Vacation Guides | Africa / Kenya

Kenya's eastern boundary is an unbroken line of blue, an azure strip of ocean lying within the protective shelter of a reef.

The coastline of Kenya is a tropical idyll of soft white sands and gentle sea breeze, where the passing of a day is marked by the slow arc of the sun. The pace of life on the coast is notably slower, languid, more relaxed and at peace with the world.

Whether you're looking to rough it or relax in style, Kenya can cater for every taste, budget and personal interest discover the savings you could make on a resort vacation in Kenya with OVC.

The turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean brought Kenya's history to exotic life, washing these shores with influences from all over the world. To explore the coast is to explore history itself, and unwind a fascinating tale written on the winding streets of the 14th Century town of Lamu, or in the bustling dhow docks of Mombassa or the ghostly ruins of Gedi, a deserted city lost deep in the jungle.

Dive beneath these waters and discover an undersea paradise. The coral reefs teem with fish, a kaleidoscope of colour and life.

Come ashore to beach resorts and hotels that let you relax and experience this paradise in style and comfort. Lay back and enjoy yourself, or get out and explore. Immerse yourself in a unique coastal culture as rich and rewarding as the local Swahili cuisine.

Step back from the beach and discover expanses of rainforest, game rich river deltas, and much more than you ever expected.

"JAMBO," is one of the most common words you will hear spoken throughout Kenya. This is the simplest Swahili greeting, and is often the first word learned by visitors to Kenya.

Swahili, locally referred to as KiSwahili, is Kenya's national language.

Swahili originated on the East African coast, as a trade language used by both Arabs and coastal tribes. The language incorporated elements of both classical Arabic and Bantu dialects, and became the mother tongue of the Swahili people who themselves rose from the intermarriage of Arab and African cultures.

When to Go

Across most of the country, rainfall is seasonal although its pattern, timing and extent vary greatly from place to place and from year to year.

Most rain falls from April to July as a result of the south easterly monsoon.

The relatively wet coastal belt along the Indian Ocean receives 1,000 mm or more rain per year.

Another moist belt occurs in the Lake Victoria basin and its surrounding scarps and uplands, mainly due to moist westerly winds originating over the Atlantic Ocean and Congo Basin.

Useful links: Kenya Tourist Board |