From savannahs to the Great Rift Valley and mountain highlands, Kenya is a top choice for safari adventures. It also has mile upon mile of gorgeous beaches along the Indian Ocean coast, making it a popular tourist destination.
The country’s capital, Nairobi, is the place to start. It’s a melting pot of British, Arab and Indian influences, with a rich cultural mix of architecture.
Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru National Park is the perfect day trip from Nairobi for those who love wildlife and birding. It's one of Kenya's best-known protected sites, and it attracts more than a million tourists each year.
Its main attraction is a shallow, alkaline lake that supports huge flocks of pelicans and flamingos. The lake's waters are rich in algae, which the flamingos feed on.
The park's flora is stunning, with dense forests of acacia trees and a Rift Valley escarpment that looms over it. Visitors are also likely to spot a wide variety of African animals, including Rothschild giraffe, white rhino, and zebra.
The park is also a good place to see hippopotamuses and waterbucks, as well as reedbuck. Buffalo are a common sight, and lucky visitors may even get to spot one of the tree-climbing lions that inhabit this part of Africa's Great Rift Valley.
Masai Mara
Masai Mara is undoubtedly one of Kenya’s most famous and iconic safari destinations. The reserve’s spectacular plains scenery, unmatched safari activities and diverse wildlife combine to make it a top choice for AfricanMecca travelers.
The vast savannah is home to one of Africa’s most diverse animal populations, with lions, cheetahs and leopards grazing across the grasslands. It also hosts the Great Wildebeest Migration, a stunning natural event where millions of wildebeest and other animals cross the Mara River in search of food.
There are a variety of ways to explore this incredible landscape, including on daily safaris and hot air balloon rides above the Mara River valley. You can even visit a local Maasai village, where you’ll get a taste of the region’s rich culture.
Another popular way to explore Masai Mara is by taking a nature walk with the Maasai people, who own the land and practice the traditional herding of their cattle. These guided tours are an opportunity to see how the Maasai live in harmony with their natural surroundings, while enjoying some of the finest game viewing available anywhere on Earth.
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to huge herds of elephants. There are also lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffe, gazelle, wildebeest, hyenas and many other species of animal.
- The best time to visit the park is during the dry season from June to October when the animals flock to the lakes and other water bodies. This makes it easier for tourists to spot animals from their vehicles.
- One of the best attractions in Amboseli is the Observation Hill, which offers incredible views of the swamps and Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days. Rough-hewn stairs lead to the top of the hill, and you can get great views of wildlife from here.
- Streams from Kilimanjaro surface in the centre of the park and create swamps that attract a variety of wild animals. These wetlands, along with the Pleistocene lake basin, make this a very unique and diverse wildlife destination.
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya’s bustling capital and a popular jumping-off point for safaris, beach holidays and everything in between. Home to the famous Nairobi National Park, a David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage and a wide range of international restaurants, there’s plenty to see in this lively city.
It’s also a great base for exploring the country’s dramatic northern regions, where the landscape is dotted with unspoilt beaches and wildlife-filled reserves. The Samburu and Laikipia plateaus in the north, along with the Aberdares, are teeming with creatures that are largely unknown to visitors, and you’ll be in prime spot to track them on safari drives.
Other highlights include the Chyulu Hills in southeastern Kenya, which is home to wildebeest, giraffe and zebra, as well as the Leviathan Cave. In the midst of this landscape is Hell’s Gate National Park, an enticing place to hike and enjoy stunning scenery. It’s also where you can find one of the world’s longest lava tubes.
