Things to do in  Kenya

Located just south of the city, Nairobi National Park is the first game reserve in Kenya and the only protected area in the world that sits so close to a nation’s capital. Visitors to the vast wildlife park are likely to spot black rhinos, lions, giraffes, and zebras, as well as some 400 bird species.

Arguably the most popular nature park in Kenya, the Masai Mara National Reserve (Maasai Mara National Park) centers on the Mara River, which sustains life on the sometimes brutal plains of the Serengeti, supporting a range of mammals such as wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, lions, cheetahs, and elephants. During the dry season’s epic Great Migration, impressive numbers of animals flock here.

Known for its rich wildlife, Lake Naivasha is a nature lover’s paradise not far from the Kenyan capital. Situated at around 6,181 feet (1,884 meters) high in the Rift Valley ridge, the lake is home to hippos, exotic birds, and wetland flora, while its fresh water draws all manner of grazers, including zebras, giraffes, and buffalo.

Home to a towering crew of endangered Rothschild’s giraffes, Nairobi’s Giraffe Centre supports conservation work and educational programs across Kenya. Here, visitors can feed giraffes from a treetop platform, walk a nature trail to the Gogo River, and learn about wildlife conservation at the on-site nature center.

Nestled along Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru National Park offers a diverse landscape of rocky caves, brushy grasslands, and, of course, Lake Nakuru. The national park is populated with an abundance of wildlife, including more than 400 different bird species, but its huge draw is the gathering of greater and lesser flamingos that wade across the lake.

The inspiration for animators of Disney’sThe Lion King, Hell’s Gate National Park covers roughly 26 square miles (68.25 square kilometers). Named for a gap in the red-tinged cliffs carved by the flowing waters of a prehistoric lake, it’s the only park in East Africa in which you can get out of your safari vehicle and hike freely.

Though technically all one nature reserve, Tsavo National Park is split between Tsavo East and Tsavo West, and separated by the Nairobi-Mombasa Road that cuts through the site. Tsavo National Park is one of Kenya’s oldest and largest national parks, and is the country’s largest protected area. It’s home to larger African mammals and a prolific bird population.

Once a colonial beef ranch, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy is now a leading wildlife sanctuary. Backdropped by Mount Kenya’s snowy peaks, the 90,000-acre (36,422-hectare) savanna preserve is home to several safari must-sees, including East Africa’s largest black rhino population and the last northern white rhinos in the world.

Majestic peaks shrouded in mist, vast open moorlands, and dense tropical forests characterize the varied landscapes of Aberdare National Park in Kenya. Marked by steep ravines and waterfalls, this protected area is a part of the Aberdare Mountain Range—boasting heights of more than 10,000 feet (3,050 meters)—and is populated by a remarkable variety of African animals.

Located about 6 miles (10 kilometers) south of downtown Nairobi in Langata, just outside Nairobi National Park, the Bomas of Kenya cultural village recreates and preserves Kenya’s traditional heritages. The village offers the chance to see reconstructed villages, watch traditional performances, check out arts and handicrafts, and try regional cuisines from all over East Africa.

With a massive permanent collection that combines history, culture, and artwork, the Nairobi National Museum is a must for travelers interested in Kenya’s rich heritage. Artifacts are displayed across two floors, and a nature trail winds through the surrounding grounds, a botanical garden, and collections of outdoor sculptures.

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 Danish author ofOut of Africa lived in a coffee plantation farmhouse at the edge of Kenya’s beautiful Ngong Hills, where a small museum now celebrates her life and work. Since much of the original furniture has been preserved, it’s a fascinating glimpse into a colonial-era home and an interesting stop even if you haven’t read Blixen’s books.

In the heart of Nairobi's Central Business District, the 28-story Kenyatta International Convention Centre is a popular spot for major conferences and events. Facilities include meeting spaces, offices, an observation deck, and a helipad.

The epicenter of historic Mombasa, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fort Jesus sits above the Indian Ocean surrounded by yard-thick (meter-thick) walls. Built by Portuguese colonists in the late 16th century, its design incorporates Renaissance ideas about ideal proportion, while the interior houses a small museum and an exhibition.