Kenya Bucket List: Epic And Hidden Things to Do in Kenya
Kenya is a great destination to go on your first safari if you’re planning one. There are a lot more exciting things to do than on a safari in other nations, the excursions are really affordable, and the nation is full with stunning national parks and landscapes.
All the information you need to begin organizing your trip to Kenya, including the top activities to do, is contained inside this post. Whether you’re traveling alone, these are the top ten things to do in Kenya, from game drives and canyon hikes to riding through an animal-filled savannah:
The Bespoke African Safari Co – Those who have never traveled to Kenya often assume that it is only good for safaris and nothing more.
However, with roughly 1.5 million international tourists in 2017, East Africa’s top tourist destination is actually a complex and diverse area offering a wide range of urban and rural excursions.
Amazing Indian Ocean beaches, world-class mountain treks, a surprisingly good nightlife, a varied cultural legacy, and fascinating ways to get around (from old sailing ships to a spanking new railway line) are all part of Kenya’s appeal, while the country’s wildlife is still its crown jewel.
Best Things to Do in Kenya
Widely regarded as the birthplace of safari, Kenya is undoubtedly one of Africa’s premier safari destinations. The country boasts unbeatable wildlife regions like the Masai Mara and Amboseli, as well as jaw-droppingly gorgeous beaches along its Indian Ocean coastline.
From seeing the Big 5 on daily game drives to witnessing the spectacle of the Wildebeest Migration from a hot-air balloon, Kenya delivers the kind of holiday experiences that dreams are made of. But what if you’re in search of things to do in Kenya other than the traditional safari experiences? Look no further!
From fly fishing on the country’s highest mountain to exploring an island that’s been the centre of Swahili culture for over 700 years, here are the best things to do in Kenya apart from going on a traditional safari…
Best Things To Do In KENYA | Hotels, Experiences & More in Narobi & Lamu
Lesser-Known Things to Do in Kenya
One of the best places to go on a safari in Africa is Kenya, which is often said to be where the safari originated. The Masai Mara and Amboseli National Parks are two of the best places to see animals in Kenya, and the country’s beaches, which face the Indian Ocean, are breathtaking.
Dream vacations come true in Kenya, where visitors can do everything from see the Big Five on regular game drives to view the Wildebeest Migration from a hot-air balloon. But what if you’re looking for alternatives to the typical safari in Kenya? Stop searching now!
Aside from the usual safari, these are the top things to do in Kenya, such as fly fishing atop the highest mountain in the nation or visiting an island that has been the cultural epicenter of the Swahili people for more than seven centuries.
1. Summit Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya is the second-highest summit on the African continent, reaching a height of slightly more than 17,000 feet (3,800 meters). In contrast to its icy Tanzanian neighbor, Kilimanjaro, the summit trails here are significantly less congested.
A typical five-day hike (with four nights on the summit) will likely find you with the mountain to yourself. The Bespoke African Safari Co. lives up to its name by providing guided tours up all three major routes.
Climbing Mount Kenya – Africa’s 2nd Highest Mountain
2. Watch the Great Migration in Masai Mara
Millions of wildebeest, antelope, and zebra, accompanied by their predators, rumble through Masai Mara National Reserve from July to October as part of the Great Migration, which begins in the nearby Serengeti Plains.
Game drives, air or hot-air balloon rides, walking, or equine safaris are all good ways to see the show.
The Great Migration – Wildebeest Migration from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara, Crossing Mara River
3. Soak up sea, sun & sand at Diani
Diani offers the finest beach experience in all of East Africa, stretching eleven miles (17 kilometers) down the coast of southern Kenya.
Kitesurfing, paragliding, snorkeling, jetskiing, fashionable beachfront eateries, and cool surfside digs like Alfajiri Villas are just a few of the many outdoor activities available in Diani, which is known for its pristine white beaches and jade-colored waters protected by a coral reef..
Things To Do In Diani, Kenya – DIANI TRAVEL GUIDE
4. Foster orphaned elephants (or a blind rhino)
David and Dame Daphne Sheldrick, pioneers in conservation, established the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust on the outskirts of Nairobi in 1977. Since then, the sanctuary has rescued hundreds of young elephants, as well as a blind rhino called Maxwell, from imminent danger.
Every day, there is an opportunity to meet baby elephants and perhaps foster them.
Graduation Day for Orphan Elephants Mayan and Vaarti | Sheldrick Trust
5. Ride the new Nairobi-Mombassa train
The renowned line, originally called the “Lunatic Express” at its 1901 opening (because to the absurdity of running a railroad through the African bush), had a complete modernization in 2017 with the completion of a $2.3 billion overhaul to the rails and passenger trains.
With daily 9 a.m. departures from both Mombasa and Nairobi, the Madaraka Express completes the route in 4.5 hours.
6. Explore Elsa’s home turf
Joy Adamson’s 1960 single “Born Free” and the subsequent box office smash honored Kenya’s renowned feline.
Adamson and her husband took in the young lioness as an orphan and brought her up in a remote area of the forest in what is now Meru National Park in Kenya. Her burial is located on the north bank of the Ura River, approximately an hour distant, whereas the Adamson camp was located directly below what is now known as Elsa’s Kopje, an outcrop of rock.
Meru National Park
7. Sail the Lamu Archipelago by dhow
Lamu Island, off the coast of northern Kenya, is a cultural relic from the heyday of the Swahili people and one of the last major centers for traditional dhows, the lateen-rigged sailing ships that formerly connected India, East Africa, and the Middle East.
Guests at Hippo Dhow can enjoy sunset cruises, snorkeling adventures, and excursions to Manda Island’s Takwa ruins.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF LAMU ISLAND (KENYA)
8. See Tsavo from the air
The character played by Robert Redford in “Out of Africa,” Denys Finch Hatton, was an early safari operator in Africa who used biplanes to observe wildlife in the 1920s.
Campi Ya Kanzi, The Bespoke African Safari Co., and Luca Safari Aviation work together to provide a bird’s-eye view of Mount Kilimanjaro and the park’s orange-dust-covered elephants at his namesake resort in Tsavo West National Park.
Discover A Hidden Gem In The Heart Of Tsavo West National Park Kenya
9. Dance the night away in Nairobi
The once-staid colonial club culture in the nation’s capital has given way to a vibrant, contemporary nightlife scene that rivals any on the continent.
Numerous pubs, clubs, and cocktail lounges line Waiyaki Way and the Westlands district in the city’s northwest, drawing a diverse crowd of locals, expats, and visitors who drink and dance the night away.
10. Commune with crocodiles in Lake Turkana
The biggest colony of Nile crocodiles in the world is located in Central Island National Park, one of the most peculiar sites in Kenya, in the center of distant Lake Turkana.
The island boasts a primitive, end-of-the-earth atmosphere that appears barely changed from when our ancient ancestors called the region home 3.5 million years ago, in addition to three active volcanoes, three blue-green crater lakes, black-sand beaches, and a lone campsite. Day tours on the lake are available from the western bank by speedboat through Eliye Springs Resort.
Lake Turkana, Boat Riding
11. Roam with rhinos at Lewa
From a meager 15 black and white rhinos in 1984 to over 150 now, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in north-central Kenya has become one of the great success stories of African rhino conservation.
Armed patrols, fencing, intelligence, technology, and engagement with local communities have all contributed to Lewa’s success in eradicating rhino poaching.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
12. Channel the spirit of Karen Blixen
The Danish baroness and author Karen Blixen (“Out of Africa”) resided on a property outside of Nairobi, Kenya, for 18 years (1913–1931), during which time a museum honoring her life and works was established.
Plus, it has a view of her cherished Ngong Hills, for those who are familiar with the narrative.
13. Scuba or snorkel the Indian Ocean
Located at the very tip of the Kenyan coast, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park is a refuge for 56 distinct kinds of coral, 250 species of tropical fish, sea turtles, dolphins, and whales.
You can go scuba diving or snorkeling from Diani, Tiwi, or Shimoni. When the sea is calmest, which is between August and March, it is ideal.
Diani Beach Kenya Day Trip – Dhow Snorkeling in Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park
14. Watch nature’s version of ‘Pretty in Pink’
The Great Rift Valley is home to Lake Nakuru National Park, where over 240 bird species can be seen. The most photogenic, though, are the pink flamingos, which can assemble on the lake in swarms of up to two million birds.
The national park that encircles the lake is home to a variety of wildlife, including lions and rhinos. Indulge in beachfront luxury at one of eight campsites or at the posh Lake Nakuru Lodge.
Lake Nakuru National Park Kenya Safari Experience : Unforgettable Wildlife Encounters
15. Get licked by a hungry giraffe
The AFEW Giraffe Center is located on the outskirts of Nairobi and features a wooden observation platform where visitors may come face to face with Rothschild’s giraffes, which are uncommon and endangered. As you feed them, you risk getting licked by their lengthy, black tongues.
Giraffe Manor, a luxurious hotel, is also located on the sanctuary grounds.
We stayed at the Giraffe Manor (Africa’s Most Famous Hotel)
16. Train for a marathon in Iten
Iten is a small village in the mountains close to Eldoret that has become famous for its long-distance runners, who have won gold medals at the Olympics and set new world records.
Running camps and expert training are available at the Kenya Experience’s High Altitude Training Centre in Iten.
17. Get over your fear of snakes (or not)
Visit the Bio-Ken Snake Farm adjacent to Watamu to get up close and personal with some of the most venomous snakes in Kenya, including the black mamba, spitting cobra, bush python, and puff adder.
Adventurers interested in tracking, capturing, and releasing snakes in the wild can sign up for three-night safaris at the farm.
Bio Ken Snake Safari Galana
18. Time trip in Mombasa’s Old Town
The great port of Kenya, established in the 14th century by sultans of the Swahili people, served as a stronghold for the colonial powers of Portugal and Britain.
In the Old Town, you can still see the remnants of its past in the form of tiny lanes lined with mosques, coffee shops, and buildings with enormous wooden doors; towering above it all is Fort Jesus, which dates back to the 16th century.
19. Cycle through the Gates of Hell
A gnarly lava-carved environment, Hell’s Gate is situated in the depths of the Great Rift Valley, some sixty miles (96 kilometers) from Nairobi.
This African national park is unique in that it is completely safe to ride a bike there because there are no harmful animals. Inside the park and at vendors outside the main gate, you can rent bikes.
Hells gate National Park
20. Sleep beneath the stars
Indeed, camping in Kenya is very acceptable. The Star Beds safari camp in Loisaba Conservancy offers a luxurious alternative to roughing it. At night, the Samburu and Masai camp staff roll out four-poster beds onto the deck of a rocky outcrop next to a waterhole, where elephants and other animals come to drink.
Loisaba Tented Camp by Elewana