Lapped by the Indian Ocean, and straddling the equator Kenya is a richly rewarding place to travel. With Mount Kenya rising above a magnificent landscape of forested hills, patchwork farms and wooded savanna, the country’s dramatic geography has a lot to offer. Here is our pick of the best things to do in Kenya.
Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano and the second-highest peak in Africa. What’s left of it now is the jagged volcanic core, shaped by time and glaciers into sharp spires and ridges. It’s a serious hike—not technical unless you’re aiming for the true summit—but still challenging, especially with the altitude.
There are four main trails up the mountain. The Naro Moru route from the west is the shortest and steepest. Sirimon and Burguret start from the northwest and are a bit quieter. Sirimon is known for its chances to see wildlife. Chogoria, from the east, is often considered the most scenic.
If you’re coming from sea level, plan to take four or five days so your body can adjust to the elevation. Though challenging, for many this is easily one of the best things to do in Kenya. Nights can get cold—below freezing above 13,000 feet (4,000 meters)—so pack accordingly.
Most people access the mountain from Nairobi—it’s a 3- to 4-hour drive north along the A2. You can either go with a tour company or rent a 4WD and drive yourself. The main trailheads are near the towns of Nanyuki, Chogoria, and Naro Moru, where you can sort out permits and guides. Helicopter access is an option but more common for those doing quick ascents or scenic flights.
January to February and July through October are usually the driest and clearest. The long rains hit from April to June, and the short ones in November—both can make trails muddy and views pretty limited. No matter when you go, start your hikes early. See more in our guide to the best time to go to Kenya.
Climbing Mount Kenya is one of the most exciting things to do in Kenya © Martin Mwaura/Shutterstock
Tsavo East is one of Kenya’s oldest and largest national parks, covering over 5,000 square miles (13,000 square kilometers). It’s part of the larger Tsavo ecosystem, which includes Tsavo West, but East is generally flatter, drier, and more open—which makes it easier to spot wildlife. It’s also wilder in the sense that parts of the park remain largely undeveloped, with fewer camps and tracks, especially north of the Galana River.
Elephants are one of the park’s main draws. They’re often stained red from the park’s iron-rich soil, especially after a dust bath. You’ll likely also see giraffes, zebras, buffalo, and plenty of antelope. Big cats like lions and leopards are present but can be harder to spot due to the park’s size. Birdlife is excellent year-round, especially near water—look out for martial eagles, hornbills, and carmine bee-eaters.
By road, it’s around 4 to 5 hours from Nairobi or 2 to 3 hours from Mombasa. The main entry points are Voi, Manyani, and Sala gates. There are also small airstrips in the park with daily flights from Nairobi if you’re short on time. Safaris can be arranged through local operators, or you can self-drive—just make sure you have a 4WD if you’re planning to go beyond the main roads.
You can see how to split up your time best while you're here with our sample Kenya itinerary.
June to October and January to February are the driest months and best for wildlife viewing, since animals tend to stick close to water. The rainy seasons (March to May and November to December) bring thick greenery, which is great for landscape photography but makes animal sightings more hit or miss. Birdlife picks up during the rains, with migratory species passing through.
Hippopotamus in Tsavo Park © Shutterstock
Sleeping under the stars at Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge is one of the best things to do in Kenya. Run by the local Maasai community, the lodge sits along a ridge overlooking a wildlife-rich valley. The proceeds go directly back to the community.
There are six raised, open-front bandas made from local materials—branches twist through the structure, and the views go on forever. If you want to sleep outside, bandas #1 and #5 have beds that roll out onto the deck. There's a small pool, and you’ll often see elephants coming down to the waterhole.
There’s no light pollution here, so on a clear night, the Milky Way stretches from one horizon to the other. In the mornings, you’ll often wake up to the sounds of birds or the distant trumpeting of elephants.
It’s just one of many community-run lodges across the country, but it stands out for its simplicity and setting. See some of our other favorite safari lodges in Kenya.
You can fly into the nearby Lewa airstrip by charter, then arrange a transfer through the lodge. If you’re driving, it’s about a 4-hour trip north from Nairobi to Nanyuki, then another stretch on rough roads that require a 4WD. The lodge will help with directions or pickups. Booking ahead is a must—capacity is limited. See more of our Kenya travel tips for more of what you need to know before you go.
Dry season (January–March and July–October) is your best bet for clear skies and a proper star-bed experience. December to February is also a great time to see wildlife around the waterhole. Rainy months bring greener views but can cloud the sky. If you’re planning to visit in December or January, book 3–6 months in advance—those star beds go fast.
Giraffes,Il Ngwesi © Danita Delmont/Shutterstock
Lake Baringo sits in Kenya’s Rift Valley, surrounded by dusty escarpments and dry bushland. It’s not a place you stumble upon by accident—but once you're there, it's incredibly peaceful. The lake itself is freshwater (unusual in this part of the world), and it attracts birds in huge numbers. With over 470 recorded species, it’s a draw for birders, researchers, and casual nature-lovers alike.
You’ll likely spot a lot of Kenya wildlife like fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, hornbills, and weaver birds without even trying. If you go out on a guided boat trip, you might get close-up views of goliath herons, African jacanas, or even the occasional crocodile lounging in the reeds. In some seasons, flamingos also make an appearance, though not in the same numbers as Lake Nakuru.
Local guides—often from the nearby Njemps or Pokot communities—know the lake and its rhythms well. They’ll explain how lake levels have risen in recent years, flooding old lodges and reshaping the shoreline. Despite this, life on and around the lake has adapted.
From Nairobi, it’s a 4–5 hour drive through the Rift Valley. You can go independently or with a tour operator (see our guide to getting around Kenya). There are also domestic flights from Wilson Airport to Baringo Airstrip. Once you’re there, boat rides with local guides are the easiest way to explore and see birds up close.
January to March is ideal for migratory birds. The dry season (June–October) brings clear skies and makes it easier to spot wildlife. April and May can be tricky due to heavy rains and muddy roads.
Flamingos, lake Baringo, Kenya © Victor Lapaev/Shutterstock
Kenya doesn’t have a packed festival calendar, but the few annual ones that happen are well worth timing your trip around. The Lake Turkana Festival takes place in May and brings together more than a dozen ethnic groups for a few days of music, dance, and cultural exchange in the far north. It’s a remote trip, but one you’re not likely to forget.
In August, the Rift Valley Festival is a music event on the shores of Lake Naivasha. It’s smaller in scale but easy to reach and has a fun, relaxed vibe.
Then there’s the Lamu Festival in November, where the whole Swahili town gets involved. Expect donkey races, dhow sailing competitions, traditional games, parades, and local food stalls.
To reach the Lake Turkana Festival, fly to Lodwar, then continue by road to Loiyangalani. For the Rift Valley Festival, it’s a 2-hour drive or matatu ride from Nairobi.
The Lamu Festival is easiest to reach via direct flight from Nairobi to Lamu Airport, or you can fly to Malindi and travel the rest of the way by road and boat. Tour companies sometimes run festival trips with transport included.
The Lake Turkana Festival usually happens in mid-May. Rift Valley Festival is held in August, around the third weekend. The Lamu Festival starts on the third Thursday of November. Dates can shift slightly each year.
Turkana woman, Kenya © E X P L O R E R/Shutterstock
If you're curious about Maasai culture beyond the usual encounters on safari, you can actually spend a few days learning from Maasai warriors themselves at a locally run eco-camp. These aren’t choreographed shows—this is part of daily life, and you’re invited to step into it.
Training involves stick-fighting, spear throwing, singing, jumping, fire-making, tracking, and storytelling around the fire. You’ll also learn about the social roles, rituals, and challenges involved in becoming a warrior, or moran. This is one of the best things to do in Kenya.
The age-grade system among the Maasai is strict, and becoming a warrior involves years of training, ceremonies, and responsibilities. While you’re obviously not becoming one yourself, this kind of stay gives real insight into what that life involves. Bush Adventures Camp in Laikipia runs 3–7 day programs with Laikipiak Maasai warriors, where you join in daily routines, eat traditional meals, and stay in rustic bandas.
Bush Adventures Camp is in Laikipia, about a 4–5 hour drive from Nairobi. Most people arrange a private transfer, though some camps can organize pickups from nearby airstrips if you're coming in on a longer trip. These experiences usually need to be booked ahead of time. You can arrange transport and bookings through tour operators in Nairobi.
Training programs happen year-round, but the dry months (January–February and June–October) are easier in terms of weather. Programs tend to start on set days, so double-check before booking. If you're planning a multi-day stay, booking a month ahead is smart since spaces are limited.
Maasai, Kenya © Thomas Brissiaud/Shutterstock
Lake Naivasha is one of the best things to do in Nairobi if want to get out of the city for a bit. You’ve got plenty of options—backpacker hostels, lakeside lodges, boating trips, birdwatching, and the occasional music festival. The lake’s name comes from the Maasai word E-na-iposha, meaning “heaving water,” and once you’re out on the water, you’ll see why. It shifts fast—calm one minute, wind-whipped the next.
Birdlife is the big draw here, but you’ll also likely catch hippos surfacing near the reeds. Just offshore, Crater Lake Game Sanctuary makes a good add-on for a quiet walk among zebras and giraffes. This is one of the best things to do in Nairobi and one of the best things to do in Kenya as a whole.
It’s about a two-hour drive northwest of Nairobi on decent roads. You can take a matatu (minibus) from the central station in Nairobi to Naivasha town. From there, hire local transport to reach the lakefront. Many lodges can pick you up from town or even from Nairobi if you're staying overnight.
Dry months (January–February and June–October) are best for wildlife and calmer waters. Mornings tend to be quieter and better for birdwatching, while afternoons are when you’re more likely to see hippos. It gets busier on weekends. If you're around in July, the Lake Naivasha Music Festival draws crowds.
White-tailed eagle on lake Naivasha © kyslynskahal/Shutterstock
Nairobi National Park is unusual. It’s less than 5 miles (7 km) from downtown Nairobi, yet you’re in proper savanna, with giraffes, rhinos, lions, buffalo, leopards, and herds of antelope. It’s the only capital city in the world with a national park this close, and it’s a great option if you’re pressed for time or just arriving in the country. This is easily one of the best places to visit in Kenya.
The park is fenced on three sides to protect people and animals, but the southern boundary is open, which allows for seasonal migrations of zebra, wildebeest, and predators from the Kitengela plains. Because elephants aren’t present here, it’s often used for rhino conservation, and your chances of spotting both black and white rhinos are quite good.
The park is just under 5 miles (7 km) from the city center. You can take a taxi or rideshare and be at the gate in about 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic. Some tour companies run half-day safaris with pickup included. If you’re on a budget, you can take a matatu toward Langata Road and then a short cab to the entrance.
Go early in the morning (6–9am) or late in the afternoon (3–6pm) when animals are more active. July–October and January–February are better for visibility since wildlife tends to gather near water sources. It’s open all year, but if it’s rained heavily, some roads in the park can get tricky to drive.
Zebras in Nairobi National Park, Kenya © mbrand85/Shutterstock
Lake Turkana cuts through northern Kenya’s drylands like a turquoise ribbon, stretching around 155 miles (250 km) from the Ethiopian border down toward the Suguta Valley. It’s framed by volcanic hills and sand flats, and the water changes color with the wind—sometimes it’s pale blue and calm, other times dark and choppy or even bright green.
This is the largest permanent desert lake on the planet, and it used to be much bigger. Over time, the water level has dropped, and now it acts like a massive basin—rivers flow in, but none flow out. Around 10 feet (3m) of water evaporates from its surface every year.
Despite that, it remains a key habitat for Nile crocodiles, hippos, tilapia, and hundreds of bird species. The surrounding region is also home to pastoralist communities like the Turkana, El Molo, and Rendille, whose lives are closely tied to the lake.
You’ll need to plan ahead. The fastest way is to fly from Nairobi to Lodwar or Loiyangalani with a small regional airline. If you’re up for an overland adventure, you can take a 4WD through remote terrain, though it’s a long, rugged trip. Loiyangalani is the easiest access point on the eastern shore.
Go between June and September when the weather is a bit more manageable and roads are in better shape. Early mornings and evenings are cooler. If you can, time your visit with the full moon—it lights up the lake beautifully. Avoid March through May, when rains can flood the tracks. The Lake Turkana Festival in June is a great time to learn more about the area’s different cultures.
Desert Loyangalani lake, Turkana, Kenya © Stefan Haider/Shutterstock
This elephant and rhino orphanage sits just inside the western edge of Nairobi National Park. It’s a place where rescued baby elephants—and sometimes baby rhinos—are raised by a team of dedicated keepers. Many of these animals lost their mothers to poaching or natural causes.
Founded by Daphne Sheldrick in memory of her husband, David Sheldrick, the center has helped rehabilitate dozens of elephants that eventually return to the wild, mainly in Tsavo East National Park. During the daily public session, the young elephants are brought into a large open area where they play, eat, and socialize.
It’s about a 30-minute drive from central Nairobi. Most people take a taxi or rideshare, though some book a driver for the day to combine this visit with other stops. Public transport doesn’t reach the sanctuary, so going independently requires a bit of coordination. Booking in advance is a must, as the daily session fills up quickly.
The center is open to the public from 11am to 12pm daily. If you’ve fostered an elephant, you can schedule a more private visit in the afternoon. June to October has the most comfortable weather.
Elephant, Kenya © Lenka Krejcova/Shutterstock
Lamu is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in East Africa, with a long history tied to Indian Ocean trade. The architecture blends Swahili, Arab, Persian, and Portuguese influences—whitewashed buildings, intricately carved wooden doors, and narrow alleys that stay cool even in the midday heat. It’s easy to lose track of time here, especially once you settle into the island’s quiet pace. People often end up extending their stay without meaning to.
You won’t feel rushed to check things off a list. Just being here is the experience—listening to the call to prayer, watching the tides shift, and soaking up the atmosphere from a shady courtyard or a dhow boat.
Daily flights run from Nairobi, Mombasa, and Malindi to Manda Airport, followed by a short boat ride across the channel. You can also travel by road to Mokowe and take a dhow from there. Once you’re on the island, everything moves on foot, by donkey, or by boat—cars aren’t really a thing here.
July through March is usually a good time to go. Avoid April to June, when it’s hot, humid, and rainy—some businesses close during this period. From October to December, the weather cools off a bit with sea breezes. Try to time your visit with local events like the Lamu Cultural Festival in November or Maulid celebrations for a deeper connection with the place.
Kenya's dhow in Lamu © Shutterstock
The southern coast of Kenya is one of the easiest places to slow down after a safari. The beaches around Tiwi and Diani are quieter than the more developed parts of Mombasa’s north coast, and the vibe here is low-key.
Tiwi is one of the best beaches in Kenya and is peaceful and secluded, with fewer resorts and long stretches of reef-fringed beach—good for tidepooling, swimming, and watching fishermen bring in their catch. Diani is livelier, with palm-lined beaches, beach bars, local seafood grills, and water sports like snorkeling, diving, and kitesurfing. The reef protects the shoreline, so the water is usually calm and clear.
The beach scene here can be as relaxed or active as you like—there are coastal trails to walk, dolphins to spot offshore, and boats that head out to nearby marine parks. Inland, you’ll find small villages, coral mosques, and baobab-shaded roads worth exploring on foot or by tuk-tuk.
From Nairobi, you can fly into Ukunda Airstrip (closest to Diani) or into Mombasa’s Moi International Airport. From Mombasa, you’ll need to take the Likoni ferry across the channel, then continue south by taxi, matatu, or tuk-tuk. The SGR train from Nairobi to Mombasa is a slower but scenic option, followed by the same ferry and southbound road journey.
Go in the dry seasons—January to February and July to October—for warm days and calmer seas. December is popular with domestic travelers, while April and May are the wettest months and can bring flooding and rougher surf. September to November is good for wind-driven activities like sailing or kitesurfing.
Just inland from the southern coast, Shimba Hills National Reserve feels like a complete shift from the beach. The reserve is made up of rainforest, rolling hills, and open grasslands, with cooler air and fewer crowds than the coastal resorts. It’s one of the few places in Kenya where you might see sable antelope, and there’s a healthy elephant population that moves through the forest.
You can take a short guided hike to Sheldrick Falls, a 100-foot (30 m) cascade with a natural pool that’s great for a swim if the water levels are up. There’s also a treetop canopy walkway that runs through part of the forest and lookout points with views stretching all the way to the Indian Ocean on clear days.
Shimba Hills is around 20 miles (33 km) southwest of Mombasa. You can drive from Diani or Mombasa, hire a taxi, or join a local day tour. A 4WD is helpful during the rainy season, especially if you’re heading into the more remote parts of the park.
The dry months—January to February and June to October—are ideal for easier hiking and wildlife viewing. The forest stays green year-round, but trails get muddy and harder to manage during the rains. Mornings are cooler and quieter, especially for seeing birds and catching the elephants before they move deeper into the reserve.
Sunset at Shimba Hills, Kenya © Shutterstock
Hidden in the forest near the north coast, the Gedi Ruins are the remains of a Swahili town that once thrived around the 15th and 16th centuries. The coral stone walls, arched doorways, and mosque foundations are now surrounded by fig trees and bushland, with monkeys leaping across the roofs and birds nesting in the old structures.
No one’s entirely sure why the town was abandoned, which gives it a bit of a mystery. Walking through the ruins, you can still make out houses, meeting halls, and even remnants of plumbing and drainage systems. The on-site museum displays pottery, coins, and trade items that show how connected this town was to the wider Indian Ocean world. This is one of the most interesting abandoned places in the world.
The ruins are just outside Watamu, about 15 miles (25 km) south of Malindi. Regular matatus run between the two towns, and you can catch a tuk-tuk from the main road to the entrance. If you’re driving, the turnoff is well signposted. You can easily combine it with a visit to Arabuko Sokoke Forest or Watamu Marine National Park.
Open year-round, but the best time to go is early or late in the day, especially in the hotter months. January to February and July to October bring dry weather and easier walking conditions. Rainy months (especially April and May) can make the forest surrounding the ruins more slippery.
Ruins of ancient Gedi (Gede). Swahili town in Kenya near Malindi © Shutterstock
Just a few miles (5 km) outside Nakuru town, Lake Nakuru National Park is an easy and worthwhile day trip if you're based in the area—or even coming in from Nairobi. It's known for rhinos, both black and white, and you'll often see them grazing in the open grasslands or near the acacia woodlands. There are also Rothschild giraffes, zebras, buffalo, waterbuck, and, occasionally, lions and leopards.
This is one of the best national parks in Kenya. The lake itself attracts a variety of birds, especially pelicans, storks, and sometimes huge flocks of flamingos, though their numbers change depending on water levels and algae growth. The park’s layout is easy to navigate by vehicle, with plenty of well-kept tracks leading through the forest and around the lake.
You can drive yourself if you have a 2WD or 4WD, but guided game drives are also easy to arrange from Nakuru.
The park is about 3 miles (5 km) from Nakuru town, so it’s an easy drive or taxi ride. If you’re coming from Nairobi, it’s a fairly straightforward trip—about 2–3 hours by car on a well-maintained road. There are also shuttle buses from Nairobi to Nakuru. From there, you can catch a taxi or arrange a transfer to the park gates. Most day trips include transport and a guided drive.
It’s best to go in the dry seasons, from January to February or June to October, when animals tend to gather near water and the roads are easier to navigate. Flamingo numbers vary a lot depending on the water level, so if you’re hoping to see them, check recent updates. Mornings and late afternoons are ideal for spotting wildlife, and weekdays tend to be quieter.
Lake Nakuru, Kenya © Shutterstock
The Maasai Mara sits high up—around 6,500 feet (2,000m) above sea level—on the edge of the Rift Valley near the Tanzanian border. It’s part of the same ecosystem as the Serengeti, and the open, rolling grasslands stretch out as far as you can see. If you’ve ever seen pictures of thousands of wildebeest kicking up dust on the plains, this is the place.
“Mara” means “spotted” in Maa, a reference to the scattered bushes and trees that dot the landscape. After the rains, everything turns green, and by the dry season, the herds start moving again, kicking off the annual wildebeest migration as they come up from Tanzania in search of new grazing.
But even outside the migration season, the Mara has high concentrations of big cats, elephants, buffalo, hyenas, and more. It’s also home to Maasai communities, who live around the reserve and are often involved in running lodges and camps.
You can fly from Nairobi to one of the reserve’s airstrips—it takes about 45 minutes. If you prefer to drive, it’s about a 5–6 hour journey, with the last stretch on rougher roads. Many people book a safari package that includes transport, accommodation, and game drives. The reserve has several gates; Sekenani is the main one if you’re coming in by road.
The migration usually arrives between July and October, with river crossings peaking in August and September. See our guide to the best time to visit Msasai Mara.
Wildebeest jumping into Mara River. Great Migration in Kenya © Shutterstock
In Nairobi’s Lang’ata suburb, the Giraffe Centre is a conservation-focused sanctuary run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. It was set up in 1979 when Rothschild’s giraffes were critically endangered in Kenya, with only a small number remaining. The project began as a breeding program to help restore the population, and since then, dozens of giraffes have been successfully reintroduced into national parks like Nakuru, Ruma, and Mwea.
The center has grown into an education and conservation hub. Visitors can observe the giraffes up close from a raised platform, feed them under staff supervision, and learn more about their biology and the threats they face in the wild.
There’s also a nature trail winding through indigenous forest, where you might spot birds and warthogs alongside the giraffes. The funds raised from entry go toward local school outreach and long-term conservation work. This is a great stop if you're headed to Kenya with kids.
The Giraffe Centre is located in Lang’ata, about a 40-minute drive from central Nairobi or the airport, depending on traffic. It’s on Nyumbi Road, just off Duma Road. Most people take a taxi or rideshare, but you can also visit as part of a guided city tour. It pairs well with nearby attractions like the Sheldrick Elephant Nursery or Nairobi National Park.
The center is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, including weekends and public holidays. The giraffes are around all year, and they’re usually most active in the early part of the day.
National Park for Rothschild Giraffes Giraffe Manor in Kenya © Shutterstock
Hell’s Gate is known for its tall red cliffs and open grasslands, shaped by an ancient freshwater lake that once stretched all the way to Nakuru. It’s one of the few parks in Kenya where you can walk or bike among wildlife without a guide—and that’s part of what makes it special.
Most people enter at Elsa Gate and follow the main road by foot, bike, or car. The full route to the Olkaria Gate is about 9 miles (14 km), but you can turn around at any point. You’ll pass dramatic rock formations, thermal vents, and maybe a zebra or two along the way.
The park sits just outside Naivasha, around 55 miles (90 km) from Nairobi along the A104. Public transport runs to Naivasha town, where you can grab a taxi to Elsa Gate. Bicycles can be rented at the entrance, or you can drive yourself. Walking is allowed, but distances between key sites can be long, so plan ahead.
Dry season (January–February and June–September) is the most comfortable for biking and hiking. Early mornings are cooler and better for spotting animals (see our guide to the best time to go on a Kenya safari). If you want to avoid crowds, go on a weekday. Sunrise and sunset are especially nice times to see the cliffs at Fischer’s Tower and Central Tower—bring water and a camera.
Hell's Gate National Park, Kenya © Shutterstock
written by
Rough Guides Editors
updated 26.06.2025
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Kenya
