With its glorious white sand beaches along the Indian Ocean, and its dramatic and diverse wildlife parks, Kenya is one of Africa's most alluring destinations.

Most visitors arrive in the capital of Nairobi , whose many attractions warrant a few nights in one of the city's elegant hotels. The National Museum houses one of the world's finest collections of archaeological remains, many discovered on the Leakey family's expeditions. Also worth exploring are the butterfly and bird collections, representing the myriad species that flourish throughout Kenya. The home of Karen Blixen has been converted to a Museum: surrounded by lovely gardens, the house is now furnished with props from the films, and conveys the unique atmosphere of Colonial Kenya.

Kenya's many wildlife reserves are home to a fantastic array of flora and fauna. Combining visits to several different reserves gives travelers an excellent overview of the radically diverse ecosystems, and cultures of Kenya. The Maasai Mara National Reserve offers the classic safari experience. Best known for the seasonal inundation of the Serengeti migration, this miracle of nature can be luxuriously savored from the unique vantage point of a hot-air balloon. The largest herds of lions in Kenya are found here, as well as cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, jackals, and over 450 species of birds. The region is also home to the Maasai, one of Kenya's most well known ethnic groups. These proud pastoralists have a passionate concern for their cattle, and an intimate knowledge of, and appreciation of, their homeland.

Amboseli is dramatically situated at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro. This is classic Africa: wide open plains, woodlands, and swamps, with Kilimanjaro looming in the distance. Protected for over 40 years, a large portion of Amboseli reserve was declared a national park in 1973. This forbade the local Maasai to use the area for grazing, as they had done for centuries, and naturally led to tensions with the community. Today, greater efforts are taking place to assure that tourism benefits the local Maasai. The Amboseli Elephant Research Project centers around a fairly stable population of 600 elephants.

The remote wilds of Tsavo East and West combine to make one of the world's largest national parks. With its combination of well-watered volcanic soils, wooded grasslands, this lush landscape supports a wealth of wildlife. Previously the home of man-eating lions, Tsavo is now home to huge herds of elephants, and is an excellent place for bird enthusiasts-- particularly the Ngulia Lodge. In November and December, this is a key stop on the European migration route. The Mzima Springs are home to hippos and crocodiles. Tsavo has suffered severely from poaching, but strict anti-poaching laws seem to be having a positive effect: elephant and rhino numbers are on the increase. Lake Jipe , in the southwest corner of the park, is one of Kenya's most important wetlands.

The Great Rift Valley runs through Kenya. Over 65 kilometers wide in some points, with escarpments up to 900 meters high, this is an awesome sight, dotted with salt lakes that attract vast flocks of flamingoes.

The Northern Game Country is a vast semi-desert area, and home to Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba National Reserves . The permanent water and shade along the Ewaso Nyiro river attract a wide range of wildlife throughout the year. Although the number of animals one can see here is not as great as in the southern parks, many visitors prefer the relative tranquility to be experienced in these reserves. Samburu, in particular, is renowned for its pleasant, low-key atmosphere.

Luxurious beach resorts and some of the world's best diving and snorkeling make Kenya's coast a delightful contrast to the wilds of the interior. With its fine sand beaches, superb diving, low-key atmosphere, and incredible historical wealth, the region is guaranteed to enthrall visitors. Mombasa reflects the history of the entire coastline, with Asian and Arab influences clearly visible. Swahili culture dominates the region-- predominantly Muslim, speaking a shared language, their background is an amalgam of Arab and African. Fort Jesus dominates the Old Town: it was built by the Portugese in the 16th century, and changed hands nine times over 200 years. The Old Town's architecture reflects the trading history and cultural diversity of the coastline, with mosques, cathedrals, Hindu temples, gardens, and bustling markets where baskets, jewelry, flamboyant textiles and other souvenirs are all on offer. Malindi is another major coastal town, though still remarkably quiet. The Marine Park is superb for snorkeling. The nearby Gedi Ruins are the remains of a major 17th century Swahili town, marked by a mysterious and alluring atmosphere. The palace, mosque and surroundings are now home to many small monkeys and bushbabies. Further north along the coast is the Lamu Archipelago . Each distinct town and village reflects a different facet of Swahili culture. The area is also a key site for studying ancient African history, as it is rich in archaeological sites, reflecting over a thousand years' of history. There is a distinctly Arab flavor to life here, and the islands are generally more conservative than the mainland.

Northern Kenya is a hot, arid, challenging realm, a world away from the luxurious lodges of the rest of the country. In the far northwest of the country, Lake Turkana is the world's largest permanent desert lake. Famed for its tremendous Nile perch, and thousands of Nile crocodiles, the waters are quick to change from a tranquil expanse, to a realm of treacherous swells that must be navigated with caution. Central Island National Park's unique volcanic landscape shelters rare reptiles. To the northeast is Sibiloi National Park, an eerie barren realm where mankind's earliest history is gradually coming to light, as a result of the many successful archaeological expeditions in the area.