Are you drawn to Kenya and the East African highlands, one of the most beautiful parts of the African continent? To convince you to go there as soon as possible, we’ve selected 20 of the most beautiful places to discover.
Kenya is an enchanting place, the very embodiment of the African continent. This East African country boasts a vast diversity of landscapes: endless savannah, the Great Rift Valley, towering mountains and gigantic lakes share a territory almost the size of France, and is home to lions, elephants, antelopes, rhinoceroses, giraffes and hippos. It was here that safaris were democratized, in preserved areas and reserves that later became splendid national parks!
In addition, Kenya offers visitors many other points of interest, such as the seaside resorts and coral reefs that line the coast around Malindi, the grueling treks on the high plateaus or the cultural stops to better grasp the history of this colorful country.
So, what’s there to do in Kenya? We’ve put together a list of our favorite things to do in cheetah country, so let’s get to it!
1. Amboseli National Park, Loitoktok
Photo credit: Unsplash -Matthew Cramblett
One of the country’s most famous national parks, it is classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO and offers visitors to Kenya a picture-postcard setting and the chance to observe unique flora and fauna.
Book a safari in Amboseli National Park
2. Tsavo East National Park, Taita
Photo credit: Unsplash – A P
Tsavo East is one of Kenya’s largest parks; opened in 1948, it is home to herds of buffalo, lions and many other worthy representatives of African wildlife!
If you’re looking for something to do in Kenya, you can also visit Lugard Falls, rapids on the Galana River, which you can follow along a track leading to many points of interest in this formidable nature reserve.
3. Masai Mara National Reserve, Narok
Photo credit: Unsplash – Michael Rodock
Masai Mara is an area of savannah along the Tanzanian border in south-western Kenya. Here you can admire lions, cheetahs and elephants, as well as an astonishing landscape of plains and hills where the Mara and Talek rivers laze. Don’t miss the incredible wildebeest migration, which crosses the plains on this occasion!
Book a safari in the Masai Mara National Reserve
4. Lake Nakuru, Nakuru
Photo credit: Unsplash – Aftab Uzzaman
Lake Nakuru is one of the lakes of the Great Rift Valley. This saltwater lake is home to almost a million flamingos at any one time! In addition to the flamingos, many other bird species can be observed here. For those visiting Kenya, Lake Nakuru is the perfect place to go on your first safari: many tourist agencies organize them in the area!
Book an excursion to Lake Nakuru
5. Ewaso Ng’iro, Central Province
Photo credit: Flickr – Ninara
Fed by the waters of the Mount Kenya glacier, this river is a favorite with kayakers visiting Kenya! Alternatively, you can enjoy a more leisurely hike along the river’s banks on the trails provided. Whatever your objective when looking for something to do in Kenya, the Ewaso Ng’iro River is one of the country’s major points of interest, not to be missed under any circumstances.
6. Mount Kenya, Central Province
Photo credit: Flickr – chris.murphy
Mount Kenya is a 5199-meter-high mountain: it’s the highest point in Kenya, and the second highest peak in Africa behind Kilimanjaro. It’s possible to climb to the summit, and some of the best views of the country can be found on Mount Kenya’s slopes! A UNESCO-listed national park surrounds the summit, and unique flora and fauna can be found in this unique natural space. A beautiful adventure to savor without moderation when visiting Kenya.
7. Samburu National Reserve, Samburu
Photo credit: Flickr – Weldon Kennedy
This national park runs along the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River in central Kenya; close to the Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves, it can be visited by car and offers those lucky enough to visit Kenya the chance to enjoy a unique moment of relaxation, and the opportunity to meet some fabulous animals!
Book a safari in the Samburu National Reserve
8. Diani Beach, Kwale
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Łukasz Ciesielski
Diani Beach is a seaside resort facing the vastness of the Indian Ocean. Located some 30 km south of the city of Mombasa, in Kwale County, it’s renowned for its sublime beach where it’s good to bask! Many tourists come here to relax or enjoy their vacations. You can also dive here, and party in one of the many bars or nightclubs in the area!
9. Aberdare National Park, Nyeri
Photo credit: Flickr – orientalizing
This national park is one of the highest and most forested in Kenya – covered with forests and green plains, it reaches an altitude of 4,000 metres. The Aberdare is one of Kenya’s wettest mountain areas! Although the dense vegetation of the rainforests makes it difficult to observe wild animals, there are some major points of interest, such as Gura Falls and Karuru Falls, Kenya’s most beautiful waterfalls.
Book a safari in Aberdare National Park
10. Lake Bogoria, Baringo
Photo credit: Flickr – thaths
This salt lake lies at the heart of the volcanic Lake Baringo Basin. If you’re looking for something to do in Kenya, you’ll find majestic colonies of pink flamingos, as well as a whole range of nature-related activities, from multi-day treks to safaris organized with the help of local guides.
11. Tsavo West National Park, Coast Province
Photo credit: Flickr – Ninara
Tsavo West is the greenest and wettest part of Tsavo National Park, in contrast to the drier eastern part, with its characteristic African savannah landscapes. Its rugged, volcanic landscapes lend themselves particularly well to the observation of wild elephants, leopards and rhinos, and make it a must-see when visiting Kenya!
12. Hell’s Gate National Park, Nakuru
Photo credit: Flickr – Ninara
Hell’s Gate is a misnomer; in fact, this splendid natural park, located south of Lake Naivasha and some 100 km northeast of the capital Nairobi, is a formidable reserve for wildlife photographers and scientists seeking to learn more about the local fauna. Visitors looking for something to do in Kenya can enjoy trekking trails, as well as activities such as horseback riding, cycling and quad biking!
Book an excursion to Hell’s Gate National Park
13. Kisite-Mpunguti National Park, Kwale
Photo credit: Flickr – Brad Knabel
This marine national park on Kenya’s south coast, close to Wasini Island, covers almost 40 square kilometers and offers the chance to observe numerous cetaceans, fish and coral reefs, snorkel or enjoy a lovely boat trip. If you’re in the area and still looking for something to do in Kenya, don’t hesitate to come and enjoy the charms of the Indian Ocean at Kisite-Mpunguti National Park!
14. Shaba National Reserve, Isiolo
Photo credit: Flickr – Ninara
The Shaba reserve is a protected area in northern Kenya, close to the Samburu and Buffalo Springs reserves. The reason we mention it is that it’s one of the best places to get close to giraffes, and it’s also possible to rub shoulders with animal caretakers and photographers who have come to observe the Grevy’s zebra, an endangered species that is still present in the park.
15. Wasini Island, Kwale
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – rcrhee
Situated in the Indian Ocean, close to the southern coast of Kenya, this small island , just one kilometer wide and five kilometers long, is a mecca for beach tourism in East Africa. Surrounded by a multitude of national parks, it’s also popular with visitors from all over the world for its luxury hotels, and the many famous nightclubs where you can party the night away!
16. Thomson’s Falls, Laikipia
Photo credit: Pxhere
This 74-metre-high waterfall is located on the Ewaso Narok River, just two kilometers from Nyahuru. Discovered in 1883 by Scottish geologist Josesph Thomson, Thomson’s Falls is also famous for its hippo pool upstream from the waterfall! When visiting Kenya, this is a must-see tourist attraction.
17. Kakamega Forest National Reserve, Kakamega
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Nao Iizuka
Kakamega Forest, located in the county of the same name, is one of the country’s great forest estates and the last remaining primary rainforest in Kenya. It’s well worth a visit, winter or summer, on foot or by bike. You can also sleep here, as the national reserve boasts a number of campsites and hotel estates, which is very pleasant when visiting Kenya!
18. Karura forest, Nairobi
Photo credit: Flickr – Ninara
Karura Forest is a very special forest, because it’s located… in Nairobi. Yes, in a metropolis!
This urban forest, therefore, is a unique place and acts as the lungs of the Kenyan capital. Many Kenyans come here for lunch or simply to spend an afternoon with the family at the weekend.
19. Sibiloi National Park, Marsabit
Photo credit: Instagram – mistri_webi_mugo
Sibiloi National Park lies on the eastern shore of Lake Turkana, close to the Ethiopian border in northern Kenya. Created in 1973, it is characterized by the presence of fossils in impressive numbers, which explains the attraction of the place for paleontologists from all over the world, as well as a fauna made up of species such as oryx, gazelle-giraffe and Grevy’s zebra.
20. Mombasa Island, Mombasa
Photo credit: Flickr – United Nations Photo
What to do in Kenya if you’re looking for an original destination?Mombasa Island is a coral outcrop, connected to the mainland by a road, just off the Kenyan coast. Part of the city of Mombasa, including its historic heart, is located on the island. Today, people come here to discover an authentic Kenyan city, but also to enjoy local tourist attractions such as the famous Mombasa Carnival, held in November!
Map of hotels and accommodation – Kenya