Where To Go 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.
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Kenya Tourist Attractions
Browse the top Kenya tourist attractions – ideal destinations in Kenya for wildlife safaris, trekking, family safaris and beach safari holidays.
1. Masai Mara - Big Five Safari & Wildebeest Migration
Masai Mara is the most famous safari destination in Africa, home to one of the largest concentrations of wildlife and by far the best place to see the wildebeest migration safari. Masai Mara safari park is also the best place to go on Big five safaris and photograph big cats.
It is in Masai Mara where popular wildlife series such as BBC Earth’s ‘Dynasties’ and Animal Planet’s ‘Big Cat Tales’ are filmed. The Lion King filming in the Masai Mara, was also done by the Disney team, making it a must-visit destination.
The neighboring private Masai Mara conservancies namely; Mara North, Olare Orok, Naboisho Conservancy, and Enonkishu offer intimate safari experiences, including guided nature walks in private conservancies. The Masai Mara, with its breathtaking wildlife migrations, unique safari experiences, rich birdlife, cultural depth, and conservation initiatives, stands as one of the most popular places to visit in Kenya for a safari. Masai Mara recommended safari activities include; Game drives, hot-air balloon safaris, cultural visits to Maasai villages.
2. Amboseli National Park - A Photographers Paradise
World-renowned for its wide-open skies, dramatic scenery, astro-tours and night safari drive experiences, Amboseli Park is the best place to see massive herds of free-ranging African elephants, with over 900 recorded.
Wildlife viewing in Amboseli is excellent, with animals seen against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro Mountain – the highest free-standing mountain in Africa, which adds to the scenery. Elephants are the stars of the show in this park, alongside sightings of lions, cheetahs, hyenas, buffalos, giraffes, pelicans, martial eagles, blue-cheeked bee-eaters, and more. Amboseli can easily be visited on daytrips from Nairobi, making it a good start for those travelling on first time safari in Kenya – good sightings all year-round.
3. Samburu National Reserve – A Real Wilderness
Northern Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve is an excellent destination for a Kenya safari, and is the only place in Kenya to see rare dry-country wildlife, such as the Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, as well as the Gerenuk (a long-necked antelope) and spotted hyena. As well, within the reserve, you’ll find elephants, lions, leopards and cheetahs, plus more than 390 species of birds.
For immersive cultural experiences, the region is home to the Samburu people, who best known for their intricate, & brightly colored beaded jewelry.
The neighboring Buffalo Springs, and Shaba National Reserves likewise offers intimate safari experiences, not forgetting the Samburu private conservancies which include: Kalama Conservancy, Namunyak Conservancy, the West Gate Conservancy, and Sera Conservancy. It is in Samburu where you’ll find animal species that are not seen & found in other Kenya wildlife parks.
4. Diani Beach – Kenya’s Best Beach
Long beaches, turquoise water and palm-fringed coastline make Diani one of East Africa’s most attractive beach. Kenya’s Diani beach won Africa’s leading beach destination 5 Times in a row. Lying south of Mombasa and just a short flight from Nairobi, its white sands are lapped by the brilliant Indian Ocean and backed by lush forests, where you can take nature walks when you tire of sunbathing or kitesurfing. Head out for a snorkeling tour, go 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 have good family beach resorts & luxury beach resorts alike with the best Kenya honeymoon safaris.
5. Lake Nakuru – The Rhino Sanctuary
Lake Nakuru National Park is Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary, supporting one of the country’s largest populations of black rhinos, and white rhinos. The park’s dramatic scenery, abundant wildlife, and ever-changing light make it a favorite place to visit for visual storytelling, photography, and filmmaking.
Elsewhere, along its shores, the lake is home to a vast number of bird species, most notably large flocks of lesser and greater flamingo. 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. As well, you will see the Rothschild’s giraffes, leopard, and lions throughout the national park.
6. Mt Kenya – Second Highest Mountain In Africa
Towering at a height of 5,199m/17,057ft, Mount Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa, after Kilimanjaro which lies across the border in Tanzania. Climbing Mount Kenya is popular, for both expert and amateur mountaineers, attracting nature lovers, adventure seekers, and all sorts of travelers. Featuring 12 remnant glaciers, the lower slopes of the mountain 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 Conservancy - East Africa's Largest Black Rhino Sanctuary
Hidden in Laikipia region in the foothills of Mt Kenya, Ol-Pejeta Conservancy is a Big Five (lion, buffalo, elephant and rhino) reserve and famous as East Africa’s leading rhino sanctuary. Ol Pejeta is the only place where you will see the last two Northern White rhinos on Earth highly protected round the clock. As well, Ol Pejeta is the only destination in Kenya to see Chimpanzees. The chimps – rescued from the black market can be easily seen at the Sweetwater’s Chimpanzee Sanctuary where you shall visit on your safari to Ol Pejeta.
Ol Pejeta makes up as one of the most rewarding Kenya tourist places to visit – which combines wildlife conservation, community engagement, ranching and sustainable tourism. Visit for the day or come for a longer stay to enjoy lion watching, bush walks and night safari drives in Kenya, alongside stays in some of the top luxury accommodations in Kenya.
8. The Aberdares - Home to Kenya's Highest Waterfalls
Aberdares is a historic place where Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, learned of her father’s death in 1952, making her Queen of the United Kingdom – by then she was staying at the Treetops Lodge in Aberdare. Aberdare National Park is also a haven for wildlife, with elephants and buffalo emerging from the dense forests. Game drives, scenic treks, and breathtaking viewpoints make the Aberdare a truly unique highland safari experience.
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.
9. Lamu Town - A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Lamu Island is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, a melting pot of multicultural influences. Here, there are 23 mosques, a 19th-century fort and traditional dhow sailboats bobbing offshore. Lamu is famous for its festivals, the most popular are the Lamu Yoga Festival (March), the Lamu Cultural Festival (November) and Maulid Festival (June). Accommodation and places are booked up early, so if you want to go then make sure you are first in line. 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 - Off the Beaten Track
Meru National Park is most known for the story of Elsa the Lioness, made famous in the book Born Free. By night, Meru transforms into a haven for astro-tours and private night drive safaris, where clear skies reveal dazzling patterns and nocturnal animals emerge, offering rare after-dark encounters in the African wilderness. Meru Park is also a true birdwatchers’ paradise, attracting a wide array of bird species. Meru National Park which allows you to connect to nature in a remote wilderness, and is filled with the best luxury Kenya lodges, where 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 makes it the best destination for seasoned safari-goers.
11. Giraffe Manor – Breakfast with Giraffes
Grounded in conservation, the Giraffe Manor offers a unique safari experience, whereby visiting guests share a breakfast with giraffes – an activity reserved exclusively for overnight guests of Giraffe Manor.
During breakfast and afternoon tea is when the giraffes stretch their long necks through open windows to be hand-fed its nutritious dried grass pellets. Giraffe Manor experience is a story of connection, culture, and conservation, where every moment is crafted to reveal the soul of Africa. The Giraffe Manor also features private dining and spa treatments, a sauna, steam room, and gym for wellness seekers.
12. Elephant Nursery Nairobi – Meet Baby Elephants
Meet rescued baby elephants at Nairobi’s Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Watch the daily mud bath and feeding while keepers share each calf’s story and how they are being taken care of. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery bordering Nairobi National Park offers safe haven to orphaned baby elephants rescued from parks and reserves in Kenya. The nursery cares for the young elephants, including hand rearing them until they are old enough to be gradually introduced back to the wild in Tsavo East National Park among other places. This is where an orphan’s journey begins — a journey that will culminate, many years down the line, in their reintegration back into the wild.