Kenya Safari Straddling the equator and possessing a beautiful coastline, Kenya remains a superb destination to combine beach and safari, despite a perception that it has been over exploited. We have selected a number of the best private farmhouses, camps and lodges which are untouched by mass tourism and where you can enjoy that 'Out of Africa' experience we have all read and seen so much about. An ideal destination for family holidays with young and teenage children, as well as individuals and honeymooners. A few of the camps have specific programmes specially for children and others provide your own vehicle. MAP of KENYA At Ol Donyo Wuas, in the Chiyulu hills, you can ride and walk. On the coast Diani House, Kiwayu and Hemingways all offer comfortable beach holidays. In the Masai Mara Little Governors Camp, right on the Mara river, is a wonderful spot. The adjacent Siana Springs Lodge has excellent guiding and game viewing. Further east Tortilis Camp, in the Amboseli National Park, and Galdessa, in the East Tsavo National Park, are both good small privately run camps. The Rift valley with its lakes, flamingoes and abundant wildlife is a good place to start your holiday. In the central highlands you can see alpine meadows, trout streams and elephants grazing the steep slopes below Mount Kenya. Further south, on the borders with Tanzania, is the Masai Mara National Park with its game migrations and nomadic Masai herdsman. To the east the drier Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks both offer exceptional game viewing. On ballooning, horse and camel safaris or private mobile-tented safaris you can get completely away from the safari circuit to experience the bush first hand. On the coast there are miles of palm fringed white coral beaches washed by the Indian Ocean. There is a wide choice of accommodation. Small luxury hotels can be found at Lamu and Malindi to the North of Mombasa and to the South there are excellent private beach hotels, as well as resorts at Diani. At Wisani on the border with Tanzania you can experience wonderful diving in the Marine National Park or fishing in the Pemba channel. BIRDS AND WILDLIFE If you are a serious ornithologist, there are field guides to the birds of East Africa available in bookstores. Although the animals in the parks may seem completely unconcerned by your presence, they are wild and dangerous. Do not leave your vehicle whilst in the park or stray away from the group if on a guided walk. LANGUAGE Official language is English, with most of the local people speaking Swahili and or Kikuyu. FOOD AND DRINK Most of the food in the hotels and restaurants is based on European cuisine and is of a high standard. Tap water is usually safe in the towns only so we recommend drinking bottled or purified water, which is readily available. CARNIVORE RESTAURANT If you have the time in Nairobi, between flights for instance, a meal at the Carnivore is well worthwhile. It is an eat-as-much-as-you-like restaurant, with a large variety of meats all cooked on an open braai. Their house drink, "Dawa" is absolutely delicious, being made of vodka, honey and fresh lime. SEASONS SUMMER - September to April On the coast rains in April and May. Inland the rains fall in March, April and May and light rains in November. WINTER - May to August Owing to its proximity to the equator the temperature in winter remains warm to hot. BEST: Avoid the rainy seasons, April/May and November. Kenya Coast: Avoid May and June, otherwise hot all year. Note that temperatures at altitude in the highlands can vary considerably. MIGRATIONS The migrations normally reach the Masai Mara during July and August and leave in October-November. If you are travelling outside these times the resident game populations remain high. Alternatively you can visit the Serengeti in Tanzania to see the migratory herds from December to July. SUGGESTED COMBINATIONS The following are some of the areas that can be combined: The Masai Mara, the Highlands and the coast. The Amboseli, Chiyulu Hills and North Coast beaches. The Highlands, Masai Mara and Zanzibar. Kenyan Safari and an Indian Ocean Island. CLIMATE Due to its geographical location, East Africa has no defined winter and summer. The coastal areas are tropical, tempered by monsoon winds. Nairobi has a pleasant climate throughout the year due to its altitude - 5,000 feet. The main rainy season is April to June with short rains in October and November. In the higher areas, it can be cool in the evenings all year round. In December, the average temperature in Nairobi is 27 C and in Mombasa, about 31 C. Avg Monthly Temperature (max F) Avg Monthly Rainfall (inches) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Nai 77 01 79 02 77 05 75 08 72 06 70 02 69 01 70 01 75 01 76 02 74 04 74 03 Mom 87 00 87 00 90 01 89 08 85 13 83 06 82 04 83 02 84 02 86 02 88 02 89 01