What to do in Kenya

Leave your flip-flops at the lodge and jump aboard a boat to sail in search of dolphins. Just off the stunning coast of Diani Beach, a world of aquatic bliss awaits with dreamy views and, emerging from the depths, multiple species of dolphin. Keep your eyes on the water for Indo-Pacific bottlenose and humpback dolphins, which can be spotted off the coast throughout the year. You may even be lucky enough to see Spinner dolphins as they migrate through the bay between August and October.

A metropolis dropped into a landscape of epic wildlife and never-ending plains, Nairobi is a heady mix of busy streets lined with vendors, art galleries and history. You can most certainly shop until you drop at the Maasai Markets where hand-crafted leather items and wooden carvings make for amazing souvenirs. When hunger strikes, the City Park Hawkers offer some sizzling local food like ugali and nyama choma (grilled goat). When you fancy a good dose of nature, the Botanic Gardens are as lovely as promised. Westlands has a bevy of vibrant bars and live music venues for a taste of the night life.

Diani Beach isn't just a place for laying out on the sand with a cocktail, there's a whole lot of adventure to be had. And there's no better way to get into the spirit of the coast than with a session of kite surfing. The gin-clear lagoon has warm, shallow water and a reliable breeze makes it a prime location for beginners to learn the ropes. And hopefully, catch some serious air! December to March is an especially good time with flatter conditions. Winds blow in from the south between April and September, bringing the high waves that work well for the pros. Kite surfing is rather popular and there are a number of quality outfitters to rent gear and receive a few lessons.

Nairobi may be Kenya's big and bustling capital city but that doesn't mean you have to skimp on safari time. Head out on a game drive across the sprawling grasslands of Nairobi National Park, where zebra, buffalo and plains game gather in their hundreds to graze. Eye out the docile lion as they take a nap in the shade and search for the tell-tail sign of a leopard hiding in the trees. You have a good chance to spot a black rhino as they lollop through the veld! Enjoy some top-notch wildlife-spotting with the towering skyscrapers of Nairobi as your backdrop.

If you've ever wondered whether you'd see a mammoth, we've found the closest thing. Legendary, impressive and rather photogenic, the 'Big Tuskers' of Amboselli are aptly named for their enormous tusks that weigh in at over 50kg and almost brush the ground as they walk. Enjoy a game drive with Mount Kilimanjaro as your backdrop in search of the elephants as they stroll across their domain. There are less than 30 of these soulful creatures left in the world and to see them in the wild and up-close...well there's nothing quite like it.

Fancy casting your line from a boat drifting off the southern coast of Kenya? Us too! The area has gained quite a reputation for its fantastic deep sea fishing and you can easily see why. Reel in some real big wigs like sailfish, dorado, kingfish and wahoo - and it could just be whipped up for dinner that evening. If it's yellowfin tuna you're after, August to October is the time to go and the marlin season happens between December and mid-March.

Leave your home-away-from-home in the Masai Mara to meet the people who are the true keepers of Kenya. Dressed in traditional red shukas and ornate beadwork with a spear in hand, it's an honour to meet the warriors of the centuries-old Maasai tribe. Visit a local homestead where you'll hear the stories and legends that have been passed down for generations, listen to traditional songs round the fire and see the landscape through new eyes.

Experience Nairobi through the eyes of a street child. Change your perspective on life through unforgettable stories shared by former street children on a personal tour of downtown Nairobi. After connecting with your personal guide at the Hilton Hotel, you’ll go on a three-hour walking tour around downtown. You’ll learn how they ended up and survived on the streets, experience the places where they lived and get to know who they were and what they’ve become through Nai Nami. Local lunch is included at the end of the experience.

Rise with the sunbirds to hop aboard a hot air balloon and watch breathtaking views appear in technicolour as dawn breaks over the Masai Mara. Let the early morning winds be your guide as you enjoy the pure magic of a safari from the air. You may be reluctant to blink and we don't blame you! As one of Kenya's most iconic wildlife treasures, the Mara reveals snoozing prides of lion amongst the acacias, elephants marching across the plains and hippos that bask in the river. If you're travelling between August and November, you may even see the Great Wildebeest Migration as it spills over the savannah. When you come back down to earth, toast the experience with champagne or enjoy a hearty breakfast in the bush before returning to camp.

Feel the crunch beneath your boots and the sweet African breeze as you explore the plains of Amboseli. Let your guide share the secrets of the bush with you while spotting animal tracks (of lion and dung beetle alike) and inspecting the acacias for more unusual flora and fauna. Game drives may be the star of many safaris but there's no truer way to experience the bush than a hands-on and close-up walkabout. Your camera will thank you! And, you'll still have the chance to see plains game and big cats from a comfortable distance.

Under a canvas of stars, set out from camp in a jeep to spy on the wildlife as the Masai Mara comes alive with a whole new cast of creatures. Even more so than the day, nighttime belongs to the predators. Lion and leopard slink between the trees, sniffing out hidden plains game, and hyenas howl in excitement as they look for leftovers. In the quiet of the evening, scan the brush for a pair of glowing eyes - then try and figure out if they belong to a bush baby, aardvark or even the shy civet. Your guide knows all and won't let any rustle go unnoticed!

Take a journey through the desertscape to visit a Samburu village. It is a remarkable privilege to meet members of this ancient and proud tribe as they welcome you with a traditional meal and a walk through the manyatta (homestead). Sit in the central meeting place to see the stalwart Samburu warriors as they share a traditional dance, jumping higher and higher to outdo each other. Learn all about the stunning beaded necklaces worn by the Samburu women and listen to stories passed down for generations.

Spend a morning or afternoon at the Sheldrick elephant sanctuary in Nairobi. As the most successful program for orphaned elephants in the world, your time spent here won't easily be forgotten. The calves are hand-reared by their keepers and develop a bond that is amazing to see. Watch as they run and splash in muddy pools, before they guzzle down a bottle for lunch. Each calf has a name and a story (they arrive from all over Kenya) and you can even adopt one of the elephant before heading home.

On this enlightening One Horizon cultural tour, you meet some endearing and entrepreneurial grandmothers who are beating their generational cycle of poverty. Many Kenyan grandmothers play a vital role in raising their grandchildren and extended families, and you’ll visit a pig farm, which is a project supported by One Horizon to improve the livelihoods of grandmothers by empowering them through small-scale farming. They invite you to assist with farming activities, help cook a traditional meal, and by sharing lots of laughter and listening to their inspirational stories, you’ll get a real insight into the strength and resilience of these remarkable Kenyan women. A cultural tour like no other.

Kenya's leading role in wildlife conservation is well-known and Nairobi is no exception. Before you begin or bid farewell to your safari, spend a few hours with the gentle Rothschild giraffe at their haven just outside of Nairobi. The centre was created to protect this endangered sub-species, which is only found in the grasslands of East Africa and calves are born at the sanctuary before being rehomed at a reserve. These creatures will quickly steal your heart as they lick up pellets straight from your hand - you may even get a kiss in thanks. Grab a cuppa and watch the giraffe snack and stroll, or hike to the View Point for a stellar view of Nairobi before returning to your hotel.

Anyone winging their way to Kenya will have likely heard the name, Karen Blixen. After arriving in Nairobi, her home-turned-museum makes a good first port of call. Karen Blixen's story was made famous by 'Out of Africa', which portrayed her life in the hills of Nairobi. The hundred-year-old house she once lived in was given to the Kenyan government after gaining independence. It has since become a museum, recounting the the life and work of Karen Blixen, with a collection of fascinating letters, books and art.

Dubbed one of the greatest wildlife shows on earth, the Great Migration becomes even more thrilling as the tsunami of stomping wildebeest run the terrifying gauntlet of crossing the Mara River. From August the wildebeest and Zebra begin to gather along the river banks ready to cross from the Serengeti into the Masai Mara. As they build up the courage to face the crocodile-laden waters the big cats stalk in hot pursuit. The Masai Mara has the largest concentration of wildebeest, zebras and gazelle as they make their pilgrimage, before returning to Tanzania in November. Words cannot describe the sheer adrenaline of this spectacle and your guide will know where to find the best vantage point on a game drive to remember.

Come on a wild adventure by visiting the Animal Orphanage at Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. Bring your family and friends for a day of lasting memories. Explore, discover, and connect with the wonders of nature. All entry fees and donations directly contribute to the care of the animals and our overall conservation mission. This unique Animal Orphanage provides care to orphaned, injured and distressed wildlife, giving them a second chance. The Orphanage provides shelter and professional veterinary care with the aim of releasing these animals back into the wild where they belong once they are back to full health.