Kenya

Kenya’s famous Masai Mara encompasses open savanna, woodlands and riverine habitats that are host to an astonishing array of bird and mammal species. The magnificent Siria Escarpment forms the western border of the reserve, and together with the acacia-dotted plains, creates a landscape of startling beauty. Wildlife sightings are plentifulyear-round, including awealth of lion,cheetah, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo, hippo, giraffe, crocodile, zebra and antelopespecies.In August and September, the area overflows with game as the GreatMigration arrivesfrom Tanzania’s SerengetiNational Park.Northern Kenya offers arid landscapes of astounding grandeur, inhabited by the colorful Samburu and Maasai people. Both Meru National Park (once home to Elsa the lioness) and Samburu National Reserve provide excellent game-viewing.

Kenya rests on the Indian Ocean below the troubled countries of Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan. Bustling Nairobi is the center of government and commerce, and Mombasa serves as the counry’s coastal tourism nexus. To the west lie the gorilla rain forests of Uganda and the serene immensity of Lake Victoria, and to the south, Tanzania. The two countries are inextricably linked through the Great Migration, one of the wonders of the natural world.

Over the centuries, Kenya has had occupiers of Portuguese, Dutch, Omani Arab and British descent, and traces of all of these cultures are still found here, from the stone battlements of Fort Jesus in Mombasa to the Lord Delaware Bar at the Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi. Today, more than 40 ethnic communities are scattered throughout this relatively small country, which boasts a thriving economy and a stable (if not entirely corruption-free) government. While the coastal region will someday attract the attention it deserves, most visitors will fly through Nairobi en route to the Masai Mara National Reserve, on the border with Tanzania.

CLIMATE: The times to avoid in Kenya are the long rains in April and May and the short rains in November. The rest of the year typically brings cool nights and warm, sunny days broken by occasional afternoon and evening showers.

TIME: Eight hours ahead of New York (EST).

CURRENCY: Shilling (KES). Fluctuating rate valued at KES85 = US$1.00 as of January 2012. Note: All of our suggested hotels quote rates in US$.

U.S. EMBASSY: Nairobi, Tel. 20-363-6451.

DIRECT DIAL CODES: To phone hotels in Kenya, dial 011 (international access) + 254 (Kenya code) + city code and local numbers in listings.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Passport (valid for six months beyond end of stay) and visa. Visit travel.state.gov, and for travelers’ health information, cdc.gov

GENERAL INFORMATION: Visit magicalkenya.com before your trip.