(Although you’ll probably end up going back again and again!)
February 1st 2023; I step out into the bitingly cold morning air, the sky a dark charcoal, as the hands of the clock trundle lethargically towards 7am. On any other occasion, such a scenario would have filled me with a low-level sense of dread, because it would usually involve power-walking as fast as I could towards the train station in the first leg of my morning commute. This time, however, I’m fuelled by a very different set of emotions. On this particular February morning, the door I’m walking out of is at a hotel near the Airport, and the next time I emerge into the great outdoors will be around 12 hours later, when the plane doors open in Nairobi, Kenya.
In search of the ever-illusive ‘winter sun’, I began researching holiday destinations towards the end of 2022. Determined to escape the clutches of a seemingly endless winter in London, I set about listing potential countries that fitted the bill. Having narrowed the selection down to a shortlist along with their relative pros and cons, there seemed to be one clear winner. Diverse wildlife, breath-taking landscapes, rich cultural history and a stunning coastline all combined to push Kenya right to the top of the list.
Around 8.5 hours on the plane from London, Kenya is East-Africa’s most popular holiday destination, with a whopping 2,000,000 tourists visiting each year. It’s unsurprising it pulls in such a crowd; with a thriving safari scene inland and beautiful, unspoilt coastlines to the East, it’s the perfect place for nature lovers and adventure seekers to escape, explore and experience.
If you’re thinking about visiting Kenya for the first time, it’s a very good idea to lean on the experts. With such a vast array of places to visit and things to see and do, booking a tailor-made package can help make sure you get exactly what you want from your trip.
After doing plenty of research, I decided to go with Freedom Destinations. With a friendly UK-based team who are always on hand to chat through holiday plans over the phone, they really do give you an unparalleled human customer service experience. Our itinerary was shaped around our dates and requirements, with transfers, dietary requirements and added excursions all taken care of. All we had to do was turn up (and not forget our passports!)
If you’re reading this, the chances are you’re already considering Kenya as your next trip. Perhaps you’ve been researching different itineraries or packages, but need a little more information before booking your trip. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of going on safari, but aren’t quite sure how to go about making the dream a reality. If you fall into either of these camps, read on to find out exactly why Kenya is the place to go.
Let’s start with the obvious; Kenya’s animal kingdom is its absolute pride and joy. Home to around 25,000 species, it is the perfect place to get up close and personal with a jaw-dropping array of animals and birdlife. In pursuit of seeing the ‘Big 5’ in person, we booked the 8 day Kenya Favourites tour, which took us to three of Kenya’s main national parks; Amboseli, Lake Naivasha & Nakuru, and the world-renowned Masai Mara.
At each stop, we were taken out on multiple game drives, each one providing a completely different combination of scenery and sightings to the last. The anticipation on these drives was palpable; every time we headed out of the lodge in our 4×4 vehicle, we were filled with excitement; would we see a white rhino? Could there be a pride of lions asleep in the shade of an innocuous looking shrub? Would we spot a rare and expertly camouflaged leopard?
To our delight, the answer to all of the above was yes. The feeling of seeing these majestic creatures in the wild and at such close proximity is almost impossible to describe. Experiencing it yourself is unbeatable, and I’ll never forget coming face-to-face with three white rhinos, or the spine-tingling moment a herd of elephants crossed the road directly in front of us at sundown.
It’s important to note that Kenya takes its wildlife conservation very seriously. When visiting the national parks, you will find reassurance that efforts are being taken to conserve natural habitats and protect the animals within them. Whilst it is by no means perfect, community-based conservation schemes have done much to reduce poaching and protect the most endangered animals from harm. Seeing how the animals and their habitats are respected and protected adds to the sense of wonder you’ll feel as you drive through the vast, rugged terrain in search of some of some of Mother Nature’s most beautiful creatures.
As a born and bred Londoner who has experienced much of my life under the grey skies of the British Isles, I’m a sucker for a sunny climate and a beautiful beach. Far from a one-trick pony, Kenya’s safari scene is rivaled by its epic beaches. Luckily, you don’t have to choose between the two; a Kenya Safari & Beach tour delivers the best of both worlds.
We spent four blissfully sun-drenched days at Sarova Whitesands, a paradise-like beach resort near the historic coastal town of Mombasa. Perched on the edge of Bamburi Beach and flanked by impossibly high palm trees dropping coconuts that will be used in your cocktails, Sarova Whitesands provides the perfect backdrop for some R&R before or indeed after your action-packed safari.
Wherever you choose to stay on the coast, you’ll be sure to dial up relaxation levels to 100 as you unwind to the sound of the waves lapping lazily against the sandy shores and the warm breeze rustling gently through the trees.
If you love trying different cuisines, then you’ll be well catered for in Kenya. As a pescatarian, I was slightly worried about what would be on offer, but I soon realised that my worries were completely unfounded. There was vegetarian food in abundance; in fact, a lot of traditional Swahili food is meat-free! From ‘Irio’ (think mashed potato combined with loads of tasty veggies) to ‘Mbaazi za Nazi’, a breakfast dish served on the coast, consisting of peas cooked in coconut milk, eaten in a pocket of sweet dough, traditional Kenyan food is a real treat for the tastebuds.
More of a carnivore? Fear not, there are plenty of options that will satisfy your cravings, including lunch at the aptly named Carnivore restaurant in Nairobi (which is included as a stop in the Kenya Favourites package). This unique open-air eatery delivers on its eponymous promise, offering an all-you-can eat buffet which covers everything from lamb and chicken to crocodile and ostrich for the more adventurous diners amongst your party. It’s worth noting that the vegetarian option was fantastic too, so no-one will go hungry.
Whether in the capital or on the coast, you’ll be treated to an overwhelming choice of culinary delights. What’s more, the freshness of it all brings your senses to life in a completely new way; I wasn’t a fan of mango until I tasted the heavenly orange flesh of the fruit in Mombasa. The sea-food on the coast was some of the best I’ve ever eaten, and I still dream of the ‘Mbaazi za Nazi’ breakfasts as I pour my bowl of Bran Flakes back in the UK.
They say that a place is only as good as the people in it, and if that is true, then Kenya is just about as good as it gets. From the moment we stepped off the plane in Nairobi, the welcoming atmosphere was undeniable (yes, even passport control was a pleasant experience!).
Our wonderful safari guide (hello, Kabi!) provided knowledge and banter in equal measure, making our tour all the more enjoyable. Captain Willy, the laid-back boat hand who took us out snorkelling, shared his immense knowledge of the reef life found in Mombasa’s Marine Park and imparted some unforgettable life wisdom to boot. Then there was the Masai tribe we were lucky enough to meet, who greeted us with a traditional dance which included some of the most impressive jumps I’ve ever witnessed. Wherever we went, the people we met were a huge part of what made the holiday so memorable.
‘Hakuna matata’ – it’s a phrase most of us know best from Disney’s Lion King, but of course it is actually a Swahili phrase meaning ‘no worries’, and one that the Kenyan people really do live by. It’s almost impossible not to let the relaxed and friendly nature of everyone you meet along the way rub off on you. We couldn’t have asked for a better welcome, and all that was left to say was ‘asante sana’ – over and over again!
When you book a holiday, what are you looking for? Whether it’s adventure, new sights, relaxation, great food, history or just a good dose of sunshine, Kenya delivers on all of the above – and then some. It’s difficult to describe, but Kenya really gets under your skin. The sights, sounds and smells combine in a heady mix, making you feel well and truly alive and present in the moment.
We holiday for a number of reasons; to relax, to escape, to discover. Kenya allows you to do all of these things, in a way that is truly unique to the country. When you eventually head to the Departure gate you’ll be leaving not quite the same person as you were before. Allow Kenya to have a little piece of your heart, and it will give you its magic in return. What are you waiting for?
Ready to book your trip? Check out Freedom Destinations’ range of Kenya holidays and book your flights, safari, lodges, beach resorts and experiences in one place, with the help of one of their Africa Experts to make sure your itinerary is perfectly tailored to you.
Briony Samuel is a customer of Freedom Destinations and travelled to Kenya in February 2023.
Kenya Holidays by Freedom Destinations
Briony is a Writer and Brand Specialist, with a lifelong passion for exploring and storytelling. So far, her travels have taken her across Europe, Asia, America and most recently Africa. Meeting new people, learning about their culture is what she loves most about travelling.
