20 best things to do in Kenya

By Joe Yogerst, CNN
Updated 5:34 AM EDT, Thu May 9, 2019
<strong>Flamingos at Lake Nakuru:</strong> There are more than 240 bird species that frequent Lake Nakuru in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, but the flamingos are the most spectacular.
Flamingos at Lake Nakuru: There are more than 240 bird species that frequent Lake Nakuru in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, but the flamingos are the most spectacular.
Kenya Tourism Board
<strong>Climb Mt. Kenya:</strong> Africa's second highest peak behind Kilimanjaro, Mt .Kenya reaches over 17,000 feet (3,800 meters). Hiking expeditions typically take five days from start to end.
Climb Mt. Kenya: Africa's second highest peak behind Kilimanjaro, Mt .Kenya reaches over 17,000 feet (3,800 meters). Hiking expeditions typically take five days from start to end.
Kenya Tourism Board
<strong>Scuba or snorkel the Indian Ocean:</strong> Home to whales, dolphins and more than 250 species of tropical fish, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park is a sea life haven and perfect for snorkeling.
Scuba or snorkel the Indian Ocean: Home to whales, dolphins and more than 250 species of tropical fish, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park is a sea life haven and perfect for snorkeling.
Kenya Tourism Board
<strong>Watch the Great Migration in Maasai Mara</strong>: Every year, between July and October, wildebeest, antelope, zebra and their predators stampede through Masai Mara National Reserve.
Watch the Great Migration in Maasai Mara: Every year, between July and October, wildebeest, antelope, zebra and their predators stampede through Masai Mara National Reserve.
Kenya Tourism Board
<strong>Watch the Great Migration in Maasai Mara: </strong>Maasai Mara National Reserve is situated in southwest Kenya and is home to safaris and accommodation.
Watch the Great Migration in Maasai Mara: Maasai Mara National Reserve is situated in southwest Kenya and is home to safaris and accommodation.
Kenya Tourism Board
<strong>Dance the night away in Nairobi:</strong> Nairobi has a thriving nightlife culture, including the Alchemist, pictured.
Dance the night away in Nairobi: Nairobi has a thriving nightlife culture, including the Alchemist, pictured.
Courtesy the Alchemist
<strong>Soak up sea, sun & sand at Diani: </strong>Diani is a beach experience known for its white sand, blue waters and plus restaurants.
Soak up sea, sun & sand at Diani: Diani is a beach experience known for its white sand, blue waters and plus restaurants.
Kenya Tourism Board
<strong>Soak up sea, sun & sand at Diani: </strong>Diani beach has chic surfer spots where you can stay, including Alfajiri Villas, pictured.
Soak up sea, sun & sand at Diani: Diani beach has chic surfer spots where you can stay, including Alfajiri Villas, pictured.
Courtesy Alfijiri
<strong>Sail the Lamu Archipelago by dhow</strong>: A dhow is a lateen-rigged sailing vessel that once formed the main mode of transport between East Africa, India and the Middle East. On Lamu Island in Northern Kenya you can still explore the water on a dhow.
Sail the Lamu Archipelago by dhow: A dhow is a lateen-rigged sailing vessel that once formed the main mode of transport between East Africa, India and the Middle East. On Lamu Island in Northern Kenya you can still explore the water on a dhow.
Kenya Tourism Board
<strong>Sleep beneath the stars</strong>: The Star Beds safari camp in Loisaba Conservancy offers al fresco accommodation and star-gazing.
Sleep beneath the stars: The Star Beds safari camp in Loisaba Conservancy offers al fresco accommodation and star-gazing.
courtesy The Elewana Collection
<strong>Commune with crocodiles in Lake Turkana:</strong> Central Island National Park in Lake Turkana is home to the world's largest colony of Nile crocodiles.
Commune with crocodiles in Lake Turkana: Central Island National Park in Lake Turkana is home to the world's largest colony of Nile crocodiles.
Leigh Bedford, Creative Commons
<strong>Roam with rhinos at Lewa:</strong> Lewa Conservancy is a rhino conservation center which has grown its black and white rhino population from just 15 in 1984 to more than 150 today.
Roam with rhinos at Lewa: Lewa Conservancy is a rhino conservation center which has grown its black and white rhino population from just 15 in 1984 to more than 150 today.
Courtesy Shannon Yogerst
<strong>Explore Elsa's home turf: </strong>Elsa is Kenya's most famous feline, immortalized by Joy Adamson's 1960 book "Born Free" and the blockbuster movie. Adamson raised the lioness and the area has now become home to a collection of boutique lodges and hotels.
Explore Elsa's home turf: Elsa is Kenya's most famous feline, immortalized by Joy Adamson's 1960 book "Born Free" and the blockbuster movie. Adamson raised the lioness and the area has now become home to a collection of boutique lodges and hotels.
Courtesy Shannon Yogerst
<strong>Get over your fear of snakes (or not)</strong>: The Bio-Ken Snake Farm near Watamu allows you to get close to Kenya's most dangerous snakes, including the black mamba, spitting cobra -- pictured here -- and puff adder.
Get over your fear of snakes (or not): The Bio-Ken Snake Farm near Watamu allows you to get close to Kenya's most dangerous snakes, including the black mamba, spitting cobra -- pictured here -- and puff adder.
Courtesy Bio-Ken Snake Farm
<strong>Visit Fort Jesus in Mombasa</strong>: This 16th century fort looks over Mombasa, Kenya's beautiful and historic port city.
Visit Fort Jesus in Mombasa: This 16th century fort looks over Mombasa, Kenya's beautiful and historic port city.
Kenya Tourism Board
<strong>See Tsavo from the air</strong>: Robert Redford's character Denys Finch Hatton in "Out of Africa" pioneered the African aerial safari. You can visit his namesake lodge in Tsavo West National Park.
See Tsavo from the air: Robert Redford's character Denys Finch Hatton in "Out of Africa" pioneered the African aerial safari. You can visit his namesake lodge in Tsavo West National Park.
Courtesy Universal Pictures
<strong>Foster orphaned elephants (or a blind rhino)</strong>: Fancy fostering a baby elephant? Head to David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust on the outskirts of Nairobi where hundreds of baby elephants (and a blind rhino named Maxwell) have been saved from almost certain death since the sanctuary was founded in 1977.
Foster orphaned elephants (or a blind rhino): Fancy fostering a baby elephant? Head to David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust on the outskirts of Nairobi where hundreds of baby elephants (and a blind rhino named Maxwell) have been saved from almost certain death since the sanctuary was founded in 1977.
Courtesy Joe Yogerst
<strong>Get licked by a hungry giraffe: </strong>The AFEW Giraffe Center on the outskirts of Nairobi allows guests to feed giraffes and bring you face-to-face with them.
Get licked by a hungry giraffe: The AFEW Giraffe Center on the outskirts of Nairobi allows guests to feed giraffes and bring you face-to-face with them.
Courtesy Joe Yogerst
<strong>Channel the spirit of Karen Blixen:</strong> "Out of Africa"author Karen Blixon lived in Kenya for 18 years. You can learn more about her life at museum dedicated to her life.
Channel the spirit of Karen Blixen: "Out of Africa"author Karen Blixon lived in Kenya for 18 years. You can learn more about her life at museum dedicated to her life.
Photo Courtesy Royal Danish Library
<strong>Train for a marathon in Iten: </strong>Iten is known for its long distance runners. If you want to follow in the footsteps of multiple Olympic gold medalists and world-record holders, check out the Kenya Experience at the High Altitude Training Centre in Iten.
Train for a marathon in Iten: Iten is known for its long distance runners. If you want to follow in the footsteps of multiple Olympic gold medalists and world-record holders, check out the Kenya Experience at the High Altitude Training Centre in Iten.
Courtesy the Kenya Experience
<strong>Cycle through the Gates of Hell:</strong> Hell's Gate is a national park where bikers can explore lava-covered landscapes.
Cycle through the Gates of Hell: Hell's Gate is a national park where bikers can explore lava-covered landscapes.
Kenya Tourism Board
<strong>Ride the new Nairobi-Mombassa train:</strong> This famous train line was modernized in 2017 with a US$2.3-billion dollar upgrade of both the tracks and passengers trains.
Ride the new Nairobi-Mombassa train: This famous train line was modernized in 2017 with a US$2.3-billion dollar upgrade of both the tracks and passengers trains.
Courtesy KRC
Kenya best things to do