Regions in Kenya

The most iconic of safari destinations needs no introduction, and it goes without saying that wildlife viewing here is second to none. See thousands of herd animals living side by side with the Maasai people, and seeing as it’s big cat territory you’ll rarely go for long without encountering fluffy cheetah cubs, or lionesses snoozing in the shade. Worth particular mention is the annual wildebeest migration which fills the reserve with the sound of thundering hooves for several months each year.

For iconic views of wildlife wandering under the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, travel to Kenya’s pocket of national parks in the southeast. The mountain, just over the border in Tanzania, towers over the wetlands and plains that make up Amboseli, Chyulu Hills and Tsavo National Parks. To see Amboseli in all her glory visit in the lush wetter months, when Lake Amboseli fills with water and birdlife, and every tree, bush and shrub glows a vivid green.

Lying in the shadow of Mount Kenya (the second-highest mountain in Africa), the country’s central region is made up of privately-owned ranches on vast estates and numerous national parks that contour Kenya’s more unknown safari regions. A destination of choice for discerning safari-goers, Laikipia Plateau is dominated by huge cattle ranches, many of which are now private wildlife sanctuaries containing the famed ‘Big Five’.

A little more than a century old, Nairobi has always been one of the world's best hubs for a truly authentic African safari, as it is surrounded by world-renowned national parks in all directions. If you are just passing through on your way to the Masai Mara or Amboseli National Parks, the capital city can offer you up close and very personal interactions with giraffes at the Giraffe Centre.

Elephant fan? Then head to Northern Kenya and more specifically to Samburu, a stunningly stark and arid reserve, famous for its great herds of elephant. Look out for them digging in sandy river beds for water, or moving almost silently through the trees. Keep your eyes peeled for the unusual northern species of animals (including the adorable fluffy-eared Grevy’s zebra), and admire the stunning landscape all around.

Think icing-sugar sand, gently swaying palm trees, fishing villages and vibrant Swahili culture. Whether it’s a hideaway on the mainland or escaping it all on an island, Kenya has some wonderful coastal retreats, and fantastic diving just about everywhere. The delightfully crumbling seaside village of Lamu has long oozed barefoot glamour, where fishermen sail dhows as they have for centuries, and rock stars party as they have for decades.