KENYA TOURISM

Tourism in Kenya is the second-largest source of foreign exchange revenue following agriculture.The Kenya Tourism Board is responsible for maintaining information pertaining to tourism in Kenya.

The main tourist attractions are photo safaris through the 40 national parks and game reserves. Other attractions include the mosques at Mombasa; the renowned scenery of the Great Rift Valley; the coffee plantations at Thika; a view of Mt. Kilimanjaro across the border into Tanzania and the beaches along the Indian Ocean.

MOMBASA ISLAND

Mombasa island is on Kenya’s coast and located east from Nairobi through the Tsavo National Park if coming by railway, although you can also find the international airport on the island along with the city of Mombasa. The city itself is the second largest in Kenya after Nairobi and offers a warmer climate. From Mombasa, you have access to Kenya’s coastal areas and fantastic beaches.The world famous Kenyan coastline is fringed with palm trees and dotted with comfortable accommodation options. This provides a fantastic and contrasting place to relax after your Kenyan safari. You can enjoy attractive scenery, historical attractions, beautiful beaches, and diverse coral reefs.As Mombasa is a very busy port city, you can expect a bit of hustle and bustle but usually it’s still with a relaxed vibe. It’s one of the oldest settlements in East Africa and makes a fascinating place to absorb the continent’s history. Although there aren’t many defined tourist attractions in the city, one of the must-visit areas is Fort Jesus and the Old Town.

AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

Positioned in the Rift Valley, Amboseli National Park is just southeast of Nairobi and is the second most popular protected area in Kenya after the Masai Mara National Reserve. One of the best places to see wild elephants, the Amboseli National Park is a world famous protected area among wildlife lovers and safari goers. The park covers 39,206 hectares and is located across the Kenya-Tanzania border. The park is world famous for how easy it is to see wild African elephants, but there is a lot more to see here. The park provides great opportunities to see different iconic African animals, including the elephants, buffalo, impala, kudu, wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, wildebeest, hyena, zebra, and giraffes. Not only mammals, Amboseli is home to around 400 different species of birds, including kingfishers, raptors, and pelicans.

LAKE NAKURU

Lake Nakuru is one the most popular lakes of the Great Rift Valley and is protected in the Lake Nakuru National Park. From Loldia House, you can visit the area to see Lake Nakuru. Loldia House is just a two hour drive from Nairobi, which makes it very easily accessible and is an ideal base for starting your African safari and for exploring the Great Rift Valley. The picturesque Lake Nakuru and national park is well known for abundant flamingos, rhino and fantastic scenery.

MOMBASA MARINE NATIONAL PARK

The Mombasa Marine National park is a protected area of coastal water, including the coastal mangroves and Indian Ocean territorial waters. It contains different coral reefs with an abundance of animal life, which covers around 200 km² (49,400 acres). The park is very close to the tourist hubs and makes a fantastic trip for some excellent snorkeling and diving experiences.This area and other Kenyan reefs are ranked as one of the world’s top dive sites along with the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The park’s water at the surface is usually warm and stays between 25°C and 31°C adding to its attraction, which combines with the coconut palms, blue waters, and golden sandy beaches. People enjoy a range of activities in the area, including snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, and water skiing.

MOUNT KILIMANJARO

Mount Kilimanjaro with its three volcanic cones, "Kibo", "Mawenzi", and "Shira", is a dormant volcano lying between border of Kenya and Tanzania. It is the highest mountain in Africa, about 4,900 metres (16,100 ft) from its base to 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level. The first persons known to have reached the summit of the mountain were Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller in 1889. The mountain is part of the Kilimanjaro National Park and is a major climbing destination. The mountain has been the subject of many scientific studies because of its shrinking glaciers and disappearing ice fields.