10+ Best Places To Visit In Kenya
The best places to visit in Kenya for a thrilling adventure are Nairobi, Mombasa, Lamu Island, Tsavo West National Park, and the Maasai Mara. These locations are popular among tourists because they offer an authentic Kenyan experience. From wildlife adventures to rich Kenyan museums, there is a lot to do and see. These destinations have guides who provide clear direction to help you experience Kenya like a local. Hopefully, this guide will inform you about the best attractions that will make your trip unforgettable. So, don’t worry about missing out.
Just keep reading to get a clear idea of the kind of experience you can expect.
1. Baby Elephant Sanctuary
When ready for a cute experience, step into the Baby Elephant Sanctuary, where baby elephants and rhinos are kept. These little animals are kept here because they lost their mothers. At this destination, you can watch baby elephants play around, splash in the mud, and even drink milk from bottles. Furthermore, the keepers have a lot to tell about the elephants and how they got here. Staying with these gentle giants will surely give you a great time, and hopefully, you can even adopt one of them. Yes, you can adopt an elephant and visit it privately at any time.
2. Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a park that showcases wildlife against a stunning backdrop of Nairobi’s tall city buildings. At this park, you will see a lot of animals like zebras, buffalo, black rhinos, giraffes, lions, hyenas, and leopards. Plus, it also has over 400 types of birds to spot.
3. Kenya National Museum
The Kenya National Museum is the premier destination for visitors seeking to learn more about Kenya’s history and culture. You will find interesting things to view, such as traditional clothes, ancient human skulls, animal displays, and old Kenyan stories.
Another interesting thing you will find is “Ahmed”. Now, Ahmed is the name of a person, but this particular one is given to a prestigious elephant. This elephant had unusually large tusks and was protected by guards and a presidential decree. There, you can find the model of the elephant at the national museum. Other things you will find include mammals, stuffed birds, and a section for some of the oldest human fossils ever found. Lastly, they have an exhibition that showcases the past and various tribes of Kenya.
4. Giraffe Centre
Giraffe Centre is the go-to spot to witness giraffes up close. You can feed them and even touch them. This centre was established to save the Rothschild’s giraffe, a species on the brink of extinction. The centre succeeded, and now you can come to witness the population of giraffes.
5. Maasai Mara
If a safari in Kenya is on your bucket list, then you cannot miss visiting the Maasai Mara because it is one of the best places to visit in Kenya for a safari. The Maasai Mara boasts a rich natural environment, which enables numerous animals, including wildebeest, elephants, zebras, gazelles, and giraffes, to thrive in abundance. You will also find carnivores like lions, leopards, and cheetahs. If spotting lions is another activity on your bucket list, then it is hardly possible you won’t spot one here. Why? Because the Maasai Mara has one of the highest numbers of lions in the world.
6. Kazuri Beads Factory
Kazuri Beads Factory is a spot that showcases handmade items and community empowerment. This spot dates back to the 1900s, where a British woman taught single mothers useful skills to help them make a living from it. This idea has grown to support over 100 workers who make handmade items for sale. When touring the factory, you can witness the way they shape raw clay, paint it, and package it for sale.
7. Lamu Museum
The Lamu Museum is one of the best museums showcasing Swahili culture and life on the coast. The museum showcases how people lived in their homes, how they built their boats, and their traditional wedding customs. You will also see items like horns made from ivory and brass, and beautiful silver jewellery. Another thing to see is the mtepe, a traditional sewn boat known as the “camel of the sea.” You’ll also learn about coastal communities like the hunters (Boni), fishermen (Pokomo), and cattle herders (Orma).
8. Lamu Beach
Lamu Beach stretches for 12 km. Its wide space and white sand make it a great place to take a walk and relax from the city’s noise. If you’re with someone special, you’ll enjoy it even more. Because of the strong waves, it’s not good for swimming, but there are nearby places that are safe to swim in.
9. Lamu Fort
Lamu Fort is a must-see historic building that was once a prison but has since been transformed into a place to share its rich history. It was built by the Sultan of Pate in the 1800s. Today, it shows old photos and artwork. You can also find one of the best Swahili poetry collections in Kenya.
10. The German Post Office
The German Post Office is a museum in the middle of Lamu Town. It was first built in the 1800s as a private home and later converted into the first German post office on the East African coast, when Witu was under German control. Now, it’s a museum where you can learn about Kenya’s colonial past. You’ll find all kinds of things, from old objects to black-and-white photos.
11. Lamu Market
If there’s one busy and fun place to visit in Kenya, it’s the Lamu Market. It’s a great spot to see how locals live. At the market, you’ll find sellers offering fruits, fresh fish, vegetables, and local spices. It’s also a nice place to try traditional Swahili food sold on the streets.
12. Colobus Conservation Centre
In the area south of Mombasa, you’ll see colobus monkeys crossing busy roads safely because of the work done by the Colobus Conservation Centre. This centre was established to protect monkeys, including the black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, and Sykes’ monkeys. One of their most well-known projects is the rope bridge they built across the road to help monkeys cross safely. The guides at the centre can take you on a tour through the monkey forest, where you’ll see their homes and maybe even spot a few monkeys. You can also see the ones they’re caring for at the centre. If you want to help more, you can join their volunteer program and support their work.
14. Fort Jesus
Fort Jesus is the top attraction to visit in Mombasa, Kenya. You will see designs from various cultures on the fort, including Arabic writings, European graffiti, and Swahili patterns. This mix comes from the different countries that once controlled the fort. It was first built by the Portuguese in 1593, but was later taken over by the Omani Arabs and the British. Today, it is a museum where you can explore Mombasa’s history.
Inside, you will find interesting displays, including drawings of ships such as Arab dhows and traditional Swahili boats called mtepe. Most of these boats were used in the Indian Ocean. There are also Omani items such as wall decorations, an old Omani house, weapons, jewellery, and other objects.
At the centre of the fort, there is a museum that shows items from a big battle with the Portuguese in 1697. Some of the things on display include charms from Persia and Chinese porcelain.
15. Mzima Springs
Mzima Springs is a beautiful green area, but what makes it special is that it produces about 250 million litres of clean, fresh water. This water is used in Mombasa. The water comes from a nearby hill called Chyulu Hills.
Because of the fresh water, many wild animals come to the area. As you walk along the paths, you may see hippos, crocodiles, and many birds. There are also many fish in the springs. Luckily, there is an underwater viewing room where you can watch the fish swim.
Final Thought
From the city of Nairobi to Tsavo West National Park, there are many real and exciting attractions tourists can explore. Places like the Kenya National Museum and Lamu Museum teach you about Kenya’s history and culture, while spots like Nairobi National Park and Mzima Springs let you see wild animals in their natural homes. Other places give you the chance to relax and enjoy local life. And if you want a top safari experience, Masai Mara is the perfect place to visit. These may be just a few best places to visit in Kenya, but they are a great starting point. Especially if you want to quickly feel the country’s history and culture.
5 Reasons to Visit Kenya in 2025