Kenya holidays

Things to do

Explore your destination

Safaris
For a journey into the wild, Kenya's game reserves are an exciting place to experience Africa's untamed wildlife and scenery. You can get back to earth in a rumbling jeep and head out in search of elephants, lions and wildebeest.
lunatic express (road) prices from approx. £73pp (adult)
2 day road safari to Tsavo East and West prices from approx. £270pp (adult)
2 day air safari to Masai Mara prices from approx. £365pp (adult)
child prices may be available, speak to your First Choice Representative in resort

Kenya Marineland
Cruising Kenya's tropical waterways by dhow, you can uncover Africa from a new and unforgettable perspective. With a trip for every taste, you can snorkel coral reefs, navigate the mangroves, set sail on a champagne cruise or meet Maasai warriors.
Prices from approx. £48pp (adult); £24pp (child)

Mombasa by Night
To experience Mombasa's electric evenings in style, this excursion is a must. After gliding across Mombasa Creek, sipping a Dawa cocktail, you'll dock at Old Mombasa Harbour and amble to Fort Jesus for a sound and light show spectacular and a starlit Swahili feast.
Prices from approx. £42pp (adult); £21pp (child)

Zanzibar Special
Adding a touch of spice to a Kenyan holiday, on this three day tour you can follow footsteps once taken by slaves in Stone Town, trawl spice markets, spot Red Colobus monkeys and kick back on the island's white sandy shores.
Prices from approx. £460pp (adult). Prices based on 2 nights; excludes visa costs. child prices may be available, speak to your First Choice Representative in resort

Please note: for further details, please speak to your Representative in resort. This is an example guide only and excursions and prices will be subject to change according to season, availability and demand.

Highlights

• Tracking down the Big Five as you speed across Tsavo West National Park on an unforgettable game viewing drive
• Watching the moon walking hippos of Mzima Springs from the underwater observatory on a short safari
• Heading into Tanzania and taking a tour of Ngorongoro Crater, a sunken volcano now home to thousands and thousands of African mammals
• Spotting brightly coloured fishes and coral gardens at Kipepeo Aquarium, just south of Kikambala
• Exploring the waterfront city of Mombasa, with its historical Old Town, 16th century Fort Jesus, and colourful restaurants is a must on your Kenya holiday
• Taking to the water in Bamburi, whether you're windsurfing, snorkelling in coral gardens or seeing underwater in a glass-bottom boat
• Diving in the Indian Ocean's clear turquoise water on a dive excursion, looking out for turtles, lionfish and even white tip reef sharks
• Catching sight of animals like elephants, antelope and buffalo in the beautiful Shimba Hills National Reserve, south-west of Mombasa
• Getting incredible photos on a safari with a difference, floating above the Serengeti's wildlife in a hot air balloon
• Getting away to romantic Chale Island, where you'll find one of Kenya's most beautiful beaches, a therapeutic mud bath and sulphur springs, just a boat ride from Diani
• Adding a stay in Zanzibar to your Kenya holiday; known as the Spice Island, Zanzibar's beaches are simply paradise, with famous Stone Town a World Heritage site with bazaars, Swahili houses and huge Arab doors

Food and drink

If your taste buds are itching for something different, Kenya's food will definitely satisfy, as well as offering some hearty home comforts.

In the coastal resorts, you'll find Indian restaurants serving delicious curries, best accompanied by a bottle of Tusker beer. There are also Chinese and Italian options, and a decent choice of African places where you can tuck into meat stews, usually made from beef, goat or mutton; and roast chicken and steaks.

Seafood lovers can't go wrong here with prawns and lobsters fresh out of the sea, perfect for when you're eating alfresco.

Vegetarians will find dishes for them mainly in the Indian restaurants but there's also mashed plantains, sweet potatoes and an amazing picking of fresh fruit; the passion fruit juice and ice cream are especially tasty.

Evening Flavour

Whether you've been on safari or lazing on the beach all day, Kenya has something magical to fill your evenings.

Most of the hotel resorts have nightly entertainment from African dancing shows to live bands, and those with an urge for a boogie will also find hotel discos.

The coastal resorts are more about sipping cocktails in your hotel but if you do fancy venturing out, Bamburi has the best choice of bars and nightclubs, with quieter evenings in the bars of Malindi, Kilifi, Kikambala, Nyali and Diani.

Shopping

Kenya's marketplaces are a magical experience on holiday, with bargaining a good way to banter with the locals.

Mombasa's Old Town is famous for its antique shops, where you can browse ceramics and paintings to brighten up your living room.

Dress yourself or your home in 'kikoys' and 'khangas', colourful cloths traditionally worn as wraps or made into tablecloths and bedlinen. Accessorise your outfit with Maasai beaded necklaces and bracelets from the many jewellery shops in the main resorts.

And take home woodcarvings of Kenya's animals, tribal ornaments, soapstone and artworks for instant memories of your safari holiday.

Local weather

Information

Language: English and Kiswahili. Currency: Kenya Shilling. Standard GMT: + 3 hrs. Kenya Tourist Office: Nutcutt House, 26 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9EU. Tel: 020 7202 6373. www.magicalkenya.com and www.mombasacoast.com.

Travel money

Shilling

You can get commission-free foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.