Discover Kenya
From the amazing lowlands of the lake basin in the western provinces, the ragged nature of Mt. Kenya and its environs, the sweeping plains of Masai Mara, the craggy Rift Valley landscape to the sultry white beaches of the coast, Kenya offers adventure in its purest form coupled with tales of romantic journeys and unique experiences.
Ever wondered why people love traveling to Kenya for their holidays and vacations? The answer is simple, traveling around the world is fun but traveling to Kenya is unique.
So why do you need to discover Kenya?
Located in East Africa, the country enjoys an amicably moderate tropical climate favorable for different outdoor activities. Add to this the community and government involvements and the hospitality of the people, you’re guaranteed a holiday filled with extraordinary adventures and unforgettable moments.
Are you planning to visit Kenya soon? Below are some of the exotic places and attractions sites to tour.
Nairobi
Kenya’s capital and largest city in the region is undoubtedly one of the most developed African cities. It boasts of its extraordinary live experience, best social amenities, and modern transportation networks.
Having evolved from a humble background of precolonial railway workers, Nairobi has lived to tell a story to future generations. These are some of the venues you must considering visiting while in Nairobi.
Nairobi National Park
The cosmopolitan is one of the few capital cities globally with a wildlife park within its borders. A mere 10-minute drive from the CBD, you can enjoy a haven of a variety of wildlife such as zebras, lions, snakes, cheetahs, buffalos and giraffes.
The popular attraction also offers animal lovers the chance to connect with and cuddle baby elephants and giraffes in their orphanages and sanctuaries.
Giraffe Center
Well, what’s your experience interacting with animals in their natural habitats? How will you feel posing for a snap with some of the big five? At the Giraffe Center, you will do the unusual. Not only will you communicate and play with giraffes, but feed them too. Isn’t that interesting?
Karura Forest Reserve
Once you get into this reserve, you will for sure forget that you are in Nairobi because the place is cool and peaceful. Apart from the breezing winds, chatters from the forest monkeys, and the melodic songs from birds, the forest is good for hiking, biking and team-building activities.
The place is highly recommended for lover birds going for a date. You can sit with your significant other besides Lily Lake and enjoy the cool moments flavored by the beautiful surroundings.
Museum and Archives centers
The city is home to Karen Blixen Museum, Nairobi National Museum and National Archives. These museums display diverse natural and cultural-historic exhibits of the country. The Nairobi National museum also contains a snake park that allows visitors to interact with snakes of all types. All you need is courage!
Bomas of Kenya
Some may be wondering what to do if you don’t like nature. Well, all you need to do is get a good camera, go to the Bomas of Kenya and have fun. In this place, you will learn about the indigenous cultures, lifestyles, arts and music of nearly all the 42 tribes of Kenya. You will enjoy the live performances, songs, and dances. While you discover Kenya, also get to know the people.
Nairobi’s Best Hotels and Restaurants
Nairobi accommodates people of all classes. All that matters is the size of your pockets. There are several exotic restaurants in the city and the choice depends on your tastes and preference.
You can visit Mama Oliech Restaurant for local foods particularly fish and Ugali, Roadhouse Grill for nyama choma (fried meat) and other local dishes, The Arbor for Asian meals, Mama Ashanti for West African foods, Abyssinia for Ethiopian dishes, Le Grenier à Pain for French and different European tastes, and many more.
The luxury hotels include the Villa Rosa Kempinski that is loved by many. It is alleged that Barack Obama, the former US president, slept in this hotel when he visited in 2018.
Overlooking the super-rich Karen suburbs and the Ngong Hills sits the Hemingways Nairobi Hotel that encompasses the colonial elegance pampering day spa and exotic personal service.
In the heart of the city is Fairmont The Norfolk, an affordable luxury option. It offers a spa heated pool and other great services.
Other best options are the Intercontinental Hotel, Sankara, Hilton, the Panari Hotel, etc.
Mombasa
Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest city, is an island connected by bridges and ferries on the Kenyan coast. As a tourist hub, it offers travelers with a fantastic experience of the African tropics coupled with rich seafaring history. Some of the places to visit in Mombasa are the following.
Fort Jesus
The man-shaped structure, built in the 1590s by Portuguese sailors and explorers, is a top tourist attraction site in Mombasa. It was given the name Jesus as a religious reference.
The building also houses a museum that exhibits a vast collection of ceramics and pottery reflecting the various cultures brought together through coastal trade.
Beaches
Mombasa is the home of all sorts of beaches ranging from the North Coast Beaches like the Nyali and Bamburi beaches and the South Coast Beaches like the famous Diani beach.
The beaches consist of palm-lined shores, resorts, corals reefs, crystal-clear waters, and numerous entertainment avenues.
Mombasa Tusks
This is a famous landmark that you won’t miss seeing during your visit to the coastal city because it marks the entrance to the town. It was built in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Mombasa in 1952.
Mamba Village Center
Mamba is a Swahili name for crocodile. The center is the largest crocodile farm in East Africa and gives tourists a chance to learn everything about the amazing amphibians while interacting and chatting with them.
Bombolulu Workshops and Cultural Center
Other than photos, the perfect memory of visits is to buy some items from that place. At Bombolulu, you can buy anything you want from jewelry, leather crafts, woodcarvings and textiles.
At the center, you can also enjoy tribal dances and displays.
Best Restaurants and Hotels in Mombasa
Like Nairobi, Mombasa offers some of the best restaurants and hotel services in the country.
At the Blue Room Restaurant, you can get authentic pizza and various African dishes peppered with European classics.
La Marina prepares well-cooked seafood on the beach. Technically, your food could be getting ready while you sand-bathe.
Misono, a wonderful Japanese restaurant, also offers its visitors familiar flavors styled with Japanese cuisine.
Similarly, for hotels, there are a couple of choices to make.
Bahari Beach Hotel, located along the palm-fringed Nyali Beach, features a wellness center, spa and outdoor pool loved by many.
Sheraton Regency Hotel features free private parking, an outdoor bar and swimming pool, as well as accommodations and restaurant services.
CityBlue Creekside Hotel offers a wide range of breakfast, lunch and dinner choices. Like many others, it features a waterfall, fitness center spa and wellness center.
Kisumu City
Otherwise known as Port Florence during the colonial era, Kisumu has risen to become the third-largest Kenyan city.
Situated adjacent to Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake on the continent, the city provides excellent lakeside viewpoints for sightseeing.
The city also features various cultural centers related to the local communities, museums, and wildlife parks.
Top Attractions in Kenya
In your journey to discover Kenya, you must come across the following places.
Masai Mara
Kenya’s tourist hotspot, Masai Mara Reserve, forms part of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.
It is the home of the big five species and an abundance of different wildlife species. It is widely known for the annual migration of millions of herbivores between the Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti reserves in search of water and pastures.
It contains hotels, resorts and other amenities and can accommodate travelers with modest to high budgets.
Lake Nakuru
With a small park around it, Lake Nakuru, one of the rift’s soda lakes, attracts a huge number of flamingos. Also popular due to the presence of Rothchild’s giraffe, rhino and leopard.
Lake Bogoria
Lake Bogoria reserve offers visitors an experience of the Kenyan Geological Bush. Apart from the fascinating landscape, the hot springs, geysers and spa are everything you need. You can boil your egg in the hot springs in case you forgotten to carry a cooked one.
Amboseli National Park
For large herds of elephants and the best view of Tanzania’s Mout Kilimanjaro, the highest African mountain, Amboseli is the right place. That park includes low-lying swamps, a dry lake and plenty of bird-viewing opportunities.
It’s also one of the few Kenyan parks with an airstrip.
Mount Kenya and Aberdares
Straddling the equator line, Mout Kenya and Aberdare ranges exhibit a vast lush forest suitable for hikers and mountain climbers. The famous tree-lodges, elevated above the ground, are found here and offer a good aerial view of the surroundings.
Diani Beach
The magical Diani Beach offers a range of water sports activities, spotting whales and sharks, diving with dolphins, and more you can imagine.
With a flawless stretch of white sands hugged by surfable waves and kissed by the lush environment, Diani remains the most popular beach in the coastal region.
For these reasons, it attracts large crowds: families, party lovers, honeymooners, and water-sports enthusiasts.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
This Conservancy deserves its own listing owing to its importance and contributions to the conservation movement in Kenya. It has been at the forefront of promoting the protection of the endangered black rhino and other animal species.
Bottom Line
Kenya remains the best destination choice any day, any time. It guarantees unique experiences and fascinating memories you may never find anywhere in the world.
The listings above are but a few of the attraction sites you are likely to visit once you land.
For more opportunities to discover Kenya, all you need is to plan a trip.
