Kenya Activities

Kenya isn’t particularly a child-friendly destination, but there are several quality attractions that families with kids can enjoy. The beaches are the obvious number one draw for kids, with lovely warm waters and fine sands. Several popular coastal towns, villages and islands have great facilities. Children can also be taken on safaris along with mums and dads with specifically family-tailored trips, while the Mamba Village crocodile farm and the large shopping malls of Nairobi add further enjoyment.

Beaches
There is plenty of opportunity in Kenya for families with children to enjoy the fine sands and warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The bathing and swimming are sublime and all types of water sports are on offer, from surfing and jet-skiing to snorkelling and scuba diving; the colourful reefs being particularly popular with divers. Numerous towns and cities along the coast have good facilities for families and are loaded with quality resorts with private beaches and pools.

Family Safaris
Safaris are not just for the adults, there are specially tailored ones that usually go out of Nairobi and take in a number of parks and sometimes even the coast. Family safaris are typically one-week long with travel, accommodation, and activities for the children all inclusive. Kids can marvel at the colourful animals close up in four wheel drive jeeps in reserves such as Masai Mara and Samburu.

Mamba Village
All kids are fascinated with crocodiles and the Mamba Village, situated in Nyali, East Africa, is the largest and best equipped crocodile farm of the region. Tours of the farm are very popular and include a short film and then a look at the ferocious creatures, followed by feeding time. There is also a souvenir shop here with fluffy versions of the beasts available, as well as a restaurant where some people may find the crocodile menu somewhat disconcerting.

Masai Mara National Reserve
This reserve is Kenya's most visited park. It is home to an abundance of wildlife and sees thousands of visitors every year who have come to view the Big Five. Other heavily-visited parks include: Amboseli National Park, known for its elephants and views of Mt Kilimanjaro; Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its white rhino sanctuary, and the beautiful Great Rift Valley.

Kenya’s Coral Coast
Kenya’s Coral Coast is the nation’s best region for the water sports enthusiast, especially in the resorts of Bamburi, Kilifi, Malindi, and Wasini Island, among others. The Coral Coast lies to the north and south of Mombasa and features fine sandy beaches and a deluge of coral reefs. Water sports available include: water-skiing, surfing, sailing, snorkelling and scuba diving. The swimming and bathing at these resorts is also excellent. In addition, those into fishing should head for the coast around Malindi, while white-water rafters should try the Athi/Galana River.

Golfing
There are dozens of golfing options in Kenya that range from family-friendly mini-golf to professional 18-hole courses. Horseback riding and trekking are also very popular in Kenya, although the main trails usually become pretty busy during the high season summer months, particularly on Mount Kenya.

Modern Kenyan cuisine consists mainly of Asian and European influences, particularly British, while traditional Kenyan fare is actually quite rustic. If you want to sample some traditional food of the country, head for the coast and try some Swahili cuisine, which is basically an Arab/Hindu mixture using local ingredients and include many vegetarian recipes.

Nairobi and Mombasa offer the best restaurants, all of which are extremely reasonably priced. Many top of the range establishments offer delicious food at the cost of a medium priced eatery somewhere in Europe or the US. You will find most of the clientele in these restaurants to be foreigners or Hindu Kenyans.

The Tamarind group has a distinct presence in Kenya and their restaurants can be found in both Mombasa and Nairobi. The Nairobi Tamarind offers all kinds of exotic animals, such as zebra, game antelopes, crocodile, and wildebeest, as well as the usual beef and veal dishes. Good food can also be had elsewhere and at a much better rate, although you should choose restaurants wisely or risk a bout of food poisoning.

Meat is the main staple of Kenyan cuisine, with nyama choma (roast meat) being the favoured dish; Elmolo lamb is also highly regarded. Beef, lamb, veal, and goat are found across the country, while pork and chicken are not so popular. Poached game is unfortunately the norm in rural areas. Meat is usually grilled or stewed and is generally accompanied by potatoes and vegetables or rice.

Sausages are not great in Kenya as they are made with veal as opposed to pork due to the lack of the latter and the fact that the Muslim population are opposed to eating it. Kebabs are popular here and have been adapted from the Arabs to fit the local ingredients.

One of the most popular foods in Kenya is Ugali, which consists of boiled cornflour balls and originates from neighbouring Uganda. Tasting similar to bread, Ugali is often mixed with milk or cheese or comes garnished with stewed meat and vegetables. Hailing from India, Samosas are also pretty popular here and consist of small dough rolls with spiced meat or vegetables which are then fried. Chapatis are also Indian and are usually soaked in breakfast coffee.

Generally, fish dishes are a distant second to the meats, but are especially popular on the coast. Always make sure that you stick to reputable restaurants when ordering seafood. Fishing is still big business inland, where Nile perch and tilapia are favoured. Trout is also popular in the mountainous regions.

Handicrafts are big sellers in Kenyan markets, particularly stone and wood carvings, and jewellery. Types of handicraft items usually denote a particular tribe and region of Kenya; some of the most popular being: Kisii stone (soap stone) carvings, Mkonde wood carvings, Maasai jewellery, Lamu chairs, and batiks.

Nairobi and Mombasa are again the main centres for shopping, with Maasai Market in downtown Nairobi having the largest selection of handicrafts in Kenya. Maasai Market is held on Tuesdays and you will have to bargain hard to get a good price. Mombasa has a number of excellent craft stores. If you have time, a trip to the artisans’ villages will ensure good rates.

Kamba and Masai men sell their wares on the beaches of the south coast. They usually offer a good deal on quality carvings and necklaces. In addition, Kenyan music is obviously very popular here and those into reggae will find some good bargains.

Shopping hours are generally from Monday to Saturday 08:30 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 17:30, although the large department stores will often stay open later.