This article contains information on the list of 20 interesting things to do in Kenya whether as a tourist or an immigrant.
Kenya is one of the most diverse countries in East Africa. Many of Kenya’s attractions revolve around wildlife and nature. While most of the good stuff is found in lakes, forests and parks, you wouldn’t want to miss their delicious delicacies. Dishes like Uji wa wimbi and Githeri will satisfy your body and soul with their wholesome flavour.
No matter which part of the country you visit, you’ll come across very interesting places. If you love nothing more than to be in the outdoors, there’s no place like Kenya.
Whether you’re looking for the ultimate safari experience, a hiking adventure or a chance to relax on white-sand beaches, this lovely country has it all. However, in between all these, there’s a wide array of cultures with very accommodating people in the world.
There are thousands of things to do in Kenya, from exploring the capital city of Nairobi to going on safaris and lots more. So, if you’re contemplating paying a visit to this beautiful Country, this article will serve as a guide as well as a lens to show you interesting things to do while on a visit.
So, below a lists of interesting things to do in Kenya
LIST OF INTERESTING THINGS TO DO IN KENYA
1. CLIMB MOUNT KENYA
Mount Kenya is Africa’s second tallest peak and is often considered more challenging to climb.
Not only is it Africa’s 2nd highest mountain, but it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The task of hiking Mount Kenya is usually very challenging but the experience can be very interesting and mind blowing if you decide to enjoy every bit of the activity.
2. SWIM IN THE BIOLUMINESCENCE AT KILIFI
Kilifi is a blossoming town full of growing creatives that make it a really fun hub of artistic and environmental talent.
The scenery in this place is also pretty amazing, with the creek providing the perfect place for a sunset ride. However, it’s after dark that this place becomes really magical, when the natural bioluminescence in the tidal creek provides a shimmering, sparkly, nighttime swimming experience. A visit to this place will surely be a worthwhile experience.
3. HIKE THROUGH HELL’S GATE
Consider taking a trip to Hell’s Gate National Park. The coolest thing about the park is that cycling and foot walking are permitted without needing a guide.
The canyon gorge, jagged rock formations, and opportunities for camping make Hell’s Gate a great place to visit in Kenya. If you’re allergic to crowd,you can always get away to enjoy cycling safari. lt is one of the best things to at the park. Getting up with the sun to cycle past giraffe, warthog and zebra less than a metre away is a memorable way to start your day in Kenya.
4. WILDLIFE SAFARI
Going on a Safari to one of the numerous national parks is obviously one famous thing about Kenya.The most famous wildlife viewing sanctuaries include Maasai Mara, Tsavo East, Amboseli and Lake Nakuru. For many, the sole aim of doing this is to catch a glimpse of the African Big 5, which includes elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhinoceros.
Safaris can be slightly expensive, but then, going on a safari and observing African animals in their natural habitat is usually an unforgettable experience.
5. RELAX ON THE EAST AFRICAN COAST
The East African Indian Ocean coast is one of the best places in the world to unwind and enjoy a beach holiday. With pristine stretches of white sand and swaying palms, the laid back attitude and friendly Kenyans along the coast add to the serenity and tranquility.
6. VISIT A BEACH DIANI
If you’re a lover of the ocean environment, then it’s likely to be one of your favourite spots in the country too.
Diani Beach really is Indian Ocean paradise, with white sand continually lapped by beautiful tides and palm trees that perfectly frame the picture. This is where you come to unwind in Kenya, to relax, and enjoy little more than the stellar views, ocean swims and hammock swings.
Yes there’s a lot of resorts that line the beach, but Diani Backpackers is a super accommodation option for travellers. However, if you have a low budget, sand is still very much of a public property which means you can enjoy the sandy environment at no cost. In addition to the powdery white sand and jade-colored waters protected by a coral reef, Diani offers a wide range of outdoor sports like skydiving, snorkeling, jetskiing, etc.
With a coastline to die for, hitting the beach at Diani is definitely one of the best things to do in Kenya.
7. HANG OUT ON LAKE VICTORIA
If you visit Kenya anytime soon, try as much as possible to visit Kisumu, one of Kenya’s best cities, located on the shores of the Africsn great lake Victoria. Kisumu is a calm and serene town with a pleasant atmosphere. The sunset views of the lake plus the fresh fish are worth having a feel of.
8. FOSTER ORPHANED ELEPHANTS (OR A BLIND RHINO)
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust which is located at the outskirts of Nairobi looks after hundreds of saved baby elephants and a blind rhino by name, Maxwell.This famous wildlife sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants and offers tourists the chance to see these lovable creatures. Here, the youngest elephants are hand-reared until about two or three years of age, and you can watch the keepers bottle-feed the babies.
It is however, an interesting place to visit in Kenya to have an encounter with baby elephants and also have the opportunity to Foster them.
9. RIDE THE NEW NAIROBI-MOMBASA TRAIN
Thinking of having a swell time in Kenya? Then, you might as well get on the new NAIROBI Mombasa train. The railroad was built through an African bush and was totally modernized in 2017.
10. COMMUNE WITH CROCODILES IN LAKE TURKANA, KENYA ISLAND
The Central Island National Park in the middle of far-away Lake Turkana is one of Kenya’s strangest places that hosts the world’s largest colony of Nile crocodiles as well as three active volcanoes, three blue-green crater lakes, black-sand beaches and a
11. SLEEP BENEATH THE STARS
Have you ever imagined what it will look like to sleep beneath the stars? You can always get a luxurious treat at the Star Beds safari camp in Loisaba Conservancy. Staffed by local Samburu and Masai people, the camp features four-poster beds that are rolled out onto the deck each night on the side of rocky outcrop beside a waterhole where elephants and other animals come to drink.
12. RIVER RAFT THE TANA RIVER
Whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Tana River in Kenya have fast become a popular activity in the country. Not only are there adventurous river rapids, but also an opportunity to view Kenya’s nature from the river.
The ecosystem and bird viewing while rafting through the valley are beautiful sight to behold. Tana River is the longest in Kenya.
13. EAT NYAMA CHOMA
Nyama choma is Kenya’s version of roasted meat on the grill ,mostly prepared at roadside butcheries. Everyone that can afford meat in Kenya enjoys a good dose of nyama choma every now and then.
The standard procedure is to walk into the butchery, have the butcher slice a hunk of meat right off the carcass and let it roast as you wait, Nyama Choma or roast meat is the star in Kenya.
14. MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
This is one of Africa’s most magnificent game reserves. It’s named after the statuesque, red-cloaked Maasai people who live in the park and graze their animals there, as they have done for centuries. The park is famous for the Great Migration of thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle travelling to and from the Serengeti, from July through October.
15. GO SIGHT SEEING AT LAMU ISLAND
The small island of Lamu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is Kenya’s oldest continually inhabited settlement. Strolling the labyrinthine streets is one of the top things to do here. You can see the island’s rich trading history reflected in the buildings.
Sightseeing here is like stepping back in time. Dhows plow the harbor, few if any motorized vehicles exist here, and donkeys still rule the streets as they have done for centuries. Most of Lamu’s population is Muslim, and both men and women dress in traditional attire.
Top attractions on the island include Lamu Museum, with displays on Swahili culture, the Donkey Sanctuary, etc.
16. VISIT MARULA STUDIOS & OCEAN SOLE
One amazing place to visit on your trip to Nairobi is the Marula Studios, selling lots of different items including Ocean Sole Africa, products. Ocean Sole is a social enterprise that recycles old flip flops that wash up on the beaches of Kenya and make them into beautiful objects both art and more functional things! They also sell pottery, clothes, bags, belts and cards made in the Kibera.
17. EXPERIENCE THE AWESOME NAIROBI NIGHTLIFE
Kenyans are fun lovers and as such like to party, so there’s always somewhere to have a drink and a dance, so if you’re looking for cool things to do in Nairobi at night, search no more. Some of the lively places to visit include:
- The Alchemist: The Alchemist is a popular bar and beautiful, serene event space with food trucks, live music, open-air cinema, dj’s and shops. They also have the Made in Kenya shop here which sells varieties of locally made goods, such as jewellery, clothes, shoes and food.
- J’s Fresh Bar & Kitchen
- London or Manchester : quite trendy/hipster. There’s usually a mix of locals and expats. Located in Karen.
- K1 Clubhouse: Cool restaurant/bar in the Westlands/Parklands area. They also have a flea market on Sundays and regular events.
- Bao Box: This is a beautiful Boardgame bar/restaurant in Westlands
- Live at the Elephant: This is a unique live music venue, often gets busy so you may need to book in advance, find info on their Facebook page here. In Lavington.
- Choices Pub: Popular local spot, good for well-priced drinks and dancing.
- Gipsy: Popular bar and club in Westlands, land always busy on the weekend.
- Nest at Tribe: Rooftop bar at the Tribe Hotel with Moroccan decor and shisha. In Gigiri.
- Simba Saloon: In Langata, this is the nightclub at Carnivore. Not somewhere I’d go all the time (I’m a bit ‘over’ big clubs with offers on shots and neon lights) but it can be fun on occasions with the right crowd.
- The Oval – Artcaffe: This one is also a night venue with salsa night on a Friday night.
18. SAMBURU, BUFFALO SPRINGS, AND SHABA NATIONAL RESERVES
Shaba National Reserve is one of two areas where George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the lioness, made famous in the film Born Free.
The wildlife in all three reserves depends on the waters of the river to survive, and many species are specially adapted to these conditions. These include Grevy’s zebras, Somali ostriches, gerenuks, the long-necked antelope that stand on two rear legs to reach the fresh shoots on upper tree limbs.
A top attraction in Samburu National Reserve are the Sarara Singing Wells, local watering holes where Samburu warriors who sing traditional songs while hauling water for their cattle to drink.
19. SHOP FOR BEAUTIFUL SOUVENIRS aT AT WASP & SPROUT
Wasp & Sprout is an amazing fair-trade initiative selling all kinds of wonderful things, like furniture, homeware, crafts and my favourite, their beautiful African fabric cushions! My particular favourite are the items by Kangarui. I’m obsessed with their artwork. I just love it and you can now buy some of their items in my shop Africa & Wild.
They also have a lovely cafe selling breakfast, brunch, sandwiches and salads, as well as some nice cocktails, coffees, soft drinks and desserts.
20. PAY A VISIT TO MOMBASA
Mombasa is one of the best destinations to explore when it comes to things to do in Kenya, even if only for a night. The UNESCO-listed Old Fort Museum is definitely the highlight attraction in this ancient city, but absorbing the chaos in the streets of this bustling city or checking out the markets.
CONCLUSION
Over the years, many African countries have turned out to become a home for tourists as they are beginning to have many attractive sights.Kenya is one of such countries.
The diversity of things to do in Kenya captures the mind all who visit, and viewing the country’s abundant wildlife tops the list.This bustling capital is the gateway to one of the world’s most evocative and exciting travel destinations. So, discover more places to visit in this fascinating country.I hope this post was intriguing enough you help you decide on places to visit on your next trip to Kenya.
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