Wildlife-watching in Kenya

Of course, Kenya is best known for its incredible wildlife and no holiday here would be complete without a stay in a safari camp. Where you choose to go will depend on what kind of animals you'd like to see, as there are various game reserves and national parks that protect a wide variety of habitats.

Among the most famous are the Masai Mara and Tsavo National Park, although the Kakamega Forest National Reserve, Mount Elgon National Park, Mount Kenya National Park and Amboseli National Park are just a few of the other reserves worth considering for your safari.

The Big Five (elephant, leopard, rhino, buffalo and lion) are regularly spotted in many of Kenya's larger game reserves, while those with an eye for small things should look out for the Little Five (elephant shrew, buffalo weaver bird, rhino beetle, leopard tortoise and ant lion).

If you're keen to see the annual wildebeest migration, you need to travel to Kenya between June and October, as this is when the vast herds move across the plains from neighbouring Tanzania into Kenya.

For bird watchers, Lake Nakuru National Park is the place to head to, as flocks of up to 1.5 million flamingos can be seen in the water here, as well as more than 450 other species of bird, including fish eagles, yellow-billed pelicans and marabou storks.

This region also supports a variety of other creatures such as Rothschild giraffes, vervet monkeys, waterbucks and Kenya's biggest population of rhinos.
And if you'd prefer a safari holiday in style, the Kariega Game Reserve is the place to go. Providing luxury accommodation within protected grounds sprawling across 10,000 hectares of wilderness, here you'll have amazing opportunities for wildlife-spotting on guided safaris.

Top activities to try

After your safari adventure, travel to Kenya's coast where you can try a host of activities, many of which are water-based. One of Mombasa's all inclusive resorts would be a good place to base yourself at, as sports such as sailing, snorkelling, deep sea fishing and surfing are often offered by this type of seaside resorts.

There are several marine parks along Kenya's coast, all of which are excellent places for scuba diving. Take the plunge and you can admire beautiful coral reefs and perhaps even be lucky enough to spot large pelagic creatures like manta rays and whale sharks.

Going on a trip in a traditional dhow boat is another must, with these excursions typically leading you through the mangrove swamps that can be found by the coast. There are also various golf clubs dotted around Kenya where you can play a round in spectacular settings.