Tourist Attractions in Kenya

Welcome to the jewel land of East Africa! Since this great city is in Africa and that the country is famous for its wildlife, Kenya is obviously more famous for its magnificent safaris and national parks. Other attractions in Kenya include some of the Africa’s superb beaches, the Great Rift Valley, resorts, and the islands. It is amazing to know that around 1/10th of the Kenya’s land is under national parks and reserves totaling the number to more than 50 involving all habitats from desert to mountain forest.

I first visited the capital city, NAIROBI called the ‘Green City in the Sun’. It is quite beautiful with its tree-lined streets and airy parkland suburbs. But, you need to be alert due to urban crime and that it is strictly advised to avoid walking anywhere at night especially through Uhuru Park anytime. Shopping is one of the great activities here where you can find all types of shopping styles from American-style malls to African markets. If you would like to swim in the pools, head to the open-air swimming pools at the Boulevard, Jacaranda, and Serena hotels where you might need to pay. Other attractions in the capital city are the Bomas of Kenya outside the downtown offering a display of traditional dancing; the Kenya National Museum housing admirable ethnographic and archaeological exhibits including the earliest human remains found by the Leakeys at Olduvai, Koobi Fora along with the other prehistoric sites; and the Snake Park opposite to the museum where the snakes native to East Africa and a some other regions are seen resting. Next to this park, you will love to explore a series of traditional mud and thatch huts and granaries housing tribal tools. It is also worth to reach the suburb of Karen only for its Karen Blixen Museum where the farmhouse occurring in the author’s book, Out of Africa exists.

Masai Mara

Masai Mara, Kenya, Africa

From the downtown, consider a small excursion to the Nairobi National Park that is only at a distance of 8 km. Except for the weekends, it is a lonely place. But, it was the first national park of Kenya and it maintains its original looks – wild, rolling pasture where every type of East African animal except elephants roams. Located at the park’s gates, the Animal Orphanage is worth to explore with young, sick, and injured animals that are taken care for. Nearby is the Langata Giraffe Center where you can explore the exciting opportunity of feeding the Rothschild giraffes.

From the north of Nairobi, drive on the road ascending via the suburb of Thika and agricultural lands. This is because you can have some of the most stunning views of the Great Rift Valley. This is among the top attractions in Kenya. Check out for the eastern wall of the Rift formed by the Aberdare Mountains and the further east is the home of Mount Kenya. Between the two, explore the beautiful small towns like Nyahururu for its Thomson’s Falls; Muranga’a where a cathedral reveals the Mau Mau rebellions’ legend via colorful murals; and Nanyuki and Naro Moru for climbing the mountain.

Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro

Besides Mount Kenya, the Aberdare National Park is among the exciting tourist attractions in Kenya. Located amidst a densely wooded mountain range, you can spot animals like elephants, rhinos, dik-dik, leopards, lions, and monkeys along with rare forest antelopes like the bongo. But, you need to be an expert in doing so as the thick vegetation and foggy alpine climate are the obstacles. The only exceptions are pigs, baboons, and buffaloes sleeping or feeding next to dirty tracks. Check out for the two comfortable park lodges ‘Treetops’ and ‘Ark’ from where many tourists love to watch animals. Also, look for several waterfalls of which the greatest are the Guru Falls cascading from over 300 m. Even more stunning is the western outlook of the mountain range where the steep Mau Escarpment falls to the Great Rift Valley’s floor.

Obviously, you cannot miss the Mount Kenya National Park on Mount Kenya that is a dead volcano and the second-highest mountain in Africa. Try climbing the mountain slowly due to the possibility of altitude sickness and that the ascent is very scenic because of the varying landscapes – farmland, thick forest, bamboo forest, open moorland, giant alpine vegetation, sheer rock, snow areas, and then the summit. Do so with a guide to get rid of the black leopard and the black and white colobus monkey on the lower slopes. You will find many huts to stay on the way and that it is suggested to carry abundant warm clothes and own food supplies.

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