Top 10 Best Places to Visit In Kenya

So, you are planning a trip to Kenya, a country of great diversity, both physically and culturally, Kenya is one of Africa’s most popular destinations for a very good reason. From blissful Kenya beaches to second highest mountain in Africa, lush forests and wildlife-rich savannahs, there are endless beautiful places to explore in Kenya.

A trip to Kenya is identical with safari, and rightfully so. Its national parks teem with wildlife, the most well-known being Masai Mara National Reserve, famous for the Big Five safari: lions, leopards, black rhinos, elephants and buffalos.

But Kenya has much more to offer than national parks, and among them is the top 10 Places to visit along the Kenya Coast, energetic cities with vibrant social and cultural scenes begging to be explored.

Here are the best Kenya safari destinations to add to your Kenya itinerary.

Top 10 Best Kenya Tourist Places, Where to Go on Safari

Browse the top Kenya tourist attractions – ideal destinations in Kenya for wildlife safaris, trekking, and beach safari holidays.

1. Masai Mara: Big Five Safaris & Wildebeest Migration Sightings

Masai Mara Park is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of wildlife and hosts the annual wildebeest migration safari. Therefore, if you want to go on that big 5 tour, then a Masai Mara safari is the perfect destination.

Neighboring private conservancies like Mara North, Olare Orok, Naboisho, and Enonkishu offer intimate safari experiences, including guided nature walks in private conservancies. The Masai Mara is one of the most popular and best places to visit in Kenya for a safari.

Recommended activities: Game drives, hot-air balloon safaris, cultural visits to Maasai villages

2. Amboseli National Park: A Photographers Paradise

Amboseli National Park is the ideal Kenya photographic safari destination – soak up the classic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, with great big game viewing as well – especially around the Amboseli’s wetland areas – Elephants are the stars of the show in this beautiful park, then there are the lions, cheetahs, hyenas, buffalo, giraffes, pelicans, martial eagles, blue-cheeked bee-eaters, and much more. It’s a popular and busy park at all times, given that year-round here is considered the best time for a safari in Kenya.

3. Samburu: The Real Wilderness

Lying In northern Kenya, Samburu National Reserve is considered one of the best safari destinations Kenya. The scenery here is dramatic, and the region is also home to the Samburu people, who are known for their intricate, brightly colored beaded jewelry. Within the reserve, you’ll find elephants, lions, leopards and cheetahs, plus more than 390 species of birds. You might also spot rare dry-country wildlife, such as the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and Beisa oryx, as well as the gerenuk (a long-necked antelope) and spotted hyena. Neighboring Buffalo Springs, and Shaba National Reserves also offer intimate safari experiences, not forgetting Samburu private conservancies which include: Kalama Conservancy, Namunyak Conservancy, West Gate Conservancy, and Sera Conservancy.

In Samburu is where you’ll find animal species that are not seen/found in other Kenya’s popular parks, making it one of the most appealing places to visit in Kenya, and the best Kenya honeymoon spots. In summary, Samburu National Reserve is widely considered one of the top Kenya vacation spots due to its magnificent topography and wildlife.

4. Diani Beach; White Sand Kenya Beaches

Voted many times among the best beaches in Africa, it’s no surprise Diani Beach is easily one of the most picturesque shores in Africa, lying south of Mombasa and is just a short flight from Nairobi. Its white sands are lapped by the brilliant Indian Ocean and backed by verdant forests, where you can take nature walks when you tire of sunbathing or kitesurfing. Head out for a snorkeling tour, swim with whale sharks, enjoy a sunset cruise in a dhow (traditional sailboat), or simply relax in a hammock with a good book. Diani and Watamu are good for family beach resorts & luxury beach lodges.

5. Lake Nakuru: Rhino’s and more

Lake Nakuru Park in Kenya is home to a vast number of bird species, most notably large flocks of lesser and greater flamingo. Rhino and hippo are among the top highlights. The flamingo flocks have been known to comprise more than a million birds, but be warned: numbers vary dramatically and sometimes there are almost none. Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley lakes, and the birds are attracted to the high levels of algae in the water. Pelicans, cormorants, African fish eagles, Verreaux’s eagles, Goliath herons and hamerkops are also seen around the lake. In addition, you might spot black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes and lions throughout the national park.

6. Mt Kenya: 2Nd Highest Mountain In Africa

Towering at a height of 5,199m/17,057ft, Mt Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa, after Kilimanjaro across the border in Tanzania. Mount Kenya was formed around 3 million years ago when the East African Rift (part of the Great Rift Valley) opened up. Its lower slopes are covered in forests of bamboo and African rosewood trees, and the mountain runoff provides water. With its rugged, snowcapped peaks and glaciers along the upper slopes, Mt Kenya is one of the most beautiful places in the country for any Kenya mountain climbing expeditions.

7. Ol Pejeta: Meet the Rhinos

Positioned in the Laikipia region in the foothills of Mt Kenya, Ol-Pejeta Conservancy is a Big Five (lion, buffalo, elephant and rhino) reserve known for its conservation efforts. It is the place which hots the last two Northern White females’ rhinos in the whole world, protected around the clock. As well, the Sweetwater’s Chimpanzee Sanctuary, located within Ol-Pejeta, provides a home for chimps rescued from the black market. This makes up one of the most interesting Kenya tourist places to visit – Ol Pejeta is a great destination to learn about people and wildlife, as well as the challenges faced in the conservation industry. Visit for the day or come for a longer stay to enjoy lion watching, bush walks and night game drives in Kenya.

Ol Pejeta together with the larger Laikipia region in Kenya offer best luxury family-friendly accommodations and considered one of the best honeymoon destinations in Africa, Laikipia is a must-visit Kenya vacation spot.

8. The Aberdares: Kenya’s Tropical Forest

Well hidden in the cool highlands along the Great Rift Valley, Aberdare National Park is the perfect definition of where to go in Kenya – full of natural wonders, and covered in history. Not only is it a lush mountainous region of valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests, it is also home to extremely rare animals. This includes the shy mountain bongo, which is Kenya’s most elusive antelope, and melanistic (all-black) forms of genet, serval cats and sometimes leopard. Aberdare is also where Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, learned of her father’s death in 1952, making her Queen of the United Kingdom. Kenya Treetops Hotel, where she was staying at the time, has since become a popular destination for travelers.

9. Lamu Town: Home to Luxury Beach holidays.

Kenya is renowned not only for its safari reserves and savannah but also for its Indian Ocean coastline. The Lamu Archipelago is among the Kenya’s most visited destinations, rich with history and culture. Lamu Town was founded around 1370 as a Swahili port that has since been inhabited by Europeans, Indians and Persians. As such, it’s a melting pot of multicultural influences. There are 23 mosques, a 19th-century fort and traditional dhow sailboats bobbing offshore. Then, of course, there are the surrounding peaceful and unspoilt Kenya beach resorts. It is the perfect place to unwind after a Kenya safari tour.

10. Meru National Park: The Hidden Wilderness

In northern Kenya lies the Meru National Park which allows you to connect to nature in a remote wilderness. Often unnoticed, this park is for those who prefer to take the road less travelled. It offers stunning landscapes and exceptional wildlife viewing while avoiding the crowds. Filled with the best luxury Kenya lodges, you can see the Big Five, the Northern Five, and 427 bird species. While at the rhino sanctuary, White and Black rhinos await. Its secluded location ensures a unique safari with minimal human traffic, making it the perfect destination for seasoned safari-goers. This park is a true gem that will reward the curious with incredible experiences.