Africa Travel Blog

Category: Kenya

  • Dhow Cruises in Lamu

    Dhow cruises in Lamu are a popular sunset activity in Lamu.

    Dhow cruises set off just before sunset and sail around the channel between Lamu island and Manda island.

    Most dhow cruises in Lamu last for an hour and a half and cost around 2400 KES for two people. Make sure to negotiate with the dhow operator before agreeing on a price; they never give you the best rate the first time.

    You will probably be approached by a dhow owner before you have to look for one, but if you aren’t, you can find them on the beach in front of the Peponi Hotel in Shela or on the waterfront in Lamu Town.

  • Lamu Airport

    Lamu Airport is a small airstrip that serves flights to Lamu from Nairobi, Malindi, and Mombasa.

    Lamu airport is located on Manda island just across the channel from Lamu Town. Facilities are very basic and include bathrooms and a small duty-free shop.

    When your flight to Lamu arrives at Lamu airport, your hotel can arrange a boat or you can get a private boat transfer to Lamu island.

    Even if you don’t book ahead, there are plenty of willing boat operators at the airport when every flight lands, so don’t worry about not finding transportation to Lamu.

    Lamu airport is in the process of being modernized, and there is currently a building project underway to construct a more permanent structure.

  • Visiting Kenya Top 5 Places to Visit in Kenya

    Kenya has no shortage of places to visit. With so much variation in its geography, there are a lot of spectacular areas in the country. Here are what I consider to be the top 5 places to visit in Kenya:

    1. Masai Mara – Famous for its safaris, the Masai Mara is one of the most popular places to visit in Kenya. Visitors can stay in a safari lodge and go on game drives to see lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, and other African game. If you are visiting Kenya during the annual wildebeest migration, you can see thousands of the animals make their yearly crossing from Tanzania into Kenya and back.

    2. Lamu – Lamu Island is one of the most popular places for beach holidays in Kenya. The beautiful isle in the Indian Ocean is a great place for fishing, diving, dhow cruises, and relaxing in the sun. Visitors to Lamu can stay in Lamu Town, Shela, or on neighboring Manda Island.

    3. Mombasa – Like Lamu, Mombasa is a great location for beach holidays in Kenya. Popular with visitors and locals alike, it is one of the top 5 places to visit in Kenya. Mombasa is famous for its beautiful beaches as well as its historic Arab-influenced old town and famous sixteenth century Fort Jesus.

    4. Nairobi – Most people that visit Kenya skip the capital. It is worth spending a day or two in Nairobi, though, as the city is home to attractions like the Giraffe Centre, the Elephant Orphanage, the Karen Blixen House, and the Mamba Village. Visitors can also go on safari in Nairobi National Park, take tours of the Mathare slum, and visit local markets and museums. The capital is also home to famous restaurants like Carnivore and Talisman, which serve some of the best food in the country.

    5. Rift Valley – Located close to Nairobi, the Rift Valley is one of the top 5 places to visit in Kenya. Home to attractions like Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Hell’s Gate National Park, the area is full of beautiful natural monuments and is a great place for adventure travel in Kenya.

  • Lake Nakuru Kenya

    Located in the Rift Valley 140km northwest of Nairobi, Lake Nakuru is a great place to spend a few days before or after a safari in the Masai Mara or a trip to Mombasa. Nakuru is a 150km drive from Nairobi on the A104 highway.

    Lake Nakuru is a great place to see the elusive white rhino in Kenya. Nakuru National Park is comprised of grasslands, stunning rock cliffs, marshes, woodlands, and forests. The area also features the stunning Makalia waterfalls.

    Home to thousands of flamingos, Lake Nakuru is also a great place for birdwatching in Kenya.

    Park fees for Lake Nakuru are 200 shillings for adults, 100 for children, and 50 for students.

  • Nairobi Hotels

    High-End Hotels in Nairobi:

    Ngong House, Nairobi – Ngong House is located 30 minutes from the city center on land that was originally a coffee estate. Houses are around US$650/night. Meals included.

    Mid-Range Hotels in Nairobi:

    Country Lodge, Nairobi – Country Lodge is located on Nairobi’s Upper Hill. Single rooms are around US$65/night. Breakfast included.

    Cheap Hotels in Nairobi:

    Upper Hill Campsite, Nairobi – Located close to the city center, the hotel has cabins and rooms. Single rooms are around US$13/night.

  • Jomo Kenyatta Airport, Nairobi

    Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi is Kenya’s large international airport.

    The Nairobi airport security measures can be extremely time-consuming, so make sure to leave plenty of time when traveling.

    Also keep in mind that some regional airlines in Kenya (Precision Air in particular) overbook all of their flights and regularly bump passengers to later flights. Make sure to arrive at the airport extra early to ensure your place on the plane.

  • Wildebeest Migration in Kenya

    The annual wildebeest migration happens from July – September between Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. Thousands of wildebeest and zebras make the seasonal migration in search of food during this time, and predators such as lions take advantage of their movements. The wildebeest usually arrive in Masai Mara in August and September and leave in October and November, but the timing is slightly different every year.

  • Best Time of Year for Kenya Safaris

    The best time of year for Kenya safaris is during the annual wildebeest migration, which goes from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The wildebeest migration takes place from July to September.

    Outside of the annual wildebeest migration, July to February is the best time to go on a Kenya safari.

    The best time of year for flowers in the Masai Mara is March to June and again in September and October.

    The best time of year for birdwatching in Kenya is October to April.

  • Kenya Travel Safety

    Due to recent unrest and upheaval in Kenya, many people who had planned on visiting Kenya are wondering about travel safety.

    Currently Nairobi and the Masai Mara are fine for travelers. The recent violence in Kenya is not a threat for those visiting Kenya at this time. That said, make sure to check up on the Kenya travel safety situation before you leave your home country. Visit your country’s embassy website or other travel safety warning site for up to date information on Kenya travel safety.

  • Talisman Restaurant in Nairobi

    Talisman Restaurant
    320 Ngong Road, Karen
    Nairobi, Kenya

    Located in Nairobi’s upscale, leafy Karen neighborhood, Talisman Restaurant is a great place for lunch or dinner. Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the outdoor patio and garden while dining on excellent meat or vegetarian dishes.