Things to see and do while on Kenya Safari
Climb Mount Kenya
As part of your Kenya Safari things to see and do, climbing Mt. Kenya is ideal. Mount Kenya which stands at 4,986m (16,358ft) above sea level, is the highest and only snow capped mountain in Kenya. Although this extinct volcano, it is the second-highest mountain in Africa. The Mountain Club of Kenya runs mountain huts and publishes guides for climbers. Even if you don’t climb to the upper slopes, it is worth spending time on the forested lower slopes. This is below the ice-capped peak, where interesting wildlife abounds.
Climb Mount Longonot
Mount Longonot is distinctive volcano, which last erupted in the 1860s. Longonot is situated on the Mai Mahiu road, 75 Km from Nairobi. The mountain rises dramatically above the Rift Valley floor, and its slopes can be ascended in around 90 minutes. Allow another hour for the descent. And 3-4 hours if you want to walk around the rim of the perfect volcanic crater.
Day trip to Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park, only 8km (5 miles) from the city centre, is Kenya’s oldest national park. Today, it still looks much as it did in the early photographs – wild, undulating pasture – and supports most of East Africa’s best known wildlife, including lion, rhino, giraffe, buffalo and zebra (but not elephant).
Help save the elephants at Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Watch baby elephants play at the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, an important sanctuary where orphaned elephants are hand-reared before being released back into the wild. Bordering Nairobi National Park, the sanctuary is also home to several orphaned rhinos. And is an important player in the fight against poaching.
Tour Nairobi’s museums
Browse the ethnographic and archaeological exhibits of the National Museum, which lies within walking distance of the city centre. And then head out to the suburban Karen Blixen Museum. This occupies the farmhouse made famous by the nominal author’s book, Out of Africa.
The Nairobi Railway Museum also covers an important chapter of the city’s history.
Experience the magic of the Masai Mara
Your experience of Kenya Safari will not be complete without visiting Kenya’s most popular game park, which is named after the Maasai tribe. The Maasi who are nilotic, migrated south from the Nile Valley in the 17th century. A northern extension to Tanzania’s Serengeti Plains. It is one of the best places in Africa for seeing lion, cheetah and leopard. But is most famous for the annual wildebeest migration and dramatic crossing of the crocodile-infested Mara River.
Take to the skies in a hot air balloon
This a life time opportunity to float over great herds of game in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Furthermore, you will enjoy this hour-long excursion setting off at dawn and ending with a champagne breakfasts. Also almost all the lodges in the reserve offer this once in a lifetime experience. This gives ballooners the chance to see the wildebeest migration from the air between July and September.
Explore Kenya’s coral coast
As part of your Kenya Safari things to see and do, touring the Kenyan Coast is a must. With a variety of activities, visitors can choose between scuba-diving, snorkeling, sailing, water-skiing, swimming or surfing along Kenya’s coral coast. The most popular resorts near Mombasa include Bamburi, Kikambala, Kilifi, Malindi, Nyali and the 10km (6-mile) long, dazzlingly white Diani Beach.
Another good base for watersports is the Rift Valley lake of Naivasha, about 1.5 hours drive from Nairobi.
Marvel at Mombasa
You can enjoy this coastal city’s Swahili flavour in the Old Town, with its narrow, crowded streets. Also watch the sailing dhows in the Old Harbour and catch the sound and light show at Fort Jesus. The Portuguese built it in the 17th century and is now a museum.
Shop until you drop in Mombasa
The Biashara Street is a great place to buy traditional kikoy and khanga clothing. Also Makupa Market, off Mwembe Tayari, is the main city market. For serious souvenir shoppers, who should also head for the Bombolulu Workshops and Cultural Village. Here we have disabled men and women who produce high-quality leather work, jewellery and other crafts.
Explore Lamu Town
Lamu Town is a small town on Lamu Island, which in turn is a part of the Lamu Archipelago in Kenya. Situated 341 km (212 mi) by road northeast of Mombasa that ends at Mokowe Jetty, from where the sea channel has to be crossed to reach Lamu Island. Lamu is a charming old Swahili city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. With many historic mosques and fine old Arab houses replete with impressive carved wooden doors. Highlights of the town include the Lamu Museum, the Swahili House Museum and the Fortress.
Jump aboard a dhow
Spend an evening afloat on a romantic dhow (traditional Arab sailing boat). And feasting on delicious seafood and watching the moon rise over Mombasa’s old harbour. Also Lunchtime or dinner cruises are available on these beautiful floating restaurants, and some even have space for dancing on the deck.
Go twitching in Kakamega Forest
As part of your Kenya Safari things to see and do, an experience of the only rain forest in Kenya is worth it. And its a lovely spot near the Ugandan border which is arguably the prime bird watching site in the country. Thanks to the presence of several dozen forest species found nowhere else in the country. For non-birders, the shady forest paths and plentiful monkeys still offer lots of charm.
Go wild at Lake Nakuru National Park
The Lake Nakuru, is one of the seven lake located in the Rift Valley. The Lake is often referred to as the Pink Lake as its dominated by hundreds of thousands of pink flamingos on its edges. It is also one of Kenya’s best rhino sanctuaries, supporting high concentrations of both black and white rhino, and you may spot a leopard in the giant yellow wood acacia trees.
Pay a visit to Laikipia Plateau
This an opportunity to discover recent conservation success where former farmlands have opened up as game sanctuaries. It has large stocks of big game including the Big Five: elephant, buffalo, lion, rhino and leopard. The old farmsteads here have been converted into delightful, luxurious accommodations. This vast wilderness area remains largely under explored by tourists.
Quaff high tea at Elsamere
Elsamere is situated on the shores of Lake Naivasha, the former home of Joy Adamson (of Born Free fame). This is now a museum and conservation research centre. Set in grounds teeming with birds – and home to a group of handsome colobus monkeys – Elsamere also serves excellent high tea.
Stay a night at Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
This wildlife sanctuary is on the main highway between Nairobi and Mombasa, in Taita-Taveta County approximately 260 kilometers from Nairobi. This small private sanctuary bordering the vast Tsavo National Park doubles as a luxury hotel. The sanctuary is in a good position and as a hideout, overlooking a salt lick. The waterhole frequently attracts aggregations of a hundred or more elephants.
Step into the land of giants at Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is 392sq km (151sq mile) and lies at the base of snow-capped Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. The park is rich with wildlife which includes lion, cheetah, wildebeest, hippo and gazelle. Although the park is also famous for the large herds of elephant by the perennial swamps, Bird-watching is also another popular activity.
And visitors can learn about the local Maasai culture through homestead visits.
Take the road less traveled to Lake Turkana
In the barren northern reaches of Kenya, is Lake Turkana. This is a strange and beautiful oasis, known to locals as the Jade Sea due to its size and striking colour. The lake provides great fishing, while its islands have many healthy crocodiles and hippos populations. The semi-nomadic Turkana tribe are just as interesting as the lake itself.
