From Nairobi to Mombasa, a unique route through Kenya

If you want to discover the savannah, Kenya is the place to go. The country is famous for its wildlife. It boasts dozens of national parks where you can see lions, giraffes, wildebeests and zebras. To recover from your emotions, you need to spend a few days resting on the beaches of the Indian Ocean.

Nairobi has been Kenya's capital since 1905. Situated at an altitude of 1,660 m, it enjoys a pleasant climate all year round. There is nothing particularly remarkable about its architecture, but its recent construction has given it plenty of space, parks and gardens, making it an airy city. The atmosphere is friendly.

You can visit the Kenyatta Conference Centre, Court House, Parliament, Kenyatta's mausoleum, the great Jamia mosque and a number of colonial buildings that can be spotted in places (Pan African House, Mc Millan Library, etc.). As a gastronomic and commercial capital, Nairobi offers enough cultural and nightlife activities to make for a great day out. But Nairobi is above all a starting point for trips into the bush. The closest reserve to the city is Nairobi National Park.

After visiting the city, set off on your first safari against the backdrop of the building, a relatively surprising panorama that is, above all, unique in the world. Don't miss the Giraffe Centre and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a nursery for orphaned elephants. Both are close to Nairobi National Park.

The best-known national park is the Massai Mara National Reserve. Located in south-east Kenya, it shares territory with the Serengeti Park, which belongs to Tanzania. Animals travel from one country to the other during the Great Migration. Crossing the Mara River is an extraordinary sight.

The list of species that can be encountered is long. Encounters with lions are not uncommon, as are sightings of hippos, zebras, wildebeest and hyenas... On the other hand, you need to be a little luckier to tease the cheetah, hidden in the hollows of tree branches. There are two ways to get there.

A magnificent lodge in the Masaï Mara

The reserve can be reached by plane in just over an hour. By land, you need to be more patient. There are only 250 km to cover, but it's not a motorway in due form. The adventure begins as soon as you hit the Kenyan tracks. The journey takes at least six hours. Before you arrive, remember that you will have to pay an entry and residence fee if you are staying inside the reserve.

In the Great Rift Valley, not far from majestic Mount Kenya, lies Lake Naivasha, one of the few freshwater lakes in the valley. It's a natural wonder, a veritable bird paradise whose surface area fluctuates enormously with the seasons. A tranquil oasis, it's the perfect break between the various parks you'll be visiting.

A hotel on the shores of Lake Naivasha

At its heart is Crescent Island, an island or peninsula depending on the season, and a safari site that is unique in the world. Here you can take a leisurely stroll on foot and observe giraffes, wildebeest, zebras and gazelles in complete tranquillity, as there are no large predators. A veritable Garden of Eden. You can even go on safari on horseback!

Small in size, but a park that is emblematic of the country, it will not leave you indifferent. With its sandy expanses, swamps, thorn bushes and plains dotted with acacia trees, Amboseli's face changes with the seasons. Its geographical location cannot leave you indifferent, as it lies at the foot of Africa's highest and most mythical mountain, Kilimanjaro, which dominates neighbouring Tanzania. A truly unforgettable safari at the foot of this sumptuous snow-capped mountain.

To round off your trip to Kenya in style, explore its 400 kilometres of beaches. While the country is best known for its magnificent arid plains and spectacular wildlife, don't miss its immaculate beaches of fine sand either. Mombasa is Kenya's ocean gateway. The country's second largest city after Nairobi, it is one of the country's most important economic and tourist centres. Explore the old town and the old fort, a witness to Swahili history that has spanned generations. And don't forget to head to the magnificent beaches a little further south to relax and soak up the sun. Diani Beach is a real paradise.

An unspoilt coastal area still protected from mass tourism, Watamu is a little secret that travellers share with each other. Discover the magnificent beaches and seabed of this sublime nature reserve.

A magnificent hotel in Watamu

Fine sandy beaches, coconut groves, daily fishing, lounging... At Watamu, you can enjoy the simple things in life in an authentic and intimate setting, the perfect way to end your trip to the heart of Africa.