Kenya is East Africa’s classic safari destination, where vast savannahs teem with the Big Five and the Great Migration thunders across the Maasai Mara each year. Its capital, Nairobi, is a modern hub city and the region’s main aviation gateway, unusually home to its own national park where lions roam within sight of the skyline. Beyond the plains, Kenya offers the white-sand beaches and Swahili culture of the coast around Mombasa and Diani, the volcanic landscapes of the Rift Valley, and snow-capped Mount Kenya. Kenyan cuisine reflects this diversity, from hearty nyama choma (grilled meat) and ugali inland to coconut- and spice-infused Swahili dishes on the coast, all shaped by a rich blend of Bantu, Nilotic, Arab and British influences.
Explore Kenya Destinations: Nairobi.
Main Gateway Airport
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), East Africa's busiest hub
Currency
Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Languages Spoken
Swahili and English (both official), plus numerous local languages
Climate & Weather
Tropical, tempered by altitude inland; long rains March to May, short rains October to November
Best Time to Visit
June to October and January to February, for dry weather and peak wildlife viewing including the Great Migration (July-September)
Popular Cities to Fly To
Nairobi is the main gateway, with connections to Mombasa, the Maasai Mara airstrips and Lamu
Popular Attractions
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park (Mount Kilimanjaro views), Nairobi National Park, Diani Beach, Lake Nakuru
Food & Culture
Nyama choma (grilled meat) and ugali, Swahili coastal cuisine with coconut and spices, vibrant Maasai and coastal Swahili traditions
