Safaris and beaches mix with ancient African tribal culture
Equatorial Kenya’s sophisticated tourism structure focuses on two major cities: the capital of Nairobi in the central highlands, which is the safari and hiking hub, and the humid southern trading port of Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest town and gateway to luxury beach holidays.
The Kenyan coast has some of the world’s most beautiful white sandy beaches, which line tourist resorts dotted with Arab and Portuguese forts, the ruins of old trading towns, and Swahili outposts. The first traders settled along the coast during the 12th century, but trade continued throughout the Portuguese rule in the 15th century, and the mix of architectural styles and cultures in the region reflects its rich history.
Mombasa’s resorts and complexes offer luxury accommodation, fine cuisine and excellent services, and beautiful palm-backed beaches beside the warm, calm waters of the Indian Ocean. Holiday-makers are attracted by the region’s world-class diving and snorkelling opportunities, and the vibrant coral reefs teeming with colourful plant and fish life. North of Mombasa is Malindi, within easy reach of Watamu Bay and the islands of Lamu Archipelago, where undisturbed coral reefs teem with large colourful fish.
The forests of the south coast were once remote and inaccessible, known principally for tropical plantations and the slave trade. This area now forms part of Kenya's mainstream tourism, its idyllic white beaches and azure waters sheltered by coral reefs. As well as luxury resorts with excellent facilities are less developed getaways such as Shimoni, a small fishing village whose deep coastal caves make it ideal for diving holidays and deep-sea fishing.
The sacred peaks of Mount Kenya rise above the grassland landscapes of the country’s many parks and reserves. Safaris are the greatest attraction of the ‘land of the Lion King’, and Kenya is central to the African safari experience, offering many opportunities for getting close to wild animals. Kenya is a place for outdoor living, and as well as “Big Five” safaris there are climbing and hiking holidays in the mountain regions and rolling savannahs.
A country of contrasts, Kenya has something for everyone. In the west the Great Rift Valley, with a sprinkling of lakes, teems with birdlife and is home to Kikuyu farmers and red-clad Masa cattle herders, while to the east lies an idyllic beach holiday paradise, with evidence of the ancient civilisations of Swahili and the rich history of spice trading.
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