Country: Kenya
Capital: Nairobi
Time: GMT + 3 (One hour behind UAE)
Flight time: Around 5 hours if flying direct
Average ticket price: From Dh680 to Dh2,000 (depends on carriers, layovers and seasonal changes)
High season: Late June to October and late December to mid-March
Language: Swahili and English
Say hi: Jambo!
Currency: Kenyan shilling (100 shillings = US$ 1 or Dh3.67)
The moment you hear the word Kenya, you think of a safari because that's exactly where the whole enterprise of safari drives started. At first these 'safaris' weren't humane and people would go on hunting games through the bush. Now the safari means you can get as close to the wild as you possibly can, and enjoy being one with nature.
Masai Mara
The true jewel in this beautiful country is the Masai Mara. Mara or the bush refers to African jungle and the Masai people give this area its name. World famous among travellers and photographers, Masai Mara is known for the annual wildebeest migration from Tanzania.
What to do
Safari drives are an obvious activity and the race against time and the sun to see the Big 5 of Africa is exhilarating. The Masai Mara offers the best chances to see these five - elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards and rhinos. Another thing to do is to go on a hot air balloon ride over the Mara in the early hours of the morning. The silence is almost eerie as impalas look up confused at the strangely shaped bird.
Where to stay
'Spirit of the Masai Mara' is a place you should stay in for at least one night. A boutique lodge/camp with environment-friendly decor and luxurious interiors, the entire property is unfenced and sits within the bush. Elephants come up to the swimming pool to drink water while leopards roam around in the wee hours of the morning. The perfect mix of luxury and authentic Kenyan wildlife experience.
Mount Kenya
The place gets the name from the three peaks of Mount Kenya. The weather is chilly (when we visited in May). But they told us that May is the best month to visit as it's still low season, but not too cold or wet to prove difficult for tourists.
What to do
Meet Sudan after an exciting game drive through the Ol Pejeta conservatory. Sudan is the last surviving male Northern White rhino on the planet and he is 44 years old.
The meeting is touching and scary at the same time - he survives as an evidence of what human greed and insensitivity can do to mighty animals like him.
Where to stay
Fairmont Mount Kenya is a great property. The balcony opens to peacocks strutting around and the clearest views of the mountain. They even have a hedge maze that you can try with friends. Another one we love is the Sweetwaters Tented Camp which has their own watering hole near the property where animals come and drink, giving you chances to see them almost every day.
Nairobi
Nairobi is a pretty city - almost as green as Kerala but with nice, cool weather mid-year.
What to do
Shop for traditional souvenirs, shawls and more in the many malls in the city. Make sure you buy some Kenyan tea as well. Visit the Giraffe centre where you get a chance to feed and play with the silent tall beauties. Did you know that one well-placed kick from a giraffe could kill a lion?
Where to stay
You can also find budget options starting at Dh200 per night for two. There is also a Fairmont property in the capital city.
Diani
Diani is a fresh, green coastal town. We walked on the sea floor, full of starfish, crabs and shells, when the sea was in low tide. Our guide told us that come afternoon, the entire way we walked through would be covered by water, deep enough to swim through.
What to do
Visit Wasini Island, a project aimed at promoting tourism as an income source for the locals. You are taken there by boat.
The food is all caught and cooked fresh - there is no electricity on the island - so there is no way they could save cooked food anyway. If you go, ask for their Wasini special mocktail as you dig into the amazing food. You can also snorkel here.
Where to stay
We stayed at the Afrochic hotel. Private beaches are not novel to UAE residents, but an army of crabs rising up from the sea every evening at 7pm is. They come up to mate and lay eggs.
Kenya is an amazing place to visit and the people are friendly and helpful. Here are some tips:
- Get a sim card as call charges and data charges are very low. Use up to 12 GB for just Dh30 while you're there. Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook your entire trip with no qualms about data. A sim card will only cost you US$1 or Dh3.67.
- Carry light and breathable clothing. When on safari drives, wear light coloured shirts, and cover your arms and legs to avoid getting sunburnt.
- Carry sunscreen at all times.
