Kenya stands out as one of Africa's most diverse travel destinations. While its world-renowned parks, like the Masai Mara National Reserve, are a major highlight, this East African country on the equator has much more to offer. Visitors can explore the pristine beaches, offshore reefs, and historic Swahili settlements along the Indian Ocean coast. Kenya also provides the chance to marvel at the snowcapped peaks of Africa's two tallest mountains, with Mt Kilimanjaro visible just across the border in Tanzania. Friendly, well-organized, and breathtakingly beautiful, Kenya promises an ideal tropical African holiday experience. Here is our author's list of the top 10 attractions in Kenya.

 

 

Catch the World's Largest Wildebeest Migration in the Masai Mara

 

The Masai Mara is Kenya's most renowned safari destination. Few places offer such consistent sightings of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and other predators. Elephants and buffalo are abundant, and with some luck, you might spot the elusive black rhino to complete the Big Five. While wildlife viewing is excellent year-round, it peaks from July or August to October when hundreds of thousands of migrating wildebeest cross the border from Tanzania. Witnessing these wildebeest traverse the Mara River en masse is among the most spectacular experiences in Kenya.

 

Enjoy Flamingos and Other Dazzling Birds at the Rift Valley Lakes

 

The picturesque lakes dotting the Rift Valley northwest of Nairobi are celebrated for their impressive birdlife. Over a million flamingos sometimes gather on Lakes Nakuru or Bogoria, turning the shallow waters pink. Even when flamingos are scarce, you can still enjoy a variety of tropical birds, from large pelicans and storks to vibrant lovebirds and bee-eaters.

 

Admire Snowcapped Mt Kilimanjaro From the Plains of Amboseli

 

Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya's top tourist destinations. It is known for its large elephant herds often seen in the swamps. Buffalo, giraffe, hippo, and wildebeest are common, and big cats may also be spotted. The park's highlight is the stunning backdrop of Mt Kilimanjaro, the world's tallest freestanding mountain, which rises dramatically above the plains. Kilimanjaro's snowcapped peak, emerging from the clouds above Amboseli, is a sight to behold, especially at dusk or dawn.

 

Chill Out on Idyllic Diani Beach

 

Diani Beach, 33km/20 mi south of Mombasa, offers fine white sand, swaying coconut palms, and turquoise waters protected by a coral reef. With a range of upscale resort hotels, it's the perfect tropical beach escape. Additionally, the surrounding forests are home to numerous monkeys, making Diani an excellent base for a day safari to the underrated Shimba Hills National Reserve.

 

Take an Exclusive Private Safari in the Laikipia Plateau

 

Unlike most safari destinations, Laikipia is a mosaic of private reserves and community conservancies. Most lodges offer all-inclusive packages, with guided activities such as standard game drives, night drives, bush walks, horseback rides, or camel safaris. The wildlife is superb, including the Big Five and African wild dogs. Laikipia is also crucial for the Grevy's zebra, which is larger and has narrower stripes than other zebras, and the striking reticulated giraffe.

 

Step Back in Time at Fort Jesus

 

Built by the Portuguese in 1593, Mombasa's Fort Jesus has changed hands several times over the centuries. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its most impressive feature is the turreted walls rising 16m/52ft above the old harbor. Inside, you'll find an excellent museum and a whimsical 17th-century fresco by an anonymous Portuguese sailor.

 

Take a Walk on the Wild Side at Hell's Gate and Mt Longonot

 

Formed by the tectonic forces shaping the Great Rift Valley, Hell's Gate National Park is a scenic area with volcanic plugs and hot springs. It's unique in Kenya for allowing visitors to walk or cycle unguided through big-game territory, home to buffalo, giraffes, and various antelope. The park's skyline is dominated by Mt Longonot, a nearby volcano with a gaping caldera that last erupted in the 1860s. The hike to the summit takes about 90 minutes.

 

Climb Majestic Mt Kenya

 

Africa's second-highest mountain, Mt Kenya, is an extinct volcano with equator-straddling glacial peaks rising to 5,199m/17,057ft. The multi-day climb to the snowline is a challenging but rewarding adventure, passing through montane forests teeming with elephants and monkeys and an Afro-alpine moorland zone dotted with giant lobelias. The highest non-technical summit, Point Lenana, stands at 4,985m/16,355ft.

 

Snorkel the Coral Gardens of Watamu

 

Located about 100km/60 mi north of Mombasa, Watamu is at the north end of a shallow bay filled with mushroom-shaped coral islets. It's one of the few beaches where you can wade out with a snorkel and flippers to explore calm coral gardens teeming with colorful reef fish. Non-swimmers can enjoy the underwater views from a glass-bottomed boat.

 

Wander Through the Labyrinthine Alleys of Lamu's Old Town

    

Lamu, an island town, is a favorite among travelers to East Africa. Established in medieval times and flourishing in the 17th to 18th centuries as a trading port and center of Swahili art and scholarship, Lamu is now a quiet backwater. Its labyrinthine alleys retain a rich Swahili cultural and architectural identity, offering a unique glimpse into the past.

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