Kenya is a country in East Africa with a coastline on the Indian Ocean. It contains savannah, Lakelands, the dramatic Great Rift Valley, and mountain highlands. It’s also home to wildlife like lions, elephants, and rhinos. From Nairobi, the capital, safaris visit the Maasai Mara Reserve, known for its annual wildebeest migrations, and Amboseli National Park, offering views of Tanzania’s 5,895m Mt. Kilimanjaro. Here is a list of some of the best things to do in Kenya.
Best Things to Do in Kenya
Go on a Safari in the Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve is an area of maintained savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. Its creatures include lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, and hippos. Wildebeest transits its plains during their annual migration. The landscape has grassy plains and rolling hills and is crossed by the Mara and Talek rivers. You will experience the Great Migration (July-October) and witness the Big Five.
Visit Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is in southern Kenya. It’s known for its extensive elephant herds and views of spacious Mount Kilimanjaro, across the border in Tanzania. Observation Hill presents pictures of the peak and the park’s plains and swamps.
Varied wildlife includes giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and hundreds of bird species. The western section is monopolized by the vast Lake Amboseli, which is dry outside the rainy season.
Explore Tsavo National Parks
Tsavo East National Park is a national park in Kenya with an area of 13,747 km2 (5,308 sq mi). It was established in April 1948 and covers a semi-arid area previously known as the Taru Desert. The Tsavo River flows west to east through the national park, which is found in the Taita-Taveta County of the former Coast Province.
Discover Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley lakes, found at an elevation of 1,754 m (5,755 ft) above sea level. It lies to the south of Nakuru, in the Rift Valley of Kenya, and is covered by Lake Nakuru National Park. The lake’s plenty of algae used to attract a vast abundance of flamingos that famously lined the shore.
See Rhinos at Ol Pejeta Conservancy
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a 360 km2 (140 sq mi) not-for-profit wildlife protection in Central Kenya’s Laikipia County. It is situated on the equator west of Nanyuki, between the foothills of the Aberdares and Mount Kenya. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy operates to conserve wildlife and provide a refuge for great apes.
Relax at Diani Beach
Diani Beach is a beach on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is found 30 kilometers (19 mi) south of Mombasa, in Kwale County. You will enjoy Snorkeling, Kite surfing, and Wildlife spotting.
Rock climbing: Fischer’s Tower – Hell’s Gate National Park
You don’t need much if any, rock-climbing experience to scale Fischer’s Tower, the main attraction in Hell’s Gate National Park. Simply pitch up, pay a very modest fee, and the obliging climbing guide will fit you up with ropes, shoes, and the other tricks of the trade. And then he/she will teach you how to climb this 25m-high jagged volcanic plug.
All that remains of an ancient volcano, the rock is named after the German explorer, Gustav Fischer, who passed this way in 1883. According to local Maasai tradition, the rock is the petrified figure of a chief’s daughter who turned around against the dictates of tradition to take one last look at her home before leaving to be married.
Be warned, however, while making the climb, you are likely to come face to face with the elephant’s closest relative – the diminutive and very inquisitive rock hyrax, a colony of which have made the rock their home. Hell’s Gate National Park is 100km north of Nairobi and immediately adjacent to Lake Naivasha.
For more information visit: Hell’s Gate National Park
Horseracing: Ngong Racecourse
For a relaxed, colorful and typically ‘Nairobi’ day out, you can’t beat the classic ‘day at the races’. Ngong Racecourse and Golf Park have been rated as one of the most beautiful in the world, standing as it does in the lee of the famous Ngong Hills of ‘Out of Africa’ fame. It is also Africa’s most venerable. Horseracing first began in Kenya in 1904 when Somali ponies were raced around a track in the, then, the little town of Machakos.
Thoroughbred racing began in Nairobi in 1914, and apart from the interruption caused by two world wars, has continued ever since. Run by the Jockey Club of Kenya, the Ngong track is a classic ‘British Oval’ 2,400m in circumference with a 1,200m ‘straight’.
An average of 25 race meetings is held annually on alternate Sundays. Easily the most famous race is the Kenyan Derby, which is held in April. Interestingly the track has also been used for ostrich racing.
Zip-Lining: Kereita Forest
Kenya is home to some of the last remaining stands of primeval forests on earth, and to get a bird’s eye view of them you might like to try out some zip-lining. If so, head for The Forest, an extreme sports center less than an hour’s drive outside Nairobi where you can zip up your adrenalin on East Africa’s longest zip-line tour, which jumps across a series of forested hills with a combined length of 2,200 meters. The Forest also offers the madness of paintballing and the rather more calming sport of archery. For further information visit: Kereita Forest
Jump off a Cliff: Ngare Ndare Forest
Well yes, you can: literally. Amid the leafy green vaults of the magical Ngare Ndare Forest, you can (with supervision) jump off a cliff into a rock pool, swing across a rope bridge above wallowing elephants, go rock climbing, or throw yourself into a canyon. Or you can simply go for a walk amid 200-year-old African olive and red cedar trees. An ecological stronghold, the Ngare Ndare Forest stands at the foot of Mount Kenya.
Climb a Volcano Mountain: Mount Longonot
Things to do in Kenya – Mt Longonot National Park ‘The scene was of such an astounding character that I was completely fascinated and felt under an almost irresistible impulse madly to plunge into the fearful chasm’. So spoke the famous African explorer, Joseph Thomson as he made the first recorded ascent to the rim of Mount Longonot in 1884. The mightiest of the Rift Valley volcanoes, Longonot towers some 2,776 meters above the waters of bewitching Lake Naivasha.
As to climbing it – there is a well-defined track that leads, in around 45 minutes of steep scrambling, to the rim. Once on top, you can either absorb the view – which is a stunner, encompassing both the distant Aberdares Range and the Mau Escarpment – or you can strike off around the rim, the entire circuit of which takes around 3 hours.
Technically dormant, but better described as ‘senile’, Longonot is a relatively young volcano, having been formed within the last 400-600 years. And, while seemingly peaceful, only several thousand meters below its surface the groundwater seethes at an incredible 304°C (one of the hottest temperatures on earth).
Much of this energy has now been harnessed to the nearby Olkaria Geothermal Project in Hell’s Gate National Park, but the hot thermals rising above the mountain still have sufficient power to deflect the path of light aircraft flying overhead. Longonot stands within its own national park, 90km northwest of Nairobi.
For further information visit: Mount Longonot National Park
Paragliding: Kerio Valley
For the ultimate in paragliding experiences, you have to head for the Kerio Valley. A forgotten Eden with seemingly perpetual blue skies, the Kerio Valley is a seldom-visited and exquisitely beautiful gem.
A branch of its more famous cousin, the Great Rift Valley, the Kerio Valley drops a spectacular 1,219 meters between the Tuyen Hills and the Elgeyo Escarpment. 80km long and only 10km at its widest, on its upper slopes is a tangle of semi-tropical vegetation; in its sweltering bottom, there’s an only dry bush, elephant, buffalo, the meanderings of the crocodile-packed Kerio River and the beautiful oval of Lake Kamnarok.
A typical paraglide will last a couple of hours and cover ten kilometers – but during that time you can look down on Tiati, the sacred mountain of the Pokot people, the ancient Neolithic furrows of the enigmatic Sirikwa people, and the shimmering heat and dust of the Rimoi Game Reserve – which is probably Kenya’s wildest. And if paragliding is a little too edgy for you – the Kerio Valley also offers trekking, hiking and mountain biking.
The Kerio Valley is 500 km’s from Nairobi.
Other Things to Do in Kenya
Diving At The Coast
The best places for diving in Kenya will be found in the numerous marine reserves. From Malindi to Shimoni, scuba diving and snorkeling are the norms in the midst of some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. Watamu and Wasini island have some of the most spectacular snorkeling experiences.
Mountain Climbing And Trekking
Mount Kenya, the second-highest mountain in Africa is popular for trekking safaris, so are the Ngong hills close to the capital city of Nairobi. The scenic view is bound to be a moving experience for any visitor to the country.
Balloon Safari
A balloon safari over the vast savanna plains of Kenya Maasai Mara complete with a view of the animals in their natural habitat is an experience that will never leave you.
Fishing
There are exceptional opportunities for trout fishing, especially in the Mount Kenya and Aberdare regions in the central parts of the country. Nile Perch fishing takes place in Lake Victoria and the Lake Turkana regions.
River Rafting / White-water Rafting
The best times for rafting in Kenya are late October to mid-January, and from early April to late July. There are plenty of rapids, waterfalls and chutes on the Athi/Galana and Tana Rivers as well as on the Ewaso Nyiro river near Isiolo.
Cycling / Mountain Biking
Mountain biking and cycling trips at the Hell’s Gate National Park around the great Rift Valley region are great breathtaking experiences.
Bird Watching
Take a breathtaking view of a variety of birds at Rusinga Island, Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria.
Daphne Sheldrick
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is located at the Nairobi National Park and serves as an orphanage for baby elephants as well as some rhinos.
Giraffe Center
The Giraffe Center is an amazing place to visit. The center was built initially as a rehabilitation project to rescue the Rothschild Giraffe. It is home to a number of endangered species and a unique ecosystem.
Mamba Village
Nairobi Mamba Village is located in Nairobi’s leafy Karen suburb, about 13 kilometers away from the city center. Mamba Village is famous for its Crocodile Farm.
Paint Balling
Paintballing is a warlike game where guns are substituted with air pressure has driven paintballs, which burst on impact! Enjoy some paintballing action at Paintball Fury- Karen, Jungle Paintball Kenya – City Park or at Kitengela Paintball Polo.
Archery
Kenya Archery Association is the official national Archery association. Archery training grounds include: Twiga Centre- Parklands Sports Club, Strathmore Univesity Grounds, and East Africa Bow Sports Ltd
Horse Riding
You can catch some horse-riding and horse-racing action at the Ngong Race Course or the Thigiri Riding School.
Water-slides
Slide, spin, soar and plunge into the water. Enjoy water slide at Splash Waterworld Lanagata, Nairobi; or Wild Waters Nyali, Mombasa
Quad bike
You can drive down to Lukenya Motorcross on the outskirts of Nairobi for Quad biking, or head out further to the Hells Gate National Park in Naivasha about an hours drive from Nairobi.
Ice Skating
The Panari Hotel along Mombasa Road has an ice-skating rink for ice skating lovers or get to even learn how to play Ice Hockey.
Go Karting
Experience the rush of adrenaline as you take sharp corners in a kart at high speeds around the track at GP – Karting at Splash Langata or at Go Kart, Mombasa.
Things to do in Kenya with kids
- Visit the Giraffe Centre (Nairobi) – Let kids feed and interact with endangered Rothschild giraffes.
- David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage (Nairobi) – Watch baby elephants being fed and playing in the mud.
- Nairobi National Park – A game drive close to the city with lions, giraffes, rhinos, and more.
- Lake Naivasha Boat Ride – Spot hippos and birds while enjoying a peaceful boat safari.
- Hell’s Gate National Park – Family-friendly hiking and biking with breathtaking landscapes.
- Animal Orphanage (Nairobi) – See rescued animals up close.
Things to do in Kenya other than safari
- Relax at Diani Beach – Relish the beautiful white sand beaches of Diani, a popular coastal destination.
- Hike Mount Kenya: Explore the spectacular landscape of Mount Kenya, a significant peak in Africa.
- Explore Lamu Island – A UNESCO-listed Swahili town with rich history.
- Snorkel or Dive at Watamu Marine Park – See colorful coral reefs and marine life.
- Take a Sunset Dhow Cruise in Mombasa – A relaxing sail along the coast.
- Visit Chale Island – A private island with gorgeous beaches and mangroves.
Things to do in Kenya on a budget
- Walk Through Karura Forest (Nairobi) – Entry: ~Ksh 200 ($2).
- Bike & Hike at Hell’s Gate National Park – Entry: ~Ksh 300 ($3).
- Explore Oloolua Nature Trail (Karen, Nairobi) – Entry: ~Ksh 200 ($2).
- Visit Paradise Lost (Kiambu) – Entry: ~Ksh 500 ($5)
- Go to Uhuru Park (Nairobi) – Free entry; boat rides and relaxation in the city center.
- Swim at Fourteen Falls (Thika) – Entry: ~Ksh 200 ($2)
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