Off the beaten track in Kenya

Kenya is known as the home of safari holidays and idyllic coastal breaks but there is also a wealth of adventure lurking deep in the mountains and lakes of Kenya.

The country is a land of endless opportunity for the active and intrepid traveller offering mountain climbing, deep sea fishing, tours to the western homeland of President Obama's father and camel and horseriding safaris, to name just a few holiday ideas in Kenya.

President Obama's roots are in Kenya with his father's birthplace in the small village of Nyangoma-Kogelo in western Kenya near Kisumu and Lake Victoria. This connection has placed the region on the tourist map giving the local community a development and economical boost and tourists a new area to discover.

Western Kenya also offers much more than the Obama link, as visitors can also discover places such as the salt caves of Mount Elgon National Park or tackle climbing to the mountain's peak; see flamingos along the shores of Lake Victoria which is the world's second largest freshwater lake covering close to 70,000 sq km; explore the port town of Kisumu with its colonial architecture and visit the archaeological site in Rusinga where a 18-million year-old complete skeleton which is more ape like than human, was discovered by Mary and Louis Leakey in 1948.

Also discover one of Kenya's best kept secrets and the last equatorial forest in the country, the Kakamega Forest, which is home to a huge variety of animals, birds and reptiles including black and white colobus monkeys, redtailed monkeys, pottos (large nocturnal sloth-like creatures), bushbabies, tree pangolins and leopards.

For the trekking enthusiast Kenya is a world of highs and lows, from the second highest peak in Africa - Mount Kenya - to the desert plains of the north. There is a range of treks from sedate hill walks through game rich ranges to high altitude routes. But for those aiming high, climbers might be aware of the technical skills needed for an assault of the mighty peak of Mount Kenya which at 5,199 metres is only 696 metres shy of the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895.

From two wheels to four legs - Kenya has some excellent potential areas for off road mountain biking in places such as Hells Gate, Meru and Lewa. As the popularity of the sport increases, more and more mountain bikes are now for hire, and there is plenty of undiscovered country for bush biking.

There is also a very active equestrian community and horses are a great way to explore wilderness areas. Riding through herds of game is an ideal way to experience the wild up close and personal.

Looking for a more unusual mode of transport? The north of Kenya has a thriving camel culture, and the camel is used by many nomadic tribes. These deserts and wide arid plain lands have long been crossed by camel trains, following ancient routes through deep valleys and along winding dry river beds.

A safari by camel is a unique way to see this country. The trackless deserts and high ranges of the northern frontier are beautiful and remote places, completely isolated from the modern world. Walking through this wilderness with a camel train, camping in the wild and sleeping under the stars, you can travel through an Africa unchanged since the passage of the first explorers.

Far from the northern deserts, the waters of the Indian Ocean are an adventurer's playground. The coast of Kenya has a well deserved reputation for big game fishing and has attracted fishing devotees such as Ernest Hemingway, drawn by the promise of world-class fishing. Local tag and release programmes ensure eco-friendly fishing.

These waters have long been a traditional passage for sailors and today dhows still grace the calm waters of the coastline. The coast is an ideal place to explore by boat and the beaches are ideal for all kinds of water sports. White water rafting and kite surfing are also finding their niche markets in Kenya, bringing new skills and infrastructure into the country.

Kenya is rich with possibilities and the opportunities are bountiful for those with a sense of adventure. So come and begin your own great adventure story!

For more information on adventure holidays in Kenya, visit the Kenya tourism website.