Kenya Travel Guide

Nairobi

Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and its largest city. A bustling city that never sleeps, Nairobi offers a great introduction to Kenya and its culture. We suggest your Kenya travel planning begin with Nairobi. The city has some great green spaces that offer respite from the non-stop pace of the city. The best places to see in Nairobi are Nairobi National Park, Tana River, the picturesque Lake Naivasha and Nairobi National Gallery that gives you a glimpse of the Kenyan history and way of life.

Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara is, perhaps, the biggest attraction in Kenya with tens of thousands of visitors from across the world visiting the country every year. The reserve is located in southern Kenya on the border with Tanzania and is home to huge populations of lions, leopards and cheetahs. However, the event that brings the most tourists is the annual migration. This phenomenon sees thousands of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles cross the Serengeti plains. Keep your eye out for migration season while doing your Kenya travel planning.

Mombasa

One of the best places to visit in Kenya, Mombasa is also the country’s oldest city. It sits pretty on the Indian Ocean with pretty white sand beaches and friendly people. The city is home to some of the top attractions in Kenya such as Fort Jesus that was built by the Portuguese and the historic Old Town where you will find a mix of Arab, Portuguese and British influences. We would also recommend watching a Bollywood film at Nyali Theatre to your Kenya travel planning as well as taking a dhow safari of Funzi Island, a short ride from Mombasa.

Lake Nakuru

Located near the southern city of Nakuru, Lake Nakuru is what’s called a soda lake. This means that the water in the lake has high concentrations of salts. Being a soda lake, Nakuru attracts huge pats of flamingos. The region is also home to baboons, warthogs, and rhinos. To get up close and personal with the flamingos, we recommend adding a boat ride on Lake Nakuru to your Kenya travel planning.

Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya, at 5199 m, is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest in all of Africa. Located in its own national park, the mountain is a haven for mountaineers. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is home to some of the rarest plants and animals in the world besides being stunningly beautiful. And you don’t have to be an expert mountaineer to visit Mount Kenya. A safari through the foothills of the mountain is just as good a way to enjoy the delightful natural beauty of Mount Kenya.

Watamu

A tiny seaside town located a near Mombasa, Watamu is incredibly beautiful. Unspoilt beaches and swaying palm trees lead to crystal clear water and rich marine life. Watamu is, in fact, one of the best destinations for snorkelling and scuba diving in East Africa. If you prefer staying closer to land, soak up the sun Garoda Beach, Turtle Bay or Blue Lagoon for unadulterated beach fun. Some Kenya travel guides would suggest a day trip to Watamu from Mombasa but to really enjoy the place add a few days in town to your Kenya travel planning.

Float Over the Serengeti

To Kenya travel guide will let you leave the country without a safari in the Masai Mara reserve. But a better way to experience Kenyan wildlife is with a hot air balloon safari. Get on a balloon at dawn and watch the sun rise over the Serengeti as you see lions and gazelles, giraffes and wildebeest lumber across the plains. The breathtaking views alone make it a once in a lifetime experience that must find a place in your Kenya travel planning.

Knock on Hell’s Gate

Not far from Nairobi is Hell’s Gate National Park. Named after a tiny gap in the cliffs that explorers thought looked like the gate to hell, the park has had a starring role in several Hollywood movies like The Lion King and Lara Croft Tomb Raider. Hell’s Gate is a great place to try mountain climbing, biking, hiking and camping. If you find yourself there, we recommend setting up camp near the shores of Lake Naivasha for the water sports and game viewing opportunities.