Jambo, Karibu!
These are the first words you will hear when you set foot here! Coming right from the heart, with a warm smile, it's our pride! Originally made up of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, this region of East Africa now encompasses Rwanda and Burundi. Did you know that the source of the great River Nile is found in East Africa, at Lake Victoria and descendants of the Nubians are found in Northern parts of Uganda and the Western parts of Kenya? The Great Rift Valley straddles Kenya and Tanzania where it has created magnificent landscapes and in its valley are to be found many alkaline and fresh-water lakes, famous among them being Lake Turkana often referred to as the “Jade Sea” for its deep murky green waters, Lake Nakuru, the home to over a million pink flamingos, Lake Natron and Lake Tanganyika. But East Africa is most famous for its legendary game parks and richness in diversity of landscapes, flora and fauna, not forgetting culture! The wilderness is home to an endless array of ecosystems, the staging ground for natural cycles of life, death and regeneration as old as the planet itself. This great range of natural habitats means that there is plenty to explore, and plenty of species to encounter. From the great migratory herds of zebra and wildebeest roaming the plains of Masai Mara and Serengeti to the open savannah and depths of the Indian Ocean teeming with fish, this is a world of natural wonders.

The long coastline from Lamu in Northern Kenya to Mtwara in Southern Tanzania is broken and composed of beautiful pristine white sandy beaches, coral cliffs and reefs, creeks and numerous offshore coral islands, with the most famous being the spice islands of Pemba and Zanzibar! Blessed with a warm and sunny climate almost throughout the year, East Africa is convenient for any kind of activity - safari, beach, camping, horse-riding, and diving and so much more. The region offers the visitor a chance to experience a natural world unchanged by the passage of time. Not forgetting our culture - from the prehistoric records of early man to the present day, East Africa has been a land of unending change, contrasts and diversity. Here, the modern and the traditional live side by side, and at times the lines blur. For many visitors, this is evident within minutes of arrival. Among the busy urban traffic, the median strips of fresh grass along the airport road are a popular place for Maasai herdsmen to graze their cattle. You can have the opportunity to walk with the Maasai Morans or visit rural schools and local villages. Now let us talk about what your options are when visiting Kenya or Tanzania! For the first timers, an African Safari can prove a watershed event. The scale, the variety and the immediacy of the experience can transform your relationship with the natural world and the animal kingdom. But in a sense, there is no such thing as a standard African Safari. Your safari and holiday will be planned and created especially for you. You could decide to spend seven uninterrupted days just exploring national parks, an adventure that might include a night at a waterhole in the famous Treetop Hotel, a trip to Lake Nakuru to watch an undulating carpet of pink flamingos, a trek on Mt. Kilimanjaro and walks through the dense tropical rainforests of Mt. Kenya.

The Samburu National Reserve, the Ngorongoro Crater and the justifiably famous Masai Mara would form a large part of your agenda, because, as everyone knows, where else can you possibly see big cats, elephants, giraffes and rhino so totally in their element, in their home. If you are pressed for time, your safari could be shortened, and you could pick and choose those game resorts that appeal to you more. Or, as so many of our visitors often do, you could let us guide you through the decision. Regardless of the kind of safari we design for you, one thing will remain common. You will have as your guide someone who knows the territory like the back of their hand. For those looking to add an exotic flair to their holiday and also get some sun and fun, extend your safari to include the coast and choose to stay at some of our award-winning resorts in Zanzibar or Diani Beach. Or if you love the beach, just come for that - dive, snorkel, laze on the beach. Do what you like best in an environment of warmth, first class services and friendly people welcoming you everywhere.

And I have not forgotten the shopping. An ardent shopper myself, I cannot leave any country without a little memento – well, maybe a little more (on my last trip to Morocco, I brought home 5 carpets!) So yes, here too, if you'd like to take home more than just memories of your trip to Kenya, you'll find a wide range of local products that make ideal souvenirs or gifts. Our products are as diverse and unique as the country itself. There are traditional artifacts, fantastic jewellry, beautiful carvings, the world's best coffee, precious stones like the Tanzanite, furniture, beautiful cloth, excellent local music, wonderful modern art and so much more to be found.All our holidays exist in your mind and not on paper.Subhash Motwani and his able team at Compact Travels working closely with professionals on home-ground will put together a journey that reflects those sights, sounds and adventures that capture your imagination the best. Tell us what you'd like to see and how far you'd like to get involved. We'll design a holiday that will stir your emotions even as it excites your senses. Kenya Airways flies daily to Nairobi with excellent onward connections to all the East African capitals. We are just a stone-throw away! Come and discover the treasures of our land!

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