Best Kenya Travel Guides of 2026

The Dealmaker by Mauricio Umansky is a part memoir, part leadership manifesto that offers tips and strategies to find success in both personal and professional life. Through his own experiences in the cutthroat real estate industry, Umansky shares fundamental principles of success, including hard work, innovation, and positivity. Each chapter centers around a specific piece of wisdom and offers insightful takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs and self-starters. Overall, The Dealmaker is an inspiring read for those looking to build their own fruitful career and find happiness in life.

Fodor's The Complete Guide to African Safaris is a comprehensive travel guidebook that covers South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Victoria Falls. The book is packed with detailed maps, itineraries, and recommendations from locals on the best sights, hotels, and activities. Additionally, the guide provides historical and cultural insights on local people, art, cuisine, music, and geography. The book is perfect for anyone planning to explore Africa's wildlife, plants and trees, and other natural wonders. Overall, Fodor's The Complete Guide to African Safaris is an excellent resource for anyone looking to simplify their trip-planning process and make the most of their time in Africa.

Out of Africa, selected as one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time by the Modern Library, is a true account of Karen Blixen's life on her plantation in Kenya. She describes the beauty of the country and its people, the wild animals that were her neighbors, and the primitive festivals she witnessed. This edition, set from the first American edition of 1937, commemorates the seventy-fifth anniversary of Random House. The book is a classic and a must-read for anyone interested in African history and culture.

West with the Night: A Memoir by Beryl Markham is a true classic that deserves more recognition. Markham's life in East Africa as an adventurer, racehorse trainer, and aviatrix is full of adventure and beauty. She was the first woman to fly solo east to west across the Atlantic and the first person to fly nonstop from Europe to America. Her writing is exceptional, and even Ernest Hemingway was impressed, saying that Markham could "write rings around all of us who consider ourselves as writers." This new edition includes a new introduction by Sara Wheeler, making it a must-read for anyone who loves adventure stories and exceptional writing.

The Heartbeat of the Wild is a collection of 20 elegantly written essays that highlight the tension between humans and the wild. Author David Quammen, a science and nature writer, takes readers on a journey to Earth’s most far-flung and fragile destinations, exploring the challenges of balancing the needs of civilization and raw nature. The book features encounters with African elephants, chimpanzees, gorillas, and the champions of rewilding efforts in southernmost South America. With a new introduction, afterword, and notes framing each story, Quammen reminds us of the essential role played by wild nature at the heart of the planet. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in conservation and adventure.

Safari: A Photicular Book is a unique and magical journey that brings the African safari to life through Photicular technology. The book features stunning shots of cheetahs, rhinos, and gazelles in living motion, making readers feel as if they are actually there. The author, Dan Kainen, is an artist, designer, and inventor who created the Motion Viewer, which inspired this book. The book has received rave reviews, with Entertainment Weekly calling it "amazing" and Audubon magazine describing it as an "imaginative interpretation of the real thing." Overall, Safari is a must-have for anyone who loves animals and wants to experience the thrill of a safari from the comfort of their own home.

The World of Urban Sketching, by Stephanie Bower, is a stunning collection of more than 700 images from over 150 sketchers in 39 countries, showcasing the latest developments and innovations in the creative pursuit of on-location drawing and painting. The book is a visual feast of new techniques, styles, and approaches in color and linework, including digital, through step-by-step demonstrations and artists' tips. The author also shares valuable insights into creating artwork on location through artists' observations and advice. Overall, The World of Urban Sketching is an inspiring and informative combination of art and travel that will expand readers' skills and inspire them to pick up a pencil and sketch their world.

The Lonely Planet Epic Runs of the World 1 is a must-have companion for runners of all levels. The book features 50 of the world's greatest running routes, from city runs to challenging ultras, and a further 150 courses to satisfy runners worldwide. Each run is accompanied by practical details, maps, and stunning photos to help plan the perfect trip. Organized by continent, the book takes runners through unique experiences, such as running past giraffes in Africa and offering spectacular views of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak in Asia. The book is an inspiring and trustworthy guidebook brand that provides valuable information to all kinds of travelers.

The Birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi Second Edition is an award-winning and bestselling field guide to East African birds. This fully revised and updated version features revised text and distribution maps, the latest taxonomy, and much more. The guide describes and illustrates all the resident, migrant, and vagrant birds of the region in convenient facing-page layout. It includes introductory sections on conservation and important bird areas, making it the must-have guide for birding in East Africa. The book is an essential reference for birders and bird enthusiasts alike.

This pocket-sized guide is a must-have for anyone planning a safari in Kenya, Tanzania, or Uganda. East Africa Wildlife features over 120 species of mammals, birds, and reptiles found in the Serengeti and Maasai Mara game reserves. The laminated pages make it durable and perfect for on-the-go use. The illustrations are beautifully done, making it easy to identify the animals in their natural habitat. Written by zoologist Jim Kavanagh, this guide is an excellent source of portable information. Overall, this book is an essential tool for any wildlife enthusiast visiting East Africa.