Kenya Safaris

Kenya is an easy country to travel, with a well-established tourism industry and lots of things to see and do. Here are some of the country’s highlights, the wildlife you may encounter, the people you might meet, plus a guide to the cuisine and some useful travel tips.

Wildlife

There’s a reason Kenya is one of the top safari destinations. Not only is it home to all of the most iconic African animals, but visitors can also find many rare and endangered species in Kenyan reserves and conservancies.

Start with the Big 5 in the Masai Mara (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and black rhinos). The Mara is a particularly great place to see big cats, including cheetahs. Then of course, there is the world-famous Great Migration that journeys into the Mara every year, from around July to October.

Samburu is known for its own special Big 5: the reticulated giraffe, the blue-skinned Somali ostrich, the beisa oryx, Grevy’s zebra and the long-necked gerenuk antelope.

Then take a snorkelling or diving trip from the Kenyan coast to discover marine life that includes dugongs, dolphins, turtles and whales.

Culture

There are 44 officially recognised tribes in Kenya, including the Maasai, Samburu, Swahili and Turkana. Kikuyu is the largest ethnic tribe. Those from non-African backgrounds mostly have British or Indian heritage.

The majority religion is Christianity, practised by more than 80 percent of the population, followed by Islam. Hinduism is also practised, as well as traditional tribal faiths.

Travel Tips

Here are some handy tips for travelling in Kenya:

• The main languages are Swahili and English.
• The currency is Kenyan shillings and there are plenty of ATMs, including at Nairobi’s international airport. You can also use US dollars for tips on safari.
• Start every conversation with a greeting. It’s normal to shake hands with people upon meeting, often with the left hand on the right arm as a show of respect.
• Please ask before taking someone’s photograph.
• On safari, the dress code is casual. Along the coast (with the exception of beach destinations) and in traditional villages, it’s respectful to dress conservatively.
• For the best value, travel outside peak season. Most camps slash their rates during the low season, when there is still plenty of wildlife to see in national parks and reserves.
• Pack light and in a soft bag. Light aircraft flights have strict restrictions on luggage weight. Remember that most camps have laundry facilities.
• Tipping is entirely at your own discretion, but the recommended amount is roughly US$15-20 per person per night for a guide (you can hand that over to your guide directly at the end of your stay) and US$10-15 per person per night for the camp staff (this is usually put in a communal tip box and shared between the staff equally). You can tip in Kenyan shillings or US dollars, which will be exchanged.

Cuisine

Nyama choma (Swahili for roasted meat, usually of beef or goat) is a typical Kenyan meal. The meat is usually served with kachumbari, a salsa of tomatoes, onions, chili and lime juice, and ugali, which is like polenta.

You’ll see tilapia from Lake Victoria on plenty of menus, usually fried.

There’s a big Indian population in Kenya, which is reflected in commonly found dishes and snacks, such as samosas, biryani, pilau and chapati. The cuisine gets more flavoursome closer to the coast, where there’s a strong Indian and Arabic influence.

On safari, you’ll usually get a chance to try all of these typically Kenyan foods, as well as international dishes (pasta, pizza, curries, Western-style breakfast) and lots of fresh salads and fruits.