10 Best Places to Visit in Kenya
As everyone who visits Kenya discovers, this beautiful East African nation offers an unrivaled diverse mix of tourist attractions, all within relative proximity of each other. You can land at an international airport and visit a National Park within 30 minutes. You can you fly from a grassy savannah to a snow-capped mountain to warm sandy beaches in less than two hours?
In this video, we are going to take a magical tour and experience the top 10 places to visit in Kenya. Stay tuned to learn more about the unique wildlife, pristine beaches, spectacular lakes and rivers, colorful cultures, and more attractions in East Africa's most visited nation.
10. Mount Kenya
Skewering the clouds and neighboring the equator, the 5km high Mount Kenya is Africa's second-highest peak. The mountain is scenically spectacular, with waterfalls, glaciers, U-shaped valleys, and jagged snow-capped peaks. Often overshadowed by Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya is a must-visit destination in Kenya.
The mountain makes for a cheap but no less arduous ascent.
Its flora ranges from rare- Afro-Alpine moorland to bamboo forests. The region is home to fascinating wildlife, including African forest elephants and iridescent sunbirds.
The best way to enjoy Mount Kenya is through an organized Trek with a support crew. You can experience a high altitude while trekking on a Kenyan Mountain without the pressures of a summit challenge. Walking holidays explore the foothills of the mountain, taking in mini peaks and spectacular lakes and waterfalls.
9. Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley lakes situated at the heart of its own national park. Located a few hour's drive the Nairobi, the Lake is famous for its incredibly diverse array of birdlife. The scenic pink shorelines made from millions of flamingoes and pelicans are visible most of the year.
The Lake's abundance of algae attracts large numbers of flamingoes, which result in the greatest bird spectacle on the planet.
Lake Nakuru National Park is a sanctuary for the endangered Eastern black rhino and Rothschild giraffe. The winding dirt trails ringing the Lake's edges offer great opportunities to see the endangered species alongside baboons, antelope, and other wildlife. Tourists and locals enjoy these dramatic views from the nearby Baboon Cliff lookout point.
8. Malindi
Malindi has been a humble town for centuries gone by. Located about 120 km or 75 miles Northeast of Mombasa, this historic coastal trading town has become a top tourist destination, especially if you seek a taste of the warm sun and sandy beaches. White strips of beaches with quaint resorts draw in big crowds. The Mayungu beach offers one of the most scenic coastlines stretches with crystal clear waters.
Malindi has a rich history dating back to the 14th century, with a monument to the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama being a centerpiece of the town and a testament to its long past. Malindi is also home to the mysterious Gedi Ruins, one of the most visited places in Kenya. Other attractions in Malindi include Falconry Park, Takwa ruins, Butterfly Market, Malindi Marine National Park, and Arabuko Sokoke National Park.
7. Tsavo National Park
The expansive stretches of the Tsavo National Park top the charts among the greatest safari destinations in the world. At nearly 14,000 km2 or 9,000 square miles, it is one of Kenya's largest and oldest parks. Named after the Tsavo River flowing through it, Tsavo National Park is located in a semi-arid area near the town of Voi, bordering the Chyulu Hills National Park and Tanzania's Mkomaize Game Reserve.
The national park is a biodiversity stronghold where tourists come to see the famous African bush elephants, black rhino, lions, Cape buffalo, and leopards alongside zebra, baboons, and a plethora of other animals. Notable attractions at the park include The Yatta Plateau, Lugard Falls on the Galana River, Aruba Dam on the Voi River, and the 1.6-kilometer Mudanda Rock.
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6. Lamu Island
For its tiny size, Lamu Island is a surprising gem. Located 150 miles from Mombasa, Lamu is the longest-established and best-preserved settlement of the Swahili people and culture. Ringed by mangrove swamps, sandy beaches, Indian Ocean waters, and traditional dhows, this archipelago on the eastern edge of Kenya is a historically rich and unique place.
Lamu Old Town traces its roots back to the 12th century, is a UNESCO world heritage site, and is an important cultural center in East Africa. You can explore the old city with a guide, enjoy views of the archipelago on a dhow, visit the picturesque Shella village, enjoy savory Swahili dishes, and visit the Takwa ruins. The best way to experience the Island's offerings is on foot. The Island features narrow winding roads where the use of vehicles is prohibited.
5. Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is the only game park of its kind located near a capital city. Located just a few minutes’ drive from the capital, the game park is often the first destination for many visitors to Kenya. With a scenic backdrop of city skyscrapers, the park features wide open grass plains and scattered acacia bushes.
Nairobi National Park is East Africa’s oldest game park, and despite its smaller size, it is home to a large and diverse wildlife population. Here you get to see the endangered black rhino, buffaloes, lions, zebras, cheetahs, wildebeest, leopards, and hundreds of species of endemic and migratory bird life. Visitors also enjoy several campsites, picnic sites, adventurous hiking trails, and hosting corporate and special events.
4. Mombasa
A trip to Kenya wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the historical coastal town of Mombasa. The oldest city in Kenya is known for its gorgeous beaches, rich heritage, and friendly locals. Thousands of tourists flock to Mombasa each year for the perfect beach vacation.
A stroll down Mombasa Old town bears witness to the Arab, Portuguese and British influences still present today. One of the main highlights of Mombasa is Fort Jesus; an old Portuguese fortress turned museum. You can learn about the city's long history and explore many Kenyan archeological finds here.
Mombasa has many relaxing white sandy beaches, the most popular being Nyali Beach. The less crowded and more private Diani Beach is just an hour away. Mombasa is also one of the best places to enjoy traditional Swahili cuisine. If you seek to escape the bustling city, Haller Park is the place. This recreational park is a sanctuary for hippos, elands, tortoises, and giraffes.
3. Nairobi
While the capital city of Kenya doesn’t get as much hype as the national parks, Nairobi has lots to offer. This lively city possesses some real hidden gems. For a start, there is the Nairobi National Park, which has earned a spot of its own on our list.
There are few places in the world where you can see herds of giraffes on your drive into the city! Alongside the entrance to Nairobi Game reserve, you will find the Animal Orphanage, a unique refuge for young animals. Not far from here, you will encounter the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s elephant sanctuary, The Giraffe Manor, and the Karen Blixen museum.
As for the city itself, Nairobi is a friendly city with wonderful restaurants serving local delicacies, numerous markets, malls, small stores for the shopaholics, museums detailing the city’s colonial past, and forest reserves to unwind in nature. The city also has varied and exciting nightlife.
2. Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park has a reputation for being the top dog of East African safari parks, and for good reasons. Locally referred to as the "Land of the Giants," this massive protected national reserve has a large population of African elephants. This is the place to visit if you want to get close to free-roaming elephant herds. Dotting the national park are vast savannahs, a patchwork of dusty plains, and fields of riparian wetlands, offering the best opportunities to view African wildlife.
The 100,000-acre Amboseli National Park is home to the famed Big Five and diverse plain wildlife such as zebra, impala, wildebeest, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, and more. The park has a dream location, too, nestled on the outlines of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. It offers the most spectacular and photographic views of the snow-capped mountain and is a bird watcher’s paradise.
1. Maasai Mara National Reserve
Topping off our list is Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of the world's most famous wildlife conservations and safari destinations. Maasai Mara highlights the backcountry of the Rift Valley with vast savannah plains dotted with short bushy trees. Bordered to the south by Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, the national reserve attracts thousands of visitors to Kenya every year.
The reserve is renowned for its exceptional population of lions, African bush elephants, buffalo, cheetahs, leopards, zebra, antelope, and wildebeest. It is among the best places to see the fabled Big Five mammals in the wild.
Maasai Mara is also host to the Great Migration, which is its biggest pull. The iconic and breathtaking wildebeest migration is the largest terrestrial mammal migration on earth. This annual spectacle secured The Mara’s place as one of the ten Wonders of the World. Popular activities at Maasai Mara include game drives, nature walks, hot air ballooning, and photographic safaris.
And there you have it. We have concluded our journey to the best places to visit in Kenya. This East African country has plenty more to offer and should be a consideration in your travel bucket list. Which town in Kenya do you think has the most interesting history? Old Lamu or Old Mombasa Town? Let us know in the comments below. Once again, hit that Like button, and don’t forget to subscribe to Fly the Atlas for more trips to amazing places worldwide.