As Africa’s original ‘Safari Capital’,Nairobi still boasts some of the best and most varied wilderness adventures on the continent. From the great wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara to the little-explored corners of Tsavo and Samburu to some of Africa’s most beautiful beaches, the brochures do not exaggerate when they imply that you are living in one of the most diverse and spectacular countries on Earth. And these destinations are available in all levels of comfort, with all manner of luxury lodges and hotels, private homesteads and public campsites, and a rich variety of cultural, sporting and family activities that can be tailored to any type, length or price of safari.

Most international personnel who travel abroad on their annual leaves may only have a few short days or long weekends to escape from work.There are several short wildlife viewing adventures that can be made in 3-4 days overland, including Tsavo,Amboseli, the Chyulu Hills and the Maasai Mara – particularly for the great migration every July and August. These parks have all levels of accommodation, from five-star tented camps and luxury lodges to self-service chalets and campsites, which any of the good travel agents below can tell you about.The larger hotel groups can also arrange overland or flying itineraries that take in two or more parks.

Closer to home, an idyllic peaceful weekend can be spent on the shores of Lake Naivasha, a stunning freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley, just over an hour’s drive northwest of Nairobi. Here again there are all manner of accommodation and activities, from the stylish surrounds of Olerai House (890596) to the peaceful charm of Crater Lake (05020-20613), and stunning views with horse rides, pampered care and delectable cuisine at Malu (05020-21200), Malewa River Lodge (05020-30312) or the Great Rift Valley Lodge (4446651), which also boasts one of Africa’s most spectacular 18-hole golf courses. South of Nairobi, the Rift presents a wilder side at Lake Magadi, whose high soda content attracts a stunning variety of waterbirds.Visitors can make the journey on to Shompole (884135), one of Kenya’s most beautiful and innovative lodges, which is co-owned by the local Maasai. Close to Magadi too is the fascinating prehistoric site of Olorgesaille, where on the shore of an ancient lake bed Louis and Mary Leakey family found thousands of stone age tools, which are now preserved in a series of ‘living museums’.

Family Destinations
Some of Kenya’s largest hotel and lodge operators have in recent years launched a variety of children’s ‘safari clubs’ to make their destinations more attractive to visiting families – and to enable Mum and Dad to get a little peace from the kids! The market leader is Heritage Hotels (4446651), which runs two clubs, the Adventurers’ Club for 4-12 year olds and the Young Rangers’ Club for teenagers, offering a rich variety of educational games, wildlife-spotting walks and cultural outings from the group’s properties in the Maasai Mara, Samburu, Mombasa and Naivasha. Several other hotel groups have taken up the family baton, including Sarova Hotels (2716688), whose Ozone Club hosts younger children in the Mara, Shaba and Mombasa, and Lonrho Hotels (216940), with a Young Explorers’ Club in the Mara, the Aberdares and Mount Kenya.

Golf Courses Kenya boasts a huge variety of golf courses, from the manicured fairways and lake-ringed holes of the grand Windsor Golf & Country Club to the smaller but no less challenging nine-hole city course at the age-old Nairobi Railways Club.All of the courses give priority to members, and are usually open only to members on weekends, but during the week non-members can usually turn up and play on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, it is always best to call the clubs in advance, as there may be competitions taking place, and most clubs have at least one members-only day during the week. Prices for 18 holes normally range from Ksh 1,500 to Ksh 3,000, with an additional Ksh 150-400 caddy fee.

• Karen Golf Club 882801-2
• Muthaiga Golf Club 318804
• Nairobi Railways Club 725125
• Racecourse Golf Club 566108-9
• Royal Nairobi Golf Club 2725769/2721630
• Sigona Golf Club 066-32462/32144
• Windsor Golf & Country Club 862300/862500