Best Things To Do in Kenya – Our Expert’s Choice

41-50 of 50 Best Things To Do in Kenya

41. 

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    Previous image Next image

    
    

    41. Watch for Nocturnal Wildlife at a Tree Lodge

    These treehouse-like hotels overlook waterholes that are floodlit at night

    Two legendary tree hotels line the forested slopes of Aberdare National Park. Established in 1934, Treetops Lodge rose to fame when Princess Elizabeth stayed there in 1952 and unknowingly became Queen of England overnight when her

    Read more

    father King George VI died. The stilted timber lodge overlooks a waterhole where elephants and black rhinos appear most nights. A more modern construction, The Ark Lodge delivers regular sightings of the Big Five as well as nocturnal creatures such as white-tailed mongoose, giant forest hog and small-spotted genet.For a coastal equivalent, jungle-bound Shimba Hills Lodge stands in the national reserve of the same name near Diani Beach. Kenya’s last stronghold for sable antelope, this reserve is also home to elephant, buffalo, leopard and Angolan colobus monkey. At the lodge, diurnal red-bellied coast squirrels and nocturnal greater galago clamber freely around the balconies, while the surrounding forest shelters sought-after birds such as the green-headed oriole.

    ---

42. 

    zoom

    Previous image Next image
    Google Maps

    42. Explore Remote Stone Ruins at Thimlich Ohinga

    These well-preserved drystone ruins are a Unesco World Heritage Site

    In a remote corner of the Lake Victoria Basin, Thimlich Ohinga – a local Luo name meaning ‘Rocky Enclosure’ – is a sprawling complex of fortified drystone ruins that probably dates back to the 14th century.

    Read more

    Thought to have been constructed by Nilotic-speaking ancestors of the Luo people, it covers more than 20 hectares/50 acres and includes at least 150 stone structures. Massive defensive walls enclose circular and rectangular houses and cattle pens, all of which are remarkably well preserved considering they were built without mortar.The faraway location of Thimlich Ohinga means it is seldom visited by tourists. For those who do make the effort, the site provides fascinating insight into the sophisticated engineering and architectural techniques used by its builders. There is some signage, but Thimlich Ohinga is best explored with a local guide, who can fill you in on the history, cultural significance and associated spiritual beliefs.

    ---

43. 

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    Previous image Next image

    
    

    43. Visit a Tea Estate at Kericho or Thika

    The highland tea plantations of Kenya are among the world’s most productive

    Kenya is the world’s third-largest producer of black tea, after India and China, exporting around 400,000 tonnes/441,000 tons annually. Its main tea-growing region is the western highlands, where a combination of cool temperatures, reliable rainfall and

    Read more

    fertile volcanic soils create ideal cultivation conditions. Here, the small town of Kericho is home to the characterful 1950s-built Tea Hotel and surrounded by rolling hills covered in neat green tea plantations. Set in the midst of this, Chagaik Arboretum is an enclave of lush jungle where black-and-white colobus monkeys and forest birds thrive.Closer to Nairobi, the fertile hills around Thika are home to Kiambethu Tea Farm and Karunguru Coffee Estate, where tasting tours tell the story of these popular beverages in Kenya. Kiambethu also has a delightful colonial-era homestead, while lunch in the grand ballroom at Karunguru is almost as memorable as the plantation itself.

    ---

    Tea Farms Packages

44. 

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    Previous image Next image

    
    Google Maps

    44. Stroll Past Wildlife on Crescent Island GS

    Giraffes, zebras and plenty of birds inhabit this sanctuary on Lake Naivasha

    Sickle-shaped Crescent Island comprises the western rim of an extinct volcanic crater whose submerged floor forms the deepest part of Lake Naivasha. A private game sanctuary, it offers a great opportunity to walk guided or unguided

    Read more

    among wildlife including giraffe, zebra, buffalo, vervet monkey and a variety of antelope. The birdlife is fantastic – look out for African fish eagle, great white pelican and various kingfishers – and there are wonderful views over the fever tree-fringed lake to volcanic Mt Longonot.Crescent Island is connected to the mainland by a marshy causeway. Theoretically, you can walk across this when the water is low, but in practice the island can only be visited by motorboat (the transfer usually offers good hippo sightings). There is a café, and while most visitors just cross over for a few hours, affordable overnight accommodations are available.

    ---

    Safari & Crescent Island Packages

45. 

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    Previous image Next image

    
    Google Maps

    45. Descend Into Erosion-molded Hell’s Kitchen

    This spectacular valley near Malindi is known for its tall sandstone formations

    Like a miniature version of the Grand Canyon, Hell’s Kitchen is studded with intricately eroded sandstone pillars that stand up to 30m/98ft tall. Also known as the Marafa Depression, the canyon is particularly striking in the

    Read more

    soft early morning and late afternoon light, when the layered columns glow sugary pink. According to local legend, it was created by god when he invoked a torrential storm to punish a self-indulgent wealthy family that had taken to washing themselves in milk rather than water.Situated 40km/25mi northwest of the popular seaside resort of Malindi, Hell’s Kitchen can be explored along a 3km/2mi footpath that forms part of a local ecotourism project. The guides here can also arrange visits to the Dakatcha Woodland, which is a stronghold for several rare bird species including Clarke’s weaver, an Endangered endemic.

    ---

46. 

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    Previous image Next image

    
    Google Maps

    46. Travel Around Expansive Lake Victoria

    Highlights of Africa’s largest lake include Kisumu city and several islands

    Covering 60,000km²/23,166mi², Lake Victoria is bisected by the equator and split between Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The focal point on the Kenyan shore is Kisumu, a port city that was founded along the Uganda Railway in

    Read more

    1901 and is now the country’s third-largest settlement. Highlights include Kisumu Museum, the vibrant central market and suburban Dunga, where traditional dhows glide across the water – a legacy of Arab boatbuilding traditions introduced during the slave-trading era.Ferries and roads connect Kisumu to several smaller ports and islands. Kendu Bay is a busy fishing hub situated close to a scenic crater lake. Rusinga Island is the burial place of the Luo politician Tom Mboya; Mfangano Island hosts an exclusive tented camp popular with birders and anglers; and Ndere Island is a scenic national park that supports hippo, zebra, impala and a wide variety of waterbirds.

    ---

    Safari & Lake Victoria Packages

47. 

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    Previous image Next image

    
    Google Maps

    47. See Baby Elephants at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

    A visit to this elephant and rhino orphanage in Nairobi is both moving and fun

    Bordering Nairobi National Park, the remarkable Sheldrick Wildlife Trust provides a safe haven for orphaned baby elephants and rhinos. Every morning, it opens its doors for visitors to watch the endearing youngsters interact with their keepers

    Read more

    and roll in the mud as part of their morning exercise, occasionally spraying unsuspecting bystanders with a trunkful of mud. Afterward, you can ask the keepers questions and even ‘adopt’ a baby elephant or rhino to help contribute to its care and eventual return to the wild. It’s an enjoyable and worthwhile outing, but bookings are mandatory.

    ---

    Elephant Orphanage Packages More About the Orphanage

48. 

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    Previous image Next image

    
    Google Maps

    48. Enjoy Lovely Views at Crater Lake Sanctuary

    Plenty of wildlife inhabits this private sanctuary focused on a jade crater lake

    An underrated gem near Lake Naivasha, Crater Lake Sanctuary is a tranquil private conservancy that once formed part of the estate of Lady Diana Delamere, who was buried there in 1987. Its centerpiece is a crater

    Read more

    lake whose high alkalinity (pH 11.5) means it cannot support any fish or other subaquatic fauna, as alluded to in its Maasai name Sonachi (Sterile Bull). The lake owes its bright green color to a dense concentration of spirulina cyanobacteria, which often attracts flocks of lesser flamingos.The sanctuary supports lots of wildlife. Troops of black-and-white colobus monkeys swing through the lush forest inside the crater, while larger mammals include buffalo, giraffe, zebra, eland and waterbuck. The lake is overlooked by a pleasant tented camp and restaurant (day visitors welcome). Guided activities include bush walks, birding on the crater rim, and game drives.

    ---

    Safari & Crater Lake Packages

49. 

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    Previous image Next image

    
    

    49. Hike Along the Trails of Kenya’s High Country

    Escape the crowds to explore wild, remote and little-visited mountains on foot

    Kenya is home to several mountains, many of which lie within hiker-friendly national parks. Snowcapped Mt Kenya, topped by Africa’s second-highest peak, is the country’s best-known hiking destination, while other high-altitude options include the nearby Aberdare

    Read more

    Range and volcanic Mt Elgon on the border with Uganda. Up north, there’s the incredible Ndoto Mountains and equally impressive Matthews Range. And if volcanoes are your thing, Mt Longonot is an accessible spot for a rewarding day hike out of Lake Naivasha. These world-class hiking destinations make a fine addition to a more conventional safari elsewhere in Kenya.

    ---

    Safari & Mountain Climbing Packages

50. 

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    

    zoom

    Previous image Next image

    
    

    50. Experience a Traditional Samburu Village

    Thrilling dance and chants bring Samburu culture to life

    The Samburu, who speak the same language as the Maasai and share many similar customs, are among the largest ethnic groups in northern Kenya. The common ancestors of the Maasai and Samburu migrated south from what

    Read more

    is now South Sudan between the 15th and 17th centuries and split along the Ewaso Nyiro River about 200 years ago.A visit to a Samburu village is the ideal complement to a safari in Samburu, Buffalo Springs or Shaba National Reserves. You’ll be shown their houses, colorful beadwork and daily routines, but the highlight will be a traditional dance – with humming chants, wild ululation (high-pitched trilling cries) and energetic pogo-like bouncing – celebrating Samburu community and heritage. These visits provide a vivid insight into this enduring pastoralist culture, while ensuring tourism benefits reach local residents.

    ---

    Safari & Samburu Village Packages