Kenya, located in East Africa, is renowned for its wildlife and stunning landscapes, making it one of the world’s top safari destinations. Although the entire country is a sight to behold, some areas are particularly breathtaking and are considered a must-see for any traveler.
Here are 10 Places You Should Visit in Kenya
1. Mount Kenya National Park and Reserve
This park and reserve is home to the second-highest mountain in Africa, which is also what it is named after. Mount Kenyan National Park was established in 1949 and features a wide range of birds including eagles and sunbirds. The Park also has caves and snow-capped peaks, which makes exploring it so much fun.
The best time to visit is during the dry season because during the rainy seasons, the trails are more difficult and visibility is poor.
When visiting this park, make sure to come along with hiking kits because hiking is one of the numerous activities you can enjoy in this park. Also, if you enjoy camping, then this is a go-to destination for you.
2. Lake Nakuru National Park
This park is located on the floor of the Great Rift Valley and is surrounded by beautiful grassland and scenery. It was created in 1961 around Lake Nakuru.
This spot is best known for having thousands of flamingos nesting along its shores. It also houses a host of bird species including the African fish eagle, Goliath heron, hamerkop, and Verreaux eagle. Aside from its unique collection of birds, it is also home to a variety of animals including Rhinos, lions, and Zebras.
This beautiful wildlife haven is ideal for bird-watching, hiking, picnics, and long walks.
3. The Maasai Mara National Reserve
Commonly referred to as “The Mara”, Maasai Mara National Park is a national game reserve located in Narok Couty, southwest of Kenya. This park boasts of being one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves.
Housing Africa’s “Big Five”, the resort is one of the largest in the world which is known for its annual wildebeest migration, one of the most spectacular natural events in the world.
There is a wide range of activities to be done in this reserve. One of which is the safari game drive. This is a classic safari experience that allows visitors the opportunity to come face-to-face with nature and the beauty it offers.
Other activities that can be done in this tourist site include exploring the savannah on foot, hot air balloon safaris, visiting the locals, horseback safari, witnessing the wildebeest migration, and exploring photography skills.
4. Amboseli National Park
Formerly Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve, this national park is located in Kajiado County. It is one of the largest parks in the country which was established as a reserve in 1906 and later turned into a national park in 1974.
Amboseli National Park is one of the best places to come extremely close to free-ranging elephants, it is also known as the home of the African Elephant. Aside from elephants, there are five different habitats to explore including wetlands with sulfur springs, the dried-up Lake Amboseli, the savannah, and the woodlands.
This park has views of the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. Another reason to visit this park is that you can visit the Maasai community which lives close to the park and experience the undiluted culture.
See Also: 10 Safest African Countries In 2023
5. Karen Blixen Museum
Located at the foot of the Ngong Hills, the Karen Blixen Museum offers an insight into the life of Karen Blixen, a Danish author who lived in the area in the early 1900s. After she died in 1962, the house was donated to the Keyan government by their Danish counterparts as an independence gift and to immortalize Karen, the museum was named after her.
It is a beautiful farmhouse, surrounded by a tranquil garden and an indigenous forest. Items that were used by the Danish author have been maintained to serve as exhibits in the museum. There is also a museum shop where tourists can get a wide range of gift items including postcards, posters, books, and mementos.
6. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
While this is not a museum or a park, it is a must-visit for tourists. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is an orphan elephant rescue and wildlife rehabilitation center located in Nairobi, Kenya. It was established in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick, in honor of her late husband, David Sheldrick.
The organization travels all through the country and rescues orphaned elephants, black rhinos, giraffes, hippos, and white rhinos. They also offer adoption for elephants. Visitors are allowed to get up close with the animals.
So if you have been wanting to get an elephant for yourself, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is your one-stop destination.
7. Hell’s Gate National Park
While the name might sound scary, Hell’s Gate Park is one of the must-visit destinations for nature lovers. It is located on the south of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. Hell’s Gate National Park was established in 1984 and is named after a narrow break in the cliffs of the Rift Valley.
Although one of the smallest parks in the area, it is filled with beautiful sceneries of towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, star rock towers, and scrub-clad volcanoes. It is an ideal destination for a day’s trip away from the hustle and bustle of Nairobi.
Activities that can be enjoyed in this national park include mountain biking, rock climbing, and a view of beautiful wildlife.
8. Nairobi National Museum
This museum was founded in 1910 as the Natural History Museum of Kenya, it was then renamed Coryndon Museum in 1930. After the country got its independence, it was again renamed. This time around, it was named the National Museum of Kenya. It was then closed for renovation and reopened in 2008 as Nairobi National Museum.
This tourist destination houses a lot of artifacts that are relevant to the history of the country. It has different galleries which are The Story of Mammals, The History of Kenya, Cycles of Life Gallery, Numismatic Exhibition, and Asian African Heritage Gallery.
Each of these galleries interprets the country’s rich heritage. It also has shopping facilities where visitors can buy some souvenirs unique only to Kenyan culture. There is also a provision for night tours on request for a group of at least 10 people.
Other attractions in the compound include a snake park and botanical gardens.
9. Karura Forest
This is a nature lover’s dream. The Karura Forest Reserve is located on the outskirts of Nairobi. It was gazetted in 1932 and managed by the Kenya Forest Service and the Friends of Karura Forest Community Forest Association.
The forest offers a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city and a quiet time with the greenery and nature. It is the perfect spot to retreat and reset while walking and communing with nature. Activities that can be enjoyed in this forest include dog walking, Trail biking, picnics, and Tennis.
Book lovers can also visit this forest with their favorite books and enjoy a read together with the beauty of nature. The forest offers different types of tours. They are General, specialized, and exclusive VIP tours. The forest also has a plant nursery, where visitors can buy their favorite plants.
There’s no better way to commune with nature while in Kenya, than visiting this beautiful first reserve.
10. Malindi Beaches
This is a perfect vacation spot and one of the best places to visit in Kenya. It is located in Kilifi County. Malindi beaches speak class, elegance, and style. It has a wide range of resorts and hotels for tourists to choose from.
Some of the tourist attractions in Malindi include Turtle Bay, Che Shale Beach, The Malindi and Watamu National Parks, Gedi Ruins, and Marafa Hell’s Kitchen all located in Malindi town.
Want to travel for a honeymoon or get away with a significant other, look no further, Malindi Beach is the ideal location.
