This article discusses Kenya’s Top 7 Tourist Attractions. Kenya is almost synonymous with “safari.” Few places on the planet evoke such a sense of adventure and romance. Visitors are impressed by the variety of activities available in Kenya. The top of the list is seeing the country’s abundant wildlife.
Witness the Great Migration of wildebeest thundering across the savanna in the Maasai Mara, and get up close and personal with elephants in Amboseli. Admire the thousands of flamingos on Lake Nakuru. In these sun-drenched lands, ancient tribes like the Maasai, Kikuyu, and Samburu maintain their traditional customs, living in relative harmony with the natural world.
Beyond the world-famous safari parks, a treasure trove of coastal treasures awaits. This trip’s highlights include snorkelling and diving on fish-rich coral reefs, relaxing on pearly beaches, and discovering Mombasa. There are several options for exploring Malindi’s melting pot of cultures and cuisines, as well as tropical islands steeped in Swahili history.
The scenery in Kenya is breathtaking. Mountain ranges and calderas surround the Great Rift Valley. The country is fractured. Climb Mount Kenya’s snow-capped equatorial peaks and fish for trout in the crystal-clear streams to the east of this sweeping valley.
Visit Nairobi to immerse yourself in the romance of Kenya’s colourful colonial history, as depicted in the film Out of Africa. This vibrant capital serves as a gateway to one of the most evocative and exciting travel destinations on the planet. You can find even more places to visit in Kenya by browsing our list of the top tourist attractions.
Here are 7 tourist attractions in Kenya:
1. Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Maasai Mara National Reserve (also spelled “Maasai Mara”) is one of Africa’s most stunning game reserves. The Serengeti’s northern extension, the Mara, borders Tanzania and serves as a wildlife corridor between the two countries.
It is named after the statuesque, red-clad Maasai people, who have lived in the park for centuries and grazed their animals. In their language, Mara means “mottled,” possibly referring to the play of light and shadow from the acacia trees and cloud-studded skies above the vast grasslands.
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.
The Mara River is teeming with hippos and crocodiles. The park is also known for providing excellent predator sightings, particularly during the dry months of December through February, due to its relatively large populations of lion, cheetah, and leopard. So travel the world, book a trip to Kenya or to any other country like Zambia or Botswana. Make the most of your life.
2. National Park of Amboseli
Amboseli National Reserve, which is crowned by Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, is one of Kenya’s most popular tourist destinations. The name “Amboseli” is derived from the Maasai word for “salty dust,” which perfectly describes the park’s parched conditions.
The reserve is one of the best places in Africa to see large herds of elephants up close and personal. Lions and cheetahs live in the park, as do giraffes, impalas, elands, waterbuck, gazelles, and over 600 bird species.
The dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulphur springs, savannah, and woodlands are among the five habitats to explore here. Look for Maasai people who live near the park.
3. Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo West and Tsavo East are two sections of Kenya’s Tsavo National Park. These parks encompass 4% of the country’s total land area and include rivers, waterfalls, savannah, volcanic hills, a massive lava-rock plateau, and a diverse range of wildlife.
Tsavo East is famous for photographing large elephant herds rolling in red dust. It is midway between Nairobi and Mombasa. The Galana River winds through the park, providing excellent game viewing and a lush contrast to the arid plains.
Highlights include the Yatta Plateau, the world’s longest lava flow, Mudanda Rock, and the Lugard Falls, which cascade into rapids and crocodile-infested pools.
Tsavo West’s topography is wetter and more varied, with some of the park’s most beautiful scenery located in its northern reaches. Among the highlights are Mzima Springs, a series of natural springs with large populations of hippos and crocodiles; Chaimu Crater, an excellent location for viewing birds of prey; and Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary.
Wildlife is less visible in Tsavo West due to the dense vegetation, but the breathtaking scenery more than compensates.
4. National Reserves of Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba Shaba
All three reserves’ wildlife is dependent on the river’s waters for survival, and many species have adapted to the dry conditions. Among them are Grevy’s zebras, Somali ostriches, and gerenuks (long-necked antelopes that stand on two back legs to reach new shoots on upper tree limbs).
Sarara Singing Wells in Samburu National Reserve are a popular attraction where Samburu warriors sing traditional songs while hauling water for their cattle to drink. You may also encounter big cats and wild dogs.
5. Lake Nakuru National Park
Pink flamingos flock to Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya. The birds flock to Lake Nakuru, one of the Rift Valley soda lakes that make up nearly one-third of the park’s total land area.
Since its inception in 1961, the park has recorded over 450 bird species as well as a diverse range of other wildlife. Lions, leopards, warthogs, waterbucks, pythons, and white rhinos may be seen, and the landscapes range from sweeping grasslands bordering the lake to rocky cliffs and woodland.
In addition, the park protects Africa’s largest euphorbia candelabrum forest. The textural element of interest in the arid landscape is provided by these endemic tall, branching succulents.
6. Lamu is a Hawaiian island.
It’s a small island northeast of Mombasa with a quaint old-world charm that’s hard to resist. It is Kenya’s oldest continuously inhabited settlement and a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 12th century.
A stroll through the city’s winding streets is one of the best things to do in this city. The structures reflect the island’s long trading history. There are architectural elements from the Arab world, Europe, and India, but they are done in a distinct Swahili style. Intricately carved wood doors, coral stone structures, hidden courtyards, verandas, and rooftop patios are all common features.
It’s like going back in time when you come here. Dhows ply the harbour, motorised vehicles are few and far between, and donkeys rule the streets as they have for centuries. The majority of the people on Lamu are Muslims, and both men and women dress traditionally.
Among the island’s top attractions are the Lamu Museum, which features exhibits on Swahili culture and the region’s nautical history, as well as the Lamu Fort and the Donkey Sanctuary.
If all of the history bores you, spend some time relaxing on one of the island’s white-sand beaches or sipping Arabic coffee in a local café.
7. Naivasha Lake
The highest point of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha, is a birder’s paradise. Over 400 different bird species have been seen here. Among them are African fish eagles, jacanas, white-fronted bee-eaters, and several kingfisher species.
Boating is an excellent way to observe wildlife. Hippos swim in the lake, while giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and eland graze along the shore. Colobus monkeys can also be found in the trees.
A wildlife-rich nature trail can be found at the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, which is located near Lake Naivasha.
Hell’s Gate National Park, just south of Lake Naivasha, protects a diverse range of wildlife and provides excellent climbing opportunities thanks to two extinct volcanoes and the red cliffs of Hell’s Gate Gorge.
The Elsamere Conservation Centre, the former home of Joy Adamson, author of Born Free, and her husband George on the southern shore of Lake Naivasha, is open for a cup of tea.
It should be noted that during times of extreme drought, Lake Naivasha has been known to shrink significantly. Furthermore, the area’s thriving floriculture industry has an effect on water levels and quality. The lake, on the other hand, is typically lush and alive.