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Kenya by Dale Nolan

The beautiful land of Kenya is one of the continent’s finest visitor pearls packed with diverse wildlife, stunning national parks, snow-capped mountains and outstandingly fine, sandy beaches. From the warm shores of the Indian Ocean to the blue of Lake Victoria, this fabulously upbeat nation brims with adventure, excitement and style making it one of the world’s most memorable destinations. Kenya is a unique place to explore and its vibrant blend of colonial heritage, Masai tribes, big game safaris and Arab-brushed coastline has helped the country become a fascinating and rewarding tourist destination.

Charmingly known as the cradle of human civilisation, Kenya has been occupied for thousands of years. The most notable foreign influence arrived around 900AD in the form of seafaring Arabs and their settlements flourished along the entire length of the eastern coastline. In 1498, Vasco da Gama arrived and his messages home alerted the Portuguese to Kenya intent on claiming the region and completing their spice route. The Arabs however were unimpressed and they successfully withstood the Europeans until 1877 when the Sultan of Zanzibar offered the Kenyan coastline to the British. The following decades saw the arrival of colonial explorers and the British completed the building of the great Ugandan railway. In 1920, Kenya officially became a crown colony and just forty-three years later the nation achieved its full independence.

Today, Kenya is world-renowned for its game reserves, glorious coastline and its wonderfully hot climate but the nation boasts much more.

Most visitors to Kenya’s excellent Coral Coast arrive through the international gateway of Mombassa and this ancient island city has a raft of attractions worthy of mention. Founded by prosperous Arab traders, Mombassa is a culturally rich city blending Swahili, Arab, Portuguese and British influences together. The city’s atmospheric Old Town is a haphazard mix of carved doorways, narrow alleyways and dilapidated balconies and is a perfect place to soak up the city’s historic charms. Some of the highlights of Mombassa include its superb seafood restaurants and friendly bars, the ancient Fort Jesus monument, taking a cruise around the harbour in a traditional dhow boat and the colourful spices of the city’s markets. Modern Mombassa’s greatest asset is its ideal location and the attractive beaches and modern resorts of Kenya’s celebrated Coral Coast are within easy distance.

The serene Kenyan coastline boasts miles and miles of soft white sands, achingly gorgeous bays, colourful coral reef and marine parks and some of the most sophisticated resorts in Africa. The most popular of the Coral Coast’s stunning resorts include pristine Shelly Beach, quiet Tiwi, coconut-strewn Funzi Island, elegant Nyali Beach, the sailing mecca of Kilifi, gorgeous Malindi and the ever popular and breathtaking Diani Beach. Amongst these shimmering resorts are an abundance of windsurfing, kayaking, scuba diving and snorkelling and some truly impressive reserves including the gorgeous, opal-blue marine reserves of Mombassa, Watamu and Kiunga - providing many unforgettable opportunities to witness the ocean’s colourful marine life.

As well as its obvious charms, the Coral Coast is also home to a dizzying range of exotic must-sees such as the Shimoni Caverns, Mamba Crocodile Farm, the Jumba la Mtwana ruins, deep-sea fishing around Mtwapa Creek and the picturesque sailing islands of the Lamu Archipelago.

Indeed the distractions of Kenya’s turquoise coastline make it hard to imagine that visitors would bother travelling anywhere else in this alluring nation - but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Kenya’s other great claim to fame is its exciting game reserves and national parks and these wonderfully wild regions entice visitors with their exotic wildlife and tales of past colonial adventure.

The entire length of the Kenyan nation is sprinkled with national parks and these gorgeous reserves hold a genuine place in Kenyan hearts. Some of the most outstanding examples include Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Tsavo National Park, Amboseli, Tana River Primate National Reserve and the universally admired Masai Mara. These awe-inspiring regions collectively boast some of the finest wildlife and most enthralling countryside in all East Africa and some of its most memorable excursions. Visitors can join Masai animal trackers, enjoy heart-stopping jeep tours, take to the skies on safari balloon rides or visit rustic wildlife lodges to see animals up close. Of all these parklands, no visit would be complete without taking in the ample delights of the brilliant Masai Mara.

Masai is Kenya’s premier reserve and is packed with some of the continent’s most iconic animals such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, impala, zebra, giraffes, hyenas, buffalos, rhinos and vultures – to name but a few. Covering an area of 580 square miles, the Masai Mara includes rolling grasslands, bush-covered hills and winding rivers that flow into Lake Victoria. Here the game of life is played out against a backdrop of incomparable beauty and the reserve has become justly famous for its annual migration of wildebeest – one of Africa’s most awesome spectacles.

Kenya also has a range of other interesting attractions to explore including the refreshing blue lakes of Lake Turkana, Bagoria and Nakuru, the bustling cities of Nairobi and Kisumu, the hiking slopes of snowy Mount Kenya and the giant volcanoes that stud the length of the nation’s staggering Great Rift Valley.

All things considered, Kenya is an overwhelming land to visit with a staggering diversity of peoples and animals making it one of Africa’s most enduring destinations. Its richness of life is palatable and underpins the very essence of Kenya’s visitor success. Colour, spice, friendliness and laughter seem to permeate from all corners of the nation and its treasure trove of attractions and adventure make it a spellbinding country to explore.