The safari ("the journey" in Swahili) could only be born in Kenya. Wide open spaces embodied by the immense Maasai Mara reserve, paradisiacal beaches lined with coconut palms as in Diani Beach, but also luxuriant tropical forests, dune deserts, a glacier perched at 5,000 m on the summit of Mount Kenya, Kenya is an invitation to leave. A majestic setting to observe with your Kenya tour guide a plethora of wildlife in about sixty national parks and nature reserves. The "Big Five" animals (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo) are waiting for you but you should not forget all the others, on land, around the lakes as in Nukuru and Naivasha and in the marine reserves as in Kisite off Wasini Island, in the Indian Ocean. Traveling in Kenya also means meeting the local populations and their fascinating ethnic diversity, in Nairobi, Lamu, Mombassa or in the Great Rift Valley province, the official cradle of humanity.

What to see, what to do Kenya?

When to go Kenya ?

The best times to go on safari in Kenya are in January and February, and August-September. These are the times when the great wildebeest migration of millions of animals between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti plains takes place, approximately between July and September in one direction, and December-January in the other. Ideally, one should avoid the two rainy seasons, the long one between April and June, and the short one between November and December, during which some roads are impassable and the animals less visible in the national parks.

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Practical information for travel Kenya

Une semaine au Kenya suffit à réaliser un premier safari en Afrique dans des conditions de rêve. Il est même possible de faire une petite extension sur l'une des plages paradisiaques de la côte. Mais qu’on se le dise, deux semaines c’est quand même mieux pour avoir un aperçu des principales richesses du pays, visiter Nairobi, les parcs d’Amboseli et de Maasaï Mara, la vallée du Rift et le lac de Nakuru, la réserve de Samburu, celle de Tsavo, la région du Mont Kenya, puis les plus belles zones de la côte swahilie : Mombasa, Diani, ainsi que Watamu et l’île de Lamu. Si l’on ne veut pas courir, on peut prendre plus de temps en certains endroits, et par exemple préférer la côte sud ou nord, le Mont Kenya ou les Aberdares, Samburu ou Tsavo. Trois semaines permettent d’approfondir ces lieux et d’entreprendre des excursions plus exigeantes en temps, notamment pour l’ascension du Mont Kenya ou la découverte du lac Turkana.

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How to go Kenya

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How to go alone

There are direct flights to Nairobi and Mombasa. It is not allowed to enter national parks without a guide for safety and environmental protection reasons, so you will always have to go through a local agency, large or small. Solo, you can go further off the beaten track and into the main reserves and venture out to Lake Victoria or the Rift Valley, for example.

How to go on a tour

Safaris in the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo or Lake Naivasha reserves are on the menu of all travel agencies. It is the means of transportation that differs from one safari to another, in 4X4, on foot, on horseback, on motorcycle or even in a hot air balloon. Accommodation during the safaris is in camps or even lodge in the reserves or near them. Many agencies also offer to conclude the trip with a stay on the beaches of the Indian Ocean, at Diani Beach or towards Mombassa.

How to get around

It is easy to get around in southern Kenya and to cross the country from east to west. There are numerous air links, a fairly dense road network, a train linking Mombasa and Kisumu via Nairobi and reliable and punctual buses serving all towns. However, travel in the northern regions is much more difficult. Public transport is almost non-existent and the condition of roads and tracks is often deplorable, even in the dry season.

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Discover Kenya

"I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills", so begins Karen Blixen's famous autobiographical novel, The African Farm (adapted to film by Sydney Pollack in 1985, in Out of Africa). And it is in Kenya that the story takes place. This cult film has fed many imaginations. Kenya, the kingdom of safari, with more than fifty parks and reserves, benefits from grandiose and varied landscapes, abundant and easily observable wildlife. But it is also a history that goes back to the origins of humanity, a fascinating ethno-cultural diversity (no less than 40 ethnic groups and 60 vernacular languages), preserved ancestral traditions, a diverse habitat, one of the most dynamic economies in sub-Saharan Africa, quality infrastructure, a multitude of small corners of paradise in exceptional settings ... The journey begins, go and discover Kenya!

Pictures and images Kenya

Bijoux maasai. russdixon - istockphoto.com
Envolée de flamants roses au lac de Bogoria. ivanmateev - iStockphoto.com
Girafes Kenya Tourist Board
Transport à la kenyane Kenya Tourist Board

The 12 keywords Kenya

1. Big Five

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Literally the "Big Five", the Big Five are the most courted wild animals of the savannah. Originally, this term was used by hunters to describe the most feared and respected mammals in Africa. The lion, the elephant, the buffalo, the leopard and the rhinoceros reign supreme over the animal kingdom.

2. Bandas

These are very basic bungalows, with a roof made of makuti (woven palm leaves), which can be rented in the parks. They are cheap and often have a small kitchen. Some lodges have been inspired by this type of traditional dwelling, to give a more authentic appearance to their tourist offer.

3. Dhows

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Small boats with triangular sails that can be seen sailing along the Kenyan and Tanzanian coasts. For centuries, these dhows linked Africa, the Persian Gulf and India. Today, few of them make this long journey. These small sailing ships have kept their charm and a dhow cruise remains a unique experience.

4. Boda-Boda

The "boda-boda" were originally used for border-to-border transfers. Today, they are present everywhere. Also called "piki-piki", both refer to motorcycle cabs. You will find them more easily than a cab or a matatu. To be considered only for short distances.

5. Ethnicities

There are more than 40 ethnic groups in Kenya. The main ones are the Kikuyus, the majority ethnic group, the Luos and the Luhyas, the Kalenjins and the Kambas, the Maasais... Kenya has more or less succeeded in forming a peaceful ethnic cohabitation since its independence in 1963. However, tensions arise during election periods.

6. Matatu

These are 14-seat minibuses, decorated and often overloaded, which provide urban and interurban travel at full speed. Each matatu has its own driver and its own driver, its own rules and its own atmosphere. All exuberance is permitted. These matatus are the object of a real cult. The regulars have their favorite.

7. Makuti

This is the name commonly given to traditional Kenyan houses in the villages. In fact, it is more precisely the material with which the roofs are built. Large dried coconut leaves are laid out like tiles. Makuti is also commonly used in the construction of lodges and hotels

8. Polé-Polé

In Swahili, "polé-polé" means "gently". It is the equivalent of "piano-piano" in Italy, "mora-mora" in Madagascar or "tipa-tipa" in Mauritius. On the Indian Ocean coast, where the pace seems to be slower and the atmosphere more relaxed than elsewhere, the expression is widely used... and you will quickly make it your own!

9. Nyama choma

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It is traditionally grilled goat meat, but the term refers to all kinds of wood-fired grilled meat, which is simply eaten with salt and chili. Nyama choma means "barbecue meat" in Kiswahili. Whether on the street or in a restaurant, this is a very popular Kenyan specialty that you can't escape

10. Tusker

The national drink is beer (lager)! Kenya would even be the biggest beer drinking country in East Africa. It is quite good, low in alcohol and cheap. It comes in different versions (export, lager, premium...). In the bars, specify that you want a " cold " beer because Kenyans often drink it lukewarm

11. Tea

In this country, producer of some of the best teas in the world (after India and China) since 1925, and still under the influence of English habits, tea is drunk at all hours of the day. Kenya produces, exports and consumes mainly black tea. Full-bodied and aromatic, it is usually served very sweet and with milk

12. Ugali

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Ugali is a staple of Kenyan cuisine. Its preparation is childishly simple: boil water and mix white maize or millet flour until you get a compact, rather bland and filling puree. Ugali is usually served as an accompaniment to other dishes, with the flavors on the side taking precedence.

You are from here, if...

You greet the people you meet with a "Jambo"! This is a classic greeting for both locals and foreigners. No one will believe that you speak Swahili. Do not hesitate to use a few words in Swahili to thank (asante sana), greet (habari), say goodbye (kwaheri)... This small effort will be greatly appreciated by Kenyans

You shake hands spontaneously with the person you meet, even if you don't know him/her. It is a gesture of trust and respect that is not refused. It is also customary to extend the handshake for a while during the conversation, a little less between a man and a woman. And of course, Covid has changed this somewhat.

You are always calm and patient (especially with the police...). Placidity is a virtue in Kenya, and any irritation often tends to stall the situation rather than resolve it

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