Reading about a holiday in Kenya conjures up visions of African farms and millions of migrating animals, but not many know that the country is also home to world-class seaside resorts.

Kenya: Home of Wildlife and Watersports

Situated on the African East Coast, Kenya is one of the world's last true wildlife sanctuaries and is known far and wide as the home of the annual wildebeest migration that takes place from the Masai Mara National Reserve to the Serengeti plains. Wildlife reserves are not Kenya's sole attraction, however, and the country also offers coastal resorts that are among the best in Africa and that will provide fun-and-sun filled holidays for the whole family.

Understanding Kenya

Kenya is divided into eight separate regions including what is known as the "Nairobi area", where the capital, Nairobi, is situated. Central Kenya lies to the north of Nairobi and is home to the Mount Kenya National Park while Coastal Kenya contains the country's most important port, Mombasa, as well as the Tsavo West National Park.

Eastern Kenya borders Ethiopia and boasts, among others, the Marsabit Nature Reserve, whereas Northeastern Kenya is off the beaten track and not often visited by tourists. Nyanza province lies on the shores of Lake Victoria and is home to the famous Kisumu museum with its outdoor live animal and reptile exhibits and UNESCO-sponsored traditional Luo farmhouse exhibition.

Kenya's Rift Valley province features the magnificent Great African Rift, and many luxury resorts have grown up around its lakes and escarpments. Western Kenya also borders Lake Victoria, and visitors to this area must make sure to spend time in the Kakamega National Reserve and wander through the indigenous rainforest.

Kenyan Cities

Apart from the capital, Nairobi, and Mombasa with its quaint Old Town and Portuguese-colonial Fort Jesus, Kenyan cities include Nakuru, which lies near both the Great African Rift and the Lake Nakuru National Park, home to Kenya's world famous pink flamingoes. Another popular city is Lamu on the north-eastern coast's Lamu Archipelago, which features the Svendson Donkey Sanctuary.

Other Popular Attractions in Kenya

Kenya is also famous for first rate seaside holiday destinations like Bamburi Beach with its many luxury family resorts, wide array of watersports and Heller Park Nature Reserve. Diani Beach lies approximately 30km south of Mombasa, and its resorts are known for their sparkling-white sandy beaches. Diani is also close to the Shimba Hills National Reserve, which features the only herd of sable antelope in the whole of Kenya. Watamu Beach rounds out Kenya's "big three" seaside resort locations, and the Watamu Marine National Park, with its gorgeous coral reefs, offers tourists some of the best snorkeling and diving in Africa.

Practical Information

Kenyan currency is the Kenyan shilling, and the country's official languages are English and Kiswahili. Most visitors to Kenya will fly into the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and will then travel overland to their holiday destination.

A Kenyan vacation comes highly recommended for anyone who wants to experience an authentic African adventure.