Wooden cabanas with plumped up cushions dot white sands, the weather beaten cloths of a traditional Arabic dhow set sail across the waters and that salty Indian Ocean breeze is sheer delight under a burning sun. Holidays to Mombasa are tropical beaches and coconut water, fresh catch of the day delivered straight onto your plate and hammocks strung from palm trees. Expect laid-back beachfront hotels where it’s all about swimwear, flip-flops and ripples left behind from those eager to try kite surfing and stand up paddle boarding. In Swahili, Mombasa is known as Pwani, which means ‘people of the coast’ and with warm waters, easy-going vibes and sparkling beaches it’s easy to see why this is a favourite barefoot destination. There are tuk tuks on every corner of Mombasa Old Town waiting to take you to cardamom and saffron scented spice markets and stalls selling African kikoys and khangas. While the town’s the façade may be worn and crumbling, its fretted balconies, ornate doors and African, Arabian and Indian imprints only add to the character. Among north coast primeval forest filled with butterflies and monkeys lay the mysterious Gede Ruins, an intriguing abandoned Swahili town of palaces, mosques and houses. Back on the beach, where it all begins and ends, are glass-bottomed boat tours, sunset catamaran cruises and dining under the stars in open-roofed atmospheric caves. The crown jewel on Mombasa holidays remains that incredible Kenyan coastline, and in exotic hideaway hotels on stretches of white sand life slows down to a wonderfully unhurried pace. If you fancy lying back in luxury, call one of our Kenya Travel Experts and we can craft your dream Mombasa holiday
8 Hotels, 1 Tour, 1 Safari
Your breath stills and the focus stirs as you ready yourself to capture that exact moment a herd of elephant crosses your field of view. Finally, the click of the shutter disrupts the otherwise silent air just as the snow-capped Kilimanjaro frames your perfect shot; your Amboseli safari isn’t just about the wildlife species you can tick off your list, it’s also about taking in the park’s epic backdrops as you do. Dusty plains dotted with acacia trees meet the deep greens of meltwater-fed marshes and swamps where elephants in large family herds wade elbow deep and a crash of hippos wallow, all with the world’s highest free-standing mountain as an ever-present and inspiring landmark. We love Amboseli and understand why you’ll want to return time and again to experience the fantastic game viewing and make the most of those iconic mountain views. We’ve hand-picked the best lodges and tented camps with the most knowledgeable guides who know exactly where to go to find the wildlife you’ve always dreamed of seeing. Our Kenya experts are on hand to tailor your safari so pop in store or give them a call.
3 Hotels, 1 Tour, 3 Safaris
The Maasai Mara is what safari dreams are made of. The most famous reserve in the world has rolling grasslands and wide open savannah where big cats and the Big Five roam. This is the place to see the incredible annual wildebeest migration between June and October – as over a million animals thunder across the plains in search of water and grazing – but the Mara has mass appeal all year-round. A magical hot-air balloon safari is a must; gently drift over the plains at sunrise as wildlife roams below you.
9 Hotels, 3 Tours, 1 cruise, 1 Experiences, 8 Safaris
After a scorching hot game drive on the lookout for the Big Five, relax with sundowners under the shade of an acacia tree or sink into a cosy armchair watching over the waterhole as resident animals quench their thirst. Imagine outdoor pools with majestic views over snow-capped Mount Kenya, country-club style bedrooms where staff light your wood-burning fire each evening, and outdoor bush breakfasts with elephants occasionally joining for company. And as the wind blows and the night becomes chillier, spot nocturnal aardvark, white-tailed mongoose and caracal cats at play. In the central highlands of Africa with peaks of over 5000 metres, Mount Kenya and the Aberdares holidays exist on an extinct volcano and an ancient mountain range believed to be more than 100 million years old. We’ve travelled here and can tell you this is where you’ll get to meet the last two remaining northern white rhino in the world and horse ride through herds of endangered Grevy’s zebra. A destination dedicated to conservancy, you’ll discover an extraordinary legacy of wildlife preservation. We can take you to plush colonial-style hotels and huge tented rooms where wrap-around verandas, wooden floors and oversized game-viewing windows meet Skye’s monkeys, black rhino and giant lobelia trees. Whether you’re playing golf on a course that cuts across the equator or visiting the rare white zebra, this part of Africa is as unique as it is beautiful. There's a royal connection, too. Queen Elizabeth ascended to the British throne during her stay in the Aberdares, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge became engaged in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Pop into your local store and our Personal Travel Experts will start creating your dream Mount Kenya and the Aberdares holiday.
5 Hotels, 1 Tour, 4 Safaris
Nairobi is one of Africa's most dynamic cities; a vibrant, sprawling metropolis and a popular starting point for many safari adventures. Explore the colonial sights of the city, relax around a tranquil hotel pool shielded from the world, visit wildlife conservation programmes and even enjoy big game viewing in Nairobi National Park.
6 Hotels, 3 Tours, 1 Experiences, 9 Safaris
In Kenya’s dry north, Samburu offers a less crowded and unique safari experience for wildlife lovers. Its arid landscape is home to ‘dry country’ animals rarely found outside the park, including the long-necked gerenuk, Somali ostrich, Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe. Little-visited and unspoilt, Meru is best known as the historic home of Elsa the lioness.
3 Hotels, 1 Tour, 3 Safaris
Boasting spectacular varied landscapes and abundant wildlife, Kenya's largest national park is divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Explore Tsavo West's rugged terrain and perhaps visit the underwater viewing chamber at Mzima Springs, source of much of Mombasa's water supply and often frequented by hippos and crocodiles. Venture deep into the park and you may not encounter another vehicle all day. In contrast, Tsavo East's vast expanse of open savannah offers the opportunity to see impressive herds of elephants and spot magnificent lions. Easily combinable with a beach stay in Mombasa.
2 Hotels, 1 Tour, 2 Safaris
Mombasa
Amboseli
Maasai Mara
Mount Kenya & The Aberdares
Nairobi
Samburu & Meru
Tsavo
