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Kenya✨ 10 best things to do in Kenya

Things to do in Kenya

1. Watch the Great MigrationSee vast herds of wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River while predators lie in wait.
2. Photograph elephants under KilimanjaroCapture big tuskers in Amboseli with Africa's highest mountain rising behind them.
3. Meet orphaned elephants in NairobiWatch baby elephants being fed and bathed at a wildlife orphanage on the edge of the capital.
4. Get lost in Lamu Old TownWander car-free alleys of carved doors and coral-stone houses, where donkeys still carry goods.
5. Explore Fort JesusWalk the ramparts of Mombasa's UNESCO-listed Portuguese fort and the Old Town nearby.
6. Trek Mount KenyaHike through bamboo forest and alpine moorland to Point Lenana on Africa's second-highest mountain.
7. See flamingos at Lake NakuruLook for rhinos, lions and flocks of pink flamingos along the shores of a Rift Valley lake.
8. Cycle through Hell's GateRide a bike among zebras and giraffes, then hike through dramatic red-rock gorges.
9. Relax on Diani BeachEnjoy powder-white sand, coral reefs and colobus monkeys in the coastal forest.
10. Eat nyama chomaShare grilled meat with ugali and kachumbari salad in a lively local joint.

Kenya🗺️ Where to visit in Kenya

Where to go in Kenya

• 📍
  Maasai Mara National ReserveSouthwest · safariKenya's most famous reserve, with big cats and the Great Migration from roughly July to October.
• 
  Amboseli National ParkSouth · elephantsHuge elephant herds and swamps set against views of Kilimanjaro.
• 
  NairobiCapital · city & wildlifeA dynamic capital with a national park on its doorstep, museums and a growing food scene.
• 📍
  LamuNorth coast · Swahili heritageA UNESCO-listed island town with dhows, donkeys and centuries-old Swahili architecture.
• 
  Diani BeachSouth coast · beachA long white-sand beach with snorkelling, kitesurfing and coastal forest.
• 
  Mount KenyaCentral highlands · trekkingA UNESCO-listed mountain with glaciers, lakes and multi-day hiking routes.
• 📍
  Samburu National ReserveNorth · arid safariHome to unique northern species such as the reticulated giraffe and Grevy's zebra.
• 📍
  Lake NaivashaRift Valley · lakesA freshwater lake with hippos, boat trips and nearby Hell's Gate National Park.

Kenya🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Kenya

Best time to visit Kenya

Kenya has a pleasant climate thanks to altitude in the highlands, with warm days and cool nights in Nairobi. The coast is hot and humid year-round, while the north is hot and dry.

Typical daytime highs and rain in Nairobi (approximate averages).

Kenya🎉 Festivals & events in Kenya

• November
  Lamu Cultural FestivalDhow races, donkey races and Swahili poetry celebrate the island's heritage.
• November
  Mombasa CarnivalParades of music, dance and floats showcase the diverse cultures of the coast.
• 12 December
  Jamhuri DayKenya celebrates independence and becoming a republic with national celebrations.
• Usually March
  Safari Rally KenyaA round of the World Rally Championship roars through the Rift Valley around Naivasha.

Kenya🧭 Kenya itinerary ideas

How many days in Kenya?

Kenya🎒 Backpacking Kenya – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $35–55 a day

• Matatus (shared minibuses) are the cheapest way to get around, but choose daytime journeys and reputable companies for long trips.
• The Madaraka Express train between Nairobi and Mombasa is an affordable, comfortable way to reach the coast.
• Join group camping safaris from Nairobi to visit the Mara or Amboseli far more cheaply than lodge trips.
• Hell's Gate is one of the few parks where you can cycle or walk, making it a budget-friendly wildlife experience.
• Use M-Pesa mobile money, which is accepted almost everywhere, even by small vendors.

Kenya🛡️ Safety & money in Kenya

Emergency: 999 or 112 all services

Kenya🛬 Getting to Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is a major hub for East Africa, and Moi International Airport in Mombasa also has international flights. Land borders connect Kenya with Tanzania and Uganda, and many travellers combine both countries.

✈️ Cheap flights to Kenya: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Kenya💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Kenya

• Kenya is home to the Rift Valley, a giant geological fault running through East Africa.
• M-Pesa, the mobile-money service launched in Kenya, became a model for the world.
• Kenyan runners, many from the Rift Valley highlands, dominate world distance running.
• Nairobi National Park is one of the few national parks in the world bordering a capital city.
• Mount Kenya, which gave the country its name, still has small glaciers despite sitting almost on the equator.

Kenya❓ Kenya travel FAQ

Kenya travel questions