Top 20 unforgettable experiences in Kenya

People often assume that Kenya is all about safaris, but there's so much more to discover beyond the wildlife.

As East Africa’s premier travel spot, with nearly 1.5 million international visitors in 2017, Kenya is much more than just a safari haven – it's a rich and diverse destination offering a mix of adventures both in its rural landscapes and urban centers.

While the wildlife is undoubtedly a highlight, Kenya also boasts stunning Indian Ocean beaches, world-renowned mountain treks, vibrant nightlife, a deep cultural history, and unique ways to explore – from ancient sailing vessels to a cutting-edge railway system.

Here’s our roundup of 20 of the top things to experience in Kenya:

1. Conquer Mount Kenya

Standing at over 17,000 feet (3,800 meters), Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest peak. Unlike the more famous Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the summit trails here are much quieter, offering a more serene adventure.

During a typical five-day trek (with four nights spent on the mountain), you’ll likely have the peak all to yourself. As the name suggests, Mount Kenya Safaris organizes guided expeditions along any of the three main routes to the summit.

2. Witness the Great Migration in Masai Mara

Between July and October, millions of wildebeest, antelope, and zebras – along with the predators in pursuit – cross from the Serengeti Plains into Masai Mara National Reserve, creating one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles.

You can experience this awe-inspiring event through game drives, scenic flights by plane or hot-air balloon, or even on foot or horseback safaris.

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3. Unwind with sea, sun, and sand at Diani

Stretching for 11 miles (17 kilometers) along Kenya’s southern coastline, Diani Beach offers the ultimate seaside escape, making it the top beach destination in all of East Africa.

Beyond its powder-soft white sand and turquoise waters shielded by a coral reef, Diani Beach offers an array of thrilling activities, from kitesurfing and skydiving to snorkeling and jetskiing. Trendy beach bars, cozy restaurants, and stylish accommodations like Alfajiri Villas (+254 20 2697234) complete the picture.

4. Care for orphaned elephants (or a blind rhino)

Founded in 1977 by conservationists David and Dame Daphne Sheldrick, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (+254 202 301 396) on Nairobi's outskirts has rescued hundreds of orphaned elephants and even a blind rhino named Maxwell, offering them a second chance at life.

Get up close with baby elephants and even take part in fostering them, available every day.

5. Travel on the new Nairobi-Mombasa train

The Madaraka Express completes the journey in 4.5 hours, with daily departures at 9 a.m. from both Nairobi and Mombasa.

Kenya Railways (+254 709 907 000)

6. Discover Elsa's Legacy

Kenya’s legendary lioness, Elsa, was immortalized by Joy Adamson’s 1960 book 'Born Free' and the subsequent movie that brought her story to the world.

The orphaned lioness was raised by Joy Adamson and her husband in a remote area of the Kenyan bush, now part of Meru National Park. The Adamson camp was situated beneath a rock formation now known as Elsa’s Kopje (+254 730 127 000), while her final resting place lies about an hour away on the northern bank of the Ura River.

7. Cruise through the Lamu Archipelago on a dhow

A step back in time, Lamu Island on Kenya's northern coast preserves the golden age of Swahili culture, and remains one of the few places where traditional dhows – lateen-rigged sailing vessels once used for trade between East Africa, India, and the Middle East – are still in operation.

Hippo Dhow (+254 723 918316) offers unforgettable sunset cruises, snorkeling trips, and tours to the Takwa ruins on nearby Manda Island.

8. Experience Tsavo from the sky

Denys Finch Hatton, portrayed by Robert Redford in 'Out of Africa,' pioneered the aerial safari in the 1920s, using a biplane for wildlife-viewing flights across the African landscape.

The namesake lodge of Denys Finch Hatton in Tsavo West National Park (+254 20 357 7500) offers sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the park's famous orange-dust-covered elephants, in partnership with Campi Ya Kanzi (+254 720 461 300) and Luca Safari Aviation.

9. Party the night away in Nairobi

Nairobi’s once conservative colonial-era club scene has transformed into a dynamic and modern nightlife destination, rivaling the best in Africa.

In the Westlands area and along Waiyaki Way in Nairobi’s northwest, you’ll find a vibrant mix of bars, clubs, and cocktail lounges where locals, expats, and visitors come together to drink and dance the night away.

10. Get up close to crocodiles in Lake Turkana

One of Kenya’s most unique spots, Central Island National Park in the heart of remote Lake Turkana is home to the world’s largest colony of Nile crocodiles.

In addition to three active volcanoes, three turquoise crater lakes, black-sand beaches, and a solitary campsite, the island exudes an ancient, primordial atmosphere that feels unchanged since million years ago, when our early ancestors roamed the area. Eliye Springs Resort (+254 703 891 810) offers speedboat day trips from the western shore of Lake Turkana.

11. Wander with rhinos at Lewa

Lewa Conservancy (+254 730 127 000) in north-central Kenya is a remarkable success in rhino conservation, increasing its black and white rhino population from just 15 in 1984 to over 150 today.

By combining armed patrols, fencing, advanced technology, intelligence gathering, and cooperation with local communities, Lewa has nearly eradicated rhino poaching.

12. Embrace the legacy of Karen Blixen

Danish author and baroness Karen Blixen ('Out of Africa') lived in Kenya for 18 years (1913-1931), running a farm just outside Nairobi that is now a museum celebrating her life and work.

And for those familiar with the tale, the property offers a stunning view of her cherished Ngong Hills.

13. Dive or snorkel in the Indian Ocean

Located at the southern tip of the Kenya Coast, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park offers a protected environment for whales, dolphins, sea turtles, over 250 species of tropical fish, and 56 varieties of coral.

Scuba diving and snorkeling excursions are available from Diani, Tiwi, and Shimoni, with the best conditions between August and March when the sea is calmer.

14. Witness nature’s ‘Pretty in Pink’

More than 240 bird species visit Lake Nakuru in the Great Rift Valley, but the most striking are the flamingos, which arrive in flocks that can number between one and two million birds.

Rhinos and lions are among the wildlife that roam the national park surrounding the lake. For accommodation, there are eight campsites and the upscale Lake Nakuru Lodge offering luxurious stays by the water's edge.

15. Get up close and personal with a hungry giraffe

A wooden observation platform lets you come face-to-face with the rare and endangered Rothschild’s giraffes at the AFEW Giraffe Center on the edge of Nairobi. Feeding them – and being licked by their long, black tongues – is all part of the fun.

The sanctuary also houses the luxurious Giraffe Manor hotel (+254 725 675830).

16. Train for a marathon in Iten

Located in the highlands near Eldoret, Iten is celebrated for producing elite long-distance runners, including Olympic gold medalists and world record holders.

The Kenya Experience offers specialized running camps and expert coaching at its High Altitude Training Centre in Iten.

17. Conquer your fear of snakes (or not)

Get up close and personal with some of Kenya’s deadliest snakes, including the black mamba, spitting cobra, bush python, and puff adder, at the Bio-Ken Snake Farm near Watamu.

The farm also offers three-day snake safaris where you can track, capture, and release serpents in their natural habitat.

18. Step back in time in Mombasa's Old Town

Founded in the 14th century by Swahili sultans, Mombasa later became a stronghold for the Portuguese and British colonial powers.

The Old Town still exudes the charm of yesteryear, with its maze of narrow lanes lined with mosques, coffee shops, and homes adorned with grand wooden doors. The 16th-century Fort Jesus watches over it all.

19. Cycle through the Gates of Hell

Around 60 miles (96 kilometers) from Nairobi, Hell’s Gate is a dramatic, lava-sculpted landscape deep in the heart of the Great Rift Valley.

With no dangerous wildlife, this is one of the few African national parks where cycling is perfectly safe. You can rent bikes inside the park or from vendors just outside the main entrance.

20. Sleep beneath the stars

Sure, camping is an option in Kenya, but why rough it when you can enjoy luxury under the stars at Star Beds safari camp in Loisaba Conservancy? Staffed by local Samburu and Masai, this camp offers four-poster beds rolled out onto the deck each night by a waterhole, where elephants and other wildlife gather.