Kenya — where to go and where to stay

Kenya is the birthplace of the safari and one of the great wildlife destinations on earth — the Maasai Mara's teeming plains, the great migration, snow-capped Mount Kenya, and a palm-fringed Indian Ocean coast. Its capital Nairobi is East Africa's dynamic hub, a green, fast-growing city where you can see lions in a national park within sight of the skyline, meet baby elephants and giraffes, and dive into a lively food and music scene. Wild, warm and full of energy.

What things cost: Kenya spans cheap and dear — local food, matatus and markets cost little, but safaris, park fees and lodges are a major expense (worth every penny). Nairobi's smart restaurants and hotels add up. When a zone below says 'low', that means low for the city, not the safari.

The cities

Nairobi

East Africa's dynamic safari-gateway capital15 must-dos · 5 areas to stay

What’s on in Kenya

Sometimes the event picks the city for you.

15 Jul – 15 Oct

The Great Migration season

Not a city event but the reason many time their trip — from around July to October, the great wildebeest migration reaches the Maasai Mara, with millions of animals massing on the plains and braving dramatic river crossings, drawing safari-goers through Nairobi in peak numbers. The best window for the ultimate Kenyan safari; book lodges and flights well ahead, and use Nairobi as your springboard to the greatest wildlife show on earth.

Nairobi · Maasai Mara (via Nairobi)

Aug14–15

Koroga Festival

A hugely popular open-air music-and-food festival — headline African and international acts, live cooking (koroga means to stir a pot together), craft stalls and a stylish, up-for-it Nairobi crowd, held in leafy garden venues across the year. A great way to tap into the city's vibrant music and social scene; check the dates and line-up, and join the well-dressed crowds for a joyous day of Afrobeats, food and dancing.

Nairobi · Garden venues, Nairobi

Dec12

Jamhuri Day

Kenya's biggest national holiday, marking independence and the founding of the republic — a day of official celebrations, parades, speeches, music and cultural performances, with a festive, patriotic mood across the capital and the country. A colourful window into national pride and Kenyan culture if you're in town; expect flags, feasting and festivities, though official events dominate the day. A lively time to feel the country's spirit.

Nairobi · Across the city