Kenya Vacations

Kenya Vacations

Africa is one of the few unspoiled places in the world. With miles and miles of untouched wilderness there is an abundance of wild animals roaming freely in their natural habitat. While modernization ruined the natural habitat of so many animals, Africa is one of the few places where the lack of development actually shows in its natural beauty. Nowhere is this natural beauty more evident than in Kenya. Often referred to as the jewel of Africa, it has some of the finest wildlife reserves in the world and the warm weather all year round makes this the perfect holiday destination for anyone wishing to travel to Africa.

Those idyllic Africa images you always see with elephants walking off into the sunset is really a good way to paint a picture of Kenya. It really is like that and when you are on safari its not uncommon to see the Big 5 in just one day. With countless national parks and game reserves you are really spoiled for choice when it comes to Kenya safari’s, but this beautiful country has so much more to offer.

Lake Nakuru in the south is one of the most beautiful and most peaceful destinations you will ever visit and its home to one of the biggest Flamingo populations in the world. Seeing Flamingo’s in their natural habitat is indeed a sight to behold and seeing them fly off into the sunset while you sip away on a gin and tonic...life doesn’t get much better than that.

Kenya vacations is not just about wildlife either. This is a country with a very rich and diverse colonial history and many of the Portuguese traditions is still evident in their cooking. The food is out of this world and unlike anything you’ve seen or tasted before. With so much wildlife around, don’t be surprised to see crocodile on the menu! With a mixture of colonial architecture and traditional huts there a lot to soak up in this lively culture and with the people friendly and inviting they’d be happy to share a laugh and a photograph.

When you do take a Kenya vacation package make sure that it includes Mombassa. It’s the second largest city in Kenya and home to some of the most beautiful beaches Africa has to offer. Several new resorts sprang up recently and offers some of the best accommodation in Kenya.

Kenya Vacations – 5 Things You Must Do

While so many people flock to Kenya for its wildlife and safari holidays, this country has so much more to offer. If you are planning a holiday to Kenya, then there are 6 things you must include in your holiday package. You don’t have to go off the beaten track either – you just have to be open to some of the experiences that Kenya has to offer. Because of the good exchange rate with the US dollar (and most European currencies) you can afford to do a lot more than you may think. Here are 5 things you must do on your Kenya vacation.

1. Hot air Balloon Safari
So, if you’ve done the safari in the 4 x 4 and you experienced the thrill and excitement of seeing a lion hunt in real life, then maybe seeing it from the air will change your perspective. Seeing things from the air is a whole new experience and with the vast open spaces you will feel like the world has no end. This is the best way to see the Kenyan landscape in all its glory. Its truly a mind blowing experience and one that you will never forget.

2. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and Uhuru peak is the highest point in Africa. It’s a truly exciting climb and one that is quite challenging. If you are fit enough and enjoy a challenge then this is it. It’s the ultimate in climbing in Africa and the mountain offers a climbing experience for all ages. You can camp on the mountain but be sure to get the appropriate permits as parts of the mountain is protected.

3. Golfing in Kenya
It first you might think that golfing is not that exciting for an African holiday, but these golf courses are not your average golf course. It truly is like golfing on the African planes and they are some of the most beautiful courses in the world. The Windsor Golf Club is regarded as one of the best clubs in the world and best of all, its extremely cheap compared to some courses in the USA and Europe.

4. Biking
Kenya’s year round warm weather makes it a mecca for outdoor sports. Mountain biking is a big thing here and with hundreds of amazing trails, the world is your playground. The most popular (and most exciting) trail starts at the Hell’s Gate National Park and takes you through the ancient lava tubes and colorful rocks of Mount Longonot and mount Suswa.

5. Helicopter Safari
Okay, before you say "not another safari" – hold on. This is different. Firstly helicopter trips are very affordable here and it will allow you to cover great distances and go places that no other safari can take you. Flying over Lake Bogoria and seeing the volcano tops with the spectacular wildlife on the ground is truly any photographer’s dream come true and makes Kenya vacations something you will never forget.

Kenya Vacations on a Budget

Traveling in Africa used to be cheap. With the recent surge of international hotel chains carving their place in Africa, the days of dirt cheap safaris are over, but there are still some clever ways in which you can save big. Obviously the main hotel chains are going to charge you and if you are willing to go for a more authentic African adventure you can get away for a fraction of the cost. The exchange rate is probably he biggest advantage you have and you have to use it to your advantage. As soon as you go and stay in America hotels, you will pay a fortune.

Flights are probably the most expensive part of your vacation and finding the best flight deals is all about searching online. Connections in Africa tends to be really poor and the major airlines operate extensively from South Africa with one of the best airports in Africa. Consider flying into and out of Johannesburg airport and get a connecting flight to Kenya from there. It might be a lot cheaper than direct flights from Europe for instance.

Making Kenya vacations on a budget really count comes down to accommodation and what you spend on safaris and sight seeing. By not staying in mainstream hotels you will not only save as much as 75%, but you will probably have a much more authentic experience. Make sure you look into “tent accommodation” at some of the very exciting camping sites – don’t worry; they are not your traditional tents. They are like proper cabins and most of them are right in the bush.

Going on safari is one of the biggest expenses and many tour operators just plain overcharge tourists. National parks in Kenya are open to the public and by just shopping around for different tour operators you can already make some great savings. You can also hire your own 4 x 4 and do it for a fraction of the cost.

The safari industry is big business in Kenya and they will try and tempt you into the full monty wit hot air balloons, helicopter rides and all those luxuries that can really cost a fortune if you add it up. Don’t get tempted into it. Going off the beaten track is much more exciting.

Remember that Kenya vacations is not just about safaris. It’s a big country that has so much to offer. Look into some of the other places and sights that are not that popular like climbing mount Kilimanjaro or visiting the splendid beaches of Mombassa.

Exploring Kenya Along The Rift Valley

Kenya is one of the most popular safari destinations in the world. Every year millions of people flock to this untouched wilderness to see wildlife roaming freely in their natural habitat. Kenya’s National Parks, reserves and coastal beaches are virtually untouched by modern development and its one of the few places in the world where you can still see wild animals, unspoilt beaches and miles and miles of nothing.

The Great Rift Valley cuts through Kenya and is truly one of the natural wonders of the world. In East Africa is splits into 2 different legs – the Western Rift that goes through Uganda and the Eastern Rift that cuts through Kenya and ends in Malawi. All along the Great Rift Valley you will find National Parks and reserves with unrivalled beauty.

In the north at Lake Turkana, there’s the Sibiloi National reserve which is known for being an “oasis in the dessert” while a little further south you will find Sumburu National park which is famous for the Beisa Oryx and their zebra population. Further south the valley runs into Kenya’s mountain ranges with Mount Kenya (second highest point in Africa) known for its amazing mountain climbing and adventure sports.

At the floor of The Rift Valley is Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo and both these lakes are brimming with bird species and a mecca for birdwatchers. If its elephants you are after, then just south of the lakes you will find Aberdares National Park in the Aberdares Ranges. The home of the famous Kenyan flamingos is still further south at The Lake Nakuru National Park.

The only freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley is Lake Naivasha with the famous Hell’s Gate National Park nearby. This is the only park in Kenya were you can walk and is perfect for hikers and mountain bikers wanting to explore on foot.

South of Hell’s Gate is The Masai Mara National Park – arguably the most famous game park in the world. Its famous not just for its amazing wildlife, but also for the Masai people who still live in accordance with their strict traditions and managed to preserve their way of life and their culture amidst massive tourist activities around them. Its one of the most fascinating cultures you will ever come across and well worth meeting them while on safari in the Masai Mara.