15 Best Places to Visit in Kenya

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

The Maasai Mara National Reserve (commonly known simply as “Masai Mara”) is one of Africa’s most beautiful game reserves. The Mara, which forms a wildlife corridor between Tanzania and Kenya, is the northern extension of the Serengeti.

It was called after the statuesque, red-cloaked Maasai people who reside in the park and have done so for years. Mara means “mottled” in their language, which could be a reference to the acacia trees’ play of light and shadow, as well as the cloud-strewn skies over the vast plains.  Thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle migrate to and from the Serengeti during the Great Migration, which takes place from July to October. Hippopotamuses and crocodiles abound in the Mara River. It is a beautiful park.

AMBOSELI NATIONAL RESERVE

Amboseli National Reserve, which is crowned by Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, is one of Kenya’s most popular tourist destinations. The term “Amboseli” is originated from a Maasai phrase that means “salty dust,” a befitting descriptor of the park’s dry climate.

The reserve is one of the best sites in Africa to get up close and personal with huge herds of elephants. Big cats like lion and cheetah, as well as giraffe, impala, eland, waterbuck, gazelle, and more than 600 kinds of birds, can all be found in the park.

The dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulfur springs, savannah, and woods are among the five ecosystems available for visitors.

SAMBURU, BUFFALO SPRINGS, AND SHABA NATIONAL RESERVES

Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba Reserves are located at the confluence of the palm-lined Ewaso Nyiro River in Kenya’s remote northwestern area.

Elsa the lioness, made famous in the film Born Free, was fostered in one of two sites where George and Joy Adamson kept her.

The fauna in all three reserves is reliant on the river’s waters to exist, and many species have evolved to thrive in these dry conditions. Gravy’s zebras, Somali ostriches, and gerenuks, long-necked antelopes that stand on two back legs to reach fresh sprouts on upper tree limbs are among them

Sarara Singing Wells, a local watering hole where Samburu warriors sing traditional songs while hauling water, is a top attraction in Samburu National Reserve.

TSAVO NATIONAL PARK

Tsavo, Kenya’s largest park is divided into two sections: Tsavo West and Tsavo East. These parks cover 4% of the country’s total land area and include rivers, waterfalls, savannah, volcanic hills, a vast lava-rock plateau, and a diverse range of species.

Tsavo East, located halfway between Nairobi and Mombasa, is known for its photogenic sightings of vast elephant herds rolling and bathing in red dust. The park’s palm-fringed Galana River winds its way through it, giving superb wildlife viewing and a pleasant contrast to the parched plains.

The Yatta Plateau, the world’s longest lava flow; Mudanda Rock; and the Lugard Falls, which cascade into rapids and crocodile-infested pools, are among the other attractions.

Tsavo West is wetter and has a more diversified topography, with some of the most stunning scenery in the park.

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

The large flocks of pink swans at Lake Nakuru National Park in central Kenya are well-known. Birds abound in Lake Nakuru, one of the Rift Valley’s soda lakes that span nearly a third of the park’s surface area.

More than 450 species of birds, as well as a diverse range of other fauna, have been recorded in the park since its inception in 1961. Some of the creatures you might encounter are lions, leopards, warthogs, waterbucks, pythons, and white rhinos, while the environments range from vast grasslands flanking the lake to cliffs and woods.

These tall, branching succulents are unique to the area and add a striking textural aspect to the arrangement.

LAMU ISLAND

Lamu, a little island northeast of Mombasa, exudes an air of antiquity. Lamu Old Town, which dates back to the 12th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Kenya’s oldest continuously inhabited settlement.

One of the most popular activities in this city is strolling along the winding streets. The buildings provide witness to the island’s long history of trade. Architectural elements from the Arab world, Europe, and India may all be seen, yet they are all done in a Swahili style. Wooden doors with intricate carvings, coral stone structures, hidden courtyards, verandas, and rooftop patios are also common.

It’s as if you’ve stepped back in time when you go sightseeing here. Dinghies plow the harbor, and donkeys still control the streets as they have for decades. Lamu’s population is primarily made up of women and children.

LAKE NAIVASHA

Lake Naivasha, at the highest point of the Great Rift Valley, is a birder’s paradise. There are around 400 kinds of birds here, including African fish eagles, jacanas, white-fronted bee-eaters, and various kingfisher species.

Boating is one of the best methods to see the animals. Hippos splash around in the water, as giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and eland graze on the lake’s margins. Also, keep an eye out for colobus monkeys in the trees.

The Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, located near Lake Naivasha, has a wildlife-rich nature walk.

Hell’s Gate National Park, located just south of Lake Naivasha, protects a diverse range of species and provides good climbing possibilities, including two extinct volcanoes and the Hell’s Gate red cliffs.

NAIROBI CITY

Nairobi’s colorful colonial history is legendary. It was originally the capital of British East Africa, drawing settlers in search of a better life through the coffee and tea industries. Today, you may visit the city’s well-known historic buildings as well as its fantastic animal attractions.

Do you want to visit Kenya’s cultural sites? In Nairobi, there are several interesting attractions to see. The Nairobi National Museum is an excellent one-stop shop for displays on Kenyan history, natural history, culture, and modern art. Botanic gardens on the premises are also a must-see for green thumbs.

The Karen Blixen Museum, the reconstructed home of the famed Danish author of Out of Africa, also known by her pen name Isak Dinesen, is another major tourist site to observe some animals

NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK

If you’re staying in Nairobi, one of the top things to do is visit this wildlife-rich park, which makes for a delightful day trip – especially if you can’t make it to one of the larger game reserves.

Buffalo, leopard, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, elephants, and cheetah are among the classic safari stars, and the park’s rhino sanctuary contains some of the world’s most endangered species.

The Nairobi Safari Walk is a rewarding way to see wildlife on foot, and birders will be pleased to learn that the park is home to over 400 kinds of birds, including the stunning grey-crowned crane.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery is also a must-see during any visit to the park.

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST ELEPHANT NURSERY

You may mix with breathtakingly gorgeous baby pachyderms at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust while also supporting an essential conservation organization.

This well-known wildlife refuge rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants and allows visitors to get up close and personal with these endearing animals. You may witness the caretakers bottle-feed the newborns here; where the smallest elephants are hand-reared until they are about two or three years old.

Staff transports the elephants from the sanctuary to a reintegration site in Tsavo East National Park before releasing them into the wild

It is impossible to forget watching these rambunctious little pachyderms frolic in the dirt or shove a soccer ball around. You can do more if you want to.

MALINDI COAST

Many European tourists visit Watamu Beach to sun themselves and dive into the coral reefs of the Malindi and Watamu Marine National Parks. If you’re looking for free things to do in Kenya, nothing beats a relaxing day on the beach in Malindi. In the historic town, which dates back to the 12th century, you may also get a taste of Swahili history. The Jami Mosque, two 14th-century pillar tombs, and the Church of St. Francis Xavier, one of East Africa’s oldest churches, are all worth seeing here. The Vasco De Gama Cross, which stands on the promontory, is one of Africa’s oldest monuments. The Falconry of Kenya, a rehabilitation institution, is also a renowned tourist destination.

MOMBASA CITY & COAST

Mombasa attracts a diverse range of visitors. It is also the country’s second-largest city and harbor. Immigrants from the United Kingdom, Portugal, the Arab world, India, and Asia contribute to the diverse cultural mix, which is reflected in the architecture and food.

A causeway, bridges, and ferries connect Mombasa to the mainland, where it is mushrooming in growth. Coral reefs run over 480 kilometers down the coast, providing excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities, particularly at Mombasa Marine National Park and near Wasini Island. In Mombasa, you may also go dolphin watching or deep-sea fishing.

Along the Kenyan coast, there are a plethora of tourist attractions. History aficionados will enjoy visiting Fort Jesus and Old Town in the 16th century.

MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK

Mount Kenya National Park, located in the Central Highlands east of the Great Rift Valley, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers the unusual sight of equatorial snow. At 5,199 meters, it includes the country’s namesake highest peak.

Mount Kenya is made up of three glacier-covered peaks that were formed by a series of volcanic eruptions. The highest peak is Batian, while the next highest peak, Nelion, is more difficult to reach. The lowest mountain, Lenana, is thought to be the simplest to climb, though the weather can be unpredictable.

Bring your camera with you. The breathtaking scenery includes glaciers, lakes, and mineral springs, as well as alpine woodland and dense bamboo pockets.

Safaris are made more enjoyable by the diversity of flora and fauna. You might see black and white colobus among the fauna here.

HELLS GATE NATIONAL PARK

Hell’s Gate National Park is a popular climbing destination and one of Kenya’s few parks that allows camping and exploration on foot or by bicycle.

With two extinct volcanoes, Hell’s Gate Gorge’s red cliffs, Obsidian Caves, and Fischer’s Tower, a former volcanic plug, Hell’s Gate offers excellent climbing and trekking options.

Hot springs and natural geysers that hiss steam from vents in the earth’s crust are examples of geothermal features. Leopards, baboons, hartebeest, eland, ostriches, gazelles, and more than 100 different species of birds are among the animals protected by the park. The area is also home to vulture and eagle breeding places. Within the park, there is also the Floor Karia Maasai Cultural Centre, which is worth a visit.

OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is located 200 kilometers north of Nairobi, near Mount Kenya National Park, and is a great spot to see wildlife up close.

This 90,000-acre private game reserve emphasizes conservation and sustainability, with the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo) as well as additional creatures like a cheetah, hyenas, zebra, and hartebeest – all set against the stunning background of snowcapped Mount Kenya.

The reserve is most known for its northern and southern white rhinos, as well as Baraka, a blind black rhino who may be fed by lucky visitors.

Self-drive or guided tours are available to see the animals, and entrance includes a visit to the chimp sanctuary. Day visits are welcome, and if you want to stay longer, we can accommodate you.