For a country of its size, Kenya sure packs a lot in: mountains and deserts, colourful tribal culture, beaches and coral reefs, and some of Africa's best wildlife attractions. In fact, to say Kenya is Africa in microcosm would not be stretching the point.

There are a million different reasons to visit Kenya, and picking just one is nigh impossible. Stunning landscapes set the scene, from Kakamega's rainforests to Indian Ocean beaches by way of Mt Kenya National Park; the rolling grasslands of the Masai Mara to searing deserts on the shores of the Jade Sea; with The Rift Valley, home to Hell's Gate National Park, cleaving a massive gash through it all.

Wildlife safaris have been the mainstay of Kenya's tourism for decades, and several Kenyan parks, like Tsavo National Park, are among the best places in Africa to see lions, elephants, leopards and the famous wildebeest migration. Kenya rates as one of the top five bird-watching destinations in the world; other activities for outdoor enthusiasts include trekking the glacial ridges of Mt Kenya, ballooning over the Masai Mara, snorkelling at the Marine National Park in Malindi on the Indian Ocean coast, and much more besides. Kenya's biggest city, Nairobi, is sidestepped by many visitors, but, in fairness, has an interesting urban appeal with its cafes and nightlife.

Mombasa is situated in the south east of Kenya on the Indian Ocean, and offers historical and cultural sites and a unique opportunity to discover Kenya's wildlife. It is the largest city on the Kenyan coast and also the largest coastal port in East Africa. Traders have been coming here since at least the 12th century, and during its history Mombasa changed hands dozens of times between the Arab-Swahilis, Portuguese, Omanis and finally the British.