Discover Kenya · Karibu
The 10 Places prettiest from Kenya
The most beautiful places in Kenya, from the glaciers of Mount Kenya to the Swahili streets of Lamu: what to see in Kenya, when to go, and why each one is worth the trip.
From north to south
The most beautiful places in Kenya, At a Glance
The map
Where is each one, on the map
You can see all of Kenya in one trip: from the deserts of the north to the beaches of the Indian Ocean, with the equator running right through the middle of the country. Tap a location to go there.
In the heart of East AfricaBetween Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Indian Ocean.
Southeast · border with TanzaniaMasai Mara
Simbalion in Swahili: the king of the Mara
The setting of the Great Migration and the realm of the big cats.
Golden plains dotted with acacia trees stretching to the horizon. Between July and October, more than 1.5 million wildebeests arrive from the Serengeti, and their crossings of the Mara River are one of the greatest natural spectacles on the planet. The rest of the year, it remains one of the best places in Africa to see lions, cheetahs, and leopards.
Did you know that…? His name unites the Maasai people with mara, «speckled»—as they say in their language—by the acacia trees that dot the plain.
South · at the foot of KilimanjaroAmboseli
Temboelephant in Swahili
Africa's most famous postcard: elephants with the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro in the background.
Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania, but the best view of it is from Kenya. Amboseli is home to large herds of elephants that roam the park’s green marshes, fed by meltwater from the mountain. At dawn, when the clouds part, the snow-capped peak rises above the savanna.
Did you know that…? Its elephants are among the most studied in the world: scientists have been tracking them since 1972.
Center · on the equatorMount Kenya and Laikipia
KirinyagaKikuyu name for Mount Kenya
Glaciers straddling the equator and plains with rhinos at their feet.
The mountain that gives the country its name rises to 5,199 meters and is a World Heritage Site. Its rocky peaks and glaciers are visible from the Laikipia plains, where reserves such as Ol Pejeta and Lewa protect black and white rhinos. The equator crosses the road here: in Nanyuki, you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere.
Did you know that…? Ol Pejeta is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa and the only place in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees at a rescue center.
North · Ewaso Ng’iro RiverSamburu
Twigagiraffe in Swahili
Red earth, palm trees along the river, and animals you won't see in the south.
A semi-desert landscape crossed by a river that attracts all kinds of wildlife during the dry season. It is home to the «five special animals of the north»: the Grévy’s zebra, the reticulated giraffe, the beisa oryx, the Somali ostrich, and the gerenuk, a gazelle that eats while standing on its hind legs. And of the Samburu, cousins of the Maasai, with their beaded necklaces.
Did you know that…? Joy Adamson, the author of, lived in the neighboring Shaba Reserve Born Free.
Far North · Rift ValleyLake Turkana
Ziwalake in Swahili
A jade-green sea in the middle of the desert, in the cradle of humanity.
It is the world’s largest permanent desert lake, with deep green waters surrounded by volcanic rock. Some of the most important human fossils, such as the «Turkana Boy,» have been found on its shores. It is remote and wild: a journey for those seeking the Kenya that almost no one sees.
Did you know that…? Its national parks are World Heritage Sites, and its Central Island is home to one of the largest colonies of Nile crocodiles.
You don't visit Kenya. You walk through, from horizon to horizon.Safari means "journey"
Rift ValleyLake Nakuru
HeroFlamenco in Swahili
The pink shore of the Rift Valley.
An alkaline lake surrounded by a forest of yellow acacia trees and cliffs. When water levels permit, thousands of flamingos turn its shores pink. It has also been a rhino sanctuary since 1987 and is one of the best places in Kenya to see both types—white and black.
Did you know that…? Together with Lakes Bogoria and Elementaita, it forms a World Heritage Site.
Rift Valley · near NairobiLake Naivasha and Hell's Gate
Kibokohippopotamus in Swahili
A safari that takes place on foot, by boat, and by bicycle.
A freshwater lake teeming with hippos, fish eagles, and pelicans, which you can explore by boat. Next to it, Hell’s Gate National Park features red-rock gorges and volcanic towers through which you can bike among zebras and giraffes—one of the few parks in Kenya where biking is allowed.
Did you know that…? It is said that the landscapes of Hell’s Gate inspired The Lion King, and that beneath the park lies one of the largest geothermal power plants in Africa.
Nairobi · 7 km from downtownNairobi National Park
Enkare Nyrobi«Fresh water» in Maa, the origin of the name Nairobi
The only safari in the world with skyscrapers in the background.
Lions, giraffes, buffalo, and rhinos just a few kilometers from the center of the capital. It was Kenya’s first national park, established in 1946, and is the best way to spend your arrival or departure day. The Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Center are very close by.
Did you know that…? It is one of the best places in Kenya to see black rhinos.
Southeast · Coastal RoadTsavo
Ndovuanother way to say "elephant" in Swahili
Red earth, endless space, and elephants the color of dust.
Tsavo East and Tsavo West cover more than 20,000 km², making them one of Africa’s largest protected areas. Here, the elephants cover themselves with reddish soil, making them appear to be a different color. In Tsavo West, the Mzima Springs allow visitors to see hippos underwater from a submerged observation deck.
Did you know that…? It's halfway between Nairobi and the coast, so it's perfect for combining a safari with a beach vacation.
North Coast · Indian OceanLamu
Pwanicoast in Swahili
Narrow coral-lined alleys, carved doors, and dhows at sunset.
Its old town is the best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa and is a World Heritage Site. There are hardly any cars: you get around on foot, by donkey, or by dhow, the traditional sailboat. The coral-stone houses, the carved wooden doors, and Shela Beach make Lamu the perfect ending to a trip through Kenya.
Before you go: Check the current travel advisories for the area; we'll review them for you as we plan your trip.
How to Combine Them
Three Ways to Connect the prettiest ones
You don't have to see them all on one trip. Here are three itinerary ideas that we'll tailor to your schedule and what you want to experience.
The Rift Valley and the Maasai Mara
- Nairobi and its national park
- Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate
- Lake Nakuru
- Masai Mara
The best time for a first visit to Kenya is from July through October.
Mountains and Desert
- Mount Kenya and Laikipia
- Samburu
- Lake Turkana, for the more adventurous
- Final in the Maasai Mara
Different landscapes and fewer people—ideal for repeat visitors.
From Kilimanjaro to the Indian Ocean
- Amboseli
- Tsavo
- The coast
- Lamu
Elephants, red earth, and a final rest by the sea.
Travel with África Salvaje
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