For many people Africa is Kenya. It is the 'Land of the Lion King' and sits at the centre of the African safari experience, with an outstanding variety of wild animals and Big Five viewing opportunities.

Although safaris are its greatest attraction, it is a country of great diversity with much more to offer than wildlife.  There are a million different reasons to come here, and picking just one is impossible. Stunning landscapes set the scene, from Kakamega’s rainforests to Indian Ocean beaches by way of Mount Kenya National Park; the rolling grasslands of the Masai Mara to searing deserts on the shores of the Jade Sea; with The Rift Valley, home to Hell's Gate National Park, cleaving a massive gash through it all.

When you think of Kenya, you immediately think safari. They have been the mainstay of the country’s tourism for decades and Tsavo National Park is amongst the best places in Africa to see lions, elephants, leopards and the famous wildebeest migration.

Kenya is also rated as one of the top five bird-watching destinations in the world; other popular activities include trekking the glacial ridges of Mt Kenya, ballooning over the Masai Mara, and snorkelling at the Marine National Park in Malindi on the Indian Ocean coast. Kenya's biggest city, Nairobi, offers an interesting urban appeal with its cafes and nightlife.

Kenya has a sophisticated tourism infrastructure, with two major cities controlling the majority of the tourism trade. Nairobi, the capital, is the safari and hiking hub, situated in the cool Central Highlands, while on the east coast the hot and humid trading port of Mombasa is the gateway to the resorts and pristine beaches of the area.  Here a mixture of African and Asian produces the unique Swahili culture.

Its diverse population adds further vibrancy to this colourful country. There are about 40 different tribes, all with their own languages and cultures. Major tribes include the Kikuyu, the Luyia and the Luo, but the most famous are the Masai, who still lead a traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle of cattle-herding along the southern border.

The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KSH). Credit cards (especially VISA, MasterCard and American Express) are widely accepted in tourist hotels and generally in Nairobi and Mombassa. But if you are travelling in remote areas make sure you have enough currency with you as you won’t be able to rely on your plastic.

Tipping is not customary in Kenya, however a 10% service charge may be added to bill in more upmarket restaurants. Otherwise small change in local currency may be offered to taxi drivers, porters and waiters. On safari, however, drivers, guides and cooks often rely heavily on tips to get by, but these are discretionary