Kenya is extremely rich in natural beauty and diverse attractions. Among the sights, parks with exotic animals stand out.
Kenya is one of the largest economies in East and Central Africa. It is bordered by Uganda to the west, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Somalia to the north, and Tanzania to the south. Its highest point is Mount Kenya, 5,199 meters high, after which the country is named.
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Best places in Kenya
Masai Mara National Reserve
The wildlife reserve in southwestern Kenya forms a contiguous area with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.
Tourists often go to Kenya just to see this area. The visitor quickly understands why: this is the classic savanna we know well from nature and adventure films set in Africa, and its wildlife is incredibly rich. The biggest attraction is the annual migration of wildebeest.
Among the big cats, lions are the most numerous. Cheetahs and leopards are harder to spot, but they are also quite common. There are also many elephants, cape buffaloes, zebras, and hippos.
Lamu Island
Known as part of UNESCO World Heritage, the island is famous for its Swahili culture and traditions.
The center of the island is Lamu City. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlements in East Africa, inhabited since the 1300s. It’s famous for its narrow, winding streets, traditional houses built of coral stone and mango wood, and intricately carved doors, which are stunning examples of Swahili architecture.
Tsavo National Park
Kenya’s largest and one of its oldest national parks covers about 22,000 square kilometers and is divided into two parts: Tsavo East and Tsavo West.
Tsavo East has the longest surviving river system in East Africa, which is crucial for the survival of the area’s wildlife. On its vast, open savanna areas, herds of elephants bathe in the red dust, which is the park’s iconic sight.
Tsavo West offers a more varied landscape with mountains, volcanic rocks, lava fields, and dense bushy areas. One of the park’s most famous attractions is the Mzima Springs, home to hippos and crocodiles with its crystal-clear water, and there’s also an underwater observation point.
Watamu
The town and its surroundings are primarily known for their pristine white sandy beaches, beautiful coral reefs, and rich marine life.
Watamu means „beautiful place” in the local Swahili language, which perfectly fits the town’s environment. The glittering white sandy beaches along the coastline are surrounded by tropical vegetation and palm trees.
The nearby Arabuko Sokoke forest is one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa, famous for its rich biodiversity. The forest is home to several rare and endangered animal and plant species.
A few kilometers away are the ruins of Gedi, the remains of a 12th-century Swahili town. This is one of Kenya’s most important archaeological sites. Among the ruins are the remains of buildings, mosques, palaces, and houses from the period.
Nairobi
Kenya’s capital and largest city, Nairobi is one of the most important economic, political, and cultural centers in East Africa.
It’s a relatively young city, growing out of a railway camp built by British colonial authorities in 1899 as one of the stations on the railway line between Mombasa and Uganda. It’s often called the „Green City in the Sun” because there’s a national park within the city limits. This is the only such area in the world where wild animals such as lions, zebras, giraffes, and rhinos can be observed in the immediate vicinity of a capital city.
It has a rich cultural life. The city has numerous theaters, art galleries, and music venues. The Nairobi National Museum showcases Kenya’s history, cultural heritage, and natural diversity. The Bomas of Kenya cultural center features traditional dance performances and plays. These revive the traditions and culture of Kenya’s various ethnic groups.
Lake Victoria
It’s the largest lake on the African continent, the largest tropical lake in the world, and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. It was named by British explorer John Hanning Speke in honor of Queen Victoria when he discovered it in 1858.
Its basin is among the most densely populated areas in the world. In Kenya, the largest city on the lake shore is Kisumu. It has the largest and best quality market in West Africa, offering a wide range of vegetables, fruits, and handicrafts.
Amboseli National Park
Located in southern Kenya, near the Tanzanian border, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The park is backdropped by the stunning Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, which provides an iconic view.
One of its biggest attractions is the famous elephant population, which is one of the largest and most studied in the world. Elephant herds often move through the park, and visitors can observe these massive animals up close.
The park is also home to lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and hippos. Its bird life is also extremely rich, with over 400 bird species found here.
Mombasa
Kenya’s second-largest city and most important port. It developed as a meeting point of different cultures – Arab, Persian, Portuguese, Indian, and British – and this still defines the city’s image today.
Its foundation dates back to the 10th century, and the city has been an important center of international trade for centuries. Arab and Persian merchants first traded spices, gold, and ivory here, and later the Portuguese arrived in the region. As a result, Mombasa has a rich, diverse cultural heritage where Arab, Swahili, and European influences blend.
In the downtown area is the famous Fort Jesus, a Portuguese fort built in 1593 to provide protection against hostile attacks. The fort is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most visited tourist attractions.
There are several famous beaches around the city. Notable ones include Nyali Beach, Bamburi Beach, and Shanzu Beach. The nearby Mombasa Marine National Park is a popular diving spot with rich marine life and coral reefs.
Diani Beach
One of Kenya’s most popular and beautiful beaches, located about 30 kilometers south of Mombasa.
The approximately 10 km long white sandy beach attracts more and more visitors year by year. It’s also an excellent destination for those who enjoy active relaxation. It’s one of the best places in East Africa for kitesurfing, surfing, diving, and snorkeling.
Samburu National Reserve
Located in northern Kenya along the Ewaso Ng’iro River, it’s one of the country’s most important protected areas.
The reserve is famous for being home to several rare animal species that are rarely found elsewhere. These include the so-called „Samburu Five”, which includes the following special species: reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and beisa oryx.
The Samburu people live in the reserve area. They are semi-nomadic pastoralists with rich cultural traditions and colorful attire. Several Samburu work as safari guides and escorts.
Hell’s Gate National Park
The area, about 100 km from Nairobi, got its name due to the steep rock walls and gorges formed by volcanic activity. Once, steam from the depths of the earth was released to the surface, creating a kind of „hell’s gate”.
Among the most impressive geological formations are Fischer’s Tower, a special rock formation, and the Central Tower, which is one of the highest peaks in the park. The Obsidian Caves in the park also offer a special sight; these are remnants of ancient volcanic activity.
Despite the park’s relatively small size, it has rich wildlife. One of the park’s specialties is that visitors can explore the area on foot or by bicycle, which is safer due to the absence of large predators (such as lions).
Lake Naivasha
The lake near Hell’s Gate National Park is a popular tourist destination due to its rich wildlife, picturesque landscapes, and pleasant climate.
The lake is surrounded by volcanic mountains and hills, making it lie in a beautiful environment. Among the unique natural features of the freshwater lake is that its springs are fed by underground water systems, and it has no permanent outflow, yet it remains in balance.
The lake provides a special habitat for many animal species and is famous for its rich bird life: more than 400 bird species have been registered. Hippos are one of the most common and largest animals here. As there are no large predators, animals like antelopes and zebras can be easily observed.
