Kenya - An Exotic Family Destination

Kenya is a land of beautiful contrasts. Naomi Campbell is a frequent visitor to it's coastal town of Malindi, famous for its sandy white beaches. Nairobi is a modern city with many eating options. If your family are voracious carnivores, then The Carnivore is the place to go. This open-space restaurant lives up to its name with zebra, crocodile, hartebeest and ostrich meat on the menu. Waiters walk around with meat on long skewers that they slice onto your plate. This continues until the party puts up a white flag (provided by the restaurant) signifying surrender. The music and ambiance are definitely African and the air is always charged with excitement and the sound of meat sizzling on the grill.

Not far away from here is the Giraffe Center, where the endangered Rothschild giraffes are housed. Food pellets are provided to feed the giraffes (don't worry, they are very gentle eaters) who seem to love being petted. Near it is the Animal Orphanage, a sort of zoo where rescued orphaned animals are kept. The Nairobi National Game Park is right next door. There are lots of wild animals in their natural habitat. If you leave early in the morning before it gets too hot, you are likely to see lions, cheetahs, the secretary bird, the crested cranes and more. The baboons are great at begging for food and not averse to having their pictures taken.

For those who are more interested in the white sandy beaches, there are several places to go. The south beaches of Kenya are a great place to go. With endless white beaches, the whole family is sure to love the feel of the warm ocean water lapping on their feet . There are guided camel rides, scuba diving, glass boat tours and parasailing. An exciting day trip is out to the Mamba Village, a crocodile farm located Mombasa. This is a marvelous opportunity to learn about crocodiles, see them safely up close, and watch them being fed. The village also offers horseback and camel riding, and provides food and game meats at its restaurant. The Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary near Shimba Hills National Reserve, is home to over 150 elephants.

This is a great place to see the interaction of families of elephants in the midst of breathtaking landscapes. For those who are interested in marine life, there is the Malindi, Watamu, Mombasa, Kisite and Kiunga Marine parks, all teeming with colorful, rare, tropical marine life. Coral reefs, tropical fish, and various shapes of sponges are common here. The history buffs may be interested in Fort Jesus, in Mombasa, where the slaves were kept before they were loaded onto the alave ships. The Gedi ruins are ruins of what is thought to have been an affluent society. African and Arab influence is evident in the architecture of this history rich place. End your day with a Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise. Listen to the waves lapping against the side of the boat. There is music, a four-course gourmet meal, a tour of Mombasa, and a chance to relax after a busy day.

For those interested in more trips, there is the trip to the Rift Valley, a huge canyon caused by a fault line. The views are spectaclular as you look down into the valley from the escarpment. The monekys will come to beg for food as you take pictures and are willing to be subjects of your photos. In Kakamega, there is a forest with over 4,00 different species of butterfiles, a large number of rare birds and snakes. The knowledgeable guides lead you through the forest and point out a wonderful array of beautiful animals.

There are a large number of places to go with the family, in Kenya. All the places mentioned above are safe for families, with knowledgeable guides who keep everything safe. The experience is one that will never be forgotten.