"Welcome to our curated list of recommendations for traveling in Kenya. These suggestions are personal insights gather from myself and my team at Timeless Africa Safaris. These recommendations are personally vetted by us, they come highly recommended. Please feel free to add your own favourite spots or share any updates in the comments section below. If you come across any information that may have changed, such as closures or updated details, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. Let's build a community-sourced guide to ensure that everyone can enjoy the best of what Kenya has to offer." Marco van Embden, Cape Town
1. Tour Operator Recommendation
Marco van Embden owns a great tour operator based in Cape Town South Africa, Timeless Africa Safaris with expertise in 15 African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, Republic of Congo, Mauritius and Seychelles.
Timeless Africa Safaris is a family business with Marco’s eldest daughter, Casey, being involved in the business for the past twelve years. The team truly understands the YPO philosophy – many of the travel managers have fostered relationships with local and international YPO’ers through the personal and/or family trips curated for them, their friends and their Forums as well as Intl YPO chapter visits to South Africa. These YPO’ers have become ambassadors for the work that Timeless Africa Safaris does in Africa, spreading their positive – and often life-changing – experiences with future YPO travellers.
There many good people out there, doing great work in bringing travellers to Africa. The most important thing is that you come to our magnificent continent which greatly relies on foreign travellers to support the communities and the wildlife.
2. Best Time to Go to Kenya
- Peak Season: June - September
- Mid Season: January, February, October, December
- Rainy Season: March – April, November
The best time to visit Kenya is during their winter from late June to October
The best time to view animals, especially the wildebeest migration which usually reaches the Maasai Mara in August and remains until October when they move back to Tanzania.
Kenya however remains a year round destination.
3. Access To Kenya
Major Airports: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi is the main international gateway.
Airlines: Numerous airlines, including Kenya Airways, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and others, offer flights to Kenya from various global hubs.
4. Insights On Kenya
Kenya packs a punch, boasting several bucket list items for Africa lovers: hot air ballooning over the savannah, The Great Migration and classic Big Five safaris, to name but a few.
It is a wonderful ‘hub’ destination that offers a wide variety of experiences you can immerse yourself in, allowing you to focus on maximizing your holiday and minimizing transit time.
Meeting the local Maasai people and learning about their history, culture and lifestyle has been a highlight for many of our guests.
If you’re not a fan of the traditional safari lodge experience, smaller properties and private villas make for a luxurious alternative for your travel group. If you or someone in your party has health concerns, there are a number of private hospitals in Nairobi with excellent health care and emergency evacuation facilities that serve remote properties for your peace of mind.
Kenya’s urban capital of Nairobi offers a taste of African city living at its finest and is also home to one of Africa’s most famous elephant orphanages.
5. Marco's Activities Recommendations
- Experience Kenya like a local: Authentic Cultural immersions connecting you with Kenya’s suburban and Indigenous communities
- Go behind the scenes of the Mara Elephant Project
- Meet the last two Northern White Rhinos In the world
- Helicopter over Lake Tarkuna
- Safari by Camel Back in the Samburu National Reserve.
6. Marco’s Top Accommodation Recommendations
In Nairobi:
Lodges:
Beaches:
YPO Owned Accommodation:
- Atua Enkop Africa Luxury Camps
Spring Valley Nairobi
- Encee Place & Widnes Holdings (Real Estate)
Brookside Westlands Nairobi
- Executive Residency by Best Western Nairobi
Kileleshwa Nairobi, Nairobi County
- The Zubeida
Diani Beach Road Diani Beach, Kwale County
8. Marco’s Top Dining Recommendations in Nairobi
- Cultiva
- Hero Bar and Restaurant (No.68 The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022)
- The Talisman
- Inti Nikkei Experience
- Slate Restaurant
YPO Owned Restaurants:
- Nairobi Street Kitchen
Westlands Nairobi - The Grove Restaurant
Rooftop, Executive Residency by Best Western Nairobi
9. Destinations Kenya pairs well with
Seychelles and Mauritius
- Highlights: Pristine beaches, luxury resorts, snorkeling, and diving.
- Travel Time: Direct flights from Nairobi to Seychelles and Mauritius.
- Best For: Beach vacations and honeymoon destinations, combined with Kenyan safaris.
South Africa
- Highlights: Cape Town, Garden Route, Greater Kruger National Private Reserves, Johannesburg
- Travel Time: Direct flights from Nairobi to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
- Best For: Combining a safari in Kruger with urban experiences in Cape Town and Johannesburg, plus scenic drives along the Garden Route.
Tanzania, including Zanzibar
Highlights: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar.
Travel Time: Short flights from Nairobi to major Tanzanian cities like Arusha and Dar es Salaam, or scheduled charter flights to Tanzania border posts and then on to Tanzania safaris.
Best For: Combining the Great Migration in the Serengeti with Kenya’s Maasai Mara, beach vacations in Zanzibar, and Kilimanjaro treks.
Where to go gorilla trekking:
In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park delivers thrilling gorilla encounters, complemented by Nyungwe Forest’s chimp trekking and rich cultural experiences. A short flight from Nairobi makes it easily accessible.
Uganda offers equally rewarding trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, with diverse wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Flights from Nairobi to Entebbe ensure smooth travel.
Pairing a Kenyan safari with gorilla trekking makes for a meaningful experience, seamlessly blending iconic wildlife encounters with breathtaking landscapes.
10. Kenya Regions
- Maasai Mara National Park – The ultimate wildlife safari destination, famous for the Great Migration, abundant predators, and unspoiled landscapes.
- Nairobi – A vibrant metropolis known as the "Green City in the Sun," offering a dynamic mix of business, culture, and modern attractions.
- Amboseli National Park – Home to vast elephant herds with breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, plus excellent wildlife and birding experiences.
- Laikipia National Reserve – A top safari destination protecting rare species, offering diverse landscapes, and thrilling activities like guided walks and boat trips.
- Samburu National Park – Rich in unique wildlife like reticulated giraffes and Grevy’s zebras, with fascinating Samburu cultural experiences.
- Lamu Island & Kenyan Coast – A tranquil island escape blending Swahili, Indian, and Arabian influences, with stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and relaxed island life.
