Kenya straddles the equator with the peaks of Mount Kenya, Africa’s second highest mountain, rising from a natural setting of outstanding beauty, Kenya is a very rewarding place to travel. It is not possible to see all that Kenya has to offer in one trip, and I would not suggest you try.
Things you can not miss on a safari
Climb Mount Kenya: the second highest peak in Africa, capped by a glacier. Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano that straddles the equator. You can hike the lower slopes at will, but if you attempt the 5,200 meter summit, you need to go slow enough to acclimatize to the attitude.
Turkana Land Safari: Remote Turkana is most easily visited on a camping safari from Nairobi, which involves days of stumbling through arid wilderness encounters with local people, wildlife, and swollen rivers.
Rhino sanctuaries Kenya has a number of these, such as Solia Game Ranch near Aberdares, which offers the chance to see black and white rhinos.
Balloon safaris are an unforgettable experience, almost worth every penny of the $400 you’ll pay to fly over the plains at sunrise (around $5 a minute)
Kakamega Forest – An isolated patch of equatorial forest that once girdled the breadth of Africa, Kakamega is a haven for hundreds of species found nowhere else in Kenya.
Eco Lodges: Some Kenyan boats are magnificent if expensive, lodges in pristine parks and reserves such as Shompole Conservancy.
Cave skulls: The Taitas keep the exhumed skulls of their deceased in hidden rock niches, an example of traditional religious practice that is becoming increasingly rare.
Dhow Voyages: Sinbad the Sailor for a Day on a Leisurely Lamu Dhow Cruise
Birdwatching: Kenya’s diverse habitats account for its extraordinary 1,070 bird species, including this Von der Decken’s hornbill. Even the uninitiated are quick to convert, so grab a pair of binoculars.
Diving and snorkelling: Kenya’s coral reef has excellent underwater opportunities with diving schools at all the major centers and snorkel gear widely available to rent for a couple of hours. Wasini, Watamu and Kiwaiyu are prominent sites
The tea country of Kericho, the tea capital of Kenya and the most important center for the bush in all of Africa, is surrounded by an endless undulating sea of brilliant green plantations.
A cozy island getaway with no shortage of things to do, Lamu also has some of the best preserved old town architecture in Africa, many of the houses dating back hundreds of years.
Crafts: Woodcarving is the stock of Kenyan curio vendors, but there are a wide variety of other crafts to indulge in for gorgeous cloth-wrapped garments for musical instruments.
The Masai Mara wildebeest migration watching the cacophonous herds from the banks of the flooded Mara River, especially at one of the deadly, crocodile-infested crossing points, is one of nature’s most awe-inspiring experiences. Migration takes place between July and October.
Nyama choma The most popular big food in Kenya is Nyama Choma or roast meat (goat, lamb or beef) and lots of beer. Nyama Choma bars are found all over the country.
Live Music: Any weekend it is easy to find live music in the towns. Nairobi is the main focus with dozens of clubs and bands, but wherever you are, taxi drivers or hotel staff can help you find the right address.
Bush walks Immerse yourself in the bush experience by heading out on bush walks offered at game lodges in and around a number of parks and reserves, such as the Maasai Mara.
Gedi Ruins is the eerily atmospheric ruins of an abandoned 17th-century Swahili town – take time to wander the shady jungle paths away from the main site.
Mzima emerges as a remarkable oasis in the Tsavo West National Park. Bubbling with crystal clear water and inhabited by crocodiles, hippos and a diversity of smaller species.
Fort Jesus Mombasa – The site of gruesome battles between the Portuguese and Arab colonizers and the local population – today the fort’s spacious and leafy interior houses an excellent historical museum.
Tiwi Beach, simply one of the best beaches in Kenya, easily accessible from Mombasa and less crowded than Diani Beach further south.