Home

destinations

africa the middle east

kenya

Giraffe running through water in African safari

Kenya

Name: Kenya and Tanzania Safari
Brand: Contiki
Price: 7481 CAD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (82 reviews)

See all Kenya trips

Travel in Kenya

Elephants with long white tusks roam to the backdrop of a snow-capped mountain. Vibrant pink flamingos dance around a crowd of slow and steady hippopotami. And tribal women wear elaborate and colourful beaded jewels that sparkle in the glow of an oversized setting sun. These are the pictures of Kenya that entice travellers to East Africa from across the globe. Taking a journey here is more than just a journey here is a holiday for the soul, a trip that will leave you wide-eyed and endlessly inspired. Begin in the underrated capital of Nairobi, allowing enough time to discover the city’s vibrant nightlife and progressive and multicultural streets. From here you can make day trips to a foliage covered manor for a breakfast with a difference, sharing toast and juice with numerous long-lashed giraffes. Further away, the Amboseli National Park, named one of the greatest wildlife viewing experiences in the world. Loved-up travellers can sign up for a wedding ceremony with a difference, experiencing the nuptials of the Maasai people complete with sipping animal blood, festive chanting and body paint. Fuelled by ‘chips mayai,’ an omelette with fries, and nyama choma roasted meats, travellers can visit the Karen Blixen Museum, chase reptiles on a snake safari, and admire traditional homes at the Bomas of Kenya. If your trip to Kenya has flexibility time it with one of the country’s endlessly vibrant festivals, not least of all the multicultural street party of Mombasa Carnival and the Lamu Cultural Festival, which gives just another reason to venture to the country’s dazzling archipelago.

FAST FACTS
Language: Swahili, English
Currency: Kenyan shilling
Electricity: 240V
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to enter Kenya.
Dialling Code: +254
Time Zone: (GMT+03:00)

ABOUT CONTIKI
From quick breaks to epic journeys, Contiki exists to connect young travellers with the time of their lives.
See more about Contiki

Top 5 Festivals in Kenya

Don traditional beaded jewellery and drape yourself in brightly coloured cloth - these Kenya festivals call upon travellers to submerge deep into the roots of this culture. From the archipelago of Lamu to city of Mombasa, you could find yourself drifting through this country to the call of its many events.

Lamu Cultural Festival

Culture

The Lamu Cultural Festival is yet another great excuse to visit Kenya’s idyllic Lamu archipelago. An original Swahili settlements dating back to 1370, Lamu is one of the oldest towns in Kenya, with deep historical and cultural roots, which are celebrated together with the present day and future of Lamu life in this annual 7-day event.

Lake Turkana Festival

Culture

Lake Turkana Festival is a 3-day event held in June each year, with an underlying purpose of promoting peace and cross-cultural interaction amongst various Kenyan tribes. 14 communities from Marsabit County come together in a spectacular display of music, dance, arts, crafts and tradition.

Mombasa Carnival

Culture

Dubbed a multicultural street party and the biggest festival in Kenya, Mombasa Carnival brings displays the varied influence of the country’s second largest city. Highlighted by two parades held in November, expect a lively flurry of colour, costume and culture - a festival worth timing your trip with.

International Camel Derby Festival

Sport & Culture

Though there are many camel races held across Kenya, none are quite as extravagant and highly regarded as the The Maralal International Camel Derby. The unique festivities of this event draw in travellers from across the globe, many of which rent a camel rider and partake in the 10-kilometre race.

Maulidi Festival

Culture

An Islamic festival with almost a century of history, the Maulidi Festival honours the birth of the Prophet Mohammed. Thousands of Muslims from across the country visit the historic island of Lamu to celebrate this month long event, which climaxes on the final 4-days with activities like henna, tug-of war, and donkey races.

Top 5 Museums and Galleries in Kenya

Before you visit Kenya you will likely envisage barren lands and endless days spent outside gawking at wild animals at play. Very few anticipate the incredible array of museums on offer here. Celebrate a Danish author and marvel at archaeological discoveries, before taking in traditional homes at Bomas of Kenya.

Karen Blixen Museum

The Karen Blixen Museum honours the famous Danish author who lived in Kenya from 1917 to 1931, operating a coffee farm from a bungalow by the Ngong Hills. Blixen’s book, ‘Out of Africa,’ was a global success that went on to become a film, with many of the props on show at the museum.

Fort Jesus

Fort Jesus was built in the late 1500’s along the coastline of the city of Mombasa by the then king of Portugal, and switched ownership numerous times during battles for the lands of Kenya. The well-preserved grounds are now a declared national park and World Heritage Site, and one of the most popular Kenya attractions.

Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site and Museum

Hyrax Hill is a site of immeasurable history, with archeological excavations unearthing evidence of life some 5000-years-old. The humble yet fascinating museum and former farmhouse showcases over 400 pieces found on the hill, ranging from musical instruments to hunting gadgets.

Kitale Museum

The western town of Kitale is home to the popular Kitale Museum where traditional Kenyan home and historical artefacts can admired. Unfortunately the important space is usually trumped by Kitale’s Nature Conservancy, where a bizarre collection of deformed animals are cared for to save local families from the ‘curse’ of having them in their home.

Bomas of Kenya

Take a visit to Bomas of Kenya for an inspiring look at the traditional mud homes of many Kenyan tribes. Peppered around the biggest auditorium in Africa, you may get to witness traditional dance and a few monkeys whilst learning about local culture.

Food in Kenya

The bean stew like dish of githeri is sure to impress, and the barbecued meats of nyama choma will satisfy after a long day of travel. But there’s one Kenyan food that you will rave about for years to come and want to sample numerous times - the omelette stuffed with French fries known as ‘chips mayai.’

Ugali

Though ugali itself is a fairly bland, doughy item, when used as a base for other dishes it offers an easy fill up and makes a meal complete. Commonly used to dip into saucy curries or as a side for salads, it would be hard to venture to this part of the world without trying at least one ugali.

_{Best eaten at
Mama Oliech's Restaurant, Nairobi}

Nyama Choma

Almost as fun to eat as it is to pronounce, nyama choma is a hallmark of family celebrations in Kenya and Tanzania. Though the name refers to many varieties or roast meat, it’s most commonly goat, best eaten with your hands and washed down with a chilled beer.

_{Best eaten at
Mombasa Village, Mji Mpya Rd, Mombasa}

Chips Mayai

Once you’ve tried the omelette filled with potato fries known as ‘chips mayai’, no other omelette will suffice. A popular street food across East Africa, this is dish you will grab again and again, and most likely want to whip up when you return home.

_{Best eaten at
any local market}

Githeri

Githeri is a Kenyan staple of corn and beans in a soupy sauce, often used as a base for other more substantial dishes with meat and vegetables. Visit Bridges Organic Restaurant to experience traditional githeri along with many other healthy and colourful Kenyan dishes.

_{Best eaten at
Bridges Organic Restaurant, Tubman Road, Nairobi}