From the sky above or at ground level, travel through Kenya is full of inspiring sights. Soaring above the Masai Mara in a hot-air balloon at dawn, the views are jaw-dropping. Gazelles and springboks graze in the immense plains, giraffes and elephants chomp leaves off acacia trees. En route to the park, what joy it is to come upon a million pink flamingos feeding on algae and frolicking in the waters of Lake Nakuru. Some take flight in a huge “V” formation against a splendid azure sky, adding to the wondrous sight.
At day’s end, after a guided bush walk through Tsavo, one of Kenya’s largest national parks, you return to your camp offering the highest standards of luxury and comfort in the wilderness. At Enchanting Travels we know more than a thing or two about comfort. You can count on one of our expert travel consultants to build you an itinerary that includes either high-intensity game-viewing or a low-key more intimate safari experience. Or both.
Kenya’s protected national parks and community-run conservancies guarantee you will witness a great spectacle of wildlife. Those travelling during the wildebeest migration are in for an extra special treat. Kenya’s brilliant landscapes and varied terrains will never cease to surprise you—maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of Mount Kenya’s jagged peak striking out through a misty morning! Wind up your Kenya holiday with a few days near Mombasa at a beach with white sand and turquoise blue waters, and a spa treatment or two.
Places: Nairobi (1 day) → Laikipia - Community Reserves (3) → Masai Mara (3) → Zanzibar Stone Town (1) → Zanzibar (4)
Tour Highlights: Contemporary African Art & Culture, National Museum, Nairobi National Park, Cultural Encounters with Pastoral Communities...
Ideal For: Beaches Heritage & Culture Wildlife & Safaris
Places: Arusha (1 day) → Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro (2) → Serengeti (Central) (2) → Masai Mara (3) → Nairobi (1)
Tour Highlights: Stunning Views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, Bike Rides, Walking Tours, Weekly Markets, Migrating...
Ideal For: Nature & Landscapes Wildlife & Safaris
Kenya is divided by the equator and is characterized by a tropical climate. The best time for your Kenya vacation depends on what you wish to do in Kenya. Follow the link for more information on Kenya.
Live your safari dream on your Kenya tour with us – Masai Mara, the Great Migration, endless savannas and pristine beaches beckon. Follow this link and discover our list of top ten highlights, attractions and activities in Kenya.
Kenya is generally considered a safe country to travel in. As a rule of thumb, it is safer to travel in a group or with a local tour guide in Kenya, rather than on your own. Our experts have compiled some general safety instructions to ensure that your trip is stress-free.
Experience harambee! A Bantu word that means togetherness, is exactly what drives Kenya. Community-focused, the family structure is incredibly important. Kenya tours introduce you to a melting pot of people, where traditional and modern norms mark its unique character today, bursting with linguistic and cultural diversity. The current estimated population is about 46.7 million. Over 40 ethnic groups reside in Kenya, the largest being the Kikuyu, who migrated to Kenya at the turn of the 18th century.
In the major cities and towns, you will notice a mix of tribal, Western and Islamic dress styles, often accessorized wonderfully with traditional, colorful jewellery.
In smaller villages, the local communities have preserved their traditional dress and some of the nomadic and pastoral peoples such as the Maasai, Samburu and Turkana wear simple cloth pieces and skins, blended with incredibly elaborate bead and metal jewelry, often worn on the head or arms.
Kenyan culture revolves around music, which is a fusion of African, hip-hop/street, India and European beats. Drumming is a passion by the Akamba and Mijikenda peoples and can you experience this art for yourself particularly by the coast. Or you can discover benga, a musical style integral to classical Kenyan music.
There is a lot of a capella (unaccompanied) singing to be enjoyed in Kenya, promoted primarily by the Maasai and Samburu peoples. You might also notice the influence of Congolese rumba during our Kenya tours.
Heavily influenced by European, Arabic and Islamic settlers over the centuries, the majority of Kenyans (two-thirds) are Christian and 15% of Kenyans are Muslims. With beliefs, particularly among the ethnic peoples that spirits live on, respect and reverence for deceased ancestors is quintessential. English is the official language spoken in Kenya, while Kiswahili is the national language of Kenya.
Top Travel Tips:
The varied cultural influences in Kenya are seen most prevalently in the country’s cuisines. Only on the coast will you discover a distinctive regional culinary style. On your Kenya safari, you’ll find that many of the foods are simple yet often quite heavy and starchy and include potatoes and rice.
With a strong Indian influence, it is not unusual to enjoy curries, chapatis (flatbread), pilau, samosa and bajias (seasoned, deep fried vegetables/potatoes served with chutneys).
During your private Kenya safari, you’ll find that generally most dishes are prepared in European style. Camps and lodges in the parks and game reserves take guests on full board basis or fully inclusive, therefore all the meals are provided.
Top Kenya Travel Tips – Cuisine:
As the weather in East Africa can be hot and dry and you will be doing various activities during the day we advise you to drink as much water as possible to prevent dehydration during our Kenya tours. We advise our guests against taking water directly from the taps, streams or rivers. Particularly near residential areas the water can contain pathogens. We recommend that you buy water from major shopping outlets.
The Enchanting Travels team is happy to help you plan private and luxurious safari experiences for the most unique Kenya tours.
Did you know that Kenya is considered by paleontologists to be the first inhabited place on earth? A population of hunter-gatherers existed around two million years ago before herders and then Arab seafarers arrived in the 700s along the coastal regions. Renowned Portuguese explorer Vasca de Gama was the first European to reach Kenya in 1498, and then dominated and controlled the coast for two decades. The British took control of Kenya in the late 19th century after mapping the region.
By the 1920s, an East Africa Association had been formed that campaigned for power to go back to native Kenyans and that founded schools. Despite fighting in the Second World War, the native Africans were treated second class and an uprising (Mau Mau) took place. Kenya attained complete independence in 1963 and joined the Commonwealth. Jomo Kenyatta, who had previously been jailed by the British, became the country’s first president.
During one of our Kenya tours, you will find that despite a history of obstacles including a drought in 2009, the country today is growing rapidly and developing fast.
