KENYA
Home of the famous wildebeest migration on the Masai Mara, Mt. Kenya and the Mt. Kenya Safari Club, land of Hemingway and Jane Goodall, and the Rift Valley (birthplace of humankind) – Kenya is one of the most affordable countries in which to experience the incredible variety of African wildlife and fascinating array of local cultures.
Kenya has a rich and colorful history, and although there have been some tragic events over the last few years, stability and progress characterize it now. Signs of recovery are everywhere. Nairobi, the capital, is the heart of this prosperous country and is, by the standards of developing nations, a modern city. The Masai – cloaked in their red blankets – have become the image of Kenya, and their villages and markets are a real treat. The welcome received in East Africa is legendary, and Kenyans have elevated hospitality to an art form.
In June, mile-long herds of wildebeest and other animals begin to migrate north from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara, following the grasses and bringing with them the big cat predators. In September their centuries-old instincts lead them south, making the famous crossings where crocodiles wait for the weak and unwary.
Kenya’s climate is as diverse as its geography. The coastal area is warm and humid while the central highlands are generally cool and humid. The best months to travel are usually from August to November when the temperatures are the coolest and the trees are blooming. The weather is never too hot, rarely reaching 90 degrees, and even the hottest days bring balmy, cool nights.
