Best Places to Visit in Kenya
Best places to visit in Kenya: Maasai Mara wildlife, pristine beaches, vibrant Nairobi & Mount Kenya. Plan your perfect safari adventure with our expert guide.
Where Are the Places to Visit in Kenya
When you think of Africa, Kenya likely springs to mind. Kenya stands as one of those spectacular destinations that most travellers add to their Africa bucket list, and with good reason. You’ll find a ton of magical places to visit in Kenyan, each offering its own unique charm and attractions. The Masai Mara hosts the famed and dramatic wildebeest migration, but this East African country offers much more to explore. You can divide the country’s major holiday destinations into four regions:
- Central Kenya – Most Kenya safari itineraries start here because Nairobi serves as the country’s logistics hub.
- Western Kenya – The Masai Mara National Reserve, safari’s biggest name, calls this region home.
- Northern Kenya – You’ll discover superb safari options here, including Samburu National Park, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Laikipia.
- Southern Kenya – Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, dominates the landscape here. The south-eastern coast boasts some of Kenya’s best beaches.
Read our Kenya safari guide to find out everything you need to know about planning your ideal Kenya’s safari.
1. Masai Mara: Wildebeest Migration & Year-Round Game-Viewing
Kenya’s flagship conservation area, the Masai Mara, may not be the country’s largest, but it forms part of the Masai Mara-Serengeti ecosystem that hosts the famous Great Wildebeest Migration. A Masai Mara safari delivers the most dramatic game viewing and widest range of experiences for all travellers. Visitors enjoy hot air balloon flights, action-packed game drives, cultural interactions and guided nature walks in private conservancies. All of this, combined with spectacular Masai Mara lodges, makes it one of Kenya’s top
2. Lamu Archipelago: Classic Barefoot Luxury Beach Experience
Scuba diving and snorkelling on pristine reefs, sunset dhow cruises and swimming with dolphins – the unspoilt Lamu Archipelago combines all the elements of a fantastic beach holiday and pairs perfectly with a Kenyan safari. Honeymooners will find it one of Kenya’s best destinations for a sensational romantic getaway. Both Lamu Island and nearby Manda Island offer superb luxury accommodation.
3. Nairobi: East Africa's Logistics Hub
With the majority of our best Kenya safaris starting or ending in Nairobi, a stopover in this city becomes almost inevitable. International visitors fly into Jomo Kenyatta Airport, but Wilson Airport, some 90 minutes away, provides regional and charter flights to Kenya’s top destinations like the Masai Mara. Nairobi thrives as an extremely lively city – the largest between Johannesburg and Cairo – where you can experience the authentic ‘everyday Africa’.
Travellers should avoid downtown Nairobi, especially since most of the city’s main attractions – the Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Centre and the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage – sit in the city’s leafy suburbs. Speaking of giraffes, the otherworldly Giraffe Manor stands out as a must-visit Kenya vacation spot, where gentle creatures poke their heads through your bedroom window for a truly unforgettable experience. The Nairobi National Park, despite its startling backdrop of city skyscrapers, provides a haven for lion, rhino, zebra and various antelope species and serves as a great introduction to ethical animal encounters in Africa.
4. Mombasa & Kenya Beaches: Family Resorts & Luxury Lodges
With all the attention on Kenya’s safari destinations, travellers easily forget that the country boasts a dazzling tropical coastline. However, the sandy shores and crystal blue oceans rank among Kenya’s prime vacation spots. Mainland Mombasa serves as a family-favourite Kenya destination for got-it-all Kenya beach resorts, but ask us about Kenya’s more exclusive mainland beach lodges where exclusivity, luxury and indulgence take centre stage.
5. Amboseli National Park: Best Views of Mt Kilimanjaro
A short distance from Nairobi, Amboseli National Park offers the ideal Kenya destination to soak up classic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, ironically situated across the border in Tanzania. The park delivers great big game viewing as well – especially around Amboseli’s wetland areas – although crowds gather here throughout the year since visitors consider every season the best time for a safari in Kenya. Expect to share your sightings with other visitors. Want to explore more? We’ve created a comprehensive guide on Kilimanjaro vs Mt Kenyan, helping you make your travel experience that much more memorable.
6. Laikipia Plateau: Private Reserves & Outstanding Accommodation
Kenya’s newest safari destination lies just north of Nairobi on the rim of the magical Great Rift Valley. Thriving private reserves, luxurious family-friendly accommodation and its status as one of the best honeymoon destinations in Africa make Laikipia a must-visit Kenya vacation spot. If you seek an air of exclusivity and a diverse, intimate Kenya safari experience away from the crowds, you’ve found it.
7. Mount Kenya & Central Highlands: Game Viewing Away from the Crowds
While the Masai Mara’s allure remains undeniable, visitors seeking less crowded safari destinations should head for the rugged Central Highlands. Africa’s second highest peak, the 5,200m Mount Kenya, looms over much of the region, which includes great wildlife destinations such as the family-friendly and multi-activity Meru National Park, the private Lewa Downs Conservancy in the foothills of Mt Kenyan, Mount Kenya National Park and the amazing forests of Aberdares National Park.
Deciding between Mount Kenya vs Kilimanjaro can prove tricky, given that each mountain offers its own unique charm. However, if you’re looking for a relaxed Mount Kenya safari, any one of these parks fits the bill. Recently, UNESCO announced that the Mount Kenya-Lewa Wildlife Conservancy will join Mount Kenya National Park as an extension, enhancing the land’s protection as a World Heritage Site and elevating the region to a top Kenya vacation spot.
8. Lake Nakuru: Spectacular Game Viewing
Lake Nakuru in Kenya sits just a three-hour drive from Nairobi in the Great Rift Valley. The park boasts an abundance of wildlife and spectacular landscapes. Rhino and hippo rank among the heavyweights, though bird watchers will find more interest in the 400 bird species recorded here. While there, book yourself into the sensational Lake Nakuru Lodge for a quintessential Kenya’s vacation.
9. Shaba and Samburu: Untamed Wilderness
Shaba and Samburu National Reserves lie to the north of the region where Kenya’s savannah gives way to desert scrub and mountains. The scenery captivates visitors, and besides a familiar cast of classic African animals, you’ll discover species here that don’t occur in Kenya’s more popular parks, making it one of the most appealing places to visit in Kenya. Samburu National Reserve ranks as one of the prime Kenya vacation spots due to its magnificent topography and wildlife, while Shaba offers similar appeal with its slight change in landscape.