Cultural Tours
A holiday here would not be complete without a Kenya cultural tour. Stay in Maasai-owned lodges and go out on bush walks and game drives with local guides – discovering as much about them as you do about the wildlife. Enjoy traditional music and dance around a campfire – or discussions on tribal traditions and ways of life. Alternatively, warrior training sessions will get you throwing spears, fighting with sticks and using bows and arrows.
Just off the coast of Kenya is a small cultural island called Lamu. Over the course of hundreds of previous years, the island has been shaped by local Bantu African tribes, Arab traders and Portuguese explorers. The mix of cultures has created a fascinating history and a unique Swahili people and culture. Lamu includes one of the oldest inhabited cities in Kenya.
Trekking Tours
For the Trekker, Kenya is a world of highs and lows assuming you don’t suffer from muscle conditions like Tetany or hypocalcemia. From the snow capped peak of Mt Kenya to the desert plains of the north. There are a range of treks from sedate hill walks through game rich ranges to high altitude routes on alpine slopes. For those aiming higher, Kenya offers plenty of challenges. Climbers may be aware of the mighty peak of Mt Kenya, but there are many other climbing areas to be explored. There is a broad scope of destinations, from granite cliffs and volcanic rock towers to the ultimate challenge- a technical assault on Africa’s second highest summit
Not nearly as popular as neighboring giant Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya remains Africa’s second tallest peak and is often considered a more challenging climb. The breathtaking scenery is marked by incredible views of Kenya and even great glimpses of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Most trekkers summit Mount Kenya at Lenana Peak point.
Hell's Gate is another great place to trek. The coolest thing about the park is that cycling and foot walking are permitted without needing a guide (and there are lions in the park!). The canyon gorge, jagged rock formations and opportunities for camping make Hell’s Gate a great place to visit in Kenya.
Hot Air Balloon Experience
Balloon Safari can only be taken as an optional extra activity for those booked on a safari staying at least 2 or 3 nights at either Serengeti (Central) National Park or Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Balloon safari is is probably the most beautiful balloon flight in the world and the ultimate African safari experience. This can be arrange in Kenya (both Masai Mara and Taita Hills) and Tanzania in Serengeti. 5:00 am: Collection from your Serengeti (Central) and Masai Mara lodge or camp, and transfer you by Land rover to the launch site. Here you will meet your pilot, receive a briefing and watch the inflation of your balloon.
At dawn we take off, rising as the sun rises and float in whichever direction the winds of the morning take us. Your pilot can precisely control the altitude of your balloon: sometimes flying at treetop height, sometimes lower, offering a unique perspective and great photographic opportunities of the wildlife below.
At other times he will ascend to 1000' or more to see the enormity and wonderful panorama of the Serengeti. From time to time the pilot must put more heat into the balloon with the powerful whisper burners. In between these burns, there is silence apart from the natural sounds below
The flight is for about one hour depending on conditions, on landing you celebrate in the traditional manner with champagne (well, an excellent sparkling wine), before sitting down to a full English breakfast prepared and served in the bush in 'Out of Africa' style with bone china, linen table cloths, King's silver etc.
After breakfast you receive your Balloon certificate and we drive you back to the Lodge or camp with game viewing en route. 9:30 am Arrive at the lodge/camp ready to continue your day's activities.
The park also protects the largest euphorbia candelabrum forest in Africa. These tall branching succulents are endemic to the region and provide an interesting textural element to the arid landscapes.
Beach Holidays
Offering pristine beaches, clear waters and a wealth of marine life, the beaches along Kenya’s East Coast are the perfect place to relax after a few days on safari. Either side of Mombasa, unspoilt coastline stretches both north and south, offering plenty of opportunity for active pursuits such as diving and windsurfing, as well as peaceful stretches of sand where nothing but relaxation is on the cards. Watamu’s unspoilt shores are the nesting place for the local population of sea turtles, and staying here will give you the opportunity to get involved in the conservation projects run locally. Hotel accommodation in this area is upmarket and luxurious, offering a wealth of facilities including spas, excellent restaurants and activities
Mombasa’s Old Town with its Arabic architecture has had a tumultuous history, which is well worth exploring. Its narrow winding streets with their distinctive architecture invoke the centuries gone by, when the town was a bustling and cosmopolitan hub for the important spice trade. These days, you’ll see traditional sailing dhows coming in and out of the harbour, laden with fresh fish to be sold at one of the town’s busy markets. Don’t miss the impressive Fort of Port Jesus, which dates back to the 16th century struggle between the Portuguese and Arabs. It’s a fascinating building to explore, and it’s certainly worth spending an afternoon wandering through its underground passages, turrets and battlements.
From luxurious lodges dotted across the game parks to opulent beach resorts overlooking the Indian Ocean, Kenya offers some wonderful options for those seeking a little bit of relaxation, adventure and pampering on their 5 star holiday. One of the best ways to see Kenya’s natural beauty, diversity and colour is on a multi-centre tour, where you take in the best that the country has to offer, whether your interest is in big cats or tiny birds.
Bird Watching
Kenya offers Africa in a nutshell, from the soda-encrusted, flamingo-filled Rift Valley lakes to alpine Mt. Kenya and the western lowland forests at Kakamega. These habitats, combined with bird-rich savannas, Tsavo’s semi-deserts, Sokoke’s coastal forests, and of course, the parks that make it the world’s premier big mammal watching destination, make Kenya a perennial favorite in Africa. This is not surprising when you consider you will probably see more bird and mammal species than any other African tour. Most of this tour (apart from the extension) is above 3000 feet elevation, making the climate surprisingly pleasant, far from the blistering heat that some people may expect from equatorial Africa.
East Africa is one of the richest bird areas in the world. With a wealth of different habitats, often close to each other, it's quite easy to spot over 100 species in one day.
Although many of the birds are brightly colored and exotic looking, they are generally quite easily recognized; within a day or two you will be identifying the various species with ease! Their main habitats include water, open plains, woodlands and farmlands.
On or near water, you will find bright pink Flamingos, Hammerkops, iridescent Kingfishers, Plovers, Herons, Storks, Geese, Cranes, Jacanas and of course the magnificent African Fish Eagle. In certain places along the coast there are breeding pairs of Osprey as well.
The open savannah plains, where the majority of the big safaris take place, offer excellent bird watching opportunities for some unusual ground dwellers. The Ground Hornbill, at nearly 110 cm. tall is one of the largest and most visible; the tall Secretary bird is also spotted often. Eagles, vultures, and ostrich, the largest bird on earth, are also spotted frequently.
The smaller plains birds, such as the Ox-peckers, snowy white Egrets, brilliant Sunbirds and bustards are also found in abundance; you can't miss seeing birds on any game drive!
Near the woodlands, you'll find yet more species with starlings of every color, Bee-eaters, Drongos, Hornbills, Shrikes, the beautiful Lilac-breasted Roller, Barbets and Guinea Fowl.
Arriving into the big city airports, frequently the first birds spotted are the urban and farmland dwellers, such as the Wagtails and Weaverbirds, with their huge nest colonies.
Even a short two or three day safari will provide an excellent species count for the ardent bird watcher; a longer trip will ensure a superb introduction to the over 1,000 species found in East Africa.
Wildlife Safaris
There’s nothing more famous about Kenya than going on a safari to one of the many national parks or reserves located throughout the country. The most famous wildlife viewing sanctuaries include Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Tsavo East.
For many, the goal is to catch a glimpse of the African Big 5 which includes lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Safaris can be on the expensive side, but going on a safari and observing African animals in their natural habitat is a once in a lifetime experience..