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Just tell someone you’re going to Africa for a vacation and the word “safari” springs immediately to mind. While mountain climbing, trekking, water sports and other adventure trips are immensely popular, safaris are still what many people think of when considering a vacation in Africa.
 With its wealth of wildlife, cultures, and scenic destinations, Kenya is justifiably one of the world’s most popular and best-organized safari destinations. There is likely no other area in Africa where the traveler can see as large a variety of animals in as short a period of time as is possible here. Kenya is regarded as the “safari headquarters” of East Africa. You can find a plethora of comfortable lodgings, ranging from luxury hotels to lodges and camps, to private estates on the plains, all of which provide exceptional settings from which to view the vast concentrations of game and birds. Home to over 70 different indigenous tribes, Kenya is also a very culturally rich nation. Geographically, Kenya offers the traveler a gorgeous coastline for beach enthusiasts, spectacular mountain peaks, verdant valleys, and access to the neighboring Serengeti Plain and Lake Victoria.
Straddling the equator, Kenya enjoys sunny, comfortable weather all year long. There are no discernable seasons to speak of, but there are two distinct rainy seasons - the long rains of April and May and the short rains of November. The “cool” season is June through August. Because of the geographical diversity, the climate varies with altitude and location. The highlands of the mountains are generally cooler, especially at night, while the coast is tropical, warm and humid. The desert areas in the north are, naturally, drier.
The Swahili word “safari” actually has nothing at all to do with wildlife - it implies a journey of such a nature that one is out of touch... being “out of touch” in the African plains can be a very moving experience. A traveler can experience rugged hikes or friendly campfires. Villages of Maasai and Samburu are happy to show and tell travelers about their lifestyle and their homes. safari options can run from 2-day quick trips to 6-month long journeys of discovery.
There are fly-in safaris where you can hop from site to site via chartered plane, for those who don’t have the time for overland trekking. There are also balloon safaris, where an adventurous traveler can greet the day from a hot air balloon and enjoy a champagne breakfast upon landing. And for the stout adventurer, there are the land-based safaris that range from short, walking safaris, to days-long trips at a time, traversing the plains in a four wheel drive vehicle, carrying your food and lodging with you, armed with cameras and film.
What you might not think about when considering a vacation in Africa, is a tropical beach setting... too bad. Kenya sits on the tranquil turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and enjoys perfect beach weather for much of the year. Water sports abound. Most of the coastline is protected by a coral reef and provide some of the best diving waters in the Eastern hemisphere. Other seaside excursions include guided jet-ski tours, kite surfing, snorkeling, sailing, and fishing. But that’s not all - how about a dhow safari or a cycling tour? Enjoy a camel ride along the beach (this is Africa, after all). Maybe you’ve got a few days to kill - perfect for the 3-day cruise from Mombassa to the spice island of Zanzibar.
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There are also tropical resorts designed to pamper and cater to the more relaxed vacationer, where one is required to do no more than signal for another drink. Thatched roof huts and villas abound, complete with private butler service and champagne breakfasts. Many of the resorts on the Kenyan coast still boast a fairly natural state and exist nestled into the surrounding tropical foliage as if they’ve always been there. Private villas and home rentals are abundant along the south Kenya coast. Most of these accommodations feature classic Afro-European furnishing and decor, include pools, air conditioning, mosquito nets, and many also include the services of a personal housekeeper, driver and/or cook on the premises.
As the focus of so much European influence and migration from Renaissance times through the modern era, Kenya has been subjected to a forceful Western influence. Yet somehow manages to retain the innate wild qualities that continue to lure adventurers, retirees, and vacationers alike.
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