Best places to visit in Kenya

Masai Mara

The Masai Mara is Kenya’s premier game reserve. Located in south-western Kenya, the Masai Mara is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Earning its name from the Masai tribes people and the Mara River which divides it, the reserve is famous for its exceptional population of game and the annual migration of the wildebeest between July and October each year, a migration so immense to be called the Great Migration. The Masai Mara is perhaps most famous for its lions, though the other members of the ‘Big Five’ are present as well.

Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru is a shallow soda lake in the Great Rift Valley once renowned for its huge concentration of flamingos and over 460 species of birds. Due to increased water levels in recent years and alkalinity changes the flamingo numbers have been on the decline. Lake Nakuru National Park is not only a bird watchers paradise, it also offers a superior game safari experience. Allowing for potential sightings of the elusive leopard, the rare Rothschild’s giraffe and other water loving animals like waterbucks and hippopotamus . The park has also recently been enlarged partly to provide the sanctuary for the black rhino.

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve in the dry northern reaches of Kenya is rugged and remote, with a backdrop of jagged mountains, sun parched hills and arid plains. The Ewaso Ngiro River which runs through it, is home to a huge population of crocodiles and attracts plenty of wildlife to its river banks, including buffalos, reticulated giraffe and the rare Grevy’s zebra. All three big cats, lion, cheetah and leopard, can be found here and are easily spotted due to the lack of grass cover. Rhinos are no longer present in the park due to heavy poaching. Samburu is a real treat for wildlife enthusiasts and less crowded than other reserves.

Mombasa

Mombasa on the east coast of Kenya, has pristine white sandy beaches and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Diani beach is the most popular, with a range of watersports and Tiwi beach south of Mombasa is an excellent option for those who prefer peace and quiet. In addition to its beautiful beaches, Mombasa offers a diverse cultural history. The city traces many of its cultural traditions to former Portuguese, Arab and British settlers – all of which have left a lasting influence on the city’s food, architecture, and people. Also amongst Kenya’s finest beaches are Malindi which has a wide range of shops and restaurants and Watuma, a quiet, low key resort which is excellent for snorkelling and diving.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park, lies at the foot of Kilimanjaro - Africa’s highest mountain, close to the Tanzania border. The snow capped peak of Kilimanjaro forms a majestic backdrop to one of Kenya’s most popular national parks, renowned for its scenic beauty and big game, most notably elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe and buffalo. The principal attraction in Amboseli is its vast herds of elephants. Amboseli is home to the Masai community and the opportunity to meet them and learn about their ancient customs and traditions is also a big drawcard.

Tsavo National Park

Tsavo National Park is one of the largest parks in Kenya and indeed the world. At almost 22,000 km² Tsavo’s diverse habitats, which range from forests and volcanic hills to vast open plains, savannahs, waterholes and rivers, are home to a wonderful variety of wildlife including the Big Five. Tsavo-East has spectacular scenery, including Lugards Falls on the Galana River, the Mudanda Rock and the Yatta Plateau - the world’s largest lava flow. In Tsavo-West the landscape is much greener and a particular highlight here is Mzima Springs. Tsavo’s close proximity to Mombasa makes it ideal for a safari and beach combination.

Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is a beautiful freshwater lake, unlike many in the region, which are soda lakes. It is the highest of the Rift Valley Lakes, although reasonably shallow, with the depth varying dependent upon rainfall. The lake itself is not technically a national park, as most of the land around it is privately owned. Only 100 km from Nairobi, Lake Naivasha has become a popular recreational area for Kenyans; with a yacht club, private cruisers and fishing boats. Naivasha is a birdwatchers dream with over 450 species in the area. The water also attracts wildlife, with giraffe, colobus monkeys, hippos and buffalo most commonly spotted.

Mount Kenya

Majestic Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano that sits grandly astride the equator. At 5199 m high, it is Africa’s second highest mountain and conquering the two snow capped highest peaks requires considerable rock climbing skills. Nevertheless the mountains lesser peaks are wonderful for trekking if you’re fit and active. For those content with simply admiring the mountain, the cool highlands that surround its base are a perfect base for relaxation. The forests are ideal for game viewing and are home to elephant, buffalo, monkeys, antelope and giant forest hog, not to mention wonderful birdlife.

Gedi Ruins

The Gedi Ruins are a historical and archaeological site found in a dense forest close to Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline, 94 kms north of Mombasa town. The Swahili town located in the Kilifi district remained undiscovered until 1884, with it opening to the public in 1948, though it’s believed to have been built in the early 13th century. Over the years the forest has crept over the ruins, adding to the eerie beauty and the mysterious atmosphere of the ancient town. Wander the paths to see the remains of a number of houses, a palace and a mosque with tombs still standing today. It was declared a UNESCO site as it represented the advanced social and economic structure of the Swahili people at the time, disproving the assumption Africa was behind the rest of the world before colonialism.

Kakamega Forest Reserve