Located in Eastern Africa, Kenya is a country blossoming with diverse culture, geographical wonders, awesome water bodies and wildlife. Kenya is one of the top safari destinations in Africa as well as one of the most-visited countries in the continent, a popular target for honeymoons, vacations and adventure lovers. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to visit in Kenya. From Mombasa and Malindi to Nairobi National Park and Uhuru Gardens, Kenya is full of beautiful places to visit, and adventurous things to see and do.
1. Lake Nakuru National Park
This park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including Lions, Warthogs, White Rhinos and pythons. The lake is very popular for hosting an incredible number of birds including beautiful pink Flamingos, pelicans, African fish eagle, Verreaux’s eagle, the Goliath heron and hamerkop. Be sure to add Lake Nakuru National Park in your bucket-list if you are visiting Kenya.
2. Mount Kenya National Park
The Mount Kenya National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can experience equatorial snow. With a peak of 5,199 meters, this mountain is the tallest height in Kenya. You can bring your camera so you can capture amazing photography of the beautiful glaciers, lakes, and mineral springs. You can also spot a variety of wildlife like Hyenas, Buffalos and colobus monkeys amongst others.
3. Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is one of the most serene and romantic places you can visit in Kenya. Running through 3 countries including Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, Lake Victoria has a placid nature and an atmosphere of natural serenity perfect for relaxation. You can find a variety of aquatic animals here like turtles and over 500 species of fish.
4. Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve is a protected area in North Kenya that spreads on the on the banks of Ewaso Ng’iro river. This reserve is amazing place you can visit for sighting animals like Wild Dogs, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and East African oryx, as well as the gerenuk (long-necked antelope). This park is named after the Samburu tribe, widely known for their many strands of brightly colored beaded jewelry.
5. Amboseli National Reserve
Amboseli National Reserve is popularly known for hosting large herds of elephants. Five different habitats can be explored here including the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulfur springs, savannah, and woodlands. If you are looking forward to enjoying an experience of African safari park, this is one of the best places to visit.
6. Hell’s Gate National Park
Here you will enjoy sighting wildebeest and vultures, African buffalo and Thomson’s gazelles in their numbers between the gorges and canyons. Hell’s Gate National Park is a rather small park named after a narrow break in the cliffs of the Rift Valley. The park also offers excellent climbing opportunities if you intend to take your adventures further.
7. Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha lies at the highest point of the Great Rift Valley and is host to over 400 species of birds. Here, you can spot African fish eagles, jacanas, white-fronted bee-eaters, and kingfishers. Lake Naivasha is also rich with wildlife including Hippos, Buffalos, Zebras and Monkeys. Take a lake tour so you can enjoy the best views.
8. Tsavo National Parks
Tsavo National Parks is the largest park in Kenya and one of the largest in the world, comprising of rivers, waterfalls, savannah, volcanic hills, a massive lava-rock plateau, and a variety of wildlife. This park is divided into two namely, Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Tsavo East is popular for sighting herds of large elephant with a beautiful scenery of the Lugard Falls, which spill into rapids and pools crawling with crocs. while Tsavo west has volcanic landscape with natural springs filled with Hippos.
9. Malindi
Malindi is a popular town known by its beautiful beaches. You can visit Watamu Beach or the Malindi and Watamu Marine National Parks. If you’re looking for a place to chill and enjoy the sun in Kenya, take your adventure to a Malindi beach and you’ll surely have a good time. You can also explore the Vasco da Gama Pillar, a popular monument or enjoy the pretty piazzas and pizza restaurants.
10. Maasai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Kenya. Named after the red Maasai tribe, Maasai Mara lies in the border of Tanzania and is an extension of the Serengeti. The park provides an amazing experience of wildlife sightings including predators like Lions and Leopards. If you are visiting between the months of July and October, you can witness the great migration as thousands of Zebras, Wildebeests and Gazelles travel to and from Serengeti.
11. Mombasa
Mombasa is one of the largest cities in Kenya, second only to Nairobi and one of the most popular tourist cities in the country. There are various tourist spots you can explore like the 16th-century Fort Jesus and narrow streets of Old Town, ancient Swahili dwellings, markets, and souvenir shops. You can also sample the spicy Indian-influenced curries and adventure to the famous Mombasa Port.
12. Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a conservation area where the endangered white rhinos are protected round the clock. Located on the foothills of Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta is where you can visit to sight the big 5 game including Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Elephants and Cape Buffalos. You can take guided bush walks as well as night drives.
13. Nairobi National Park
If you are visiting Nairobi, you can enjoy an amazing safari experience at the Nairobi National Park. There are a host of wildlife you can sight here, including buffalo, leopard, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, elephants, and cheetahs. There are also hundreds of different species of birds you can watch here so you might want to carry your camera if you have one. Located at the park’s gate is the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery so the fun is endless.
?National park in Nairobi, Kenya
14. Lamu Island
Lamu Island is known for its exposition of traditional Swahili building methods. Located on the eastern part of Kenya, this island is surrounded by sandbanks, bobbing dhows and mangrove swamps. You should visit this place if you want to know more about Kenyan culture and learn about their history. There are lots of beautiful mosques and fascinating ports you can visit here.
15. Uhuru Gardens
The Uhuru Gardens is a recreational park in Kenya that plays host to a large monument and the popular Azure Lake. This urban park is one of the top places you can visit in Kenya to enjoy picnics and spend quality time with your friends or family or partner. You can take a walk in the beautiful lush green surroundings and enjoy some getaway experience from the town.
Explore the 11 Best Things to Do in Nairobi.
