My Homeland, Your Adventure: Things To Do In Kenya Other Than The Usual Safaris
Dreaming of traveling to Kenya but worried about distance and safety?
You’re not wrong to have those concerns. I grew up in Kenya, and while it has my vote for being one of the best spots on the planet, there are obviously some health and safety concerns that you should consider seriously before making your decision.
It is a bit of a trek to get to Africa, and you have to make sure you get your Yellow Fever vaccinations, as well as malaria pills. Yes it’s expensive, but it’s all worth it in the end.
As for safety, tourism is Kenya’s most important industry, and tourists are very precious, so safety is usually not an issue when you’re on safari or lounging on the beach.
As for cleanliness, yes, it’s clean and bottled water is safe to drink. But be prepared to see a high level of poverty in certain areas, despite your trip being quite expensive thanks to high tourist fees.
But now that you’re finally packing your bags to go to Kenya, did you know that there is so much more to do there than just safaris? Yes, it’s home to the famous Masai Mara, and many other incredible safari camps, including the famous Giraffe Manor and Amboseli National Park, the latter being famous for its elephant herds and views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
While you’re there, check out my recommendations for some of Kenya’s other famous attractions:
IMAGE: 123RF
Mount Kenya & Kilimanjaro
An extinct volcano formed around 3 million years ago, Mount Kenya is Kenya’s highest mountain and the second largest in Africa after the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro (affectionately known as Kili, situated half in Kenya and half in Tanzania).
Mount Kenya is approximately 150 kms northwest of Nairobi (the capital of Kenya), and an estimated 715 sq km around the mountain is protected in the UNESCO World Heritage listed Mount Kenya National Park to conserve the area’s biodiversity, and to protect the scenic beauty of the mountain and surrounding habitats that are home to Kenya’s most prized animals such as elephants, buffalo, zebra, and rhino.
If trekking mountains is your thing, climbing Mount Kenya or Kili has to be on your bucket list! If not, book any of the safari lodges that offer panoramic views of either of the mountains from your room - it’s a breathtaking view to wake up to in the mornings.
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Going on safari to the famous Masai Mara? Great! Start your safari with an early morning hot air balloon ride over the safari park!
Typical balloon safaris will have you leave your safari lodge around 4am, to be flying above the grasslands by dawn. Watching daybreak as you float over the savannah, catching the first rays of sunlight is something quite unique in my opinion - and hard to reproduce anywhere else but Africa!
Depending on your safari package, most hot air balloon rides culminate in a champagne buffet breakfast in the middle of the jungle, before guests go on a (land) safari in their jeeps while heading back to their lodge and a cultural visit to a Masaii tribe.
IMAGE: NINARA, CC BY 2.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Mombasa
Mombasa is where I grew up, and it’s very similar to Singapore when it comes to a warm, tropical, humid climate. Located on the eastern coast of Kenya, Mombasa is the second largest city in Kenya (after Nairobi), and is perhaps the most famous tourist attraction there, being one of the oldest settlements in East Africa itself. It’s an incredible place to learn about the country’s history (see below), as well as being the gateway to Kenya’s coastline and amazing beaches. Head down to South Coast (also known as Diani) for some of the best beaches in the country, or to Lamu old town for a hit of old Swahili culture and nostalgia.
IMAGE: JOSEPH MUCHOKI, CC BY-SA 4.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
One of Mombasa’s best history lessons is at Fort Jesus. Another Unesco World Heritage site and one of eastern Africa’s oldest monuments, the supposedly indestructible fortress built by the Portuguese during the 16th century, has seen many military power struggles, before being converted into a prison used by the British. The site has since been converted to a museum that pays homage to the history of that time, and Mombasa’s regional culture.
You can explore the Fort by day as part of a tour, or enjoy a sound and light show onsite in the evening, with a Portuguese-style dinner in the Fort itself.
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Lake Nakuru is one the most popular lakes of the Great Rift Valley region, and is protected in the Lake Nakuru National Park, home to an estimated one million flamingos. The pink (flamingo) horizons are seriously incredible, and the sight of them airborne and flying at the same time is amazing!
Nakuru is also Kenya’s leading rhino sanctuary, and despite being one of the smaller parks, it is the only park where you’re almost guaranteed to see a rhino.
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