Kenya holidays

Situated on the east coast of Africa, where the sun climbs swiftly into the big sky, Kenya's coastline is kissed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. This makes Kenya holidays a popular choice for holidaymakers.

Visitors can sun themselves at the beach resorts one day, and spot elephants and lions on safari the next....

It's easy to be romanced by Africa during holidays in Kenya. From the brilliant white of the beaches, through the patchwork of colours and animal markings spotted on safari, to the striking reds and oranges of a sunset, where silhouettes of trees and great animals stand against the sky and burn into your memory - this African nation delivers everything you've seen in pictures, and more.

Kenya can be reached by flights into Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa, following a flight time of around nine hours from the UK.

Popular beach resorts are dotted along the coastline that extends away from the lively island city of Mombasa. They include Malindi, Watamu and Lamu in the north and Diani Beach to the south. Most of the hotels along this stretch of the coast offer all-inclusive holidays and feature everything holidaymakers could require, such as restaurants, bars, activities and entertainment.

But it's the animals that many visitors flock here to see. The majestic creatures of Africa are magnetic to wildlife-loving travellers and Africa's big five - lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhino - can all be spotted in Kenya.

You can organise overnight trips to many of the best wildlife spots from your hotel in Mombasa. Some of the best reserves include Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Amboseli, and the Masai Mara, while Lake Makuru is positively pink with flamingos.

Tsavo East is great for seeing elephant, cheetah and zebra, while its sister, Tsavo West, features rhinos, elephants, lions and leopards, and shares a border with neighbouring Tanzania. Amboseli is swampy and quieter than the others and many small animals can be seen here.

The world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, or simply, The Mara, is home to a huge population of big cats and is the destination of animals that take part in the 'Great Migration' from the adjoining Serengeti.

You can also reach Kenya by flying into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. Kenya's capital is an interesting diversion from lazing on the beach and being eagle-eyed on safari. The bustling metropolis shows a stark contrast of rich and poor, with shanty towns nestled up to modern skyscrapers. There's a wealth of colonial buildings here and you can also visit the former home of Karen Blixen. Now a museum, the author lived here while writing the famous 'Out of Africa'. Be swept up by the romance of her book, which was later turned into a movie starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.

Kenya is also an ideal destination for a twin-centre holiday, with nearby Tanzania and its island paradise of Zanzibar within easy reach.

The coastal climate of Kenya features hot and humid weather, with small amounts of rain...

The daily average is around 30C. April and May are generally wetter than other months. The climate inland is a little more unpredictable, with a greater range of temperatures and higher rainfall, particularly in April and May in highland areas.

Find out what's happening and when in this lively nation...

Kijani Kenya Music Festival; February and August:Held twice a year, this celebrated festival of music and dance has become a firm favourite on Kenya's calendar of annual events and venues across the country host performances from international and local acts. Half of all proceeds go to health charities.

Great Migration; July to October: Millions of zebra, wildebeest and gnu flock to the great plains of the Masai Mara with predators hot on their heels. Late in the year is the best time to see this amazing spectacle.

Mombasa Carnival; November: All the fun of festival time can be found in the island city of Mombasa when this vibrant event fills the streets with markets, parades and parties.

New Year's Eve; December: The New Year is celebrated in style in Kenya, and there will be fireworks and parties galore on this special night. The big hotels will host their own celebrations. Watch the sky come alive with colour at midnight.

Holidays in Kenya are great for couples of all ages and families wanting to experience an adventure for the kids...

Babies and toddlers: Many of the hotels on Kenya's coastline are family friendly and offer a wealth of services to make life easier when holidaying with the littlest members of your family. There is plenty for youngsters to do besides splashing in the gentle waves on the beach.

Grown-up families: Book a game drive or safari, go bird watching or big game fishing.

Relaxing: Soak up the sun on the soft white beaches or around the pools of your hotel or enjoy one of the many activities that the hotels organise. Many of the hotels in Mombasa run yoga classes throughout the day, while soothing spa treatments can be booked to chase away any pre-holiday tensions.

Active types: Animal and bird watchers will love the varied wildlife, and beach lovers and divers will enjoy the Indian Ocean beaches and coral. There are a number of dive schools and sites in the beach resorts of Mombasa.

Shopping: Explore the local markets and culture of Mombasa. The Diani Beach Shopping Centre is home to a number of sellers of traditional crafts, plus artisans, galleries and shops selling everything you might need on a safari trip.