The Best Experiences to Do in Kenya
The Best Experiences to Do in Kenya : Kenya is one of the best places to visit on the African continent for your first safari trip or a return trip. Kenya tours are extremely affordable, and the country is packed with beautiful national parks and scenery, and offers a variety of amazing experiences to indulge in during your safari.
In this article, we take you through the best experiences to do in Kenya and all the necessary information you need to start planning your trip to Kenya.
- Hot Air Balloon
Soar above the savannah plains in Amboseli National Park and Masai Mara National Park on a hot air balloon safari. As the balloon rises at dawn, enjoy panoramic bird’s view of the savannah plains, spotting several animals including elephants, giraffes, wildebeests and lions in their natural habitat.
After the thrilling balloon safari flight, indulge in a gourmet bush breakfast served in the heart of the wilderness. This incredibly thrilling safari experience combines adventure, scenery and serenity, perfect for honeymooners, families, or wildlife photographers.
- Nairobi National Park Safari – Game Viewing Near the City
Situated in Nairobi City – the capital of Kenya, Nairobi National Park the only national park found within the city offers an accessible safari experience just minutes from the city centre. Here you can see four of the Big Five – rhinos, leopards, buffaloes and lions alongside over 400 bird species.
Nairobi National Park is ideal for short stay travelers or those on a layover, the park offers morning and evening game drives with stunning photographic opportunities.
- Boat Safaris at Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru National Park
The beautiful Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru are one of the best destinations for boat safaris in Kenya. At Lake Naivasha, enjoy a peaceful boat safari surrounded by acacia trees, birdlife, and grazing wildlife. Spot hippos, fish eagles, pelicans and giraffes on the shores. Take a guided walk on the Crescent Island where you will have a close encounter with giraffes, elands, gazelles among others.
The nearby Lake Nakuru National Park is famous for its pink flamingo population and black and white rhinos. Game drives in Lake Nakuru also reveal lions, leopards and waterbucks, making it one of the best parks for birdwatching and big game viewing in Kenya.
- Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Visit – Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi
Located within Nairobi National Park, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a world famous sanctuary rehabilitating orphaned elephants before releasing them back in the wild. Here you will see and feed the rescued baby elephants up close.
Watch feeding and mud-bath sessions, learn about elephant conservation in Kenya, and support anti-poaching and rewilding initiatives.
- Visit the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary – Samburu Conservation Experience
The Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, located in northern Kenya is the first indigenous – owned and operated sanctuary in Africa. Visitors here can observe feeding routines and learn about the community – led conservation model that protects local wildlife.
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to witness meaningful conservation work while supporting the local Samburu people.
- Feed the Giraffes at the Giraffe Centre – Meet the Rothschild Giraffes in Nairobi
Found in Lang’ata in Nairobi City, the Giraffe Centre run by the African Fund for endangered Wildlife (AFEW) plays a pivotal role in conserving the critically endangered Rothschild giraffe which is different from other giraffe species in Kenya.
The fund was founded in 1979 by Betty and Jock Lesile Melville (a grandson of a Scottish earl) after raising a Rothschild giraffe, Daisy in their Langata home. Due to their conservation efforts, the population of the Rothschild giraffes has doubled to 300 across Kenya.
Here visitors can feed and photograph the endangered Rothschild giraffe from an elevated platform. Education programmes highlight giraffe conservation and offer a fun, interactive experience for visitors of all ages.
The adjacent nature trail provides a peaceful walk through indigenous forest, a great way to interact as a family or group of friends in Nairobi.
- Rhino Tracking in Solio Conservancy – Central Kenya
Solio Conservancy located between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Ranges is Kenya’s fist private rhino sanctuary, home to endangered black and white rhinos. The conservancy is one of Africa’s most successful rhino sanctuaries, offering nearly guaranteed sightings.
The conservancy is privately owned dedicated to rhino conservation. It lies in the valley between the high slopes of Mount Kenya and the peaks of the Aberdare Mountains. Just north of Nairobi, it provides home for approximately 200 rhino.
Solio Conservancy is an exhilarating place to visit for game drives during the day, and a night stay at the luxury Solio Lodge – providing a comfortable and eco-conscious stay. On the game drives you have a chance to see cheetahs, lions, and buffalo.
Cultural and Historical Experiences in Kenya
- Mombasa Old Town & Fort Jesus Tour
Take a step into history of Mombasa on a guided Mombasa Old Town Tour, where Swahili, Arab and Portuguese influences are evident in the architecture and market culture. Visit the 16th – century Forest Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases Kenya’s Indian Ocean trade history.
Conclude your tour with a visit at the Akamba woodcarvers’ market to see artisans at work and pick up handcrafted souvenirs.
- Gedi Ruins & Arabuko Sokoke Forest – Malindi & Watamu Excursion
Explore Gedi Ruins, a mysterious and an ancient Swahili Town abandoned in the 17th Century. Here you will learn about its coral stone mosques, palaces and advanced water systems.
Visit the nearby Arabuko Sokoke Forest, a biodiversity hotspot home to rare mammals and over 260 bird species. This excursion combines archaeology and ecology in a single visit.
- Coffee and Tea Farm Tours – Nairobi Highlands
Kenya is renowned for producing world-class coffee and tea. Join a farm tour near Nairobi or Lumuru to learn how coffee beans and tea leaves are cultivated, processed and brewed. Enjoy tasting in a beautiful highland setting.
These tours are ideal for visitors seeking culinary experiences and a deeper connection to Kenyan agriculture.
- Kitengela Glass Studio – Recycled Art in Nairobi
Kitengela Glass Studio is a vibrant and inspiring haven for creativity, offering handmade Kenyan blown and cast glass pieces, beads among others. A visit to this artistic haven takes you along a rustic road, leading to a whimsical garden adorned with an array of glassware and quirky structures.
Visitors can witness the mesmerizing art of glassblowing in the hot room, as well as observe the transformation of scrap grass into exquisite
