A little more
Kenya.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Kenya: what to know before you go

Kenya is one of Africa's classic safari countries, with the Maasai Mara, elephant herds beneath Kilimanjaro and the Rift Valley lakes, plus a Swahili coast of beaches, coral reefs and old trading towns. It suits first-time safari-goers, wildlife photographers and travellers who want to combine game drives with time by the Indian Ocean.

Where to go

• Maasai Mara National Reserve. Kenya's most famous reserve has big cats, elephants and, roughly from July to October, the wildebeest migration and river crossings.
• Amboseli National Park. Known for large elephant herds and views of Mount Kilimanjaro, just across the border in Tanzania, which is often clearest early in the morning.
• Nairobi. The capital has Nairobi National Park on its edge, where rhinos and giraffes graze with the skyline behind them, plus the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage, the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum.
• Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha. In the Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru National Park protects black and white rhinos and is home to flamingos at times.

Best time to visit

The long dry season from roughly late June to October is the classic safari time, when animals gather near water and the migration usually reaches the Maasai Mara. January and February are also dry and good for wildlife and the coast.

Staying online in Kenya

4G coverage is good in Nairobi, Mombasa and other towns and along main roads, and some parts of the larger parks and conservancies have signal. In remote parks, the far north and some coastal and island areas, coverage is patchy or absent. Most safari lodges and camps offer Wi-Fi, though it may be limited to the main area. Mobile money is everywhere in Kenya, but needs a local registered number. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.