Kenya and it’s the greatest show on earth
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Kenya is a land rich in surprises. The biggest is that you can do so many different things in one country.
You can bask on the beaches around Mombasa and Malindi, swimming with dolphins or deep-sea fishing in the crystal waters of the Indian Ocean; cycle around Lake Victoria and marvel at the 50ft-high Mama Mutere tree in the Kakamega rainforest; stay at a ranch and ride horses across the African plain at Laikipia; step back in time on Lamu island to visit Kenya’s oldest city; visit a Masai village to discover a way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries.
But in Kenya there is no escape from the call of the wild. Nothing prepares you for the sounds and scents of the African bush. The “Big Five” - lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino - may hog the limelight, but it is the supporting cast of giraffe, zebra, hippo, wildebeest, cheetah, gazelle and exotic birds that help to make any safari a success.
Wildlife safaris can be based in either tented camps or lodges. Ideally, you should plan a circuit around the country that involves staying in accommodation of both types and culminates in a few days in the magnificent Masai Mara game reserve and a dawn flight in a hot-air balloon that you will never forget.
Nairobi and Mombasa are an eight-and-a-half hour direct flight from London Heathrow with either Kenya Airways or BA that costs from just Ă‚ÂŁ420 return. It is worth noting that Kenya takes security very seriously and both airports meet the stringent international requirements set by the Foreign Office.
Whether you are a family with young children, a honeymoon couple or just someone looking for a welcome break from a cold winter or rainy summer, Kenya has holidays to suit everyone.
The Swahili word mgeni means “stranger” but it also means “guest” - and that is what you are in Kenya. Wherever you go you will find a warm welcome. Another Swahili word has entered the English language, the word for “journey”, safari, and Kenya offers a wide range of voyages of discovery.
As well as general safaris, Kenya has specialist ones, too. From snake spotting to bird watching, if you are interested in one specific type of creature, such as rhino, or monkey, there is a made-to-measure safari to suit you. Visit www.magicalkenya.com and search under Specialist Safaris to find details and browse the site for other unusual destinations and holiday ideas such as the ones below.
A night at the Rondo Retreat in the Kakamega rainforest, 90 minutes’ drive from Lake Victoria, costs £45 for adults, £30 for children, full board. A two-three hour guided walk in the rainforest, home to myriad butterflies, costs £2.50 per person. Bookings: www.rondoretreat.com
Kuoto Lodge in the Machakos Hills sleeps eight and costs Ă‚ÂŁ312-Ă‚ÂŁ375pp for seven nights including all meals, drinks, Nairobi transfers and laundry. Horse-riding safaris extra. Bookings: 01264 738 155, www.belvedereproperties.net
Porini Camp in Amboseli National Park sleeps 12 in six spacious tents. Ă‚ÂŁ311pp for a three-day safari, including transfers to and from Nairobi, all meals, drinks and game drives. Bookings: www.porini.com
Hippo Point is a 1930s mansion with an eight-storey tower. The house, near Lake Naivasha, is next to a private game reserve. It has eight double bedrooms and costs Ă‚ÂŁ275pp per night including all meals, drinks and activities. Bookings: www.hippo-pointkenya.com
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