What is Kenya Famous For? Top 20 Popular Places & Things in Kenya

Located in Africa, Kenya is a great tourist attraction with its incredible natural beauty. Primarily Kenya is famous for its diverse flora and fauna. With the vast vista of grassy land, high mountains, dense forest, and multiple animal species, this region is packed with every kind of natural sight you can explore.

If you are planning a holiday here, you should know that the currency used here is Kenyan Shilling. as of November, 2022, 1 Kenyan Shilling equals to ₹ 0.67. Keep this exchange rate in mind while planning your finances in Kenya.

The list of some great tourist attractions in Kenya is presented below:

1. Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara National Reserve is a world-famous national park to explore authentic African wildlife. People from different parts of the world come to Masai Mara to visit various animals, especially during migration. The place is named after Masai, the oldest inhabitants of Africa.

Here you can enjoy a thrilling encounter with wild animals such as lions, cheetahs, the herd of zebras and wildebeests. If you want the best view of animals, you should come here from July to October when the animals migrate from Serengeti.

2. Amboseli National Park

At the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is another famous place in Kenya for nature lovers. The place is mainly known for free-ranging elephants. However, you can also watch other animals and enjoy their wild play. Apart from watching animals, you can also enjoy the surreal natural beauty of Mt. Kilimanjaro and go hiking and trekking in this region.

3. Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru is one of the major places where you can visit a lot of flamingos as the lake is filled with algae which attracts these birds. Besides, you can enjoy organised safaris to watch various animals and their wild activities. Apart from flamingos, you can also spot African spoonbill, baboons, white rhinos and leopards in this area. Moreover, Kenya’s main attraction is its wildlife, which Lake Nakuru National Park perfectly complements.

4. Tsavo National Park

Tsavo is the largest national park in the world and a great tourist attraction. The park is so huge that it is divided into two parts, i.e., east and west. Tsavo east has a broad and open savannah land, while a great volcanic landscape is in Tsavo west. Here under the blazing sun, you can explore African geography, animals and natural beauty. Besides, you can also enjoy solitude here in the lap of nature.

5. Lamu Island

A part of Lamu Archipelago, Lamu Island is a famous place in Kenya. The pristine water and unspoiled natural beauty attract tourists all over the world. Besides, at the shoreline, Lamu city, the oldest living city in Kenya, bears some great elements of history and authentic African culture. Here you can enjoy alone time, watch African people and their daily life, taste local cuisine and enjoy sunny beach days.

6. Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate National Park is unique among other national parks in Kenya due to its amazing geography and attractive landscape. You can take a cycle tour throughout the park without a guide if you want. The park is filled with high cliffs, gorgeous scenery and a variety of wildlife. So you can easily catch a glimpse of leopards, cheetahs, and lions here.

7. Samburu National Park

In Northern Kenya, Samburu National Park is another great tourist attraction. The Uaso Nyrio river flows through this national park, which is why the national park attracts a lot of animals to live here. Besides, the landscape is a mixture of grassland and forest, thus making it home to different kinds of animals. Apart from that, you can go for safari tours and watch animals like elephants, leopards, cheetahs, buffalos and hippos.

8. Mount Kenya

After Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa and the highest mountain in Kenya. Here you can enjoy the warm sun and shiver at snow-covered mountains. Mount Kenya is an example where you watch the beauty of snow-covered peaks. Besides, you can also enjoy adventure sports such as hiking, trekking etc.

9. Malindi

Malindi is the largest coastal settlement in Kenya and one of the oldest ports on the Swahili coast. The area is marked by reefs and beaches that attract beach lovers from all over the world. In addition, you can enjoy every beach activity here, such as snorkelling, water sports, fishing and many more. Other tourist attractions of Malindi are Uhuru Gardens, Malindi museum, Malindi Tourist Market, Vasco Da Gama Cross etc.

10. Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National park is one of Kenya’s major tourist attractions, which is 10-minutes drive from the heart of Nairobi. This is the oldest national park in Kenya and is home to 400 different kinds of birds along with other African animals such as zebras, antelope, wildebeests, black rhinos, etc.

Apart from visiting these tourist destinations, you can also enjoy some unique things in Kenya. These are as follows:

11. Tea

The huge production of quality tea is what Kenya is best known for. Kenya is among the four major tea-producing countries in the world. The tea produced here has an authentic taste, and every household you visit will offer some to you. Therefore, add exploring the unique taste of Kenyan tea to your “things to do in Kenya” list.

12. Food

Food is an inseparable part of any vacation. Visiting Kenya allows you to explore authentic African foods and get a different experience. Githeri and Ugali are two famous dishes that need special attention. Both dishes are part of the daily meals but have unique tastes you may have never experienced. Some other top food dishes are nyama choma (grilled meat), mandazi (sugar-coated doughnuts), samaki (wet-fried fish) etc.

13. Giraffe Manor

Visiting Giraffe Manor should be your Kenya itinerary to experience a cheerful time. This manor is private, but tourists can go there for a visit. Visitors can have breakfast, lunch and dinner with the company of giraffes who enter their necks through windows hoping for a treat.

14. Barbecue

Popularly known as Nyama Choma, African barbecue is another best thing you can experience in Kenya. This is one of the most famous meals in Kenya, and you can have plenty of it throughout the country. This dish can be made with goat, beef, mutton or pork. Further, you can also have barbecue chicken or Kuku Choma, which is also very famous. These lip-smacking barbecue dishes are served with kachumbari, African salad, and a few beers to give your taste buds the perfect delicacy.

15. Kitenge

Kitenge culture is one of the most famous things in Kenya. This culture generally reflects African fashion. Furthermore, Kitenge print is gorgeous and colourful, comes with different designs and patterns and owing to its originality it is quite popular all over the world. Therefore, you can get some unique Kitenge print clothes to take back the essence of Kenya with you.

16. Wildebeest Migration

Kenya is home to different wild animals. However, the place becomes more attractive at the time of animal migration. For example, if you visit  Kenya between July to October, you can watch the migration of wildebeests, a unique creature of Africa. These amazing creatures come to Kenya by crossing neighbouring Serengeti and stays in Masai Mara during the migratory period. Therefore, you can enjoy their wild play and explore their nature closely.

17. Music

You will fall in love with Kenyan music, which has an authentic vibe and catchy rhythm. Kenyan people love music, and there is a culture of musical jamming every Friday night. Apart from that, you can go to any club and enjoy the local music such as Mugiithi or Rhumba.

18. Flamingos

Flamingos are one of the most famous attractions when visiting Kenya. You can see these gorgeous-looking colourful migratory birds in abundance in different national parks of Kenya. The sight of pink-hued, standing on one-leg flamingos will fill you with cheerfulness. However, the best view of flamingos is at Lake Elementaita, which is the breeding ground for this bird. Besides, you can also watch great white pelicans in this region.

19. Maasai Beads

Maasai beads are one of the most popular attractions in Kenya. Generally, these are fine artwork done by Maasai women. These exquisite beadworks are implemented on jewellery pieces, belts, and other decors. This artwork of tribal women reflects unique African culture and its grace.

20. Snorkeling in Indian Ocean

The marine parks of Kenya are home to a plethora of marine creatures. Scuba diving and snorkeling trips are popular near the Kenyan coast, in the Indian Ocean. Sea creatures like turtles, whales, dolphins, marine fishes and snakes can be sighted here in their natural habitats. Tourists can also view a myriad of corals near the coastal regions, in their snorkeling adventures.

Thus, we hope this guide on what Kenya is famous for has given you adequate information on the famous tourist attractions of this region. African geography has unique features, and Kenya is the perfect part of this continent that bears its uniqueness. You can enjoy everything from busy city life to a calm beach, from wild national parks to high mountains.