Kenya’s tourist attractions are among the most famous in the world.This East-African nation is famed for its beautiful and diverse landscapes as well as wildlife. Kenya should be on the bucket list of every traveler. Its beautiful weather makes it a perfect destination throughout the year. If you visit in the months of July to September, you will have the privilege of witnessing the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. December is also ideal, with rainfall that results in lush vegetation for some breathtakingly scenic views.
A visit to counties in the Western region of the country will reveal beautiful lakes, stretches of forest and rivers. On the other hand, parts of the north are desert and semi-desert. In the east you can expect to see plateaus of rock that slope into the coastal plain. The coastal plains in the south run along the Indian Ocean. Here you will find Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu counties, each of which boast beautiful beaches for various water sports like snorkeling, kite surfing, deep sea diving and sport fishing.
Ready to plan your visit? These next 6 places are a great starting point, but the country offers so much more! So be sure to visit the Kenya House website for a full list of Kenya’s tourist attractions.
Top Kenya Tourist Attractions
Nairobi National Park
A short drive out of the capital city, Nairobi, are vast grass plains which are a habitat for Lions, Hyenas, Giraffes, Leopard, Cheetahs, the endangered black Rhino and over 400 species of birdlife. The Nairobi National Park has a total of 100 mammal species scattered across 117 square km of land. We advise packing some sunscreen, water, binoculars, a guidebook and sunglasses. As with all of Kenya’s tourist attractions, a good camera is important to have. The animals seem to know when to pose, so you will have amazing moments to capture.
The Nairobi National Park is the only Wildlife park in the world that is within a Capital City, and offers:
- Ivory Burning Site Monument
- Hippo pools with walking trails.
- Various picnic sites
- At least 20 bird species which are seasonal European migrants.
Most Kenya tourism packages will have a visit to this park as part of their itinerary. The Nairobi National Park is only a 10km drive away from the city center.
Mombasa Beach
Walk the white sandy beaches of Mombasa along the seemingly endless Indian Ocean shore. As they say ‘Hakuna Matata”. This could not be more true as you sip on a refreshing cocktail while watching blue water roll in and out in gentle waves. This is the mombasa experience. Probably one of the most famous treasures of the tourism industry in Kenya . This beach offers an escape from busy city life. The views are sublime. Mombasa is made up of the four beaches; Nyali, Bamburi, Shanzu and Kikambala.
Whether you want sea or land activities, there is something for everyone in Mombasa.
Try all of these for a truly immersive experience:
- Golf
- Tennis
- Snorkeling
- Squash
- Diving
- Fishing
Compared to other beaches in its class, Mombasa offers relatively affordable accommodation. The beach’s north coast is accessible through the North Coast Nyali bridge whilst getting to the south will require the use of a ferry or small plane.
Masai Mara National Park Tourist Attraction
Wildlife tourism is a speciality of Kenya. The country is rich in Wildlife Sanctuaries and National parks.
A photographer’s playground, the Masai Mara is a breathtaking expanse of wildlife and vistas. This 1,510 square km reservise hosts over 2 million wildebeest, zebras and other antelopes. It is home to the famous Great Migration that occurs between July and September. Expect to capture large populations of giraffe, elephant, lion, hippos and cheetahs. Not to forget the gigantic crocodiles found in the Mara River. Furthermore, you will also be surrounded by over 450 bird species.
Limuru
Next, our Kenya information guide takes us to lush Limuru. Think acres of forests and picturesque tea and coffee plantations. That is the landscape of Limuru, a town in the heart of Kenya. Limuru is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Kenya. With a population of just over 300,000, this quiet town offers visitors a true opportunity to unwind.
There are various tours of the tea farms and they range from USD 60 to over USD 100. Just like most parts of Kenya, Limuru also has wildlife sanctuaries. If you love cheese, Limuru boasts a Cheese farm tour which will be the perfect stop for you. This quaint cheese haven has won several international awards for its exceptional dairy products.
Another popular activity is horse riding through the lush farms, this experience is simply breathtaking.
Other things to do and places to visit in limuru in the area are:
- Cycling through tea estates
- Relaxing walks along undulating trails past water features and local settlements.
- A visit to Banana Farmhouse
- A stay at Brackenhurst Conference Center or at The Lakehouse
Tigoni Hills & Waterfalls
The Tigoni Hills & Waterfalls should be at the top of your list of places to visit in Tigoni. The waterfall is a hidden treasure in the mountains and forests of the region. Get your camera ready because Tigoni has photo worthy spots at every turn.
It will take you a 20 minute hike to start hearing the water making a thundering fall. The climb is worth every minute of the view that greets you. The waterfall is surrounded by green hills and a look up reveals clear blue skies. The Waterfalls Inn Tigoni Picnic Site is the ideal stop for a meal with a view. It’s one of the places to visit in Tigoni. You can either order from the restaurant or bring your own picnic basket. Camping site fees will set you back KSh450 and an extra KSh250 corkage per wine bottles and KSh100 per 12 bottles of beer.
The picnic site opens everyday from 8am to 7pm.
Nairobi’s Tourist Attractions
Beautiful places in Nairobi are in abundance! Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya. This urban metropolis is rich in diverse cultures which are seen in the architecture and in the people who keep the city buzzing. If you want to interact with the different tribes of Kenya, Nairobi is where you will find them. Nairobi’s museums are a popular tourist stop, especially the Karen Blixen Museum. The museum is where its namesake’s Danish author wrote the Out of Africa book and film.
Most nairobi travel tips articles will mention these places places to visit in Kenya Nairobi as must-see sites when in the city:
- Railway Museum
- National Archives
- Ngong Hills
- Bomas of Kenya
- Nairobi National Museum
Prepare for Your Trip to see Kenya Tourist Attractions
Ensure a perfect visit to Kenya by learning about the languages, history and culture of the people throughout the country’s digital partal. Kenya House offers virtual tours of attractions as well as a wealth of information on almost anything you could want to know about Kenya.
Use the website to research: tourism in Kenya facts and Kenya tourism statistics. Be sure to find out more about these other gorgeous sites:
- Tembea
- Manda Island
- Jamia Mosque
- Watamu Marine National Park
You can also find most points to visit that we could not go through in this piece as this would need pages and pages of text.Whatever stop you decide to make first from this list will be a memorable one. Visiting Kenya will always be an experience second to none. So pack your bags and prepare to see Kenya tourist attractions. The warm and friendly faces of the Kenyan people are ready to welcome you!