Top 10 Tourist Attractions to Visit in Kenya

 

Top 10 Tourist Attractions to Visit in Kenya

05/18/2020

TOP TEN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN KENYA
No country in the world has more diverse tourist attraction sites than Kenya; from the snowcapped Mt. Kenya to the scenic Rift Valley, from sandy beaches at the coast to the tropical savannah where wild animals roam freely. A visitor to the country is spoilt for choice. Kenya promises adventure, entertainment, excitement and relaxation all rolled into one.

For decades, Kenya draws visitors from all over the world who come to enjoy nature at its  very best. Kenya is a spectacular destination that offers at least something to anyone who wants to satiate their spirit of adventure. Here are ten places one can visit and look forward to another visit.

1. MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE.
Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of the world's most splendid game reserves. The Mara is the northern extension of the Serengeti in Tanzania and forms a wildlife corridor between the two countries.

The Mara is famous for the Great Wildebeest Migration, when thousands of wildebeests, zebra, and Thomson's gazelle travel to and from the Serengeti, from July to October every year. This migration is the hallmark of the reserve.

The park is also known for providing excellent predator sightings, because of its relatively large populations of lion, cheetah, and leopard - especially in the dry months from December through February.

The Mara grassland residents include giraffes, gazelles, impalas, buffalos. Annually, they are joined by millions of other migrating grazers notably, the wildebeests. Crocodiles and hippos call the Mara River home.

Due to the gentle weather, one can enjoy a hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara. This offers a vantage birds eye perspective from which to observe the wildlife spectacle beneath.

2.  AMBOSELI NATIONAL RESERVE & MT. KILIMANJARO
Located across the Kenya-Tanzania border, Amboseli National Reserve is Kenya’s second most popular protected area after Maasai Mara. Amboseli is popular because of the ease with which the African wild elephants can be seen, the park has the highest concentration of elephants in the world. Besides elephants, animals such as buffalos, impalas, kudu, wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, wildebeest, hyena, zebra, and giraffes can be spotted. Amboseli National Park is also home to around 400 different species of birds and hosts a large number of ostriches; the largest bird in the world.

At Amboseli, visitors can meet and interact with the local Maasai people and visit a traditional Maasai village therefore offering a rich cultural experience. Amboseli also offers a vantage point where one can see the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro in the neighboring Tanzania. Kilimanjaro is the Africa’s highest free standing mountain. Nature lovers can also explore the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli and wetlands.

3. TSAVO EAST AND WEST NATIONAL PARK
This is the largest national park in Kenya and due to the railway line cutting through the park, the park is divided in East and West Tsavo National Parks. The main attraction is the wildlife famous Tsavo man eater’s lions, cheetahs, buffalos, elephants, gazelles, hyenas, leopards, 500 different birds and many more. The parks are easily accessible from both Nairobi and Mombasa.

Tsavo East is flatter and therefore much easier to spot wild animals. It also contains the Yatta Plateau which is the world’s longest lava flow at 290 km. Lugard Falls is also found in Tsavo East.

Tsavo West on the other hand is more mountainous and contains more swamps and lakes, which makes it the favored section for bird watchers.  Tsavo West offers the most beautiful scenery like the Mzima Springs, a series of natural springs with large populations of hippos and crocodiles; Chaimu Crater, a great spot for seeing birds of prey.

4. Mombasa
Coastal Kenya is the most idyllic and stunning tourist magnet. One can enjoy attractive scenery, historical attractions, beautiful beaches, and diverse coral reefs.

Mombasa is one of the oldest settlements in Africa boasts of numerous places one can visit. The world famous Fort Jesus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of eastern Africa’s oldest European modeled buildings. It was constructed by the Portuguese in the 16^th century, later used as a prison by the British colonial government and is now a museum that showcases the history and culture of coastal Kenya. Besides Fort Jesus, one can also visit the Mombasa Marine Park that contains different coral reefs with plenty of animal life such as lionfish, angelfish, parrotfish, and zebra fish; as well as sea turtles, crabs, sea urchins, starfish, octopus, jellyfish, and birds.

History buffs will enjoy exploring the Old Town with its narrow streets, ancient Swahili dwellings, markets, and souvenir shops.

5. NAIROBI
Nairobi is the Kenya's capital city. Nairobi means a place of cool waters and it's also known as the 'Green City in the sun'. Away from the bustling city, Nairobi has something to offer the visitors who travel for business, meetings and have few hours to enjoy the country's attractions.

It boasts of being the only city that has a National Park within its borders, whereby within a short drive out of the Central Business District is the Nairobi National Park. The park is a backdrop of the city scrapers and plays a host to a wide variety of wildlife such as the endangered black rhinos, giraffes, zebras and lions.

Nairobi has a story of history and culture where the visitors learn more on the history and tradition in the main Nairobi National Museum in the city. Next to the park is elephant orphanage, for the baby elephants that have been orphaned mostly by poachers. The visitors will also learn about conservation and are allowed to adopt the baby elephants by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Connect with giraffes in their sanctuary and get even closer to them on their feeding platform, don't leave without a kiss from them at The Giraffe Centre.

The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) rooftop which is also a helipad is one of the best places that holds the most stunning viewpoint of the city and its environs. With a 360 degrees turn you are able to scan the horizon in all directions.

Bomas of Kenya is a cultural anthropologist’s first port of call. Just ten kilometers outside Nairobi and close to the Nairobi National Park, Bomas of Kenya offers a glimpse into the diverse cultures of the people of Kenya. The area was founded by the Kenyan government as a way to preserve and promote ethnic identities, while also providing a tourist attraction as a way to educate visitors.

6. LAKE NAKURU
For any birder worth their name, flamingo is the bird to watch. Two hours drive west of Nairobi lies one of the most popular lakes in the Great Rift Valley; Lake Nakuru. Lake Nakuru National Park is well known for beautiful flamingos, rhino, fantastic scenery and historical site; Hyrax Hill.

Established in 1961, this park also boasts of other wild animals such a warthogs, baboons, hippos, rhinos and the tree climbing lions! The park is also home to more than 450 species of birds.

 The beautiful landscapes range from grasslands along the lake to rocky cliffs and woodland farther. To cap it, the park also protects the largest Euphorbia candelabrum forest in Africa. For nature lovers, this is a paradise that one should include in their travel itinerary.

7. MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK
120 kilometers north of Nairobi stands the most majestic landmark; Mount Kenya. The mountain that the country is named after. Standing 5,199 meters high above the sea level, this three peaked, snowcapped mountain offers and sight to behold. It is also a mountaineer’s dream mountain to conquer. The mountain comprises of three peaks; Batian, Nelion and Lenana. Batian peak is the highest point. Nelion, the next highest and is considered the toughest climb while the lowest peak, Lenana, is considered the easiest climb. Mount Kenya National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

8. SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
Located to the north of Kenya, the park borders Buffalo Spring’s National Reserve. Samburu National Reserve is well known for it's special four which are; the Gerenuk, Grevy Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Somali Ostrich and the Reticulated Giraffe. It's also a home to the critically endangered Pancake tortoise.

The birdlife here is abundant with over 450 species recorded making it a great place for the birders. Five bird species have been categorized as vulnerable in the reserve. The special five birds found here are the Yellow billed ox-pecker, African Darter, White headed vulture, Great Egret and the Martial Eagle.

 For wildlife lovers, the park teem with Wild dogs, Zebras, Giraffes, Elephants, Buffalos, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs amongst others. One can also visit the Ewaso Nyiro River where Hippos and Crocodiles reign supreme.

Besides the breath taking glaciers and beautiful scenery, the mountain is home to monkeys, buffalo, elephant, tree hyrax, leopard, and hyena. Over 10,000 people visit the park each year to see the site.

9.  HELL’S GATE NATIONAL PARK
Located 100kms from Nairobi, Hell’s Gate National Park was officially established in 1984 and is famous for its steam geysers and geology. It is named Hell’s Gate after a narrow break in the cliffs, once a tributary of a prehistoric lake that fed early inhabitants in the Rift Valley. 

The area has some fascinating wildlife such as baboons, zebras, antelopes and gazelles; and over one hundred different birds species such as eagles and vultures. Down the gorge, one can see the hot springs. In Hell's Gate one can enjoy a variety of activities as biking, rock climbing, and visiting the natural hot pools.  Hiking opportunities are also offered as one can visit, on foot, two extinct volcanoes.

Olkaria Geothermal Plant is also located within the park and it generates power from heated, pressurized water underground which provides around half of the country’s energy needs by sustainable energy.

For culture lovers and anthropologists, they can visit the Oloor Karia Maasai Cultural Centre and interact with the Maasai in singing, dancing, and jewelry-making.

10. LAKE VICTORIA
Located west of Kenya, Lake Victoria is the world’s largest tropical lake and feeds the Nile River, one of the world’s longest and most historically significant rivers. The lake spreads through three countries; Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The lake area is home to a number of birds and contains around 200 different fish, including economically important species for the surrounding regions, such as the Tilapia, a very delicious fish.

When standing on the shores of the lake, the sight is marvelous. Lake Victoria is the preferred place for relaxation and contains some beautiful islands where you enjoy tours around the lake to observe different birds and beautiful scenery. The red cliffs of Hell's Gate Gorge; Obsidian Caves; and the pointed column of rock known as Fischer's Tower, a former volcanic plug.

 

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