Top Most 10 Destinations To Visit In Kenya

Top Most 10 Destinations To Visit In Kenya : Kenya is one of the spectacular destination in Africa that every traveler should include on their Africa Travel Bucket list with tons of magical places to visit, each offering their own unique charm.

Kenya’s Masai Mara is a perfect place to go for the famous and dramatic wildebeest migration, Kenya’s destinations are divided into four sections that is Central Kenya where all Kenya safaris start, Western Kenya – home to Masai Mara which is the biggest safari destination, Northern Kenya with superb safari destinations including Samburu National Reserve, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Laikipia and Southern Kenya  where you will see the highest peak in Africa – Mount Kilimanjaro and visit Kenya’s best beaches on the south-eastern coast.

Here is the list to the top most 10 destinations to visit in Kenya.

Masai Mara National Reserve – Wildebeest Migration and Year-Round Game Viewing

Masai Mara is Kenya’s flagship conservation area, the reserve forms part of the Masai Mara – Serengeti ecosystem that is home to the famous Great Wildebeest Migration. The reserve offers the most dramatic game viewing and widest range of experiences suited to all travelers, Masai Mara offers a range of Kenya safari activities including hot air balloon flights, action-packed game drives, cultural interactions and guided nature walks in private conservancies.

In addition to hosting the Great Wildebeest Migration, Masai Mara National Reserve is home to all the Big Five – lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, rhinos and elephants.

Nairobi – East Africa’s Logistics Hub

The beautiful Nairobi City is the starting or ending point for the majority of Kenya Safaris, a stopover in this city is almost inevitable. Visitors will fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, there is also Wilson Airport that handles regional and charter flights to Kenya’s top destinations such as the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and among others.

The Downtown Nairobi hosts the city’s main destinations including the Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Center and the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage which are located in the city’s leafy suburb.

For travelers interested in a more exclusive holiday experience, The Giraffe Manor where the gentle giants poke their heads through your bedroom window which is truly unforgettable experience.

Amboseli National Park –Land of Giants

Named from the Maasai word – empusel meaning a salty, dusty place. Amboseli National Park is a beautiful Kenya safari destination located in southern Kenya covering an area of approximately 150 square miles encompassing open areas of savannah grassland, tangled acacia and the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli.

The park’s beautiful landscape is crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro and its snowcapped summit which is visible from across the Tanzanian border.

The main attraction for visitors to Amboseli National Park is the planet’s largest terrestrial animals that are seen in herds that often number over 100 individuals ranging from old matriarchs to ting calves.

In Amboseli National Park you also get to enjoy excellent sightings of animals like the cheetahs, spotted hyenas, impalas, Thomson gazelles, blue wildebeests, Grant’s zebra and endangered Maasai giraffe and more than 400 different avian species including 47 different types of raptors.

Nairobi National Park

Situated just 7 miles from the center of Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi National Park is a unique wildlife destination as it is the only park situated in capital city and features backdrop of the city’s downtown skyscrapers.

Nairobi National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Africa with a total area of just over 45 square miles yet it supports an astonishing variety of wildlife, the park is home to four of the Big Five mammals expect the elephants.

Nairobi National Park has one of the most successful rhino sanctuaries in Kenya and one of only a few places left in the world where visitors are virtually guaranteed a sighting of the critically endangered eastern black rhino.

The park is a perfect safari destination for travelers for a short visit in Kenya either on a business trip or a layover, here you will spot some of the iconic wildlife in Kenya including Maasai giraffe, coke’s hartebeest, eland, waterbuck and impala among others.

Lamu Archipelago

The Lamu Archipelago lies two degrees south of the equator, just off the Somali border. The archipelago is made up of several islands with the largest islands being Pate, Lamu and Manda.

Historically, Lamu has traded for the best part of 1000 years with its main exports including timber, ivory, amber, cowry, oil seed, turtle shell and spices.

Lamu has some of the beautiful villas and beach lodges perfect for an exclusive beach holiday, these include Majilis resort, Kizingoni villas, Kizingo Lodge, The Fort, Jannah Lamu, The Beach House, Shela & Palm House among others.

The unspoilt Lamu Archipelago combines all the elements of a fantastic beach holiday and a perfect destination for scuba diving and snorkeling on pristine reefs, sunset dhow cruises and swimming with dolphins.

Mombasa and Kenya Beaches – Home to Resorts & Luxury Lodges

The dazzling tropical coastline of Kenya’s Mombasa are among the top 10 destinations to visit in Kenya, Mombasa is home to family resorts, luxury lodges. These sandy shores and crystal blue oceans are widely considered some of the prime vacation spots of Kenya.

Diani Beach is one of the best beaches on the coastal line of Mombasa, with white, soft, powdery sand with a backdrop of aqua hues from the glistening turquoise water surrounded by green and lush vegetation. This beautiful beach is a stunning destination for a beach holiday.

Some of the luxury resorts in Mombasa include Elewana Afrochic, Swahili Beach Resort, The Sands at Nomad, Baobab Beach Resort and Spa among others.

Other stunning Kenya beaches include Watamu and Turtle Bay, Malindi, Lamu, Nyali Beach and Bamburi Beach among others.

Laikipia Plateau

Laikipia Plateau is among the top destinations to visit for exclusive Kenya safari and holiday experience, the area lies just north of Nairobi on the rim of the magical Great Rift Valley and has private reserves, luxurious family – friendly accommodations and is considered one of the best honeymoon destinations in Africa.

Laikipia is a must visit Kenya holiday spot for travelers searching for exclusivity and a diverse, intimate Kenya safari experience away from the crowds.

Mount Kenya and Central Highlands

Mount Kenya – the second tallest mountain in Africa protected by Mount Kenya National Park is an iconic destination you should not miss on your Kenya Safari.

Visitors who are interested in less crowded safari destination, then Mount Kenya National Park is the best option for you.

Standing at 5,200m Mount Kenya looms over much of the region which includes great wildlife destinations such as the private Lewa Downs Conservancy, Mount Meru National Park in the foothill of the Mountain, the Mount Kenya National Park and the beautiful Aberdares National Park.

Deciding between Mount Kenya or Mount Kilimanjaro can be tricky given each mountain has their own unique charm, climbing Mount Kenya you have opportunity to conquer the mountain’s highest two peaks - Batian, at 5,199m and Nelion at 5,188m.

Climbing Mount Kenya also presents opportunity to extend your adventure with game viewing experience in Mount Kenya National Park and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park is a  birder’s haven and spot for spectacular game viewing, the park is situated just a three – hour drive from Nairobi in the Great Rift Valley of southwestern Kenya.

The park boasts an abundance of wildlife and spectacular landscapes, the large flocks of pink flamingoes on the shores of Lake Nakuru, the Rothschild giraffes and black and white rhinos are the highlights of Lake Nakuru National Park and a reason to why it is listed among the top destinations to visit in Kenya.

Lake Nakuru is renowned for its vast flamingo population which sometimes exceeds 1.5 million, this huge flock covers the lake in a blanket of pink.

Lake Nakuru National Park has been recognized as a conservation area as far as 1957, it was declared a bird sanctuary in 1961 before it was officially announced as a national park in 1968. 

Shaba and Samburu National Reserves

Loved for their untamed wilderness, Shaba and Samburu National Reserve are situated in the northern semi- arid region of Kenya where Kenya’s savannah gives way to desert scrub and mountains. These reserves are situated on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River which is the main source of water in the region.

The scenery here is dramatic and you will find several wildlife species that do not occur in the more popular parks of Kenya making it one of the most appealing places to visit in Kenya, these animals include the Grevy Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk and the Beisa Oryx.

Samburu National Reserve is considered one of the prime Kenya safari destination due to its magnificent topography and wildlife, while Shaba Game Reserve is famous for its scenic landscape.