Things to do in Kenya Beyond Kenya safaris
Things to do in Kenya Beyond Kenya safaris : Kenya is unquestionably one of Africa’s top safari locations and is widely considered as the origin of the safari. The nation is home to jaw-droppings beautiful beaches along its Indian Ocean coastline, as well as unrivalled wildlife areas like the Masai Mara and Amboseli National parks.
Kenya offers the kind of vacation experiences that dreams are made of, from viewing the Big 5 on regular game drives to taking in the Wildebeest Migration from a hot-air balloon are some of Kenyan safari highlights of Maasai Mara. But what if you want to do something different in Kenya than what is customary? Here are the top things to do in Kenya outside taking a typical safari, from fly fishing on the nation’s highest mountain to touring an island that has been the core of Swahili culture for over 700 years.
Go climb Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in the nation and the second-highest mountain in Africa, behind Kilimanjaro, standing at slightly over 3,800 metres (17,000 feet) in height. The mountain consists of three main peaks: Batian, Nelion, which is the highest and requires extremely technical climbing skills, and Point Lenana, which is less technical but still difficult.
The three main routes, Naro Moru, Sirimon, and Chogoria, are frequently combined by climbers and typically take five days to complete. One of the best things to do in Kenya if you’re an active visitor is to go on a trek through the breathtaking mountain landscape with glaciers, lakes, mineral springs, and alpine forests.
For the more daring, the mountain has a number of campsites, and there are a number of lodges that provide extra attractions like guided nature walks, horseback riding excursions, and trout fishing in Kenya. Some of the best fly fishing spots in Kenya can be found on the mountain, which is home to a number of streams and lakes where rainbow trout of legendary sizes may be found.
Bike safaris in Hell’s Gate National Park
One of the few parks in Africa where people on kenya safari tours can travel on foot or by bicycle is Hell’s Gate National Park because there are no dangerous animals there. Several geothermal phenomena, including hot springs and natural geysers, as well as two extinct volcanoes that sculpted the park’s distinctive lava-carved topography.
Exploring the wide-open expanses and meandering pathways of Hell’s Gate National Park is highly advised if you’re looking for enjoyable things to do in Kenya. Have no wheels of your own? Not a problem In addition to vendors outside the main gate, bicycle rentals are also offered inside the park.
Ali Barbour’s cave
Imagine enjoying a nice bottle of wine and some sea-fresh seafood while sitting in a naturally formed coral cave with an open roof, admiring the moon and stars. Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant on Diani Beach is pleased to have you.
The cave, which is thought to be about 150,000 years old, is made up of several interconnected open-air chambers that may be found at depths of up to 10 metres (33 feet). The restaurant, which is recognised across the world for its unparalleled romantic ambiance, provides delectable food and specialised in seafood dishes (but it also serves chicken, red meat, and vegetarian options). The chilli crab is unquestionably delicious.
In a unique environment, Ali Barbour’s offers a fantastic gourmet dining experience. Make a reservation at Ali Barbour’s Cave if you’re seeking for one of the most unusual things to do in Kenya while spending a few days on the shore close to Diani. The majority of hotels along Diani Beach are serviced by the restaurant’s free pick-up and drop-off service.
Birdwatching safaris in Lake Nakuru National Park
A day trip to Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the greatest things to do in Kenya when on a road safari between the Masai Mara and Samburu because the park is home to thriving populations of large mammals in a restricted region. It guarantees sightings of the rare Rothschild giraffe, white rhino, buffalo, eland, waterbuck, and lion. The Great Rift Valley’s Kenya Lake System, which includes Lake Nakuru, is a component of a natural heritage site with stunning picture opportunities.
The enormous flamingo flocks that covered a large portion of Lake Nakuru’s shallow waters made the lake famous. Sadly, their population has greatly declined since the severe floods that occurred between 2012 and 2014. The type of saline ecology required by flamingos to feed or reproduce cannot be supported by the lake’s suddenly deeper, less alkaline waters. Flamingos are still present at Lake Nakuru, but they are not in the large flocks they formerly were.
The park’s outstanding birdlife around Lake Nakuru, however, is the highlight for serious birdwatchers. More than 400 different species call it home, including the great white pelican, lesser and greater flamingos, Hottentot teal, greater blue-eared starling, long-tailed widowbird, and an amazing array of raptors like Verreaux’s and long-crested eagles. The months of November through April are ideal for birdwatching in the park.
Visit ancient Lamu town
The stunning islands of Lamu, Manda, Pate, Kiwayu, and Manda Toto make up the renowned Lamu Archipelago, which is situated just off the northern coast of Kenya. If you’re seeking for wonderfully quiet, away from the crowds beach vacations, these jewels of the Indian Ocean are well worth a trip.
For cultural travellers, one of the greatest things to do in Kenya is to visit Lamu Island, one of the oldest and best-preserved Swahili communities in East Africa. Even though it is a small town, Lamu Town on the island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and continues to serve some of its original purposes. The village, which was built from coral stone and mangrove wood, is distinguished by its historic layout, classic tall, narrow Swahili architecture, twisting lanes, and intricately carved wooden doors.
The island also has some of the most beautiful beaches in Africa, as well as a variety of activities, delicious food, and discreet, amiable service.
Aerial views of Lake Turkana
Turkana is the largest alkaline lake and the largest permanent lake in a desert, and it is one of Kenya’s Rift Valley Lakes. Despite being inhospitable, this dry region of Northern Kenya’s Lake Turkana possesses a stunningly beautiful, post-apocalyptic ambiance where time seems to have stood still for more than three million years.
Although the Nile crocodile and migrating birds both use Lake Turkana as a significant breeding place, it is not a typical wildlife destination. However, if you can make the trip to this undiscovered region of Kenya, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most extraordinary beauty on earth.
A helicopter safari is among the best ways to view Lake Turkana from above. As you admire some of the last surviving, untamed wilderness places on our globe, fly over rocky outcrops, dry grasslands, twisting riverbeds, volcanic craters, and old cycad forests. This spectacular tour is one of the best things to do in Kenya if you have some extra cash to spend on vacation, especially if you’re staying at safari lodges like Sirikoi in Lewa.
Explore Gedi Ruins
One of the most enjoyable things to do in Kenya is to take a trip to the Gedi (or Gede) Ruins if you appreciate exploring historical and cultural landmarks. This archaeological site is situated outside of Malindi, in Eastern Kenya, close to the coast of the Indian Ocean.
There is little documented evidence of the Swahili city’s existence, but the intriguing ruins seem to indicate that it once thrived within a substantial indigenous forest. Gedi, which was totally constructed of rocks and stones, is thought to have been built in the 12th century; nevertheless, it was renovated in the 15th and 16th centuries. Mosques, a palace, and residences are all signs that the city prospered and reached its apex after being rebuilt.
A number situations, including the 1589 coastal attacks by Congo tribes, a declining water table, and threats from a hostile nomadic tribe from Somalia, are thought to have contributed to the city’s abandonment back to nature in the 17th century.
Discover this puzzling buried city as butterflies flit through the ancient forest’s variegated shadows, teeming with birds and curious monkeys. The native woodland that envelops Gedi continues to serve as a holy location for local customs.
Deep-sea fishing in Watamu
A little village called Watamu may be found on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast, around 105 kilometers (65 miles) north of Mombasa. One of Kenya’s earliest marine parks, the Watamu Marine National Park, protects the area’s shoreline’s lovely white-sand beaches and coral gardens.
Further offshore, the waters around Watamu are famous across Kenya for spectacular deep-sea fishing. It’s one of the few areas in the world where sailfish, broadbill swordfish, short bill spearfish, and three different varieties of marlin are all present, offering a variety of fishing chances.
Local community organisations and the region’s tourism industry are essential in preserving the Watamu Marine National Park and were among Kenya’s early adopters of the “tag-and-release” fishing technique. Businesses like Hemingways Watamu provide guests professional tag-and-release fishing expeditions and present certificates in appreciation of anglers’ catches. These excursions, which range from half to a full day, provide fishermen of any ability level the chance to enjoy the unparalleled rush of a huge catch while supporting ecotourism in Africa.
