Kenya is often called the “Home of the Safari.” There are many things to see and do in this amazing East African country besides visiting national parks. below I will give an over view of where to go in Kenya, sharing with you a great destinations or sports and what information you need to know about them. See Kenya’s amazing wildlife, stunning beaches, Lamu Island, Mt. Elgon’s Kitum Cave, and great places to watch animals from the perspective of the people.
Watami is a small fishing village on Kenya’s north coast, just north of Mombasa. It features beautiful tropical white beaches and hotels for visitors, focusing on eco-tourism. Known for its relaxed atmosphere, this village has its own marine national park and a large coral reef, making it a great place for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Visitors can rent boats to reach the Malindi Marine Reserve Park and enjoy a water safari in Kenya, where they can see lots of fish and sea turtles that nest close to the reef. The warm, shallow waters of the mangroves draw many different types of birds. If you love water sports, Watamu is the place to go. You can try stand-up paddling, kite surfing, and deep-sea fishing there.
If you’re looking for more than just a beach day, we can suggest some great places to visit: The Gede Ruins, located near Watamu, are the remains of a deserted Swahili village from the 12th century. This unknown ancient town used to be a diverse and lively city. It was a very modern city with streets, toilets that flush, and running water. This shows how developed Africa was in the past.
When planning a trip to Kenya, the Masai Mara Game Reserve is usually one of the best options. Every year, millions of wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras take part in the “Great Migration.” They travel from Tanzania to Kenya looking for fresh grass. This event is one of the most exciting animal displays in the world. The Mara River is located in the northern part of their route. The Mara is a small river, around 40 meters wide, with muddy brown water. The river goes through the northern Serengeti, starting from Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve.
But during the collective trip of the “Great Migration”, the Mara River comes to life. Watching wildebeest try to cross the river is really exciting – many of them don’t survive the journey. Crocodiles are hiding in the water, and big cats are waiting for the wildebeest groups. Another big danger for migrating animals is dying in strong currents. This dramatic scene of life and death has another reason besides just showing crocodiles eating. The bodies of the thousands of wildebeest that die during their yearly journey help the river’s ecosystem.
If you’re thinking about when to visit Masai Mara, we recommend going between January and March. So, you can find cheaper places to stay and still see many animals without having to share the experience with many other cars. During the shoulder season, you’ll enjoy a better experience and a real break from the world because it’s less crowded. This time is perfect for guests who prefer peace and solitude.
Kenya’s capital city Nairobi is East Africa’s most rewarding internationally known city. The city is named after a Masai swimming hole called “enkare nyarobi,” meaning “place of cool waters.” It is famous for its green parks. Nairobi has tall buildings that create a nice city view, just like many other modern cities. It’s the only city in the world that has a national park right next to it.
In Nairobi, you can discover some unexpected places to visit. In 1979, the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife started a Giraffe Centre to protect the Rothschild giraffe. These beautiful animals are no longer found in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan. Now, they can only be seen in Kenya and Uganda.
You can now stay at a fancy 10-room hotel called “Giraffe Manor” where you can enjoy breakfast with giraffes, right in the center of their breeding area. The giraffes can walk around freely at the Giraffe Centre. They often pop their heads into hotel windows to greet the guests.
Another enjoyable activity in Nairobi is visiting the Karen Blixen museum. This old home used to be the main part of a farm located at the base of the Ngong Hills. It was owned by Danish author Karen and her Swedish husband, Baron Bror von Blixen Fincke. The house was the setting for her famous book “Out of Africa” and was later turned into a museum.
Karura Forest Reserve is a green park located in the northern part of Nairobi. Karura is one of the biggest city woods in the world. It’s a nice walk if you want to escape the city.
Lamu Island is situated on the northern coast of Kenya, north of Watamu. Lamu Town, located on Lamu Island, is the largest town in Kenya. It has mostly stayed the same for over 700 years since this town started. The streets in Lamu are too small for cars, so people use donkeys to get around the island. Donkeys are found in nearly every home. They transport their owners, items, and building supplies. Having a donkey is like having both a small car and a truck together. People really care for the donkeys because of the work they do.
Thinking about where to go on a tour in Kenya?
Lamu Town has a lot of donkeys today. The Swahili people kept using their old methods of transportation and shipping. The best way to explore Lamu Island is by riding a donkey. From here, you can see the town’s lovely Swahili buildings, which mix Middle Eastern, South Asian, and East African styles.
For people who have seen donkeys before or would like to see them Lamu Island has beautiful, kilometre-long remote beaches with white sand and clear water. The best spot is Shela beach, which is right next to Lamu town. Shela feels unique because there are no cars on the island. Visitors can only reach it by donkey or boat.
Mount Elgon National Park is located in the far west of Kenya, sharing its area with Uganda. Because of its location, it gets fewer visitors than Mount Kenya National Park. Mt Elgon is an extinct volcano like Mt Kenya. It provides good hiking options, and because it is at a lower altitude, the conditions are easier. The main draw of the mountain is the elephants that can be seen licking salt in the caves on the eastern side. These holes were created by lava tubes. Mt. Elgon has many caves, but Kitum Cave is the most well-known. Many elephants, antelopes, and buffaloes often come to this large salt lick. Elephants use their legs to grab pieces of the cave walls, crush them, and then lick the salt. Over time, this has greatly expanded the cave’s size and left many marks from tusks.
Mt Elgon National Park has many great hiking options. The mountain has different types of plants in different areas. At the bottom, there is rainforest. As you go higher, you will see bamboo jungles, which then give way to grass and moorland. In addition to the unique plants and animals, there are waterfalls, beautiful valleys and mountains, and hot springs with water that can be as warm as 48° C. With a bit of luck, you might be able to spot the Black and White Colobus Monkey, the Blue Monkey, baboons and hundreds of birds’ species. It’s a great and often overlooked place to visit in Kenya.
Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa and is considered holy by the Kikuyu people. Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains make up the Central Highlands, which is the main geographical area of the country. For a while, The Highlands were called the “White Highlands.” At that time, nearly all of the best farmland in the country was owned by colonial farmers who started successful farms there. The important Highlands are also important to Kenyan history. This is where the fight against colonial rule began, leading to the Mau Mau Rebellion, which paved the way for Kenya’s freedom.
The Laikipia plateau is located near the snow-covered top of Mt. Kenya and has a few private conservancies. This area is perfect for seeing wildlife without the people, and it should be one of your top choices when visiting Kenya. This is one of the places where you can find the rare African wild dogs. It is also home to many rare animals, including half of the country’s black rhinos and half of the world’s Grevy’s zebras.
Just minutes from the equator in Mt Kenya National Park, you can see elephants, monkeys, buffaloes, wild pigs, and antelopes in the woods. Fit travelers can climb Point Lenana. Only expert climbers can reach the other two peaks.
Samburu National Reserve is located north of Mt. Kenya. This reserve is located in a dry part of Kenya, so it has unique plants and animals that can’t be found anywhere else in the country. In this dry area, the Ewaso Ngiro river draws many animals, making it a great place for game drives. The river is home to crocodiles, hippos, white elephants, and cows. In the park, you can see Somali giraffes, ostriches, Beisa oryxes, Grevy’s zebras, and gerenuks, which are also called “giraffe-necked antelopes.” These unusual antelopes have adjusted to their environment by having long necks that help them reach food in tall bushes.
Samburu, Shaba, and Buffalo Springs are part of the same ecosystem. The nature areas don’t have fences, allowing wild animals to move around freely. For some unknown reason, you rarely see other cars in the Samburu National Reserve. Samburu, like many northern parks, is not very well-known yet. This means you can enjoy a special safari experience in beautiful surroundings and see unique animals in a more private atmosphere.
At East Africa Gorilla Safaris, under All In Africa Safaris, we specialize in unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences and diverse wildlife safaris.
Our expertly guided tours provide intimate encounters with gorillas and rich African wildlife, ensuring an unparalleled adventure in the heart of East Africa.
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