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Top 10 Places to Visit in Kenya

TeamAckoFeb 22, 2024

Does the scent of wildlife excite you? From the migration of animals to the indigenous culture of tribal people, Kenya will offer you many wonderful experiences. As Kenya is a country with tremendous diversity, it’s important to plan your vacation perfectly. In this article, we have listed for you some of the best places to visit in Kenya that can help you for your upcoming holiday.

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Contents

10 Magical Places to Visit in Kenya
Frequently Asked Questions

10 Magical Places to Visit in Kenya

From Maasai Mara to Mombasa Marine Park, here are the top 10 places to visit in Kenya.

1. See the Great Migration at Masai Mara

One of the greatest attractions at the Maasai Mara is the “great migration”.

Every year, over a million animals, including the much-famed wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles, travel from Serengeti in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara. It is one of the largest mammal migrations on Earth, and witnessing it is among the top things to see and do in Kenya.

The Maasai Mara safari will give you a shot at seeing the Big Five--African elephant, lion, leopard, African buffalo, and rhinoceros. As most animals are early risers, many of the safari drives are scheduled early so that visitors can see as many animals as possible.

Location: Southwestern Kenya
Timings: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Best Time to Visit: July to October
Price per Person:
Adults - Rs.5,832.57 ($70)
Children(below the age of 12) - Rs.3,332.9 ($40)
Major Attractions: Mara River, Olare Orok Conservancy, Mara Triangle
Nearby Hotels: Mara Sweet Acacia Lodge, Olare Mara Kempinski, Mara Serena Safari Lodge etc.
Tip: If you want to see the great migration, book a camp near the Mara River at least a year in advance.

2. Gaze at Kilimanjaro from the Amboseli National Park

For a majestic view of Mount Kilimanjaro, you should visit Amboseli National Park. Here you can find over 1800 elephants with mammoth tusks, as well as wildebeests and zebras. It holds over 270 bird species and is among the top places for tourists in Kenya.

Here, you can see how closely the Maasai people live with nature. You can enjoy good views of the Chyulu volcanic range and wetlands, including Lake Amboseli. The lake is recharged by water originating from the volcanic soils of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Chyulu Hills.

Location: Southern Kenya
Timings: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Best Time to Visit: January-February, June-October
Price per Person:
Adults - Rs.4,997.84 ($60)
Children(below the age of 18) - Rs.2,915.41 ($35)
Major Attractions: Mount Kilimanjaro
Nearby Hotels: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli, Kibo Safari Camp, Amboseli, Amboseli Sopa Lodge etc.
Tip: While it is better to visit the park during the dry months, you can also visit during the rainy months of April, May, November, and December. At this time the landscape will be lush green and you may see newborn animals as well. Mind you, the road trip itself may be a challenge.

3. Be Inspired by the Height of Mount Kenya at Mount Kenya National Park

As the name suggests, the park was created to protect the area around Mount Kenya, Africa’s 2nd highest mountain after Mount Kilimanjaro. It is among the top tourist attractions in Kenya.

The Kikuyu tribes who live around Mount Kenya regard it as the sacred seat of their god, Ngai. Covering an area of over 700 square kilometres, its lakes, peaks, and glaciers are some of the main attractions in Kenya.

Nestled in an alpine ecosystem, here you can find elephants, the common duiker and tree hyrax. Starlings and bearded vultures are among the over 130 bird species found in Mount Kenya National Park.

For trekking, the three main peaks are the Batian (5,199m), Nelion (5,188m), and Lenana (4,985m). Most tourists trek on the Lenana since it involves no climbing.

Location: Northeast Kenya
Timings: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Best Time to Visit: December to March
Price per Person:
Adults - Rs.4,999.04 ($60)
Children(below the age of 12) - Rs.2,082.93 ($25)
Major Attractions: Mount Kenya, Point Lenana
Nearby Hotels: Castle Forest Lodge, Serena Mountain Lodge, Bantu Mountain Lodge, Shiptons Mountain Hut etc.
Tip: Your trek at Mount Kenya should take a minimum of 3 days for you to get used to the atmosphere.

4. Close your Eyes and Soak the Sun at Diani Beach

For relaxing in the sun and enjoying the adventure of kite surfing, Diani Beach is a top Kenyan tourist attraction. It is well-renowned for its coral reefs and black-and-white colobus monkeys.

The beach is about 10 kilometres long, stretching from Congo River in the north to Galu Beach in the south. This gorgeous beach setting is ideal for camel riding and water sports. It is one of the best places to visit in Kenya.

Location: 30 km south of Mombasa
Timings: 24 hrs open
Best Time to Visit: March-December
Price per Person: Free
Major Attractions: Colobus Conservation, Bora Bora Wildlife Park
Nearby Hotels: The Sands at Nomad, Pinewood Beach Resort and Spa, Waterlovers Beach Resort, PrideInn Hotel Diani
Tip: Carry sunscreen and insect repellants on your trip to the beach.

5. Wave at the Hippos at Lake Naivasha

This freshwater lake is a perfect weekend getaway for the residents of Nairobi. Its name comes from the Maasai word for “tough water”, a reference to the storms witnessed by the lake.

You can see over 400 species of birds at this lake, including the stylish African fish eagle. A photograph of this majestic bird is sure to make your trip an unforgettable one.

Lake Naivasha is located at a height of almost 1,900 m and has an average depth of 6 m. It is famous for its large crowd of hippos and flamingos.

Location: Nakuru County
Timings: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Best Time to Visit: June-October
Price per Person: Free
Major Attractions: Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, Oserian Wildlife Conservancy
Nearby Hotels: Sweet Lake Resort, Burch's Resort Naivasha, Sawela Lodges, Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort
Tip: You can visit the Hells Gate National Park after exploring Lake Naivasha. Wear comfortable shoes.

6. Walk in the Gorge of Hell at Hells Gate National Park

Famous for its geothermal activity, it features three of the Big Five animals–African buffalo, leopard, and lion. Its spectacular sceneries, sharp gorges, and volcanic remains make it one of the top places to go to in Kenya.

Some of the attractions here are Fischer's Tower and Hell's Gate Gorge. The Fischer's Tower is a volcanic column that you can climb with the help of an instructor.

Be it biking, cycling or rock climbing, many options will be available to you. Animals that can be seen here include zebra, eland, hartebeest, hyena and baboons.

Location: South of Lake Naivasha
Timings: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Best Time to Visit: June-October
Price per Person:
Adults - Rs.2,500 ($30)
Children(below the age of 18) - Rs.1,667.67 ($20)
Major Attractions: Rock Climbing at Fischer’s Tower, Cycling
Nearby Hotels: Burch's Resort Naivasha, Naivasha Kongoni Lodge, Chui Lodge
Tip: Visit the Mervyn Carnelley Raptor Hide to take a very close look at raptors and other animals.

7. See the Rare Sable Antelope at Shimba Hills National Reserve

Shimba Hills National Reserve is one of the largest coastal forests in Eastern Africa and thus one of the places of interest in Kenya. Among other species of animals found here are the elephant shrew, bushy-tailed mongoose and sable antelope.

The forest is gifted with rich birdlife. Some of the local birds that you can see are the Zanzibar Red Bishop, the red-necked-Spurfowl and the croaking cisticola.

Over the years, it has seen a rise in man-animal conflicts. That’s why the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary has been built to provide a safe outlet for elephants.

Location: Kwale County
Timings: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Best Time to Visit: January-February, July-October
Price per Person:
Adults - Rs.2,083.51 ($25)
Children(below the age of 12) - Rs.1,250.11 ($15)
Major Attractions: Sheldrick's Falls, Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary
Nearby Hotels: Shimba Lodge, Shimba Hills Green Lodge, Sable Valley Treehouse
Tip: There are two main entrance gates for the reserve, namely Shimba Gate and Kwale Gate. For those coming from Kwale, Shimba Gate will be the closest.

8. Explore Rhinos at Nairobi National Park

Famous as a rhino sanctuary, it has the world’s highest concentration of black rhinos. Because of these efforts, it has earned the nickname ‘Kifaru Ark’, as rhinos are called kifaru in Swahili.

With a bit of luck, you could also see the leopards and the cheetahs. Its wetlands host over 400 bird species.

It is one of Africa’s smallest national parks with an area of 117 square km.

Location: Nairobi
Timings: 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Best Time to Visit: June-October
Price per Person:
Adults - Rs.3,334.31-5,001.46 ($40-60)
Children(below the age of 12) - Rs.1,667.15 ($15)
Major Attractions: The Nairobi Arboretum, National Museum of Kenya, Bomas Of Kenya
Nearby Hotels: The Boma Nairobi, The Panari Hotel, Ololo Safari Lodge & Farm, Tamarind Tree Hotel
Tip: Enjoy a picnic at Impala Observation Point, Mokoiyet, and Kingfisher.

9. Spot the Colour of Birds at Lake Nakuru National Park

For those looking for a safari adventure, the Lake Nakuru National Park is among Kenya's places of interest. If luck goes your way, you should be able to spot lions and leopards as well.

The park hosts several species of animal life including the African buffalo, African wild dog, eland, lion, waterbuck, zebras, colobus monkeys, baboons and impalas.

Thanks to Lake Nakuru, it is home to a rich birdlife. Over 400 bird species regard the park as home. Some of the species are red-capped lark, Northern puffback, Rüppell’s robin-chat, Montane white-eye and the African Fish Eagle. Over the past decade, though, the number of flamingos visiting the lake has declined due to a rise in water levels.

Location: Nakuru
Timings: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Best Time to Visit: June-September
Price per Person:
Adults - Rs.5,001.46 ($60)
Children(below the age of 18) - Rs.2,917.37 ($35)
Major Attractions: Baboon Cliff View Point, Thompson Falls Nyahururu, Hyrax Hill Museum
Nearby Hotels: Ziwa Bush Lodge, Lake Nakuru Lodge, Flamingo Hill Tented Camp etc.
Tip: The beauty of Makalia Falls is in full bloom after the rainy season. Do give it a visit.

10 Immerse Yourself in Swahili history at Lamu

The island of Lamu is among the best-preserved examples of Swahili culture. It has earned its place in history both as a place of learning as well as a major trade centre. It has been continuously inhabited for over 700 years.

Here you will find many narrow streets and elegant buildings made of coral stone. The architecture reflects several traditions such as European, Indian, Persian and Arabic, making it one of the must-visit places to see in Kenya.

Today, scholars of both Islam as well as Swahili come to Lamu in search of a better understanding of its history.

Location: Offshore northern Kenya
Timings: 24 hrs
Best Time to Visit: July-September, December-February
Price per Person: Free
Major Attractions: Lamu Fort, Lamu Museum, Takwa Ruins
Nearby Hotels: Peponi Hotel Lamu, Msafini Hotel, The Red Pepper House etc.
Tip: The best way to reach Lamu is to take a flight to Manda Airport located on Manda Island. From there you can take a short boat trip.

By now, we hope you have found some exciting ideas for a trip to Kenya. Kenya is a country rich in flora and fauna. As a visitor, you will find many exciting places to visit in Kenya. All you need to do now is to plan your trip and pack your bags!

As your well-wisher, we recommend buying International travel insurance before your trip. When you go abroad, you may have to face financial hazards. Travel insurance protects you against the same.

So purchase travel insurance and travel without worries!

Frequently Asked Questions

In case you have any doubts, we have answered some of the common questions about places to visit in Kenya below.

What are some of the best places to visit in Kenya?

Kenya is a place which boasts several tourist attractions. Some of the best places to visit in Kenya are:

Maasai Mara
Diani Beach
Amboseli National Park
Mount Kenya National Park

As an Indian, do I need a visa to visit Kenya?

Yes, as an Indian passport holder, you will need a visa to go to Kenya.

Does Kenya offer visas on arrival for Indians?

No, the visa-on-arrival facility is not available for Indians.

Kenya is famous for its wildlife safaris. What else does it have to offer?

From soaking in the sun at Diani Beach to shopping in Nairobi to exploring Swahili culture in Lamu, there are many things you can do in Kenya besides going on a safari.