Kenya is one of the leading African countries when it comes to tourism and travel. It being the world’s 48th largest country and third largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria and South Africa makes it even more appealing and marketable.
There are numerous reasons that make Kenya a top tourist attraction country as listed below. After reading this article, you should be booking your flight and packing your luggage ready to travel.
Suitable for all budgets
There is something for everyone who is planning to visit Kenya. From high end five star hotels, airbnbs, hostels, camps, rental apartments, glamping and even backpacking. You will get value for your money. Whatever budget you have, you are guaranteed to get what you need.
Eat breakfast with giraffes
Have you ever thought of having breakfast with giraffes? Not watching giraffes in the wild while you are eating your breakfast but actually sharing a meal with giraffes. That only happens at the Giraffe Manor in Karen. It is one of the most recommended and most visited tourist site for anyone looking for a unique lifetime experience in Kenya.
Also a few kilometers from the Giraffe manor, we have the Giraffe Center which is quite affordable. If you can’t afford to be at the giraffe manor, then you have another option whereby you can feed the giraffes and even get an appreciation kiss from them.
Also read about Nairobi’s Unique Floating restaurant.
Feed Elephants at David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
This is one of the best experiences within the city. The DSWT is the most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation center in the world. Their opening hours are strictly between 11-12 noon everyday. This is the time when they feed the baby elephants. The place is affordable as they charge ksh 500 for citizens and ksh 1,000 for non-citizens. I recommend visiting the place during the week as it tends to be overcrowded during the weekends.
Ride hot air balloons at Maasai Mara
Imagine watching the annual wildebeest migration just a few metres above the animals. What a view!!! An African safari to the Maasai Mara is not complete without a hot air balloon ride.You get to watch the animals in the park with a birdview. Did you know that Maasai Mara has one of the largest densities of lions in the world? Also BBC Wildlife channel Big Cat diary is shot here.
Witness the annual Wildebeest Migration
The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.This immense movement only happens between the Serengeti National park in Tanzania to Maasai Mara National reserve in Kenya during July through August and their return from October to November. It is an incredible event whereby millions of wildebeests, zebras and antelopes migrate searching for greener, wetter pastures. The event attracts tourist from all over the world.
A National Park within the Capital City
The Nairobi National park is located inside the capital city of Kenya just a few minutes from the Jomo kenyatta International Airport. You don’t need to travel a thousand kilometres to get to a national park. Inside the national park, there is an animal orphanage and you can also have a safari walk. There is a variety of animals in the park except the elephants but you can see them at the David Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust. Read all about it here.
Visit a Marine Park in the kenyan Coast
Apart from the animal parks, Kenya also boasts of having marine parks. If underwater photography or just viewing life underwater excites you,then this is the place for you. The parks were established so as to protect the rich aquatic lie in the Kenyan waters. Some of the places include but not limited to Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve, Malindi Marine park, Watamu Marine Park and te Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park. All these parks provide a home to a wide variety of marine species. The places are also ideal for water skiing, snorkelling, diving and windsurfing.
Swim With dolphins
Though most parts of the Kenyan Coast offer great views for dolphin watching, Wasini and Watamu Island are the most commonly known place to go swimming with dolphins.There are three species of dolphin that you can see in Watamu which are the Indo Pacific Bottlenose dolphin, the rare Indo Pacific Humpback dolphin and the offshore acrobats Spinner dolphin. It is an incredible experience. My first time seeing a real life dolphin was on my trip to Lamu Island.
Enjoy the white sandy beaches
Kenya boasts of having some of the best beaches in the entire world. The kenyan coast is popular with tourists because of its beautiful sandy beaches. Accomodation in the coast is quite affordable depending on the time you visit. The off peak season tends to be in January, May, June,July and around september. Get a chance to explore Mombasa, Lamu, Malindi and the many more cities in the Coastal region.
Stay at the best camps/lodges in the whole world
Kenya is home to some of the world’s best camps and lodges. In 2019, Sirikoi Lodge was ranked number 1 as the most luxurious game resort in the world. Laikipia county boasts of world class lodges with a view of the maasai mara. Home away from home. They are also among the most expensive lodges in Kenya. If you are looking for a five star Safari tour,then make sure you find your way to Laikipia County.
Eat Local Kenyan foods
Get to enjoy the Kenyan local foods. Eat ugali, matoke,mokimo, irio, githeri, mtura, and our famous nyama choma. Kenyans are very friendly. Get to mingle with the locals and explore their lifestyles. You might get a chance to taste the local brews too like busaa and chang’aa haha. I would recommend tasting the local beers too like tusker and Pilsner Imara kama simba.
Have you ever seen a Pink Lake?
Lake Nakuru is home to over 400 bird species with its largest population being the pink flamingos thus the name the pink lake. You will get to enjoy amazing views of the lake and also get a chance to explore Lake Nakuru National Park.
Climb Mt. Kenya
Mt. Kenya is the largest mountain in the country and the second largest in Africa after Kilimanjaro in the neighbouring Tanzania. It takes about 3 to 5 days for fit trekkers to climb the mountain. The mountain is surrounded by beautiful sceneries and the Mt. Kenya National Park. You can also camp at the beautiful Lake Ellis which is accessible by a good 4×4 Car.
Go white water rafting at River Sagana
Kenya has something for everyone. For the adrenaline junkies, River Sagana is perfect for white water rafting. Though the river is not as big as the river Nile in Uganda, it offers a unique experience to water rafting. You can also bungee jump into the river and get to camp there at the end of the long active day. River sagana is the only location in Kenya with bungee jumping and white water rafting activities. Have a roadtrip to Nanyuki.
Waterfalls in the city
Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya is home to pleasant sceneries. Within its vicinity, there are quite a number of waterfalls and all are just a few kilometers away from the CBD. We have waterfalls at Karura Forest, Fourteen falls, Oloolua Nature trail and my latest discovery of a hidden waterfall in Ruaka.
Go for a desert safari.
When talking about desert safaris, what most people think about is Dubai, not knowing that they can have the same experience here in Kenya for a quarter the cost or even an eighth. Chalbi Desert in the Northern part of Kenya is the perfect place for a desert safari. The roads are easily accessible by a 4 by 4 car and you get to go for sand dune racing and sand surfing.
Not only would you enjoy a desert safari, but also get the chance to have a game drive at Lake Turkana National Park. It is the ultimate safari and you get a chance to ride a camel, “the desert ship”.
Kenya has a wide variety of sceneries and experiences to suit any type of a traveller. All you need is to do research on what kind of adventure you want to have, and you will be directed to the right path. The ministry of Tourism is working hard to ensure that all areas are easily accessible and affordable to all. So start packing your bags because you are missing out if you are not touring kenya!!