Kenya is the classic image of an African safari made real, and much more besides. Straddling the equator on the Indian Ocean, it runs from the plains of the Maasai Mara, where great herds of wildebeest cross the rivers each year, to the snows of Mount Kenya and the flamingo-ringed lakes of the Great Rift Valley. Amboseli frames its elephants against Kilimanjaro, and the parks hold the Big Five and far more. Along the coast, the Swahili cities of Mombasa and Lamu trade history for white-sand beaches and coral reefs. Nairobi, the highland capital, is the busy gateway to it all. With warm people, strong traditions and long-established tourism, Kenya suits first-time and returning safari-goers alike.
Kenya on Nuvoha spans 2 destinations: Mombasa, Nairobi. Set your budget and Nuvoha builds the complete trip: flights and hotels together.
Why visit Kenya
- Cities you can explore on foot, from headline sights to quiet neighbourhoods
- Coastline worth building a trip around
- Quieter alternatives beyond the obvious stops
- Easy to combine two cities in a single trip
Best known for
- Safari in the Maasai Mara
- The annual wildebeest migration
- The Big Five and abundant wildlife
- The Swahili coast and Diani Beach
- Mount Kenya and the Great Rift Valley
- Maasai and Samburu cultures
Regions of Kenya
- Nairobi and the central highlands: The capital, the tea and coffee highlands, the Aberdares and the peaks of Mount Kenya.
- The Maasai Mara and the south-west: Kenya's most famous savannah, home to big cats, plains game and the annual wildebeest migration.
- The Great Rift Valley: A chain of lakes including Nakuru and Naivasha, known for flamingos, rhinos and dramatic escarpments.
- Amboseli and the south: Elephant country on the Tanzanian border, with classic views of Kilimanjaro rising beyond the plains.
- Tsavo: The vast twin parks of Tsavo East and West, straddling the road and railway between Nairobi and the coast.
- The coast: The Swahili shore of Mombasa, Diani, Watamu and the old island town of Lamu, with reefs and white sand.
Where to go
Kenya travel basics
| Currency | Kenyan Shilling (KES) |
|---|---|
| Language | Swahili and English, both official |
| Time zone | UTC+3, observed year-round |
| Emergency number | 999 (112 also works) |
| Driving side | Left |
| Tap water | Not recommended; choose bottled, filtered or boiled water |
Seasons at a glance in Mombasa
| Month | Typical range | Season |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24°C to 32°C | Hot humid season |
| April | 24°C to 31°C | Long rains |
| July | 21°C to 29°C | Cooler dry season |
| October | 23°C to 31°C | Warm short rains |
Seasons vary across Kenya. Each destination page has its own climate table.
How travellers explore Kenya
Mombasa and Nairobi sit about 423 km apart, an easy pairing in one trip.
More in Africa
More Africa country guides
Frequently asked questions
Which Kenya destinations can I book with Nuvoha?
Mombasa, Nairobi, each with complete flight and hotel trips built around your budget.
What kind of trips suit Kenya?
Kenya works for beach holidays and city breaks, and its cities pair well for multi-stop itineraries.
When is the best time to go on safari in Kenya?
The dry seasons, from late June to October and again in January and February, are prime for wildlife, as animals gather at water and the grass is short. The famous river crossings of the migration in the Maasai Mara usually fall between July and October, though nature keeps its own timetable.
Do I need a visa or permit to visit Kenya?
Most visitors now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, applied for online before departure, rather than a traditional visa. Requirements change, so check the official system for the latest rules, and confirm whether a yellow fever certificate is needed for your route.
Is malaria a risk in Kenya?
Yes, in many areas, particularly the coast, the lake regions and lower-lying parks. High-altitude Nairobi is lower risk. Seek medical advice on antimalarial tablets and other vaccinations well before you travel, and take precautions against mosquito bites.
Can I combine a safari with the beach?
Very easily, and many people do. Short flights link the safari parks with the coast, and the railway runs between Nairobi and Mombasa through Tsavo, so a classic trip pairs a few days of game viewing with time on the Indian Ocean.
