Kenya is a highly diverse and colorful nation in the East African continent, and there are a plethora of experiences that this country has to offer any type of a traveler. Stunning beaches, vast savannas and rich cultural heritage do not mean that there is a lack of activities in Kenya. You can find a place to play the exciting safari activities, you can be able to explore the beautiful coastal areas of Kenya, you can find something to do in this country that appeal to everybody. This paper will have a closer analysis of the top 10 tourist attractions in Kenya, and it will provide details on the best things to do in Kenya that will ensure your trip to Kenya is memorable.
1. Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Maasai mara is one place that must be in the list of things to do in Kenya. It is a famous national reserve in the southwest of Kenya that has managed to attract wildlife in large numbers and spectacular landscapes rendering it a global fame. Maasai Mara belongs to the greater ecosystem of Serengeti stretching across Kenya and Tanzania and it is among the top places to observe the Great Migration in the whole world. Millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles cross over the Mara River annually in a risky journey which draws predator animals such as lions, cheetahs and crocodiles.
Other than the Great Migration, there are also exciting game drives, walking safaris and even hot air balloon rides where visitors get a chance to have a different perspective of the savanna. Maasai mara boasts of the so-called Big 5 (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhinoceros), and hundreds of other species, which is why it is ranked among the best wildlife viewing spots in the world.
2. Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park, which is situated at the base of the mount Kilimanjaro is one of the best places to go in Kenya on a safari. The park is characterized by a vast land of open plains, wetlands and heavy populations of the elephants. Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain of Africa gives one a magnificent view, and the location is a great place to take pictures. Amboseli is also home to numerous other wild animals including; lions, cheetahs, giraffes and more than 400 bird species.
Among the most exciting activities in Kenya at Amboseli is going on early morning or evening game drives to see wildlife, which is most active. The ecosystem of the park provides the support of dry and wetlands furnishing visitors with the varied landscape, as well as the possibility of observing various animal species. There is also a rich cultural history of amboseli and a visitor can readily mingle with the local Maasai people learning their culture and way of life.
3. Tsavo National Park
There are two major sections of the Tsavo National Park, which is one of the biggest national parks in Kenya: Tsavo East and Tsavo West. It is a wilderness in an unmatched way and it is the home of those who like wildlife and the landscapes of the park are varied and it consists of plains, forests, and volcanic hills. Tsavo boasts of the well-known red elephants, a herd of elephants that gets its redness color due to the content of iron found in the soil on which it rolls.
The park is home to massive elephant, lion and leopard populations together with a variety of bird life. Tsavo west has got spectacular scenery which includes; the Mzima springs where tourists can observe the hippos and crocodiles among other animals. Tsavo East, conversely, boasts of the beautiful Aruba Dam that lives up to numerous species of animals. Tsavo is remote and this is literally translating to fewer tourists and a more isolated and authentic experience of the safari. It makes it one of the best activities one can engage in when visiting Kenya with the intention of enjoying the wildness of the landscapes and wildlife within the country.
4. Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park is located in the Great Rift Valley and it is renowned by the huge feeds of flamingos that flock into the lake adding a spectacular view. The alkaline lake is also filled with a variety of wildlife like the black and white rhinos, lion, giraffes, zebras, and buffaloes and it is all sandwiched by acacia forests and grasslands. Birdwatching is one of the finest activities in Kenya that is practiced in the park where more than 400 bird species have been recorded.
The next important activity to ensure that when visiting Kenya you can go to the Lake Nakuru to do a game drive in the park where you will find the wildlife including the rhinos that mostly graze in the vegetation of the park. Another activity that mandates a visit is the Baboon Cliff that is located on the lake and has a panoramic view of the entire scenario. Another promising location, where photography is concerned, is Lake Nakuru National Park, where the abundance of birds and the spectacle landscapes offer unlimited opportunities to capture the stunning shot.
5. Lamu Island
The Lamu Archipelago of the Kenya northern coastline is a beautiful and culturally significant destination in Kenya and the Lamu Island in the UNESCO World Heritage is only one of them. The island boasts of ancient Swahili structures, serene environment, and unblemished beaches. The narrow streets, wooden balconies and mosques in Lamu Old Town embody a rich historical background and rich Islamic culture of the island.
One of the most interesting activities to undertake in Kenya is a visit to Lamu where one can relax either at the white sand beaches of the Island, go on a dhow boat ride along the turquoise waters or visit the historical site of the Island. Water sport is also one of the many things one can do in Lamu and these are snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. The history and cultural value of the island coupled with its easy-going nature have made it one of the best coastal resorts in Kenya.
6. Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve is a beautiful park that presents a rare experience of a safari in the dry area in the north of Kenya. The reserve is also famed by its jagged beauty, the Ewaso Nyiro river, which goes through the reserve, being a source of life-sustaining water to wildlife in the park. Samburu is also a habitat to a number of animal species not found elsewhere in Kenya, such as the reticulated giraffe, Grevy zebra and the Somali ostrich.
Among the best activities in Kenya at Samburu is to go on game drives that provide great opportunities of viewing the rare species. Cultural visits can also be done to the Samburu people where visitors learn about their traditional lifestyle and customs. The reserve is a much more isolated and off-road location in Kenya where someone can find themselves after having exhausted the more tourist-intensive regions of Kenya and wants to spend time on unforgettable wildlife and landscape.
7. Nairobi National Park
Nairobi national park is also a special park because it is only a few kilometers apart with the busy city of Nairobi hence it is a highly accessible safari park. The park, though close to the city is the habitat of a wide range of wildlife by having lions, giraffes, zebras as well as different species of antelopes. The black rhinos are also found in the park, and therefore, it is an ideal location to conduct wildlife conservation programs on rhinos.
Nairobi national park can be visited as a half-day trip, which prequalifies it to be listed in the best things to do in Kenya by individuals who have limited time in the capital. Tourists can go on a safaris drive or visit the Nairobi Animal Orphanage and even the popular David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust which deals with elephant conservation. The combination of the city and the skyline with nature and its wildlife in the park offers a very intriguing experience.
8. Hell’s Gate National Park
Hell’s gate national park is one of the most scenic adventurous national parks in Kenya in the great Rift Valley. The park is renowned due to its dramatic landscape citing impressive cliffs, geothermal hot springs, and deep gorges. Hell’s gate is among the few national parks in Kenya that the visitor can visit either on foot or mountain bikes hence the attraction of outdoor adventure enthusiasts.
A cycling tour in Hell’s gate when paying a visit to Kenya is one of the best activities as you are in a position to get close to the wildlife in the park and have a glimpse of the very beautiful scenery in the park. The park hosts numerous animals to be found like the zebras, giraffes and the buffaloes. One of the places you can go is the Olkaria Geothermal Station where geothermal energy production can be learnt. The topography of the park is dramatic, and together with the variety of the activities it has to offer, it is a favorite place among adventurists.
9. Giraffe Centre, Nairobi
The giraffe centre is situated just outside Nairobi and is used to preserve the endangered Rothschild giraffe. Visitors are able to get close to the same animals (the gentle giants) by feeding them and learning the conservation efforts being executed to save the species. It will be one of the most memorable experiences in Kenya, particularly among the families and animal lovers as the center offers a special experience one can encounter giraffes in their natural environment.
The Giraffe Centre is also close to the Nairobi National Park hence it could be easily paired with the park visit. The serene environment coupled with the fact that the center is dedicated to the education of the wildlife also makes it an excellent location to hear what Kenya is doing to preserve its indigenous species.
10. Diani Beach
Diani Beach is another popular beach in the south coast of Kenya and is considered to be among the best beaches in East Africa. Being a paradise of water sports and relaxation, the Diani beach boasts of palm-fringed beach, warm waters and the coral reefs. Diani Beach has a variety of activities that anyone can practice whether you wish to go sunbathing in the beach, go kite surfing or dive in the coral gardens snorkeling.
Besides the beach, it is also worthwhile to visit the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park located nearby that gives astounding views of diving and snorkeling. The relaxed mood and the picturesque nature of Diani makes it a destination worth visiting by any person or tourist visiting the coast of Kenya.
Conclusion
Kenya is a nation that is diverse in its landscapes, rich in culture and a land that has a great population of wildlife hence making it one of the most attractive places to visit in Africa. The wildlife plains of Maasai mara, tsavo, and beautiful beaches of Diani and Lamu are just the tip of the iceberg as far as Kenya is concerned. Be it on an exciting safari tour, studying the history and culture of Kenya, or just literally taking in the natural beauty of the scenes, Kenya has a lot in store that would impress forever. Full of energy, warm population, and spectacular views make the country a must-visit place that is needed by a person with his/her adventures, rest, and searching new cultures.
