Kenya
Where to eat and drink well in Kenya
Kenya in September is cool in the early morning and warm once the sun is higher. That rhythm also shapes how you eat: an early, hearty breakfast, then a relaxed lunch by the water late in the afternoon. The cuisine changes with the location, from the inland areas around Nairobi to the coast near Mombasa.
21 September 2026 · Wayloha editorial · 3 sources
Early breakfast before the safari
In September, it is often cold in the early morning, even though it is warm during the day. Anyone planning a game drive is up before sunrise and eats a quick but hearty breakfast.
Many visitors make the mistake of packing summer clothes because Kenya always seems like summer. Bring a jumper to breakfast anyway, since the cold only lifts once the sun is higher.
- Wear an extra layer of clothing at breakfast, even if it is warm during the day.
- Eat breakfast on time so you are not late for the game drive.
The air cools down by the lake in the morning, and that is exactly when breakfast tastes best.Kenya
Lunch by the lake
Around midday it is time for a relaxed lunch, and the lakes of the Rift Valley are perfect for this. Lakeshore country clubs are a regular stopping point here.
At Lake Naivasha, for example, lies the Great Rift Valley Golf Resort, where you can rest between two excursions. The mistake is rushing through this: it is a moment to linger at the table, not to travel on quickly.
- Choose a lakeshore country club for lunch rather than just a restaurant on the road.
- Sit for a while after lunch before continuing your journey.
Afternoon on the golf course
Kenya has a surprising number of golf courses, and the afternoon is the time to play. Around Nairobi lie well-known courses such as Muthaiga and Karen, which have also hosted international tournaments.
Outside the city are lesser-known courses such as Limuru Golf Club, set among green hills. A green fee costs between 15 and 60 dollars, plus a few dollars for a caddy. The mistake is thinking you can do without one: a caddy is standard here.
- Book a caddy in advance, as it is standard practice and expected here.
- Choose a quieter course like Limuru if you do not want to play among tourists.
Drinks on the coast
On the coast near Mombasa, the atmosphere is more relaxed than inland. After a hot September day, the late afternoon is the moment for a drink by the water.
Many travellers combine a beach stay with a safari, and prefer to book it through an agent in Mombasa itself rather than at home in advance. The mistake is waiting too long to book: September is less rushed, but the best agents still have their regular clients.
- Book a safari through a local agent in Mombasa, as it is often more personal.
- Choose a terrace close to the water for the evening breeze.
Dinner after a day in nature
Dinner is the calm point of the day. At many safari lodges, an extensive meal is included with the accommodation, served as soon as guests return from the late game drive.
To get the most out of a park in September, stay at least one night at Nakuru National Park. That way you catch both the late afternoon and the early morning, the two best times to see animals. The mistake is planning only a day visit, as that means missing precisely those two moments.
- Stay at least one night at Nakuru National Park for the best game drives.
- Eat at the accommodation itself, as that mealtime is part of the day.
