Kenya Holidays

Best time to go to Kenya

The best time to visit Kenya depends on your travel interests, particularly if you're looking to see wildlife. Early January to February is the warmest period, with a high concentration of animals gathering in places like Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli. This is also a great time for game drives, with clear skies and pleasant temperatures.

Kenya experiences two rainy seasons: the long rains (March to May) and short rains in autumn. The long rains are the most disruptive, as they make travel difficult, flood roads, and often cause hiking routes to be inaccessible. Some accommodations may close as well. The dry season starts in June and lasts until the end of August, making this peak season, especially for the wildebeest migration. Animals are also easier to spot as they congregate around watering holes, but expect higher prices during this period.

September and October are excellent months for wildlife viewing at more reasonable prices, as it’s just after peak season. From November to December, there may be refreshing but light rainfall, helping to green up the grasslands, and offering a quieter time to visit.

If you're heading to Kenya’s coast, the weather is tropical, with heat, humidity, and occasional rainfall year-round. The sea temperatures vary from 25°C in August to 30°C in March, with an average of 28°C year-round. The best time for diving is from October to March, when the seas are calm and visibility is at its best, often reaching up to 30m. This is also the best time to spot whale sharks.

How to get to Kenya

Flying from Ireland to Kenya typically involves at least one stop, but direct flights are available, such as from Dublin to Nairobi, which takes around 9 hours. One-stop flights are available from other airports like Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, with stopovers in cities like Istanbul, Frankfurt, or Doha, depending on the airline. You can also fly to Mombasa with one or two stops, or directly from London Heathrow with one stop.

Getting around Kenya

There are two main ways to get around Kenya: by tour or self-driving in a hire car. Public transport is available, including trains and buses, but these options are limited and require flexibility with schedules. If you're looking for a more independent experience, renting a car is a great option. When travelling to national parks, consider hiring a 4x4 and check whether you need additional insurance. Alternatively, you can hire a car with a driver, which is a popular choice for a more luxurious and relaxing experience. For example, getting from the city to your safari park is often more convenient with a driver.

Another option is booking onto a tour, where transportation and itineraries are organised for you, making your trip much easier to manage while ensuring you don’t miss out on the key sights.

Most popular beaches in Kenya

Many visitors to this vibrant country like to combine a safari or hiking trip with a relaxing beach break in or near Mombasa – and it's easy to see why. With swaying palms, sugar-white sand and azure sea, Kenya's southern coast promises the epitome of an Indian Ocean beach break. Some of the most popular tourist spots include:

• Nyal – Just five kilometres from Mombasa town, this beach is infinitely popular with tourists. It promises calm waters, protected by a coral reef and is surrounded by inviting accommodation and hotels. Here, people windsurf, scuba dive, kitesurf, SUP and head out on sailing or jet-ski tours, as well as glass bottom boat excursions and sunset dhow cruises.

• Diani – This is one of the classic beach-holiday destinations in Kenya, with plenty of beachside hotels and offshore reefs. It's often dubbed the 'Maldives' of Kenya, with 17 kilometres of flawless white sand sandwiched between lush green forest and bright-blue sea. Watersports enthusiasts can partake in windsurfing, kitesurfing, diving, snorkelling, jet skiing and kayaking while others prefer to simply soak up the sun and swim. It's surrounded by forests interlaced with a network of walking and biking trails and the nearby Shimba Hills National Park offers a quieter, lesser-known safari experience and is home to sable antelope, elephant, monkeys and birdlife.

• Galu Kinondo Beach – As you head south, Diani blends seamlessly into the equally paradisical Galu, and then Kinondo beach. Here you'll find diving and kitesurfing schools, and a wild and beautiful beach where the palm trees almost extend down to the water itself. It's slightly quieter than Diani and has lots of accommodation with private beach access.

• Watamu and Malindi – Norther of Nyali lies Watamu Marine National Park – considered one of the best diving and snorkelling areas on the Kenyan coast. The shore is a picture-perfect dream of endless white sand backed by hotels and eco-lodges and there are numerous options for exploring the fascinating sea beyond. You can dive under, snorkel or ride the waves, or even get the experience while keeping your toes dry on a glass-bottomed boat. It's known as the sunset coast because of its dramatic colour palette as the sun sinks.

Local dishes in Kenya

Kenya, a country with a rich tapestry of cultures, offers an eclectic array of local dishes that promise to tantalise your taste buds. One cannot talk about Kenyan cuisine without mentioning Ugali, a staple made from maize flour, often accompanied by succulent meats or refreshing vegetable stews. For those seeking comfort food with a twist, Sukuma Wiki, a lightly sautéed kale dish, often served alongside Ugali, provides a nourishing meal. Seafood lovers are in for a treat with Samaki wa Kupaka, a coastal delicacy of fish marinated in an aromatic blend of spices and coconut milk, grilled to perfection.

Some typical dishes

Exploring further, Nyama Choma, Kenya's answer to barbecue, is a must-try. This dish features meat, typically goat or beef, slow-roasted over an open flame, offering a smoky and unforgettable flavour. Another gem is Githeri, a hearty and healthy mix of boiled maize and beans, often spiced or added to a vegetable stir-fry for an extra kick of flavour.

Street food

Kenya's street food scene is vibrant and diverse, offering everything from quick bites to substantial meals. Mandazi, a fluffy, slightly sweet deep-fried bread, makes for a perfect snack or breakfast item. For a truly local experience, Chapati rolled with vegetables or meat is both satisfying and portable. And no street food tour would be complete without trying Kenyan Masala Chips, French fries taken to the next level with a coating of spicy masala seasoning.

Typical drinks

To quench your thirst, Kenya has a variety of traditional drinks that are as refreshing as they are unique. Chai, Kenyan tea brewed with milk, spices, and sometimes ginger, is a staple beverage enjoyed throughout the day. For those hot afternoons, nothing beats Maziwa Mala, a fermented milk drink akin to kefir, offering both a tangy flavour and probiotic benefits. Beer enthusiasts might enjoy exploring local brews like Tusker, a popular Kenyan beer that captures the spirit of the savannah.

Food markets

Kenya's food markets are a feast for the senses, offering an abundance of fresh, locally-sourced produce, exotic spices, and handmade goods. The Maasai Market in Nairobi is not just a place to find traditional artefacts but also a spot to sample local foods and spices. For a more comprehensive food shopping experience, City Market provides a wide array of meats, vegetables, fruits, and spices, allowing visitors to gather ingredients for a true Kenyan meal.