For the incoming and in the near future increasingly international tourism, thanks to the gradual and limited reopening of all countries (Italy unfortunately being one of the last to join), Kenya has decided to boost the promotion and sale of holidays focused on mountain excursions, trekking and activities linked to forests, high-altitude lakes and volcanoes, such as bird watching, mountain biking and more.
Adventure in the country, according to the Kenya Tourist Board, marketing body of the Ministry of Tourism, is not only to be identified with parks and nature reserves and savannah animals, but also with the beautiful and untouched regions of the Rift Valley that offer trails, mountaineering and other physical activities that can attract a young and enthusiastic clientele.
Mountaineering is very popular at the moment," Kenya Tourist Board CEO Betty Radier told the media. "People don't want to spend all their time indoors, especially after the restrictions of the pandemic. If the opportunity presents itself, they want to be outdoors. Hiking is not only about adventure but also about wellbeing".
Kenya's mountain and forest landscapes are many: some famous and reserved for true experts and mountaineering enthusiasts, such as Mount Kenya, others offering unique walks, such as Aberdare or the Meru area, among bird watching and many animals. There are also the Rift Valley lakes, such as Nakuru, Naivasha and Baringo, and volcanic mountains that are great trekking attractions, such as Longonot, Suswa and Elgon.
"We decided to showcase the multitude of experiences that can be had in Kenya. For a long time, the ministry focused especially on the beach and the savannah," Radier added. "We are rediscovering the magic of our country and the places that have remained unchanged. This can attract more visitors. Hiking can help tourists from all over the world and our countrymen discover amazing landscapes, virgin nature through walking trails, exploring and meeting the different communities that live there and learning about their cultures.
The trend of local tourism towards such destinations and healthier, more daytime-focused entertainment has increased over the last year and a half of curfew time restrictions, which are still in place. For Nairobans, for example, excursions to the Ngong Hills, Naivasha, Mount Longonot or Sleeping Warrior Hill on Lake Elmenteita.
"Kenya is a work of art to be painted, for those who want to make their own kind of magic and create unforgettable memories with family and friends. From snow-capped mountains to open savannah, from tropical forests to vibrant cities and from desert landscapes to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, travellers are spoilt for choice," concluded the Kenya Tourism Board CEO. "To showcase this diversity, KTB works closely with the private sector to curate a unique experience for local and international travellers.