Kenya is a country of incredible diversity. There are vast savannas teeming with wildlife that meet pristine beaches lapped by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. It’s a place where you can spot the Big Five on a thrilling game drive in the morning and relax on a white sandy beach in the afternoon, where ancient cultures and modern luxuries blend seamlessly to create unforgettable experiences.
If you’re dreaming of a holiday that combines the best of both worlds – safari adventures and beach relaxation – then Kenya is the ultimate destination for you. This guide will take you on an adventure through Kenya’s top spots for beach and bush holidays. From iconic Masai Mara to stunning coastline of Diani Beach, get ready to fall in love with Kenya’s wild beauty and laid-back beach vibes.
Diani Beach – White Sands and Turquoise Waters
Diani Beach is an amazing stretch of white sand and turquoise water on Kenya’s south coast. With its white sands, turquoise water, its reputation for being laid back and its incredible marine life, this beach is consistently ranked as one of Africa’s best beaches. It’s no wonder it’s such a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, kitesurfing and more!
Start your Diani Beach adventure with a dip in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean! You’re guaranteed to spot colorful fish there at least! If you want more than that (and I’m sure you do), don’t miss out on taking a glass-bottom boat tour to Kisite Marine National Park just nearby. At this park you can go snorkeling among coral reefs or if luck has it even see dolphins or whale sharks between October and March!
If you’d prefer some downtime though, stay at one of their many beachfront resorts or boutique hotels along the coast! Who wouldn’t want to spend their days lounging by poolside, indulging in fresh seafood and tropical fruits, and watching the stunning sunsets over the ocean?
Where to stay:
The Sands at Nomad: This eco-friendly resort offers luxurious beachfront cottages and suites, a stunning infinity pool, and a range of activities from snorkeling to yoga.
Diani Beach Lodge: This classic beachfront lodge offers comfortable rooms and cottages, a beautiful swimming pool, and a range of activities from kitesurfing to cultural tours.
Masai Mara National Reserve – The Great Migration
The Masai Mara is one of the most iconic safari destinations in the world. Many know it for its vast plains, incredible wildlife sightings and home to an annual migration of over a million wildebeest and zebras. Spanning over 1,500 square kilometers this reserve is home to an estimated 95 species of mammals with 570 bird species.
Start your adventure here with an early morning game drive! You can spot lions elephants leopards rhinos buffalo cheetahs hyenas etc. Don’t miss out on witnessing their great migration between July and October. It’s quite breathtaking!
For a truly unique experience while you’re there, I’d highly recommend staying at one of their tented camps or lodges within the reserve. You’ll fall asleep listening to the sounds of the African bush all around you then wake up to see wildlife only feet away from your front door!
Where to stay:
Angama Mara: This lodge is really nice. They have these cool tents that are on the edge of a cliff, so you get some dope views over the Masai Mara.
Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp: This camp has everything you need. Comfortable tents with bathrooms, pool, and activities like game drives and hot air balloon safaris.
Watamu – Marine Parks and Mangrove Forests
Watamu is a town in Kenya with some pretty beaches. It also has marine parks and mangrove forests which are pretty unique. People who love snorkeling will love this place because there are three national reserves that have high quality coral reefs and diverse marine life to check out while swimming around.
If you go to Watamu, make sure you hit up the Marine National Park where there’s hundreds of different fish species such as angelfish parrotfish, butterflyfish etc. Also go on a kayak tour through the mangrove forest if you can because that’s a rare sight to see.
You can stay at one of many beachfront cottages or eco lodges when you visit Watamu too if you want to fall asleep with sea noise in your ear and wake up with sand between your toes.
Where to stay:
Turtle Bay Beach Club: This resort is really nice. They got huge rooms, sweet pool area, and lots of things to do outside like kitesurfing or snorkeling
Mwamba Field Study Centre: Unique research center that has simple but comfortable bungalows right on the water which helps support their local conservation efforts.
Amboseli National Park – Elephants and Kilimanjaro Views
Amboseli National Park is located in Southern Kenya. It’s known for its massive elephant herds along with amazing views of Mount Kilimanjaro (tallest mountain in Africa). The park itself is 390 square kilometers big which makes it home to over 50 mammal species and 400 bird species.
You have to do an early morning game drive when you’re in Amboseli. There’s nothing like seeing the park’s famous elephants against the mountain background. Also check out Observation Hill where you can see a ton of animals plus the mountain which looks amazing at sunrise or sunset.
Like any other national park, there are a bunch of places to stay for all budgets. Staying somewhere inside the park is nice though since you can fall asleep to animal sounds and then wake up to them outside your door too. Another thing I would recommend doing is going on a cultural visit with one of their traditional Maasai villages. You’ll learn about their culture and way of life.
Where to stay:
Tortilis Camp: This camp has it all. Stunning Kilimanjaro views, pool, and some standard activities like game drives and walks.
Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge: This lodge is very comfy. They have rooms that come with stunning animal views plus the mountain view too, pool area, and activities like game drives or cultural visits.
Lamu Island – Swahili Culture and Sailing Dhows
A stunning island off Kenya’s north coast, Lamu Island is famous for its rich Swahili culture, beautiful architecture, and traditional sailing dhows. It’s a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site that takes you back in time with narrow streets, ancient mosques, and a laid-back atmosphere you can’t find anywhere else.
Start exploring Lamu by visiting Lamu Old Town. Stroll through the small alleys and admire the carved wooden doors and balconies of old stone buildings. Don’t forget to go on a traditional dhow sailing trip to the nearby islands of Manda or Pate. You can spot dolphins there, visit ancient ruins, and relax on pristine beaches.
For an immersive experience, stay at one of the traditional Swahili houses or boutique hotels in Lamu Old Town. That way you’ll really get to know the island’s unique culture and way of life.
Where to stay:
The Majlis Resort: This luxurious resort sits right on the beachfront. It offers stunning rooms and villas with private pools, a beautiful swimming pool itself, as well as activities from dhow sailing to cultural tours.
Peponi Hotel: A classic beachfront hotel that has comfortable rooms with great sea views. The hotel also boasts a beautiful garden where guests can enjoy activities from snorkeling to dhow sailing.
Lake Nakuru National Park – Flamingos and Rhinos
Situated in central Kenya is Lake Nakuru National Park – a gorgeous park known for its large flocks of flamingos and important rhino sanctuary. Covering over 180 square kilometers of land it’s home to over 50 mammal species and 450 bird species.
To start your adventure at Lake Nakuru go for a game drive along the lake’s shorelines (so you can spot those famous flamingos). During wet season their numbers go up into millions. You should also visit the rhino sanctuary. There you can spot both black and white rhinos up close.
For a truly unique experience of the park, look to book one of many lodges or tented camps inside it. They’ll put you right next to the African bush where you’ll fall asleep and wake up to breathtaking views and sounds of wildlife.
Where to stay:
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge: A luxurious lodge that offers stunning views over the lake. It has a beautiful swimming pool as well as activities from game drives to guided walks.
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge: A classic lodge with comfortable rooms that also offer breathtaking views of the lake and hills surrounding it. The lodge boasts a beautiful swimming pool too, plus activities from game drives to bird watching.
Tsavo East and West National Parks – Vast Wilderness and Red Elephants
Two vast and wild parks in southern Kenya — Tsavo East and West National Parks are famous for their stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and red elephants (yes, red!). Combined they cover over 21,000 square kilometers which is home to over 60 mammal species and 400 bird species.
To start your adventure at Tsavo go on a game drive through rugged landscapes of red soil, volcanic hills, and lush springs where you can see the famous “red elephants.” Don’t miss Mzima Springs either – a series of crystal-clear pools fed by underground springs. There you can spot hippos, crocodiles, and lots of fish.
For an outlandish experience, stay at one of the numerous lodges or tented camps within the parks. Where else can you fall asleep to the sounds of Africa and wake up to a bear walking past?
Hells Gate National Park is unique in that you can explore it on foot or by bike. It features towering cliffs, gorges, rock towers, and steam vents caused by geothermal activity.
Climb down into Fischer’s Tower for some climbing and rappelling or hike through Olkaria Geothermal Station’s Hell’s Gate Gorge. Don’t worry if those two options aren’t your thing – there are plenty of other trails for all fitness levels that show off the park’s natural beauty.
Keep an eye out for buffalo, zebra, eland antelope, gazelle, baboon, and more along the way. Visitors to Hells Gate even have a chance of seeing lions and cheetahs!
While there may be wildlife here that could kill you (which is why they won’t let you walk around alone), it remains a very safe place to visit.
Where will you get started on your adventure?
There are two main entrances: Elsa gate and KWS Rangers Post gate.
Elsa is the primary entrance as it provides access to most attractions inside Hells Gate National Park. The park gets its name “Hell’s Gate” from Elsa gate – named after a movie character – which was once known as Karirana due to its proximity to Lake Naivasha.
KWS Ranger Post gate connects Hell’s Gate National Park with Longonot Conservation Area on its southern end
Where to stay:
Fisherman Camp: This affordable campsite sits right on Lake Naivasha so bring your fishing gear! You’re guaranteed great views!
Crater Lake Tented Camp: Experience glamping at its finest with this upscale tented camp located just outside the park.
Where else in Kenya can you hike, bike, enjoy stunning views and see wildlife that isn’t fenced in? It’s not something you’ll find at a traditional safari park.
Hell’s Gate National Park is a park in the Great Rift Valley, known for its cliffs and gorges and geothermal features. This 68-square-kilometer park offers a variety of wildlife including zebras, baboons, and over 100 species of birds.
Choose between taking a guided walk or cycling tour through the park’s landscapes to see wildlife up close as well as hot springs and steam vents. You could also hike through Hell’s Gate’s narrow gorge to see some rock formations and even go rock climbing.
While you’re in the area, you should visit Olkaria Geothermal Spa where you can soak in warm mineral waters with great views of the landscape surrounding.
Where to stay:
Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort: This luxury resort overlooks Lake Naivasha. It has a pool, boat rides, guided walks.
Elsamere Conservation Centre : This unique lodge offers comfortable rooms along with an on-site garden that has activities such as nature walks and boat rides.
