Kenya Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Kenya, KE, East Africa)

Many of Kenya's main tourist attractions can be found in the great outdoors, such as its enticing beaches, although the real stars of the show are most likely to be animals. Indeed, Kenya is one of the best places in Africa to see wildlife in abundance.

Tourists will find that leading attractions often combine wildlife with displays of traditional culture, giving visitors a chance to find out more about what makes Kenya tick. In Nairobi, attractions are at their most plentiful and come in the form of the famous Giraffe Manor, the Nairobi Arboretum, Snake Park, Uhuru Park and the Mamba Village, amongst others.

Beaches

Address: State House Road, Nairobi, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 20 337 169
The sumptuous sandy beaches of Kenya have long been a major draw card for tourists and line the beautiful coastline of the Indian Ocean. Many extremely popular beach resorts are based around Mombasa, with Diani Beach being amongst the city's best and known for both its water sports and its friendly primates, which include Colobus and Vervet monkeys. Nearby, you may like to spend time sunbathing on the beaches around Kilifi, Shelly and Tiwi. Further afield, Malindi and Watamu also rank as notable beach resorts, while the sandy stretches of Lamu Island and Kiwayu Island regularly attract day trippers. Beachgoers should note that beachwear is not considered to be appropriate attire for strolling around towns.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Nairobi Arboretum

Address: State House Road, Nairobi, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 20 337 169
Nairobi's arboretum is a welcome splash of green in the middle of the city. It was set up over a hundred years ago by a forward-looking member of the city's Forest Department. Today, the Nairobi Arboretum is a popular place to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life. Its lawns, for example, make for a perfect picnic site. Alternatively, a stroll around this 70-acre / 28-hectare site gives ample opportunity to admire the arboretum's rich and varied collection of both native trees and those introduced from elsewhere in the world.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Nairobi Zoo

Address: State House Road, Nairobi, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 20 227 436
Nairobi Zoo is an especially popular family attraction and contains plenty of exotic animals from all over Africa, a number of which are particularly rare, such as the Vervet monkey. Many animals commonly associated with the African savanna reside at the zoo, such as both giraffes and lions, as well as crocodiles and countless other species. The zoo is to be found alongside both the State House and the Arboretum.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 14:00
Admission: charge

Snake Park

Address: Museum Hill Road, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 20 374 2131
Located right next to Nairobi's National Museum, the Snake Park is one of the city's most popular attractions. The Park was set up in the early 1960s to meet growing public demand and to further research into the country's native reptiles. In 2008, it underwent extensive renovation work. Today, the Snake Park also serves as a refuge for a number of abandoned and unwanted reptiles. On display are cobras, puff adders and pythons, including the African-Rock Python, which is only found in Kenya. Other reptile species on display include alligators, terrapins and tortoises.
Open hours: daily - 09:30 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Uhuru Park

Address: Processional Way, Nairobi, Kenya, KE, Africa
Uhuru Park is one of country's best-known green spaces. Located right at the heart of Nairobi, the park is surrounded by high rise buildings and the bustle of urban life. Take a boat trip on the lake though and you could be anywhere. Other attractions in the park include a famous peace monument and pavilion.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Nairobi Mamba Village

Address: Lang'ata North Road, Nairobi, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 20 248 6201
A trip to Nairobi Mamba Village is sure to appeal to most visitors, old and young alike. As well as a Crocodile Farm which is home to some 70-odd Nile crocodiles, the Village has several ostriches. There are plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with these long-legged birds, including joining in at feeding time. As with many attractions in Kenya, there are also stalls where traditional craft items can be bought.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Giraffe Manor

Address: Lang'ata South Road, Nairobi, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 20 891 078
The Giraffe Manor is a major tourist attraction and hotel rolled into one. As the name suggests, it is home to a herd of giraffes who aren't averse to popping their long necks through the manor's windows in search of a titbit or two. Giraffe Manor itself was built in the early 1930s by Lord David Duncan. The estate is made up of a large area of native forest land, which is also home to a wide variety of birds and animals, including warthogs.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Elephant Orphanage

Address: Mbagathi, Nairobi, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 20 891 996
The Elephant Orphanage is run by the David Sheldrake Wildlife Trust. Its mission is to look after baby elephants rescued from Kenya's national parks until they are able to be returned to the wild. Visitors can only access the Orphanage for an hour, when the baby elephants are being fed.
Open hours: daily - 11:00 to 12:00
Admission: charge

Panari Sky Centre

Address: Mombasa Road, Nairobi, Kenya, KE, Africa
As well as being a shopping centre, hotel and cinema complex, Panari is home to the largest ice rink in Africa. Up to 200 people can skate at any one time, with skate hire and lessons available for visitors who aren't so experienced on the ice. The ice rink offers visitors a chance to take a chilly break from safaris under the hot African sun.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge