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Kenya Snapshot

Kenya receives a lot of tourists in January and February when the weather is hot and dry and generally the most pleasant. It’s also the best time for bird watching, as birds migrate to the lakes of the Rift Valley in large numbers. It’s generally less busy from June to September, but the weather is still dry during this time. Wet season is from March to May and October to December. During this time tourist sites are less crowded, hotels have more rooms available and prices are usually cheaper. The annual wildebeest migration occurs between July and August, and again in October each year. Millions of wildebeest migrate from the Serengeti in search of greener pastures and then return. The Masai Mara National Park is the best place to see this event.
  • Nairobi weather chart

Eating and Drinking in Kenya

  • Seafood: Kenya’s coastal areas, such as Mombasa and Lamu, are the best places to feast on fresh crab, lobster, oysters and kingfish cooked to perfection in sumptuous spices.
  • Nyama Choma: One strictly for the carnivores, Nyama Choma is a popular Kenyan style of cooking and eating meat. Goat, beef and chicken are roasted and served on a communal cutting board, sometimes with condiments such as chilli, salt, chopped tomatoes and avocado.
  • Curries: With a significant population hailing from India, Kenya is a great place to savour spicy curries made with an East African twist.
  • Tropical Fruit: For a cheap and cost-effective snack, head to the market stalls that sell a colourful array of tropical fruit. Pineapples, papayas, bananas, and passionfruit are usually plentiful in Kenya. Any fruit that you can peel is a more hygienic, easy option than one you have to wash.
  • Pineapples

Intrepid believes that one of the best ways of experiencing a country is by eating. Whether you're sampling street food, savouring a cheap eat or indulging in a banquet, there are endless options to choose from wherever you are in the world. As a multiracial society, Kenya has many different cuisines for travellers to try. From traditional Swahili cuisine to Indian, European and Middle Eastern food, many cultures are represented, especially in large cities like Nairobi. While the average Kenyan lives mostly on maize, beans and vegetables, tourist areas and large cities offer much more variety for visitors.

Shopping in Kenya

  • Handicrafts: The wood and soap stone carvings in Kenya are of great quality. Peruse the carvings at city markets and shops, or alternatively, buy direct from artisans in countryside villages.
  • Maasai Jewellery: The colourful beaded creations of the Maasai make excellent souvenirs. Wear them as a bold, statement piece or hang them on walls at home as a unique reminder of your time in Kenya.
  • Fabric: Kenyan markets are full of vibrant fabric sarongs and wraps (also known as kikoys or kangas). Put these on your shopping list as they offer great protection from the African sun.
  • Kenyan Music: Reggae, afro-rap and African hip-hop are popular (especially in Kenya’s big cities), so stock up on some local music to bring a bit of Kenyan rhythm home with you.
  • Maasai Jewellery

From the large, lively markets of Nairobi to the small, slow-paced markets of the villages, shopping in Kenya is definitely "market-centric". Nairobi and other large cities have a range of boutiques and malls but, as in most other African countries, the buzzing markets are some of the best places to shop, eat and mingle with locals.

It's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to import certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand for example have strict quarantine laws.

Supporting Grassroots Business

Supporting grassroots projects is something Intrepid encourages. While shopping in Kenya, keep an eye out for this organisation that supports local artisans:
Kazuri Beads

Kazuri Beads

Mbagathi Ridge, Karen, Nairobi Meaning ‘small and beautiful’, this organisation provides sustainable employment opportunities for disadvantaged Kenyan women, mainly single mothers. The top-quality, hand-painted ceramic jewellery and pottery of Kazuri Beads is made in a factory and workshop that Intrepid visits on some of its trips.

Accommodation

Travelling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavour to provide travellers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible.

When travelling with us in Kenya you may find yourself staying in a:
Lodge

  • Lodge

  • Stay in lodges perched in unforgettable locations - from the foothills of Mt Kenya to within national parks. Surrounded by forest and waterholes, you can enjoy the rare pleasure of waking up to the sounds of an animal orchestra.

Transport

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is in getting there and getting around once there. Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport, which usually have less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun.

Depending on which trip you're on while in Kenya, you may find yourself travelling by:
Dhow

  • Dhow

  • Sail the clear waters of the Indian Ocean aboard a traditional dhow while visiting the heritage-filled island of Lamu.
Safari Vehicle

  • Safari Vehicle

  • Travel through national parks and reserves in a customised safari vehicle, made for negotiating the rough African terrain and maximising wildlife-viewing opportunities.

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Kenya at a glance

  • 56
  • Nairobi (population 2 million)
  • 40 million
  • Swahili, English
  • KES
  • (GMT+03:00) Nairobi
  • Type G (Irish/British 3-pin)
  • +254

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