Choose from 24 Fun Things to Do in Kenya
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Kibera
Kibera, the largest slum both in Nairobi and Africa, is home to more than a million residents packed into an area less than a square mile (2.6 square kilometers). While life here isn’t easy—it’s one of Nairobi’s poorest neighborhoods and the lack of running water and electricity are constant problems—the slum has its own buzzing industries, which include rows of tilted shacks selling produce, charcoal, homemade breads, secondhand clothes, and shoes.
The Basics
While the thought of visiting one of the world’s largest urban slums might sound overwhelming, the experience of spending a few hours in this vibrant, multifaceted community is an educational one. With its maze-like network of unmarked streets and narrow alleys, Kibera is best visited on a small-group or private tour led by a guide from the community who can shed light on the inspiring creativity, resilience, and ingenuity employed by Kibera residents to survive under challenging circumstances in what they call the “city of hope.”
Things to Know Before You Go
- A Kibera tour can be an education experience, allowing for a better understanding of Nairobi and its history.
- Wear closed-toed shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.
- It’s best to leave unnecessary valuables like jewelry and large cameras in your hotel room.
- Profits from Kibera tours sometimes go toward funding community projects.
How to Get There
Catching a bus or matatu from center city to the outskirts of Kibera is easy, but without a tour guide, finding a bus for the return trip can be difficult. Travelers can walk the streets alone safely, but traveling with a tour guide familiar with the narrow passes and abandoned railways can make navigation easier and the experience more insightful.
When to Get There
The best time to visit the Kibera slum is during daytime business hours when it’s possible to see the neighborhood’s inventive industries in full swing. January, February, and July through October are the driest and most pleasant months weather-wise.
A Note on the Ethics of Slum Tourism
We are sensitive to the issues and concerns surrounding slums, and we understand that tours of them may not be suitable for everyone. We strongly believe that these tours are educational and allow for a better understanding of life inside Kibera.
Address: Nairobi, Kenya
From $ 50
Lake Nakuru National Park
Made up of the lake itself and the rocky caves and bushy grassland that surrounds it, Lake Nakuru National Park especially draws visitors looking to see pink flamingos, as there may be as many as 2 million lesser and great flamingos seen around the edges of the lake at a given time. The birds are drawn here by their favorite food, cyanophyta spirulina plantensis, a type of blue-green algae that fills the lake.
In addition to the flamingos, more than 400 different bird species have been spotted in the park, which is on a migration route for many European birds. This is one national park where you definitely want a bird-watchers' guide in hand to identify all the feathered creatures and ensure the species you need for your life list are expected to be in residence when you visit. The park is also home to many water-loving animals such as hippos and waterbucks, and among other mammals found in the park, visitors who get lucky will also be able to spot lions, leopards, giraffes, hyenas, buffalo, baboons, monkeys and gazelles. In addition, once simply a bird sanctuary, the Lake Nakuru National Park has since become a national rhino sanctuary and is the best place in Kenya to see protected black and white rhinos.
Practical Info
Lake Nakuru National Park is located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Nairobi and is connected to the city via the main A104 road. The most commonly used route into the park is by way of the main gate, which is about 2.5 miles (four kilometers) from Nakuru town center.
Address: Kenya
Hours: Daily 6:30 am-6:30 pm
Admission: Adult: $80, Children/Student: $40 (non-resident rates)
From $ 69
Giraffe Center
This 120-acre conservation center in the heart of Kenya’s largest city provides a natural breeding ground for one of Africa’s most graceful animals. As part of a concerted effort to increase numbers for these endangered species, giraffe calves are bread, born and raised in this protected environment before being introduced to the wild at the age of two. Visitors can sit in on talks about the center’s conservation activities and efforts, then climb a raised platform to pet and feed giraffes before taking to the 1.5-kilometer nature trail for guided birding or a tree identification tour.
Practical Info:
The Giraffe Center is open every day from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and costs about $7 USD for adult entry. It’s located on Duma Road near the intersection of Kima and Nyumbi Roads in Nairobi.
Address: Duma Road, Nairobi 00509, Kenya
Hours: Daily: 9am - 5pm
Admission: Nonresident Adult: $7
From $ 25
Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park is in a cloud forest in some of the higher areas of Kenya's central highlands marked by deep ravines and forested mountain slopes. Because of its altitude -- mostly above 10,000 feet -- it's often shrouded in mist.
Animals often observed in the park include the black rhino, leopard, baboon, black and white colobus monkey and Sykes' monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis). Rarer are lions and the bongo, an elusive forest antelope that lives in the bamboo forest. Animals like the eland (a type of antelope) and serval cat (a solitary, nocturnal feline) can be found higher up in the moorlands.
Birders will note that there are more than 250 species of birds in the park, including the Jackson's Francolin (Pternistis jacksoni), sparrowhawk, goshawk, eagle, sunbird and plover.
Animals often observed in the park include the black rhino, leopard, baboon, black and white colobus monkey and Sykes' monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis). Rarer are lions and the bongo, an elusive forest antelope that lives in the bamboo forest. Animals like the eland (a type of antelope) and serval cat (a solitary, nocturnal feline) can be found higher up in the moorlands.
Birders will note that there are more than 250 species of birds in the park, including the Jackson's Francolin (Pternistis jacksoni), sparrowhawk, goshawk, eagle, sunbird and plover.
Practical Info
Less than 100 miles from Nairobi, Aberdare National Park is near Nyeri and Naro Moru on its eastern side. Admission to the park for non-Kenyans is $50 for adults and $25 for children. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The iconic Treetops Hotel (built on stilts) is here. One can sit on the veranda and watch the animals at a nearby water-hole. The hotel on the path of an ancient elephant migratory route between the Aberdare Mountain Ranges and Mount Kenya National Park. Other choices include the Ark Lodge, also overlooking a water-hole, the Fish Lodge Guest House (trout fishing is popular in the park) and public campsites.
Address: Aberdare National Park, Ndaragwa, Kenya
Hours: Daily: 6:30am - 6:30pm
Admission: $50
From $ 397
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya’s most popular nature reserves. This wide stretch of savannah and swampland encompasses the largely dry Lake Amboseli, and much of it is within sight of Tanzania’s mighty snow-capped Kilimanjaro. Complementing this awe-inspiring landscape are mighty herds of elephants, the park's biggest draw. Head to Observation Hill for some of the most impressive views; early morning and late afternoon are best for spotting these majestic animals.
Persistence will reward you with sightings of the rest of the “Big Five” of game: lions, leopards, rhinos and buffaloes. There are also a number of Maasai villages which welcome visitors. Make sure your camera has a generous memory card; Africa has few better combinations of wildlife and scenery.
Address: Kenya
Hours: Accessible daily
Admission: Nonresidents - Adult: $80, Child/Student: $40
From $ 200
Bomas of Kenya
Bomas of Kenya is a cultural center situated around 10 kilometers from Nairobi city, right near the main entrance to Nairobi National Park. Through art, crafts, music, dance, and architecture, it serves to preserve Kenyan culture, with artists performing traditional dances and songs from the country's major ethnic groups.
The center features replicas of traditional villages, which were built according to the same principles and techniques used by local tribes. The site is also home to one of the largest auditoriums in Africa, seating 3500 people. It is here that you can watch a selection of more than 30 traditional dances from the different ethnic groups in Kenya, including impressive performances from the Samburu and Masai warriors. Visitors can also sample a range of traditional African foods at the on site Utamaduni restaurant.
Bomas of Kenya is best enjoyed as part of a Nairobi sightseeing day tour. These take in the best attractions of the city and its surrounds, including the famous Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, the Nairobi National Park, the Giraffe Center, and the Karen Blixen Museum.
Practical Info
If not arriving as part of an organized tour, you can reach Bomas of Kenya by taking bus number 125 or 126 from Nairobi train station and alighting at Magadi Road. From there, it's around a one-kilometer walk and is clearly signposted along the way.
Did You Know? The word ‘boma’ derives from a Swahili word meaning ‘enclosed homestead’.
Address: Langata Road, Nairobi 00200, Kenya
Hours: Cultural performances: Weekdays: 2:30pm / Weekend: 3:30pm
Admission: Adult: 600 KES / Child: 300 KES
From $ 50
Fort Jesus Museum
During the last years of the sixteenth century, the Portuguese constructed a massive fort to protect the port of Mombasa. Designed by Giovanni Battista Cairati, Fort Jesus is one of the best preserved examples of Portuguese military architecture from the era, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Today, Mombasa’s most visited attraction houses the Fort Jesus Museum. The collection includes archaeological finds not only from Fort Jesus, but from nearby sites as well. Highlights include a collection of ceramics from the Kenyan coast and what’s left of the San Antonio de Tanna, a Portuguese gunner that sank not far from the fort in the late seventeenth century.
Practical Info
English guide books for the fort are available at the ticket desk. You’ll also encounter plenty of official and unofficial guides who will take you around the fort for a fee.
Address: Nkrumah Rd, Mombasa 80100, Kenya
Hours: 8am to 6pm
Admission: Ksh 1200
From $ 35
Kenyatta International Conference Center
The Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) is a 28-story building located in the central business district of Nairobi. At 105 meters tall, the KICC is the third tallest building in Kenya and is used for national and international conferences and exhibitions, along with a variety of other meetings and events.
This terracotta, cylindrical tower reflects traditional African architecture, as does the use of cuboids inside many of the main rooms and halls inside. The KICC features a revolving restaurant with panoramic views of the city, and a number of different conference and meeting rooms. The main auditorium has a capacity of almost 800 people across tiered seating, including three balconies.
Practical Info
The Kenyatta International Conference Centre is located on Harambee Avenue in central Nairobi. It is close to a number of five-star hotels in the area, making it a popular choice for events and meetings for both national and international visitors alike.
Address: Harambee Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya
From $ 46
Lake Naivasha
Situated at an altitude of 1884 meters, Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in Kenya located around 100 kilometers northwest of Nairobi and near the town of Naivasha (formerly East Nakuru). The lake is part of the Great Rift Valley and its name comes from the Maasai word, Nai'posha – which translates as "rough water" – on account of the storms that can suddenly arise here.
This vast lake is surrounded by a swampland and fringed by papyrus plants. Among the residents of the lake are over 400 species of birds, including fish eagles, ospreys, lily-trotters, black crakes, and herons, and it’s also home to a large community of hippos. A number of other mammals are also drawn here and it’s not uncommon to see zebra, impala, buffalo, giraffe, and kongoni grazing in the areas surrounding the lake.
Practical Info
Lake Naivasha is a popular spot for day trips and weekends away from Nairobi. There are two roads connecting Nairobi and Naivasha; the A104 and the B3. The A104 is the starting route for many safaris, which means most visitors will get their first glimpses of Kenya’s rural landscape as they drive along it.
Address: Naivasha (East Nakuru), Kenya
From $ 60
Mount Kenya
The volcanic peak which gave Kenya its name is second only to Kilimanjaro among Africa’s highest points. Not surprisingly it is predominantly hiking and climbing which draw people to the Mount Kenya National Park, with routes to match all abilities from keen first-timer to seasoned professional. Point Lenana is the most accessible of the mountain’s three peaks, but should only be attempted with guides.
From below, Mount Kenya is a stirring sight with its jagged outline sprinkled with snow and criss-crossed by glaciers. And this – remember – is just south of the Equator. The mountain’s steep slopes ensure dramatic changes in landscape within a small geographical area, rising from grass plains to alpine heights. The National Park, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also an important source of Kenya’s water, with rivers and other waterways attracting myriad bird species.
Practical Info:
Mount Kenya is 109 miles (175 kilometers) north-west of Nairobi, east of the Rift Valley. Accommodation facilities in the park are on the basic side.
Address: Kenya
From $ 440
Mamba Village
One of the world’s most fearsome predators is on display at Mamba Village, East Africa’s largest crocodile farm. A typical day at Mamba Village begins with an informational video introducing the crocodile, its lifecycle and the important ecological role it plays. Visitors to the farm can observe crocodiles ranging from hatchlings to behemoth adults, including the supposedly 100-year-old Big Daddy.
The highlight of the day occurs in the afternoon at feeding time, when the giant reptiles duke it out for fresh meat. The village also offers horse and camel rides, botanical gardens and a restaurant serving up grilled crocodile among other game meats.
Practical Info
Crocodile feeding time occurs daily at 5pm.
Address: Links Road, Mombasa, Kenya
Hours: 8:30am to 7pm
Admission: adult/child KSh650/350
From $ 96
August 7 Memorial Park
On Aug. 7, 1998, at the corner of Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue in Nairobi, what was then the United States Embassy was blown up in a terrorist attack, causing 218 deaths and thousands of injuries. The August 7 Memorial Park opened on the same date in 2001 as a tribute to the victims of the blast, and also to serve to educate people about the futility of violence.
The Memorial Park comprises a tranquil landscaped garden, a wall commemorating the names of those who died, and a sculpture made from the debris of the blast. The park also features a Conference Center and a Visitors Center with a Memorial Museum displaying various images and exhibits, plus a documentary about the events surrounding the tragedy.
Practical Info
The August 7 Memorial Park is located at the junction of Moi and Haile Selassie Avenues in central Nairobi, not far from Nairobi Railway Station. The park grounds are open daily from 7am to 6pm, with the Visitors Center open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 1pm to 6pm on Sundays and public holidays. The admission fee into the park grounds is KES 20, and for the Visitors Center, it’s KES 100 for adults and KES 50 for children.
Address: Moi and Haile Selassie Avenues, Nairobi, Kenya
Hours: Vary
Admission: Park: KES 20
From $ 48
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
A pioneering facility for the protection and rehabilitation of black rhinos and African elephants, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust saves injured and orphaned animals from the wild and rehabilitates them for a return to their natural habitats. This nonprofit park was founded in 1977 and operates within Nairobi National Park.
The Basics
The wildlife center at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust ranks among Nairobi’s most popular attractions. Travelers on full or half-day tours from Nairobi observe as handlers bottle-feed and play with baby elephants in their watering hole. Keepers tell the stories of the orphaned animals. Those with limited time in Nairobi can combine the elephant orphanage, Nairobi National Park, the Karen Blixen Museum, and the Giraffe Center into a single day of sightseeing.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The wildlife trust is a must-visit for animal lovers and families with kids.
- Entrance fees and contributions made on-site must be made in cash.
- Don’t forget your camera; the baby elephants are very photogenic.
- Day trips to the wildlife center can last from four to 10 hours, depending on what other attractions are included.
How to Get There
It’s possible to reach the wildlife center by taking bus 125 or 126 from Moi Avenue to the KWS Central Workshop; from there it’s a short walk to the center. The easier way is to hire a taxi from the city center, or book a guided tour that includes the center as well as round-trip transportation from Nairobi hotels.
When to Get There
Visitors who want to see the orphan elephants must be present between 11am and 12pm, because the orphanage is only open for an hour each day. Arrive early, as the Trust gets busy during nursery viewings.
Who Was David Sheldrick?
For more than two decades, David Sheldrick worked at Tsavo National Park as a park warden and anti-poaching activist. After his death in 1976, his wife Dr. Daphne Sheldrick established the nonprofit in her husband’s name. She and her family continue to live and work in Nairobi National Park.
Address: Mbagathi Road, Nairobi 00503, Kenya
Admission: Varies
From $ 7
Kazuri Beads Factory
Kazuri Beads is a fair trade success story in Nairobi that dates back to 1975, when it was founded. Kazuri was the brainchild of Lady Susan Wood, who was born to English parents in Africa. She began with two local women who made ceramic beads by hand – the word “kazuri” means “small and beautiful” in Swahili – and soon realized she could expand and help many more unemployed women.
Today, Kazuri Beads employs more than 300 women, makes over five million beads a year, and exports beads to 20 different countries. The women have also begun to make other pottery goods with the same colorful designs.
Practical Info
The Kazuri Beads Factory is on the Karen Blixen Estate, well-known as the setting for “Out of Africa,” and visitors can see where the beautiful beads are made during a trip to the estate.
Address: Mbagathi Ridge, Nairobi, Kenya
From $ 45
Great Rift Valley
The Rift Valley provides some of Kenya’s most dramatic scenery, with sheer cliffs, algae-rich lakes and desert expanses dotted here and there with fertile farming land. Apart from famous flamingo hotspot Lake Nakuru National Park, there are a number of nature reserves, including Hell’s Gate National Park. The natural hot geysers and steam vents here are a reminder of the geothermal activity which carved out the valley. Not only does this park have some of the most amazing landscape in the Rift Valley, you can (unlike most nature reserves) tour it without a guide.
Nearby Lake Naivasha has two impressive wildlife sanctuaries, one in a scenic volcanic crater lake setting. And as an alternative to Nakuru, consider Lake Bogoria, which also attracts thousands of flamingos.
Practical Info:
The narrowest point of the valley is just north of Nairobi, and most points of interest in the region are easily accessible from the capital.
Address: Kenya
From $ 75
Hell's Gate National Park
One of the lesser visited of Kenya's parks, Hell's Gate National Park is small (just 27 square miles) and primarily savannah (grassland). It was named for a narrow break in the sheer red cliffs (the outlet for a prehistoric lake in the Rift Valley) by Scottish explorer and geologist Joseph Thomson (Thomson's Gazelle is named for him).
One of the few parks were walking and hiking is encouraged, it's known for its nature trails as well as its herds of buffalo, zebra, giraffe, eland, hartebeest and two species of antelope: klipspringer ("rock jumper") and Chanler's mountain reedbuck. Bird watchers can spot vultures, Verreaux's Eagles (Aquila verreauxii), Augur Buzzards (Buteo augur) and swifts.
Rock climbers will be tempted to tackle Fischer's Tower, an 82-foot pillar of basalt rock located at the entrance to the Hell's Gate gorge (named for German explorer Gustav Adolf Fischer).
The Mervyn Carnelley Raptor Hide has a one-way window allowing visitors to view and photograph the raptors (birds of prey) of the Park at close range.
Also located in the park are two geothermal power plants, Olkaria I and Olkaria II (two of Kenya's largest), which draw from underground hot springs.
One of the few parks were walking and hiking is encouraged, it's known for its nature trails as well as its herds of buffalo, zebra, giraffe, eland, hartebeest and two species of antelope: klipspringer ("rock jumper") and Chanler's mountain reedbuck. Bird watchers can spot vultures, Verreaux's Eagles (Aquila verreauxii), Augur Buzzards (Buteo augur) and swifts.
Rock climbers will be tempted to tackle Fischer's Tower, an 82-foot pillar of basalt rock located at the entrance to the Hell's Gate gorge (named for German explorer Gustav Adolf Fischer).
The Mervyn Carnelley Raptor Hide has a one-way window allowing visitors to view and photograph the raptors (birds of prey) of the Park at close range.
Also located in the park are two geothermal power plants, Olkaria I and Olkaria II (two of Kenya's largest), which draw from underground hot springs.
Practical Info
Hell's Gate National Park, south of Lake Naivasha, is about a 90 km drive northwest from Nairobi. It's also served by flights to the Naivasha air strip.
Admission is US $25 for adults and US $15 for children. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Admission is US $25 for adults and US $15 for children. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Address: Hell's Gate National Park, Naivasha, Kenya
Hours: Terrestrial/Marine Parks 6:30am – 6:30pm.
Admission: Adult: US$25; Child: US$15
From $ 36
Karen Blixen Museum
Better known by her pen name, Isak Dinesen, Karen Blixen is the woman behind the colonial-era love story Out of Africa. Her historic farm, located at the foot of the Ngong Hills just outside Nairobi, was the setting for her timeless story of a broken marriage, cross-cultural romance and adaptation to a new foreign land. Today, literary buffs, history junkies and nature lovers can all enjoy a visit to Blixen’s former home and farm. The museum, which explores her life within the context of Kenya’s rich history, is situated on a portion of the original 4,500 acre plantation where scenes from the movie were also filmed.
Practical Info:
The museum is open every day from 9:30am until 6pm. Just 10 kilometers outside the city center, it’s easy to reach by matatu or taxi.
Address: Karen Road, Nairobi, Kenya
Hours: Daily: 9:30am - 6pm
Admission: Nonresident Adult: $8; Child: $4
From $ 12
Elsamere Conservation Park
One of several private conservancies in Kenya, the Elsamere Conservation Park is located on the southern shore of Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley.
It's here that conservationist Joy Adamson nurtured some of her orphaned big cats -- including the most famous: Elsa. This orphaned lion cub was hand-raised in the 1950s by Joy and her husband, George, and released into the African bush. The book Joy wrote about the experience, "Born Free", was made into a movie.
The area is still a haven for wildlife, with its own small troop of black and white colobus monkeys in the acacia trees. Fish Eagles can be found on the lakeshore, and hippos, eland and zebra graze on the lawns at night. More than 260 species of bird including rare species such as the Verreaux's Giant Eagle Owl have been spotted.
Practical Info:
Elsamere is located between Lake Naivasha National Park and Hell's Gate National Park, about a two-hour drive from Nairobi. Visitors can come for a visit between 3 and 6 p.m. stay overnight in one of four cottages (rates start at $165 per night) or sign up for a course at the Field Study Centre. Established in 1989, the field study centre continues the conservation work started by the Adamsons.
Elsamere is operated by the Elsa Conservation Trust, established in 1963.
Address: 1497-20117 Naivasha, Africa, Kenya
Admission: Check website for details
From $ 160
Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya’s most popular nature reserve is renowned for its impressive number of big cats, most notably lions, though you may spot the odd cheetah as well. The Serengeti plains, irrigated by the River Mara, make up much of the park and sustain huge populations of migratory animals, including wildebeest, giraffes and zebras. 4WD safaris at different times of the day will ensure you get the most out of your visit.
Find out how the indigenous Maasai live with and from the land in one of their villages dotted around the reserve. And for one of the most majestic views Africa can offer, take a sunrise hot air balloon ride above the grass plains.
Practical Info:
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is near the Kenyan shore of Lake Victoria in the country’s south-west, the border with Tanzania forming one edge of the park. You can reach the reserve by car in about 6 hours from Nairobi, or land at a local airstrip. Well-equipped lodges and campsites ensure “roughing it” is a relative term here.
Address: Kenya
Admission: Non residents - Adults: $80, Children/Student: $40
From $ 540
Kenyan National Archives
Visitors to the Kenyan National Archives will find its name only somewhat accurate. Sure, it houses an expansive collection of documents on almost any area of government. But it’s also home to two huge galleries, which showcase pre-colonial artifacts and the largest collection of Africana from across the continent. Travelers can choose to page through volumes of Kenya’s history and public records, or they can stroll through hallways and explore the artwork, crafts and weaponry that makes this nation’s past so rich.
Practical Info:
The National Archives are located at the edge of Nairobi’s central business district near Moi Avenue, next to the Ambassador Hotel.
Address: Moi Avenue, Nairobi 0010, Kenya
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:15am - 4:15pm
Sat: 8:15am - 1pm
Admission: Nonresident General: $3
From $ 46