If you are thinking about vacationing in Kenya but think the only thing to do there is a Safari, you are very mistaken. Kenya is a fantastic destination for a holiday, and though safaris may be a main attraction, Kenya is not what most people imagine it to be. One great adventurous attraction in Kenya that is a must do is visiting the Masai Mara National Reserve. This 200 square mile reserve located in the southwestern region of Kenya offers amazing views of the wildlife and natural terrain via both Jeep rides and hot air balloons if you are not afraid of heights. These balloon rides provide sweeping views of the landscape featuring acacia forests, grasslands filled with wildlife, and rivers full of crocodiles. In the months July through October is when the wildlife is at its peak.
So maybe you are not the adventure type and would rather relax by the beach. No worries, Kenya has two beautiful beaches to choose from, the Lamu and Malindi. Lamu offers an escape from the world onto a blissful, pristine beach. There is plenty of activities such as snorkeling around the coral reef that surrounds nearby Kiwayu Island.
In the town of Malindi there is Silver Sands Beach that offers many activities, such as diving, surfing, snorkeling, and deep sea fishing. While deep sea fishing you might catch sailfish, marlin, or even a shark. Near the same area there is Watamu beach which is another fun beach destination located in Kenya’s Watamu Marine National Park.
There are also several romantic aspects to Kenya if one is looking for a romantic getaway there. There is a multitude of restaurants carrying anything from local cuisine to basically whatever you want. There are also boat rentals, a fun way to spend a day, or evening with a loved one, or family for that matter.
Obviously, the biggest attraction to Kenya are the amazing safari’s all over the country, but now you know that there is so much more to Kenya. You could avoid Safari’s all together and have an amazing time, but then again, on a holiday to Kenya, why would you want to?
It’s no wonder why beach lovers all around the world visit East Africa’s unspoiled coastline in the quest for ultimate relaxation. East Africa has the attraction of thousands of miles of pristine beaches and islands combined with open plains, grassland savannahs and mountains that rise above 18,000 feet. Indeed, East Africa is a vast destination and a cultural traveller’s paradise. It has tended to see the deepest colonial imprints on the African continent and everywhere there is visible evidence of foreign occupation going back hundreds and even thousands of years. Many people now decide to combine a luxury African safari with an equally up-market beach holiday, and the East Africa coastline can now cater for these types of holidays.
Take Zanzibar on Tanzania’s east coast. It is located about 25 miles from the coast and is full of beautiful white sandy beaches, coral reefs which are perfect for scuba diving and there is also Stone Town, which is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar. Little has changed here in the last 200 years – it is a place of mosques, grand Arab houses and a jumble of tiny street and passageways. Here ancient ways of life and tourism intermingle of a daily basis, and the city nowadays generates large amounts of money from the tourist trade that is increasing in Zanzibar on a yearly basis.
Moving on to Zanzibar’s east coast, it would be wrong not to mention Mnemba Island. This really is an island where ‘barefoot luxury’ applies to all parts. At the centre of the island is a tropical forest, home to small suni antelope and a whole range of unusual and interesting butterflies. The islands perimeter is about one kilometre of powder white coral sand, which is perfect for a romantic stroll and the reason why more and more Honeymoon couples are choosing Zanzibar and specifically Mnemba Island as their ideal location. There are also protected nesting turtles on the beaches here and a fantastic coral reef, which is argued to be one of Tanzania’s best coral reefs.
Time spent in Kenya on safari would not be complete without a stay relaxing on some of the country’s enchanting beaches, and there are luxury lodges to be found along many of the tourism areas. Both Malindi and Watamu have marine reserves and stunning beaches, and just north of the popular Lamu Island is Kiwayu Island which has a reputation of being the water sports and beach retreat of the rich and famous. Importantly, most travel companies will be able to incorporate a beach stay into a Kenya safari and after the thrill and adrenalin of seeing the ‘big five’ and many more animals besides, Africa’s East coast beaches may just be the perfect remedy to end a luxury African safari on.
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