Kenya - the name is almost synonymous with the word "safari." Few other places on the planet evoke such a spirit of adventure and romance. The diversity of tourist attractions in Kenya dazzles all who visit, as well as the country's rich wildlife topping the list of things to do.
See crowds of wildebeest thundering across the savannah during the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara; come eye-to-eye with elephants in Amboseli; or marvel at Lake Nakuru, with thousands of flamingos. In these sunny lands, ancient tribes, such as the Masai, Kikuyu and Samburu, retain their traditional customs, living in relative harmony with nature.
Outside the world-famous safari parks lies a wealth of coastal treasures. You can snorkel and dive fish-rich coral reefs, relax on pearl beaches, experience the melting pot of cultures and cuisines in Mombasa and Malindi, and explore tropical islands steeped in Swahili history.
Topographically, Kenya is stunning. Surrounded by calderas and mountain ranges, the Great Rift Valley divides the country. East of this sweeping valley, you can climb the peaks of Mount Kenya and fish for trout in crystal clear streams. Hell's Gate National Park features obsidian frogs and is buzzing with natural geysers and hot springs.
To experience Kenya's colourful colonial history, as depicted in the film "Out of Africa", head to Nairobi. Discover more places to visit in this fascinating country with our list of the top tourist attractions in Kenya.
1. Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve (also "Masai Mara") is one of Africa's most magnificent game reserves. Bordering Tanzania, the Mara is the northern extension of the Serengeti and forms a wildlife corridor between the two countries.
It's named after the statuesque, red-robed Masai people who live in the park and graze their animals here, as they have done for centuries. In their language, Mara means "spotted", perhaps a reference to the play of light and shadow from the acacia trees and cloudy skies on the vast grasslands.
The park is known for the Great Migration, when thousands of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson's gazelle travel to and from the Serengeti, from July to October.
The Mara River is teeming with hippos and crocodiles. The park is also known for providing excellent predator sightings, thanks to its relatively large populations of lion, cheetah and leopard - especially during the dry months of December to February.
Thanks to the park's altitude, the weather here is mild, and mild all year round.
2. Amboseli National Reserve
Crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, Amboseli National Reserve is one of Kenya's most popular tourist parks. The name "Amboseli" comes from a Masai word meaning "salt dust", an apt description for the park's parched conditions.
The reserve is one of the best places in Africa to see large herds of elephants up close. Other wildlife often spotted in the park includes big cats, such as lion and cheetah, as well as giraffes, impala, eland, waterbuck, gazelle and more than 600 bird species.
Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here, ranging from the dried bed of Lake Amboseli, sulphur springs wetlands, savannah and woodlands. Look out for the local Masai people who live in the area surrounding the park.
3. Tsavo National Park
4. Samburu, Buffalo Springs, ag Shaba National Reserves
On the banks of the palm-fringed Ewaso Nyiro River, the Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves are located in an arid region in the remote north of Kenya.
Shaba National Reserve is one of two areas where George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the lioness, made famous in the film Born Free.
Wildlife in all three reserves relies on the water in the river to survive, and many species are specially adapted to the dry conditions. These include Grevy's zebras; Somali ostriches; and gerenuks, the long-necked antelope that stands on two hind legs to reach the fresh shoots on upper tree limbs.
A top attraction in the Samburu National Reserve is the Sarara Singing Wells, local waterholes where Samburu warriors sing traditional songs while drawing water for their cattle to drink. You may also be rewarded with sightings of big cats and wild dogs.
5. Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park, in central Kenya, is famous for its huge flocks of pink flamingos. The birds swarm on Lake Nakuru itself, one of the Rift Valley lakes that covers almost a third of the park's area.
Established in 1961, the park is home to more than 450 species of birds, as well as a rich diversity of other wildlife. Lions, leopards, warthogs, waterbucks, pythons and white rhinos are just some of the animals you can see, and the landscape ranges from sweeping grasslands bordering the lake to rocky cliffs and forest.
The park also protects the largest euphorbia candelabrum forest in Africa. These tall, branching succulents are endemic to the region and add a bold textural element to the arid landscapes.
6. Lamu Island
The small island of Lamu, northeast of Mombasa, oozes old-world charm. Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Kenya's oldest continuously inhabited settlement, dating back to the 12th century.
Strolling the labyrinthine streets is one of the best things to do here. You can see the island's rich trading history reflected in the buildings. Architectural features from the Arab world, Europe and India are evident, but with a noticeable Swahili flavour. Intricate carved wooden doors, coral stone buildings, hidden courtyards, verandas and roof terraces are common features.
Sightseeing here is like stepping back in time. Dhows plough the harbour, few if any motorised vehicles exist here, and donkeys still rule the streets as they have for centuries. Most of Lamu's population is Muslim, and both men and women dress in traditional attire.
Top attractions on the island include the Lamu Museum, with exhibits on Swahili culture and the region's nautical history; Lamu Fort; and the Donkey Sanctuary.
Lamu Island is also home to Shela Beach, one of the best beaches in Africa. You can bask in the sun or plan for more adventure. Over the past few years, the island has become a popular spot for kitesurfing. Large open areas with little kite traffic and shallow warm water are perfect for learning near the village of Shela.
7. Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is a haven for birders, located at the highest point in the Great Rift Valley. More than 400 species of birds have been spotted here, including African fish eagles, jacanas, bee-eaters and several species of kingfisher.
One of the best ways to see wildlife is by boat. Hippos splash in the water, and giraffes, zebras, buffalo and eland graze around the edges of the lake. Keep an eye out for colobus monkeys in the canopies too.
Near Lake Naivasha, the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary has a wildlife-rich nature trail.
Just south of Lake Naivasha, the relatively inexpensive Hell's Gate National Park protects a wide variety of wildlife and offers excellent climbing opportunities, with two extinct volcanoes and the red cliffs of Hell's Gate Gorge.
On the southern shore of Lake Naivasha, stop by for a cup of tea at the Elsamere Conservation Centre, the former home of the late Joy Adamson, author of Born Free, and her husband George.
Note that Lake Naivasha has been known to shrink considerably in times of extreme drought, and a thriving floristry industry in the area also affects the water level and quality. But the lake is typically lush and full of life.
8. Nairobi
If you're looking for things to do in Kenya other than a safari, you'll have plenty of choice in the country's capital and largest city. Nairobi is legendary for its colourful colonial history. Once the capital of British East Africa, it attracted settlers who came here to make their fortunes in the coffee and tea industry. Today, you can explore the city's famous historical sites and excellent wildlife-related attractions.
Fancy some cultural attractions in Kenya? You'll find several worthwhile places to visit in Nairobi. The Nairobi National Museum is a great place to see exhibitions on Kenya's history, nature, culture and contemporary art. Green thumbs will also enjoy the botanical gardens on the grounds.
Another popular tourist attraction is the Karen Blixen Museum, the restored residence of the famous Danish author of the book Out of Africa, also known by her pen name, Isak Dinesen.
To see wildlife without venturing far from the city centre, visit Nairobi National Park, now a sanctuary for black rhinos and also home to a diversity of other African wildlife.
9. Nairobi National Park
Who says you have to travel far from Nairobi to enjoy a safari? Just a 15-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Kenya's capital, you can watch a slumbering pride of lions or a graceful giraffe prance through the golden grass of Nairobi National Park.
Visiting this wildlife-rich park is one of the best things to do if you're staying in Nairobi, and it's a rewarding day trip - especially if you can't get to one of the larger game reserves.
All the classic safari stars here, including buffalo, leopards, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, elephants and cheetah, and you can also see some of the planet's most endangered species at the park's rhino sanctuary.
The Nairobi Safari Walk provides a rewarding opportunity to discover wildlife on foot, and birders will be happy to know that more than 400 species of birds also live in the park, including the beautiful grey-crowned crane.
And no visit to the park would be complete without stopping by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery at the park's main gates.
10. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery
Who can resist a baby elephant? At the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, you can mingle with incredibly cute baby pachyderms and have a great time supporting an important conservation organisation at the same time.
This famous animal sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants and gives you the chance to see these lovable creatures up close. This is where the youngest elephants are hand-reared until they are about two or three years old and you can watch the keepers bottle-feed the babies.
From the sanctuary, staff move the elephants to a reintegration centre in Tsavo East National Park before eventually releasing them back into the wild.
Watching these playful half-litre pachyderms wallow in the mud or push around a football is something you'll never forget. If you'd like to do more to help these magnificent animals, consider adopting an orphaned elephant, giraffe or rhino before you go and you'll receive regular updates on their progress.
Conveniently, the nursery is located right at the main gates of Nairobi National Park, so you can visit both of these famous tourist attractions in the same day.
11. Giraffe Centre
Located near the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery, the Giraffe Centre is a must-visit attraction near Nairobi National Park. The centre is dedicated to the rehabilitation and reintroduction of the Rothschild Giraffe to the zoos of Kenya. As part of a visit, staff explain their work during a 15- to 20-minute overview.
A visit here allows you to get up close and personal with these gentle giants. Equipped with your very own bowl of giraffe food, you'll be able to feed these curious creatures. The feeding area is on a raised platform, putting you close to the head height of the giraffes, who will bend down slightly and stretch out their giant blackish grey tongues to scoop up what you have to offer.
Although perhaps not as beautiful as the giraffes, several warthogs also roam the property and are also willing to eat the giraffe food should you be inclined to share with them.
12 Malindi
North of Mombasa on the Kenyan coast, Malindi has a split personality. This popular beach town is part historic old town, part modern tourist hub. Thanks to its rich trading history, it's also a melting pot of cultures and cuisines.
Travellers, many from Europe, come here to sunbathe on the white sands of Watamu Beach and dive the coral reefs of Malindi and Watamu Marine National Parks. If you're looking for free things to do in Kenya, you could do worse than sunbathe on a beautiful Malindi beach.
You can also soak up a dose of Swahili history in the historic town, which dates back to the 12th century. Here you can visit the Jami Mosque; two 14th-century colonnades; and the Church of St Francis Xavier, one of East Africa's oldest churches.
On the headland, the Vasco De Gama Cross is one of the oldest standing monuments in Africa.
Another popular tourist attraction is the Falconry of Kenya, a rehabilitation centre for sick and injured birds.
Also worth a visit, about 30 kilometres northeast of Malindi lies the Marafa Depression. Also called Hell's Kitchen or Nyari, this set of sandstone canyons is sculpted by wind and rain like a mini Grand Canyon.
13. Mombasa
Mombasa is a multicultural tourist magnet. It's also Kenya's second largest city and largest port. British, Portuguese, Arab, Indian and Asian immigrants add to the rich cultural mix and their influence is evident in the architecture, as well as the many different types of food.
Mombasa is actually an island linked to its mushrooming mainland by a motorway, bridges and ferries. Coral reefs border the coast for 480 kilometres, providing fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities, especially at Mombasa Marine National Park and around Wasini Island. Dolphin watching and deep-sea fishing are also popular things to do in Mombasa.
You'll find many tourist attractions along the Kenyan coast here. History buffs will enjoy exploring the 16th-century Fort Jesus and the old town with its narrow streets, old Swahili homes, markets and souvenir shops.
Other Mombasa tourist attractions cram the city's northern coast, including Mombasa Go-Kart, cinemas, sports and a cornucopia of restaurants.
Being a coastal hub, beach lovers will find some worthy beaches nearby. To the north of the city, Nyali and Bamburi beaches are favourites, while the white beaches of Shelly, Tiwi and Diani are popular spots south of Mombasa.
14. Mount Kenya National Park
In the central highlands, east of the Great Rift Valley, Mount Kenya National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site providing the rare spectacle of equatorial snow. It encompasses the country's highest mountain of the same name at 5199 metres.
Formed by a series of volcanic eruptions, Mount Kenya actually consists of three glacier-covered peaks. The highest is Batian, although Nelion, the second highest, is a tougher climb. The lowest peak, Lenana, is considered the easiest climb, although unpredictable weather can present challenges.
Bring your camera. The striking landscape varies from glaciers, lakes and mineral springs to alpine forests and dense pockets of bamboo.
The diversity of flora and fauna provides rewarding safari opportunities. Wildlife here includes black and white colobus monkeys, buffalo, elephants, tree hyrax, leopard and hyena.
Planning to spend a few days here? The famous Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club is located in the foothills and is a luxury retreat with trout fishing, golf and tennis.
15. Hell's Gate National Park
A popular spot for climbers, Hell's Gate National Park is one of the few parks in Kenya that allows camping and lets you explore on foot or by bike.
Hell's Gate offers excellent climbing and hiking opportunities, with two extinct volcanoes; the red cliffs of Hell's Gate Gorge; the Obsidian Caves; and the pointed stone pillar known as Fischer's Tower, a former volcanic plug.
Geothermal features include hot springs and natural geysers that hiss vapour through vents in the earth's crust. The park also shelters a wide variety of wildlife, including leopards, baboons, hartebeest, eland, ostriches, gazelles and more than 100 bird species. Eagle and vulture nesting sites are also located in the park.
The Oloor Karia Maasai Cultural Centre in the park is also worth a visit, with Masai singing, dancing and jewellery demonstrations.
Interestingly, the Olkaria Geothermal Station is located within Hell's Gate National Park. It generates power from heated, pressurised water underground and is the first of its kind in Africa.
16. Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Approximately 200 kilometres north of Nairobi, near Mount Kenya National Park, Ol Pejeta Conservancy is an excellent place for close-up wildlife photography.
Conservation and sustainability are key in this 90,000-acre private game reserve, where you can see the big five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo), as well as other animals such as cheetah, hyenas, zebra and hartebeest - all set against the stunning backdrop of snow-capped Mount Kenya.
The nature reserve is perhaps best known for its northern and southern white rhinos, including Baraka, a blind black rhino, which lucky visitors may have the chance to feed.
You can see the wildlife on self-drive or guided tours, and entry includes a visit to the chimpanzee sanctuary. Day visitors are welcome and if you want to extend your wilderness adventure, you can stay overnight in accommodations ranging from bush camps and safari lodges to a charming colonial-style ranch house.
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