Tourist Attractions in Kenya

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Kenya

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Kenya

Kenya is considered one of the most popular countries for travellers. On the relatively small territory of this state there are 60 national parks, so tourists come here for photo safaris, animal watching, extreme trips across the boundless savannah.

Every year during the great migration of animals Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park becomes the arena for a unique natural phenomenon – almost 2 million zebras, gazelles, gnu antelopes go in search of food and water to Tanzania. And they are followed by lions, cheetahs, leopards and other predators.

Kenya is also more than 120 kilometres of beaches with sparkling white sand. The resorts of Watamu, Mombasa, Lamu, Malindi offer sunbathing, diving and unusual local cookery.

Top-15 Tourist Attractions in Kenya

Maasai Mara National Reserve

 4.7/5

1735 reviews

One of the most visited and important reserves in Africa, it lies on the border with Tanzania and the Serengeti National Park. Both areas form a single system within which there is a great diversity of native fauna. The Masai Mara is a vast African savannah through which millions of animals move long distances during the great migration from May to September.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Mount Kenya

 4.6/5

539 reviews

A natural monument of national importance, the second highest peak in Africa (about 5200 metres above sea level). On the slopes of the mountain there is a national park, which is inhabited by crested antelopes, buffalo, elephants. Here begins its way the most full-flowing river of Kenya – Tana. At different altitude levels, tropical forests, bamboo thickets, olive groves, fern thickets and even groups of cedar pines replace each other.

Fort Jesus Museum

 4.4/5

8343 reviews

It is located in the city of Mombasa and is one of its main attractions. The fort was built by Portuguese settlers in the late 16th century. It was used for defence against hostile African tribes and Turkish invaders. Many times the Arabs tried to take possession of the fort, as the fort is very well located and over time it became the best harbour of the whole continent. Nowadays there is a museum in the walls of the fortress.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Hell Gate National Park

One of the few Kenyan parks that can be accessed without a guide. You can walk, travel by car, ride a bicycle and even camp in special places. The park got this name because of the gorge, on the edges of which the rocks stand and form a narrow passage. To explorers Thompson and Fisher, this landscape reminded them of the “gates to hell”.

Amboseli National Park

 4.7/5

3872 reviews

It was established in 1974 as a biosphere reserve. The territory of Amboseli is set against the backdrop of the majestic peak of Kilimanjaro (the mountain is 40 kilometres away). The park’s ecosystem is quite fragile, with endangered species of cheetah and black rhinoceros living here. In total there are about 50 species of large animals, 400 species of birds. E. Hemingway and R. Ruark described Amboseli landscapes in some of their novels.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 6:15 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 6:15 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 6:15 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 6:15 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 6:15 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 6:15 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 6:15 PM

Tsavo East National Park

 4.5/5

5687 reviews

The Reserve is spread over a vast expanse of land, totalling 4% of Kenya’s total land area. The reserve is famous for being home to a large number of rare Red Book species. Tsavo is home to a large population of elephants (almost 7000 individuals), lions, about which many stories have been told and several films have been made, and many herbivores. The park is divided into Tsavo West and Tsavo East.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Watamu Marine National Park & Reserve

 4.5/5

2256 reviews

Located 120 kilometres north of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean coast. The ecosystem of Watamu is very diverse: coral reefs, coastal mangrove forests, turtles, hundreds of species of fish, molluscs and marine “creepers”. The marine park is a popular destination for scuba diving. Tourists also take boat trips or simply swim in the turquoise clear water.

Open time

Gede Ruins Malindi... Snake Park

 4.5/5

986 reviews

The remains of a vanished town in Kenya’s rainforest. Researchers have yet to answer the question of what happened to the population and why Gedi fell into decline. It is believed that the city appeared in the XIII century, it was inhabited by about 2500 people. As a result of excavations, items from different and rather distant parts of the world have been found here, which speaks of active trade links between the locals and merchants from different countries.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Mamba Village Crocodile Farm

 4/5

180 reviews

The largest farm in Africa, is located on the outskirts of Mombasa. Dozens of crocodiles live in several pools and can be fed at certain times under the supervision of staff. There are guided tours around the farm, the guide tells about the peculiarities of the animals and their way of life. There is also a crocodile leather shop where tourists can buy souvenirs and a cafe where crocodile meat is served.

Open time

Lake Victoria

 4.3/5

5562 reviews

A large African lake that plays a significant role in the life of the continent. One of its shores belongs to Kenya and the rest to neighbouring countries. Victoria contains most of the fresh water that supplies half of Africa and gives rise to many rivers. The Kenyan shore of the lake is not as popular with tourists as the Tanzanian one, but you can go fishing, take a boat ride or watch crocodiles.

Thompson Falls Nyahururu

 4.4/5

4396 reviews

Named after its discoverer, a Scottish naturalist and traveller. It represents powerful jets of water that fall from a height of 75 metres. The waterfall is located 60 kilometres from Lake Nakuru and is part of the Iwaso River. The locals call it “Nyahururu”. There are a large number of hippos in the vicinity of Thompson, attracting many tourists.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Lamu

 4.4/5

217 reviews

The largest island of the archipelago consisting of 3 islands: Pate, Mandu, Lamu, Kivayu and several other small islets. There is a large marine national park where exotic marine life lives. For the first time people appeared on Lamu in XIV century, they were representatives of Swahili people. Donkeys are still the main means of transport on the islands, as they were hundreds of years ago.

Seaview Resort Malindi, Kenya

 3.9/5

258 reviews

A modern tourist centre that rivals Mombasa. The city is divided into two parts – the first is built up with expensive shops, clubs, hotels and casinos, and the second is an old Arab quarter with authentic restaurants, inexpensive guest houses and all the associated surroundings. The resort’s beaches are considered the best in Kenya. You can come here all year round, as the weather conditions are favourable for a great holiday.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Lake Bogoria

 4.2/5

249 reviews

It is a national park. It is relatively small in size: 17 km long, about 4 km wide and only 9 metres deep. The water in the lake contains a large amount of salt, as more than 200 alkaline hot springs flow here. In some months the salinity reaches 100 per cent. The lake was once freshwater and deeper, but over 10,000 years the composition of the water has changed dramatically.

Lake Nakuru

 4.5/5

388 reviews

Another lake is a national park in Kenya. It is known for the million flocks of pink flamingos (sometimes up to 2 million). The magnificent sight opens up from a bird’s eye view, as the shores of Nakuru are covered with a continuous pink border. Against the backdrop of flamingos, zebras and rhinos graze on the shores. The bird population is carefully conserved and protected.