Situated to the east of central Africa, Kenya is a breathtaking natural landscape that is sure to captivate you on a visit here. Bordering Somalia and Ethiopia, as well as Tanzania and Uganda, it is also an excellent starting point for an extended driving tour of the rest of the country. This ancient country, which is believed to have first been inhabited around two million years ago, is one of the most beautiful on earth. The people, of which there are over forty ethnic groups, are some of the warmest in the continent. Indeed, the early tribal states saw cycles of migration and shifting power, with Kenya as a meeting place for peoples from the plainlands of the south, the forests of the West and the deserts of the North. In the northern areas, the land is beautiful and dry, but Kenya’s versatility is marked by the difference in the climate and abundance of natural scenery. This includes the Lake Victoria Basin and the Great Rift Valley. There is a strong colonial legacy that is still felt here, and this mish mash of cultures only adds to it.

Nairobi, the capital, is a vibrant city with a thriving social and business scene. However, because of the wonderful tapestry of the country, take your car only a few hours outside of the city and you will be among deserted landscape and wildlife. You can even observe the Maasai herdsman grazing their cattle. Tribes including the Kuria and Samburu also have their homes here, and there is a great emphasis on physical beauty among the warriors which is fascinating to observe. The nomadic tribes, such as the Boran and Oromo, are wonderful insights into this culture as well. The Kamba people have a long history of carving and are some of the most skilled woodworkers in the world – so it is definitely worth taking some of these gorgeous woodwork crafts home with you.