Safaris in Kenya features myriad of unique attractions that make it a premier destination in East Africa. Spanning over 224,081sq.miles, Kenya lies nearby the coastline and bordered by countries like Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia. Kenya is most popular not only for its spectacular game parks, reserves but also exceptionally unique cultures and traditions.
Over 42 distinct tribal groups make up Kenya and position it as one of the most preferred destinations to enjoy authentic African cultural experiences. Overall, there are more than 55 National Parks, Wildlife Reserves and Sanctuaries. With breathtaking landscapes characterized by rift valley escarpments, unique cultural and historical heritage, and abundant wildlife, a safari in Kenya guarantees you a complete African safari holiday full of endless opportunities.
In this article, we shall look at the top attractions in Kenya. The top attractions that make Kenya a special destination include national parks, reserves, historical sites, culture and people, etc.
Top Kenya Safari Packages
3 Days Masai Mara Safari
4 Days safari in Masai Mara and lake Nakuru
5 Days Gorilla Trekking and Kenya Safari
5 Days Best Kenya Safari
7 Days Uganda gorilla trekking and Masai Mara
7 Days Kenya Safari holiday
Attractions in Kenya
National Parks and Reserves
Masai Mara National Reserve – Located in Southwestern Kenya, Maasai Mara National Reserve is amazingly an outstanding wildlife reserve in Africa. It expands up to 1510sq.km and boasts of its mesmerizing wildebeest migration experience and big five game viewing. This nature reserve is rich in wildlife including zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, banded mongoose, aardvark, African hare, buffaloes, rhinos, lions, leopards, plus 470 bird species including Denham’s bustards, cinnamon-breasted bunting and more.
Amboseli National Park – This is one of Kenya’s premier wildlife safari destinations, most popular for its huge herds of elephants and jaw-dropping views of Mount Kilimanjaro at the background. The scenic Amboseli Park is most popular for game viewing, birding, and other experiences. On a game viewing, some of the iconic attractions to explore or encounter include elephants, leopards, cheetahs, dik-dik, nocturnal porcupines, zebras, buffaloes, wild dogs;
Birds including moorland francolins, chestnut-bellied sand grouse, little grebe, crested francolins, speckled pigeon, Kori bustard, white-bellied go-away bird, ring-necked dove, laughing dove, and others.
Tsavo National Parks –Tsavo Park is the biggest park and comprises of the Tsavo East and Tsavo West. This vast protected area boasts of its breathtaking landscape and abundant wildlife. Some of the numerous features worth exploring here include volcanic hills, savanna plains, waterfalls (Lugard falls), breathtaking plateaus (Yatta Plateau), Mzima springs, giant craters, wildlife such as leopards, lions, Masai giraffes, lesser kudus, bush baby, rhinos, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, hartebeest, and others.
Arabuko-Sokoke National Park –If you enjoy birding and you plan to visit Kenya soon for a vacation, and then Arabuko-Sokoke should be a must-visit. This park shelters about 250 species of birds, most of which are threatened species. They include spotted ground thrush, sokoke scops owl, Amani sunbird, East-coast akalat, Clarke’s weavers, sokoke pipit, and others.
Hell’s Gate National Park –This is one of the smallest wildlife parks in Kenya and a preferred place for cycling or walking experiences even with no guide. Hell’s Gate Park offers refuge to abundant faunal species including zebras, Thomson’s gazelles, African buffaloes, elands, klipspringers, baboons, reedbucks, hartebeest and varied bird species such as Augur buzzard, Verreaux’s eagles, and others.
Nairobi National Park –Explore a park within a city on Kenya safari by paying a visit to Nairobi NP. Accessible within 10 minutes’ drive, Nairobi Park supports diversity of species of wildlife including over 100 species of mammals, 400 migratory & endemic species of birds. The top wildlife to encounter on game viewing in Nairobi include black rhinos, zebras, wildebeest, lions, buffaloes, cheetahs, common elands, spotted hyenas, grant’s gazelles, and more.
Other parks and reserves worth visiting on Kenya safari include Chyulu Hills National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, Lake Naivasha, Aberdare National Park, Kakamega Forest Reserve and more.
The Giraffe Centre
Created in the 1970’s by Betty and Jack Lesilie Meliville, the Giraffe Centre is considerably the only breeding site for the Rothschild giraffe. It is the most preferred site in Kenya, holding about 120 Rothschild giraffes, and plays an important part as environmental education and also centre for creating awareness on the significance of biodiversity conservation. Since its establishment, more than 500 individuals have been bred in this centre and is an ideal place for you to enjoy a guided birding, education tours and others.
The Great Rift Valley
Kenya is one of the countries where the rift valley passes through. This is one of the world’s significant geological wonders and comes with several features including escarpments, lakes, volcanoes, underground forest and others. Along Kenya’s Great Rift Valley area, expect to explore iconic sites including the Hell’s Gate National Park, Ngong Hills, and Lake Nakuru (this is situated on the floor of the rift valley and is also great birding destination).
Religious sites/buildings
Kenya is not only a preferred wildlife safari destination but also perfect for religious/faith-based tourism experience. The iconic mosques are concentrated around Mombasa, islands with distinct architectural designs dating back to the 12th century. The religious sites worth exploring include Dawoodi Bohra Mosque constructed in 1902, Mandhry Mosque built in 1570 and Basheikh mosque built in 1300.
Watamu & beaches
Along the Kenya coastline, there are spectacular coastal beaches and marine reserves and parks. These are ideal for visitors interested in beach holidays, honeymoon, diving, snorkeling and more. The leading beaches worth visiting in Kenya include Watamu and also Watamu Marine National Park, Malindi Marine Reserve, Nyali beach, Tiwi, Shanzu, Kilifi, and Manda toto, etc.
Wildlife (big five & wildebeest)
Kenya is a complete big five game viewing destination and a preferred destination to witness the great migration. Various tourist sites in Kenya are ideal for spotting the big five- buffaloes, leopards, lions, elephants, and rhinos. Other amazing wildlife to encounter on Kenya wildlife safari include giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, elands, hippos, crocodiles, gerenuks, dik-dik, impalas, and marine species like dolphins, sharks and more.
Birds
Kenya alone protects up to 1158 species of birds and these include endemic, threatened and introduced species. They include among others half-collared kingfishers, mouse birds, African open bill, speckled mouse bird, Abyssinian ground hornbill, white-browed coucal, blue-headed coucals, Senegal coucal, black coucal, plantain eaters, spectacled weavers, saddle billed stork, Egyptian plovers and others.
In conclusion, Kenya holds diversity of attractions from birds, wildlife, historical sites to national parks and reserves. A visit to this magical destination guarantees you myriad of tourist attractions and unique experiences including game viewing, great migration and mountaineering.