Kenya
Arguably one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Kenya encompasses desert, rolling grasslands, rainforests, soaring mountains, beautiful beaches and offshore reefs. Add to that the spectacular wildlife and rich tribal culture… Kenya has it all.
The area of Kenya bordering the Indian Ocean and known as Kenya Coast lies just a few degrees south of the equator, and so enjoys high temperatures all year round, with sunshine guaranteed during most months. The warm currents of the Indian Ocean wash the coastline; an almost continuous coral-sand beach runs down its entire 400-km (250-mile) length, and a coral reef fringes it, broken only where rivers enter the sea. For diving, snorkelling and deep-sea fishing, this is one of the great locations of the world. Next to the beaches lie shallow lagoons, flooded afresh every high tide; further out is the reef, beyond which the sea bed plunges into the depths of the ocean.
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The Kenya Coast is home to Swahili culture, where Arabia meets Africa, with other traditions such as those of India and Southeast Asia also in the mix. One result is the Swahili language, which is a blend of Arabic and some African. Most people here also speak English, as well as their local tribal languages such as Giriama, one of the languages of the coastal people.
The religion and much of the coastal culture is Islamic; many women are clothed from head to toe, though others dress in colourful kikoys or wraps. Mosques are everywhere, though often it is difficult to distinguish the mosque from the vernacular architecture. In Mombasa and Malindi there are ‘old towns’, a maze of passages, alleyways and shady courtyards. And at Lamu there are no roads or cars, just a network of donkey-wide lanes for you to explore.
In many places the traditional sailing vessel, the dhow, in its numerous forms, is still the major means of transport: at Lamu and Mombasa especially, it may well become part of your holiday in the form of the dhow trips that offer diving, dolphin-watching or fine dining. The powerful connection with the sea is also evident in the food here. Alongside the abundant supplies of local tropical fruit, the menu consists mainly of fish and shellfish dishes, with lavish use of oriental spices. Those who go fishing can generally enjoy their own catch, cooked in the hotel kitchens.
