, it is safe to travel to Kenya. It’s recommended you steer clear of areas within 60km of the Kenya-Somali border, but the country’s main safari parks, beach resorts and capital city of Nairobi are all safe for tourists to visit.
Around 100,000 people from the UK visit Kenya every year, most of which are completely trouble free. For more information, click here.
