Top Things to do in Kenya as a Tourist
Kenya is an amazing country as it offers incredible experiences unlike anywhere else on earth, there are top experiences in Kenya. The country is known for its rich wildlife, culture, and adventure, ensuring to make each and every moment incredible. One of the enthralling wildlife experiences to witness in Kenya is Maasai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli national park.
Also, the coastal region of Kenya shares its land with the Indian Ocean, some of the quiet and lively beaches are Diani and Watamu.
The country has diverse cultures, friendly people, and delicious local food. Visitors can enjoy adventure activities like mountain climbing, hot air balloon safaris, and nature walks. Kenya’s beautiful landscapes, warm climate, and strong conservation efforts make it an ideal tourist destination.
For an authentic cultural experience, visit the tribal villages of Kenya. To make your trip to Kenya more exciting, adventurous things to do in Kenya are mountain climbing, hot air balloon safaris, and nature walks.
Before you visit the country apply for the Kenya visa for safari if you are visiting for tourism Kenya visa for safari.
What is Kenya best known for?
Kenya is best known for its rich wildlife, the Great Migration, world-class game drives, the Big Five, and popular national parks like Maasai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park. The country is known for its diverse landscape, it has open plains, savannahs, grasslands, mountains, deserts, beaches and the Great Rift Valley.
Also the culture and tradition of Kenya is unique, the Maasai people of Kenya till date follow the ancient traditions, connected to nature. When you apply for Kenya visa for safari, you will be able to engage in overall tourism experiences like:
- Wildlife and nature
- Adventure
- Culture
- Beaches and coast
Safari in Kenya
Kenya has many wildlife and national parks, offering the most thrilling wildlife tours. Below is a list of the parks to visit and things to do in Kenya as a tourist:
1. Maasai Mara National Reserve
The most famed wildlife park is the Maasai Mara National Reserve, where visitors can witness the Big Five (lions, rhinos, buffaloes, elephants, and leopards) up close and the Great Migration, which happens between July and October, where millions of wildebeests, gazelles and zebras migrate from the Serengeti in Tanzania, crossing the Mara River and reaching Maasai in Kenya.
2. Amboseli National Park
What to experience: The Amboseli National Park is known for the background view of Mount Kilimanjaro and grazing of large herds of elephants, the perfect postcard destination to explore.
3. Tsavo East National Park
What to experience: The Tsavo East National Park is home to the red soil elephants and the vast savannahs. Embarking on a game drive in vast open plains of the savannahs and watching the red- dusted elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and beautiful landscapes is one of the top experiences in Kenya.
4. Tsavo West National Park
What to experience: The Tsavo East National Park is home to dramatic rocky hills, barren landscape, and natural springs. Here the top experiences to indulge in includes spotting the wild creatures, and visiting the scenic viewpoints, Mzima Springs, and lava flows.
5. Lake Nakuru National Park
What to experience: Lake Nakuru National Park is known for its pink views of the lake, where thousands of flamingos migrate and are found on the shores of the lake. Apart from that other things to do include encounters with the rhinos and lions and visit to the Makalia Falls.
6. Samburu National Reserve
What to experience: The Samburu National Reserve is the only place on Earth where the rare animals like Somali ostrich, Grevy’s zebra, and reticulated giraffe are found.
7. Aberdare National Park
What to experience: The Aberdare National Park is famous not only for wildlife viewing (like elephants and leopards), but is known for its scenic views, mountains, forests and waterfalls, and tourists can indulge in nature walks.
8. Mount Kenya National Park
What to experience: Mount Kenya National Park is famed for the second tallest mountain peak in Africa, Mount Kenya and tourists can indulge in top experiences like mountain climbing, hiking, camping, and enjoy scenic views and wildlife like buffaloes, monkeys, and birds.
9. Nairobi National Park
What to experience: The Nairobi National Park is the only national park that is close to a city. Tourists visiting Nairobi can opt for a wildlife safari within a short drive from the city, and one of the convenient ways to do so is by booking Uber Safari.
Things to do in Kenya other than Safari
As Kenya is home to diverse landscapes there are many top experiences in Kenya that you must choose, apart from going on wildlife safari. When applying for Kenya visa for safari, there are other experiences you can include in your itinerary are:
Visit the beaches: Head to the beaches sharing its coast alongside the Indian Ocean, some of the quiet and lively beaches in Diani, Malindi, and Watamu (its surrounding waters are rich in marine life and coral reefs).
Water Sports: Visitors scuba diving, snorkeling, kite surfing, and deep-sea fishing
Climb Mount Kenya: Tourists can indulge in top experiences like mountain climbing, hiking, camping, and enjoy scenic views and wildlife like buffaloes, monkeys, and birds.
Explore Lamu Island: This is an old historic town known for its Swahili culture, old architecture, and local crafts.
Visit Fort Jesus, Mombasa: Here know about the coastal trade that took place, history of the fort, and colonial heritage of the town.
Try Kenyan Cuisines: Kenya is known for its unique cuisines try the local favorites like ugali, sukuma wiki, pilau, nyama choma, and chapati.
Explore Aberdare Ranges: Home to forests and waterfalls, go for Hiking and Nature Walks.
Bird Watching: More than 1,000 bird species are found in the lakes, rivers and jungles of Kenya.
Cultural Visits: Kenya is known for its tribal communities like Maasai, Samburu, and Kikuyu.
Boat Rides on Lakes: Enjoy boat rides on the popular lakes like Lake Naivasha and Lake Baringo
Hot Air Balloon Rides: Enjoy riding in hot air balloons above the Maasai Mara National Reserve, and watch the landscape from above.
Attend Festivals and Events: Be a part of the authentic tribal community festivals and events.
Hell’s Gate National Park: Take a bicycle ride through the vast landscape across cliffs and gorges.
Lake Turkana: This is the largest desert lake in the world, and has geological formations and archaeological sites.
Cultural Experiences in Kenya
Kenya is home to 40 different ethnic communities known for its enriching history, language, culture, traditions, and costumes. The popular tribes of Kenya include Maasai, Samburu, Kikuyu, and Swahili, visit the villages to learn about their traditional dances, music, clothing, and art and crafts.
What is the culture of Kenya
The culture of Kenya is diverse. It is home to 40 different ethnic communities, the popular tribes of Kenya include Maasai, Samburu, Kikuyu, and Swahili. Each of these communities have their own history, language, culture, traditions, and costumes. Those who want to know about the culture of the region do visit their villages and learn about their traditional dances, music, clothing, and art and crafts.
The Maasai community lives near Maasai Mara National Reserve and Mount Kalimanjaro, visiting their village will let you know about their life near the forest, dance, music and culture. While the Swahili community people living along the coast reflect Arab, and Persian influences, it can be seen in their architectural structures, food, and language.
Cultural attractions in Kenya
To know about the culture of Kenya in depth, here are some of the cultural attractions in Kenya that you must include in your trip to Kenya.
Explore Lamu Island: This is an old historic town known for its Swahili culture, old architecture, and local crafts.
Visit Fort Jesus, Mombasa: Know about the history of the fort that was built in the 16th century, coastal trade that took place, and colonial heritage of the town.
Karen Blixen Museum, Nairobi: This museum is located in Nairobi city, it was the home of the Danish writer Karen Blixen.
Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi: This is a cultural center, built in traditional Kenyan homesteads, here tourists can watch the cultural programmes.
Maasai Villages (Manyattas): If you want to know about the Maasai community visit the villages located near the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Samburu and Turkana Cultural Villages: If you want to know about their lifestyle and customs, visit the Samburu and Turkana Cultural Villages.
Cultural Festivals: Don’t miss to attend the festivals like Lamu Cultural Festival and Mombasa Carnival.
Kenya National Museum, Nairobi: The best place to know about the history of Kenya and have a look at the ancient artifacts.
Examples of cultural events in Kenya
To know about the culture of Kenya in depth, here are some of the cultural events in Kenya that you must include in your trip to Kenya.
Lamu Cultural Festival: Accompanied with traditional dances, poetry, art exhibitions and dhow races, organized by the Swahili community people.
Mombasa Carnival: Accompanied with traditional dances, music, colorful parades, and participants wearing vibrant costumes showcasing their coastal culture.
Maasai Mara Cultural Festival: Celebrated by the Maasai community people, accompanied with traditional dances, music, beadwork, and warrior ceremonies.
Nairobi Film Festival: Organized to promote cinema, storytelling, and cultural themes of Kenya
Kenyatta International Cultural Events: It is a national cultural event, organized to promote the Kenyan culture and tradition, accompanied with traditional music, dance, and heritage performances.
Samburu Cultural Festivals: Celebrated by the Samburu community people, accompanied with local rituals, traditional dances, music, crafts, and showcase the lifestyles of northern communities.
Things to do in Nairobi
If you have landed in Nairobi and you are here for Kenya Safari, don't miss the following things to do in Nairobi as well.
1. Visit Nairobi National Park: The Nairobi National Park is the only national park that is close to a city. Tourists visiting Nairobi can opt for a wildlife safari within a short drive from the city.
2. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: This is an elephant orphanage center, built for the conservation of the elephants.
3. Giraffe Centre: This is a Giraffe Centre, built for the conservation of the giraffes like the endangered Rothschild giraffes.
4. Karen Blixen Museum: This museum is located in Nairobi city, it was the home of the Danish writer Karen Blixen.
5. Nairobi National Museum: The best place to know about the history of Kenya and have a look at the ancient artifacts.
6. Bomas of Kenya: This is a cultural center, built in traditional Kenyan homesteads, here tourists can watch the cultural programmes..
7. Kazuri Beads Factory: This is a local workshop, where the women are engaged in making handmade beads and pottery.
8. Karura Forest: Be close to nature, engage in hiking, nature walk, cycling and bird watching.
9. Maasai Market: Here you can enjoy shopping for handmade items like jewelry, clothing, crafts, and souvenirs to take home.
10. Ngong Hills: Immerse in the beauty of Nairobi, go for hiking in the scenic landscape of Ngong Hills.
Things to do in Kenya Beaches
If you have completed your Kenya Safari, don't miss the following things to do in Kenya beaches as well.
1. Relax and Sunbathe: Best beaches to do so are Diani, Malindi, Watamu, and Nyali.
2. Swimming: The waters of the Indian Ocean near the Diani, Malindi, Watamu, and Nyali, offer awesome experiences.
3. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving: The surrounding waters of Watamu beach are rich with marine life and coral reefs, tourists can engage in snorkeling and scuba diving.
4. Kite Surfing and Windsurfing: Diani and Kilifi offer incredible kite surfing and windsurfing experiences.
5. Boat Rides and Deep-Sea Fishing: The surrounding waters of Kenya beaches offer boat rides and deep sea fishing.
6. Dhow Cruises: Don't miss dhow ride near the waters of Lamu Island, known for its Swahili community.
7. Beach Walks and Jogging: The beaches of Diani, Malindi, Watamu, and Nyali offer serene and peaceful walks.
8. Cultural Experiences: Visit the coastal villages of Kenya like Swahili community villages and know about their culture and tradition.
9. Photography: The scenery of Kenya is simply awesome, engaging in taking breathtaking photos.
10. Relax in Beach Resorts: There are many high-end resorts that offer spa treatments, fine dining, and ocean views for a luxury vacation experience.
Shopping in Kenya
Kenya has many local markets around Kenya and malls in Nairobi, providing one of the best shopping experiences in Kenya.
1. Maasai Market: This is an open air market located in Nairobi city, where shoppers can buy handmade items like fabrics, jewelry, beadwork, carvings, and crafts.
2. City Mall and Sarit Centre (Nairobi): This is a shopping mall in Nairobi city which has clothing stores, restaurants, electronics stores, and entertainment centers.
3. Village Market, Nairobi: This market is known for its fine dining experiences, international branded stores, souvenirs and leisure activities.
4. Kenyatta Market (Mombasa): This local market sells items like spices, textiles, and crafts.
5. Local Artisan Shops: This is a cultural village, where you can buy handmade items like baskets, wood carvings, pottery, and paintings.
Kenya itinerary
There are many places to visit and things to do in Kenya, to make your trip planning to Kenya smooth, here we have suggested a sample itinerary to have a look at.
Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya
Book your flight to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Arrive and check into your hotel and rest for the day. Or otherwise you can head to the Nairobi National Museum and Giraffe Centre.
Day 2: Nairobi Safari & Culture
Morning visit to Nairobi National Park for a half-day game drive. Visit David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (elephant orphanage). Explore Bomas of Kenya for cultural performances.
Day 3: Travel to Maasai Mara
Drive or fly to Maasai Mara National Reserve. Afternoon game drives to spot lions, elephants, zebras, and more. Overnight stay at a safari lodge or tented camp.
Day 4: Maasai Mara Safari
Early morning game drive to see predators hunting. Optional hot air balloon ride with breakfast in the bush. Visit a Maasai village to experience local culture.
Day 5: Lake Naivasha & Crescent Island
Drive to Lake Naivasha. Take a boat ride to see hippos and birds. Visit Crescent Island for a walking safari.
Day 6: Travel to Kenya Coast (Diani or Watamu)
Fly or drive to Diani Beach or Watamu. Relax on the beach, swim, or enjoy water sports. Optional dhow cruise at sunset.
Day 7: Beach Activities & Departure
Enjoy mornings at the beach or try snorkeling, diving, or kite surfing. Return to Nairobi for departure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Kenya is famous for what?
Kenya is famous for its wildlife safaris, diverse landscapes, rich cultures, and beautiful Indian Ocean beaches.
Is Kenya worth visiting?
Yes, Kenya is worth visiting because it offers breathtaking wildlife, stunning landscapes, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences for every type of traveler.
Do you need a visa to visit Kenya?
Yes, you need permission to enter Kenya, but the traditional visa system has changed. Most foreign visitors (including tourists) must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) online before travelling, instead of a regular paper visa. This eTA must be approved prior to departure and is linked to your passport.
What is the Kenya eta visa?
The Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is an online travel document that allows most foreign visitors to enter Kenya for tourism, business, or transit purposes. Instead of applying for a traditional paper visa at an embassy, travelers can apply online before their trip.
If you have any plans to enter Kenya for tourism, business or to transit, simply go for this hassle-free visa application process. But before that Check your eligibility for Kenya eTA and apply for Online Kenya Visa 4 days in advance of your flight.