Travel highlights Kenya

Amboseli
Amboseli has huge herds of elephants, and to see a herd of them making their way sedately across the grassy plains, with Tanzania's Mt Kilimanjaro in the background, is an experience that certainly leaves a lasting impression.

Lake Nakuru
This is a truly remarkable national park which has achieved international fame. Both black and white rhino are being given a new lease of life in this 188 sq km, fully-fenced park and they are carefully protected. The present rhino population is 53 and continuing to multiply. The Rothschilds giraffe is another rarity and the park has its fair share of buffalo, leopard, wild dog, zebra, eland, waterbuck and lion. Arrive for lunch in Nakuru. Afternoon game drive in the park, then drive to Lake Naivasha with its commanding setting at the foot of the Rift Valley Escarpment.

Masai Mara
This world-renowned reserve, which stretches over 1510 sq km (938 sq mi) of open rolling grasslands, is backed by the spectacular Esoit Oloololo (Siria) Escarpment, watered by the Mara River and littered with an astonishing amount of wildlife. Of the big cats, lions are found in large prides everywhere, and it is not uncommon to see them hunting. Cheetahs and leopards are less visible, but still fairly common. Elephants, buffalos, zebras and hippos also exist in large numbers. The ultimate attraction is undoubtedly the annual wildebeest migration in July and August, when millions of these ungainly beasts move north from the Serengeti. While you're more likely to see endless columns grazing or trudging along rather than dramatic TV-style river fordings, it is nonetheless a staggering experience.

Mombassa
Mombassa offers interesting things to see, beaches to relax on and beautiful nature reserves to visit. Mombasa lies on the coast and is a bustling city with a history stretching back to the 12th century. There is a vibrant mixture of cultures, architecture and entertainment. At the Shimba Hills National Reserve, you will encounter a lovely forest setting with elephant, leopard and the rare, sable antelope. Towards the south, there are a number of beaches and resort hotels. The beaches are white and sandy with coral reefs to delight scuba and skin divers. On the pleasant Shimoni and Wasini islands there is authentic Swahili culture and a protected marine reserve. North of Mombasa there are also several beaches like Nyali, Bamburi, Shanzu, Kikambala and Vipingo that are well-worth a visit.

Mount Kenya
Mt Kenya (5199m) is the second highest mountain in Africa. The forest around the base of Mt Kenya is known for its prolific bird life and black and white Colobus monkeys. View the snow capped Mt. Kenya on the equator and wild animals at Sweet Waters game sancutuary.

Nairobi
Nairobi, capital of Kenya, is situated at an elevation of about 1660 m in the highlands of the southern part of the country. Nairobi is Kenya's principal economic, administrative, and cultural center and is one of the largest and fastest growing cities in Africa. Nairobi National Park, a large wildlife preserve on the outskirts of the city, is a major tourist attraction. Other points of interest include the National Museum of Kenya, known for a display on early humans in Africa; the Parliament buildings; the law courts; City Hall; McMillan Memorial Library; the busy Municipal Market and nearby bazaar; the Kenya National Theatre; and Sorsbie Art Gallery.

Rift Valley
The Valley is the most famous of the world's rift valleys. The scenery in the Rift Valley is breathtaking and the approach, via road or rail, from Nairobi will take you up gently through the highlands and bring you suddenly to the edge of the Rift valley, which drops away to a ribbon of green in the valley floor below.

Samburu
Rugged and remote, this wildlife reserve provides some the best and most colourful game viewing in the country. In the shadow of Mount Kenya, the national parks and extensive ranch and communal lands of the Samburu Heartland support some of Africa's most impressive wildlife and wild lands. Northern specialty species like the reticulated giraffe and the Grevy's zebra roam the acacia grassland where lions and wild dogs hunt their prey.

Thompson's Falls
The waterfalls which during the rainy season is particularly spectacular. The Ewaso River plummets 75 metres into a boulder-strewn gorge. It was discovered in 1880 by the explorer Joseph Thomson, who was the first of Kenya's European settlers to walk from Mombasa to Kampala.