Residents of Diani Beach on the Kenyan coast must have a good laugh when the camels are brought out: travelers trip over themselves to ogle them. Something about seeing camels on a white sand beach in Kenya sends a clear message that you’re not in Kansas anymore. The bedecked - and somewhat beleaguered-looking - camels can be seen lounging at all hours on the southern coast (not a bad job). These were photographed waiting patiently just outside of Forty Thieves' Beach Bar in Diani, Kenya, where we opted for piña coladas rather than a ride. If you’re the type who doesn’t mind being “that person up on the camel,” negotiate with the accompanying handler to enjoy the camel’s-eye view of the lively bars and the lively inhabitants and visitors from the beach.

Visiting endurance runners at the High Altitude Training Centre benefit from two weeks at a 7,800-feet elevation. The program offers running sessions with local athletes on soft dirt trails, plus trips to feed giraffes and visit orphaned elephants. From $1,162 per person (based on double occupancy), P.O. Box 195, Iten, traininkenya.com.Photo by Jason Florio. This appeared in the July/August 2012 issue. Read Matt Gross’s feature on running in Kenya.

On our honeymoon, my wife and I stayed at Kichwa Tembo Bateleur Camp on the edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Every morning we awoke to the sounds of animals and sat down to a fantastic breakfast on a patio looking out over the grasslands filled with giraffe, impala, wildebeest, and warthogs. What a magnificent beginning it was to each day, a prelude to the spectacular game drives we would enjoy afterwards.

My wife and I recently traveled to the Maasai Mara, Kenya to go on a safari where experienced the trip of a lifetime. This is just one of the many sights we were lucky enough to see. This male lion had just woken up from a long nap and I was fortunate enough to capture him in the middle of his yawn. The early morning light accentuates his golden mane and highlights the flies around his eyes and head. The long strand of saliva running from the top of his jaw to the bottom helps to frame his enormous mouth dotted with razor sharp teeth.

At the Lake Bogoria National Reserve, soak in the public hot springs and spend the night amid hundreds of thousands of flamingos at an acacia-shaded campsite. Cruise nearby Lake Baringo in a motorboat or a canoe to spy hippos and crocodiles. Lake Bogoria camping: $20, Lake Baringo boat tour: $5, Marigat, 254/(0) 20-514-0746, lake-baringo.com.Photo by Jason Florio. This appeared in the July/August 2012 issue. Read Matt Gross’s feature on running in Kenya.

I visited this tea plantation in Kenya in January. The new leaf was out on some of the fields creating an unearthly, vivid greenness to the hills. A short hike through one of the last remaining stands of the forest that used to cover these hills revealed a plethora of herbal medicines and wildlife hidden in the higher branches. A different kind of safari!

Below the hotel’s cottages, the Kerio Valley’s grasslands spread toward the horizon like an infinity pool. Take the plunge on mountain bike or on foot, or marvel from a distance while enjoying a goat barbecue. The restaurant also serves a hearty beef stew by the fire in the stonewalled lodge. Doubles from $98, Kerio View Rd., Iten, 254/(0) 20-203-9559, kerioview.com.Photo by Jason Florio. This appeared in the July/August 2012 issue. Read Matt Gross’s feature on running in Kenya.

My family and I are big cat lovers. I mean BIG CAT lovers, such as lions, leopards, and especially cheetahs. Our son's 13th birthday was fast approaching and traditionally, kids in our New York neighborhood would celebrate their bar/ bat mitzvahs with a huge party. We decided to give our son a choice: a party (he had been to dozens of them) or something different. Really different... a safari in Kenya. He picked Kenya. Off we went and spent almost 2 weeks traveling the usual safari route from Nairobi down to Amboseli, up to Samburu, over to Lake Nakuru, and then to the crown jewel of safari locations.... Maasai Mara, or "the Mara" as it's affectionately known by those of us lucky to have been there. We had no idea the spiritual impact the place would have on all of us. We were fortunate to have been there to witness the annual migration -- one of the most amazing events in the natural world. If there ever was a place where one could be in total sync with nature, total spirituality, it was there. A touching example of this rhythm was witnessing a small part of the daily life of this cheetah family. An experience that I personally will never forget.

Kenya will change your life. I took my first trip to Africa with in 2009 with a service organization, Heart for Africa. We worked with AIDS widows and street kids who have been placed in a home. It will break your heart and open your eyes. I have visited four other countries through various volunteer work and I cannot recommend it enough. Also check out Cross Cultural Solutions.

Kenya is an amazing country of contrasts. However, nothing can prepare you for how diverse a Kenya Safari is. The main attraction remains the big five - Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard which can be viewed in Kenya's numerous parks. Apart from the game,relax on the sandy beaches of Kenya or engage in water sports. With excellent wildlife, great landscapes and scenery, perfect tropical weather, romantic secluded islands and good quality luxury safari lodges, a Kenya vacation holiday whether it be on a Luxury Kenya Safari, Family Safari or a romantic Kenya Honeymoon, Kenya will exceed all your holiday expectations.

We enjoyed a 3-day safari in Masai Mara. We saw many beautiful animals including lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and many more. The Kichwa Tembo camp provided great food, service, and wonderful privacy.

Our fist night in Nairobi at The Giraffe Manor, a giraffe stuck her long neck into the dining room. Her 18 inch tongue curled around our fingers as she plucked giraffe food pellets from our hands and watched us with dark soulful eyes. The next morning she joined us again for breakfast. Read the full story and other Africa adventures at AfricaInside.org

Located just outside of Nairobi is one of the most unique accommodations...Giraffe Manor. A traditional English Manor settled on the grounds of conservation and breeding ground for wild Rothschild Giraffes combine together to give the guest an unbelievable experience. As a child my travel mate saw a special on Giraffe Manor and this extravagant splurge was one of the highlights of our East Africa trip. The service is exquisite but its the proximity with these amazing animals steals the show. Within a few days we could consider giraffes Lynn and Arlene as close friends of ours...

This is the cheapest and the shortest way to visit Maasai Mara for 3 days at only $625, €445, £395 inclusive of: * Return flights,3 game drives,park fees,all meals * Accommodation in self contained tents with hot waters showers and flash toilet with 2 beds

From Lamu, an archipelago off Kenya's coast, my husband Mike and I arranged for day-long trip in a dhow. This traditional vessel has a simple wooden hull and beautiful arcing white sail. They've been used along the Swahili Coast for hundreds of years--and to our surprise, are still in use by fishermen to navigate the narrow channels of the Lamu archipelago. Our boat was run by a captain and three nimble young men who hoped one day to have a boat of their own. In this picture, the youngest crew member was helping to balance the force of the sail by standing on a plank that stretched out over the water. We spent the day fishing, having a picnic lunch on the beach with the "silver fish" we caught, and then taking a long walk on a deserted beach. Later, during a long stretch of quiet sea, the crew sang an a capella version of "Jambo Bwana," one of Kenya's top pop songs. 

Lake Nakuru National Park is a favorite, and a not to be missed during your visit to Kenya. Located about 130kms out of the capital, Nairobi, Lake Nakuru National Park ecosystem provides for about 56 different species of mammals and a variety of terrestrial birds numbering nearly 450 species and is an important sanctuary for Rhino. It has wonderful views and excellent accommodations and will never disappoint.