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.
1 day road safari from approx. £120pp (adult)
3 day road safari to Tsavo East and West prices from approx. £325pp (adult)
2 day air safari to Masai Mara prices from approx. £456pp (adult)
child prices may be available, speak to your First Choice Representative in resort

Jambo Mombasa
Your chance to experience the history and culture of Kenya's second city. Experience a little bit of everything that the Mombasa has to offer including a chance to see your holiday souvenirs being made, a visit to the traditional old town, and a chance to meet some of the wildlife close up at the Haller Nature Park. Prices from approx. £67pp (adult); £33pp (child)

Fort Jesus by Night
To experience Mombasa’s Swahili atmosphere 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 culinary feast. Prices from approx. £62pp (adult); £31pp (child)

Swahili Blue
The ultimate trip where everything is done with an authentic flair. This is your chance to see the wildlife that live under the clear water of the Indian Ocean and catch a glimpse of the many dolphins that call this area home. Prices from approx. £63pp (adult); £32pp (child) 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. Child prices may be available, speak to your First Choice Representative in resort.

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
• 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 craft 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.

Dates for the Diary

Witness thousands of wildebeest galloping across the plains in their annual migration, beginning in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park around June and ending in Kenya’s Masai Mara in September.

For the Family

• Get snappy on a visit to Mamba Village’s crocodile farm.

• Hop on board a rumbling jeep and go on safari for elephants, lions and wildebeest.

• Check out Mombasa’s colourful homes and explore Fort Jesus, which dates back to the 16th- century.

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.

Travel foundation

Supporting Maasai communities in Kenya

When you book a holiday with us we’ll ask you to make a small donation to the World Care Fund. Through your donations, we’re helping the local economy by supporting excursions that bring greater cultural exchange between locals and tourists while giving the Maasai villagers a fair deal. By booking your excursion with our approved operators, you can be sure the locals will benefit from your visit.



Our World Care Fund project partner, The Travel Foundation, is an independent sustainable tourism charity that works in close partnership with the UK travel industry to fund these projects.