Kenya vacations

Visit Kenya's best beaches, experience traditional Swahili culture and explore historic sites. You’ll encounter East Africa’s nature underwater and on land in Mombasa.

Before heading on a safari adventure, linger a while in Nairobi. Kenya’s capital boasts artisan markets, a dynamic food scene and fascinating museums dedicated to African culture.

Dreaming of the sun-kissed shores of Africa? Kenya’s tropical paradise lets you snorkel to coral kingdoms, explore 15th-century ruins and savor Swahili seafood. Welcome to Malindi.

Going on safari is the number one thing to do in Kenya, home to countless national parks and reserves. See the famous elephants of Amboseli or follow the migration of the wildebeest across the Maasai Mara. You can even catch black rhinos and big cats on the outskirts of the capital city at Nairobi National Park.

Kenya’s nomadic tribes have inhabited the Great Rift Valley for centuries, and you can follow in their footsteps. For breathtaking scenery, head to the highlands, where the grass-covered savanna meets volcanic mountains like the snow-capped Mount Kenya and the majestic Mount Longonot. Explore dramatic gorges and hot springs at Hell’s Gate National Park. Or cool off in the natural pools of Ngare Ndare Forest.

Between 40 and 70 different ethnic groups are represented in Kenya. Discover Swahili history in the winding streets of Lamu Old Town, settled in the 14th century. Head north to Lake Turkana where an annual festival celebrates the culture of the desert tribes. And enjoy the famed hospitality of the Maasai, whose singing and dancing ceremonies are a must-see.

Kenya’s 300 miles of Indian Ocean coastline begin in the north with the laid-back Lamu archipelago, whose dozens of coral islands offer excellent diving and snorkeling. And Mombasa is a popular vacation destination with plenty of attractions and family-friendly resorts. Get off the beaten track at Watamu, a favorite spot for kitesurfers, or Diani, which is known for its nightlife.

Lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes — Kenya’s great plains are home to some of the planet’s most magnificent creatures. But its other habitats, from sacred mangrove forests and alpine moorland to saltwater lakes, are just as rich. Lake Victoria is a bird-watcher’s paradise, and the coral reef running almost the length of the coast teems with marine life like dolphins and turtles.

The hippest restaurants in Kenya are in Nairobi, where the foodie scene has taken off recently. In more traditional places, you’ll find beef, goat and mutton on the menu — often roasted or folded into a stew and served with the cornmeal staple ‘ugali.’ Don’t overlook roadside treats. Corn on the cob and fresh fruits like papayas, guavas and coconuts are just the beginning.

With its indie cinemas and art galleries, Nairobi is a buzzing cultural hub that hosts one of the best museums in Kenya. The National Museum celebrates natural and human history and features a skull collection tracing back to humankind’s earliest ancestors. You’ll find more ancient wonders at the Hyrax Hill archeological site, plus a riveting introduction to Swahili culture at the Lamu Museum.

The dry season is the best time to visit Kenya for wildlife sightings. June to October is peak safari season, and wildebeest migrate during July and August. Try September for a quieter experience. October and November bring rugby tournaments and music festivals, while January to March welcome the best hiking weather. If you’re traveling in April and May, be aware that this is the monsoon season.

While luxury safaris can be expensive, it’s not hard to have a cheap trip to Kenya. You can enjoy a meal in an inexpensive restaurant for as little as 500 Kenyan shillings (KSh), and the street food is even cheaper. A short taxi ride costs around KSh1,000.