Kenya is a country with a huge untapped potential for outdoor activities. You can do walking, horse and camel riding, fishing, golfing, climbing and rafting, and the Kenya Coast offers a wide variety of watersport activities, like diving, snorkeling, canoeing...

Walking

If you have plenty of time, walking is highly recommended as it gives you an unparalleled contact with local people. At the Aberdares, Mau and Cherangani ranges, and on Mount Kenya and Mount Elgon, it is the only practical way of moving away from the busy main tracks. You will sometimes come across animals out in the bush, but buffaloes and elephants, unless solitary and with youngs, usually move off. Don't ignore the danger however, and stay alert.

Horseback and Camel Riding

There are good opportunities for horseback riding in the Central Highlands and an active equestrian community in Nairobi. Riding Safaris are also offered at the Masai Mara. Camel Safaris are popular, too.

Fishing

Many of the Highlands' streams are well stocked with trout, which where important in the arly days of British colonialism. A few local fishing associations are still active and the usual rules about seasons and licenses apply. Naro Moru River Lodge and the Isaac Walton Inn in Embu offer rods for rent.
For lake fishing, it is possible to rent rods and boats at Lake Baringo, Naivasha and Turkana, and there are luxury fishing lodges at Rusinga, Mfangano, Takawiri Islands and Lake Victoria.
The Indian Ocean offers excellent deep sea fishing opportunities. Enthusiasts have the chance to land an impressive tally of species including sailfish, marlin, swordfish, barracuda and shark! Kenya's superb stretch of off-shore coral reef, with its deepwater drop-offs and predictable northerly currents, is ideal for near-shore fishing. Watamu, Malindi and the resorts around Mombasa are the most popular centres for ocean fishing.

Diving and snorkeling

Kenya's coastal waters are warm all year round, so it is possible to dive without a wetsuit! And have a rewarding dip under the waves almost everywhere. almost all major beach hotels do have diving centers, Diani Beach is probably the most popular area.
For underwater photographers, in particular, the immense offshore coral reef is a major draw - the landscape is spectacular varied, with shallow coral gardens and blue-water drop-offs sinking as deep as 200m. Visibility is generally excellent.

Climbing

apart from Mount Kenya, there are climbing opportunities at all grades in the Aberdares, Cherenganis, Mathew's Range, Hell's Gate and Rift Valley volcanoes, including Longonot and Suswa.

Rafting

Both the Tana river and the Athi river have sections which can be rafted when there have been rains. Approximate dates are early November to mid-March, and mid-April to end of August

Golf

Kenya has around 40 golf clubs, noteably around Nairobi, Naivasha, Thika, Nanyuki and Nyeri in the Central Highlands. There are also some on the coast, and - incontestably the most bizarre - on the scorched moonscape shore of Lake Magadi. Green fees vary, usually from 30 US$ per day.