Classic Kenya bush & beach

Nairobi hides many an interesting pastime under it’s not-so-shiny reputation and, if you find yourself in the city, you may even wish you had a few more nights to spare.

Most of the action happens in the luxurious garden suburb of Karen. A typical day might include a morning with the orphaned elephants at the David Sheldrick Trust, time at the Karen Blixen museum (and a coffee and a slice of cake), and end with a giraffe ‘kiss’ at the centre at Giraffe Manor. We recommend hiring a driver to take you around the sights, and perhaps adding a dinner stop at one of the up-and-coming restaurants.

If you’re missing your daily wildlife fix - or desperate to get started – Nairobi is one of the only cities in the world to have a national park on the doorstep. It’s home to four of the Big Five (no elephant), game viewing is good, and there’s even a short walk at the entrance. A half- or full-day trip from the city is easy to arrange and your driver will stay with you for the duration.

If you’re staying around Lake Naivasha, you’re probably in the market for some R&R. Most lodges encourage lazy, laidback days, usually spent admiring the views of the lake and distant Mount Longonot, curling up with a book, and enjoying alfresco meals. Break the day with a boat trip and look out for hippo and resident birdlife, or a spot of fishing (let us know if this is of interest; it’s not offered everywhere). In some places, you can also drive or boat over to Crescent Island for a bush walk amongst the antelope.

On the other hand, you might be in Naivasha to explore Hell’s Gate. It’s the country’s smallest national park but packs a punch in terms of landscape: dramatic, volcanic and very impressive! Game drives are possible – either on a day tip or a shorter drive depending on your location – but most come for cycling, mountain biking (guided or unguided), hiking, walking and even rock climbing. Wildlife-wise, you’ll only really encounter smaller antelope and zebra so it’s not a safari hotspot.

The King of the Kenyan safari, the Masai Mara is bucket-list travel down to a tee. The iconic wildlife (think big cats, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra and the famous river crossings of the Great Migration from July to September) is matched by some of the most beautiful scenery in Africa – and there’s a lengthy list of activities to help you discover it all.

Morning and afternoon game drives are the bread and butter of a Masai Mara safari, and all-day expeditions are common especially during the Great Migration. There’s usually a bush breakfast under a shady tree or a mobile sundowner bar to complete the experience too. Specific to the private Mara Conservancies are walking safaris and night drives, both allowing you to get to grips with the landscape in different ways. In specific locations, early-morning hot air balloon flights are possible – definitely worth booking in advance – as are horseback safaris for varying capabilities. Finally, many camps have partnerships with local Maasai communities for a chance to join them in their daily life.

Sun, sea and sand is always a charming combination, but visit Diani and it’s the ocean that really holds the ticket to the activities. Warm, gin-clear water makes it ideal for snorkelling, and when the tide is out, a glass-bottomed boat or dug-out canoe trip will reveal the magic of the marine world. For something adventurous, there are plenty of PADI-certified diving schools dotted along the beach, and deep sea fishing is also a possibility. Just-right winds make it a great spot to learn to wind- or kite-surf, but if you would prefer to enjoy some R&R on the beach that’s frequently voted Kenya’s best, that’s fine too…

By evening, hire a traditional dhow and cruise the coastline at sunset, then head into ‘town’ for cocktails and dinner at one of the quirky eateries; Ali Barbour’s cave restaurant is usually at the top of the list.

Most hotels and resorts offer a huge variety of in-house experiences, but activities can be organised through a watersports centre. Just let us know, and we’ll point you in the right direction.