31+ Things to Do in Kenya Other Than Safari
When many visitors think of a vacation in Kenya, the first thing that comes to mind is a Safari. If you’ve already done a safari or hope to spend more than one week, you may wonder what other things to do in Kenya other than safari.
Kenya is a magical safari destination with many popular parks including Maasai Mara. In addition, the country has beautiful beaches, mountain ranges, waterfalls, diverse cultures, and geography you will enjoy exploring.
If this is your first trip to Kenya, here’s everything you need to know about Kenya before visiting.
Now let’s get into the list of things to do in Kenya other than safari.
Go island Hoping
Coastal Kenya has more to offer besides the popular coastal towns of Mombasa, Diani, Watamu, Lamu, and Kilifi among others.
Once you are done exploring the mainlands, go on an island exploration. Some fascinating islands to explore include the Lamu archipelago made up of over 60 islands. Others include the beautiful Chale and Waisni islands just to mention a few.
Some islands are inhabited meaning you can visit and explore for a couple of days. Here you will find beautiful beach resorts, as well as budget-friendly options for the budget traveler.
Many of the other smaller islands are deserted or only have a few locals living there. These are best explored on a day trip.
In addition to the island at the coast, you can also explore Crescent Island on Lake Naivasha. After filming the award-winning movie Out of Africa, the island is now part of the national reserves in Kenya.
The small island can be accessed by a short boat ride and explored on foot in a few hours. There are no hotels on the island, you’ll only find wildlife abandoned there after the movie filming (no predators).
Get lost in Coastal Kenya’s diversity
The Kenyan coast is probably the most diverse region in the country. Here you will find people from all parts of Kenya and the world. With so much influence from different communities, you will love exploring the towns.
As a major trading hub in the pre-modern world, coastal Kenyan towns served as the port of entry for goods from Asia and the Arab world. As a result, many Arabs, and Indian traders settled in this region contributing to the modern-day culture seen in many coastal towns.
In Diani, Watamu, and Malindi you’ll also come across many Italians who call Kenya home.
Go on walking tours in the Old towns of Lamu and Mombasa. Marvel at the Omani, Arabian, and European architecture as you indulge in local cuisines.
Indulge in local cuisines
When traveling through Kenya, you’ll notice a lot of diversity in the local cuisine. Some foods are quite similar throughout the country such as ugali, rice, and chapatti dishes.
In coastal towns enjoy tasteful dishes with Indian and Arabian influences. Craving some Italian pasta? Simply visit an Italian restaurant in Watamu or Diani. These are owned by Italians, and the pasta dishes are prepared in authentic Italian style.
Go on a Road trip
Enjoy a road trip in Kenya from any town you are based in. Depending on the route you take, enjoy views of the Great Rift Valley escarpments, tea plantations, mountain ranges, hills, fields of drylands, and local neighborhoods.
The best way to enjoy a road trip is to hire a vehicle and drive for as long as you wish. This way you have the freedom to make multiple stops as often as you wish. Using public transportation you don’t have as much freedom and flexibility.
Things to Do in Kenya Other Than Safari
Water Rafting at Sagana
Adrenaline junkies will love white water rafting at Rapids Camp, Sagana. A popular day trip destination but also suitable for camping enthusiasts. Located only 2 hours from Nairobi.
Enjoy a fun-filled weekend with friends or family rafting through the Sagana canyons, kayaking, zip lining, and camping.
Scuba diving
Enjoy scuba diving in the Indian Ocean with green turtles as you discover the marine ecosystem. Popular scuba diving destinations in coastal Kenya include Diani, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Watamu.
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to scuba dive, get your certification at a PADI-certified center in Kenya.
Go Snorkeling
If not scuba diving, go snorkeling in the Indian Ocean. Popular snorkeling sites include the Marine parks in Mombasa, Watamu, and Diani. Here you will see so many different kinds of fish and corals among other marine life.
Remember to only wear reef-safe sunscreen if you must otherwise wear long-sleeved tops.
Kayak or Jet ski in the Indian Ocean
Other popular water sports in Kenya include kayaking and Jet skiing in the Indian Ocean. If you wish to participate in any of these sports, you’ll need to book through a diving center or have your hotel organize it for you.
Sky Diving In Diani
While enjoying your time by the white sandy beaches in Diani, try sky diving. There are different skydiving companies you can use for your jump. A single jump will cost you $350 and an additional $100 if you wish to get a recording.
Enjoy scenic views of Diani and the white sandy beaches. If this has been on your bucket list, why not cross it out at Diani?
Things to Do in Kenya Other Than Safari
Rock Climbing at Hells Gate
Hells Gate is a haven for adventure lovers with fun activities such as cycling, rock climbing, exploring the gorges, and going on mini safaris.
If you love rock climbing or want to try it out, Hell’s Gate is the place to be. Climb the 50m high Fischer’s rock and enjoy some views of the vast savannah grasslands of the park.
Bike Riding
Looking for a fun way to spend a weekend or an afternoon, go bike riding. If staying in Nairobi the best place to hire and ride bikes in nature is at Karura forest, located only 20 minutes from the city center. If located in Naivasha or Nakuru, a fun place to ride your bike and enjoy nature is Hells Gate.
Bike rentals cost about $6 – $7 at the park entrance or from a bike rental place in the nearby town.
Explore a Marine Park
Explore one of the four marine national parks in coastal Kenya. Experience the rich marine diversity in Kenya in Watamu, Mombasa, Malindi, or Kisite marine national parks.
Visit the Beaches
I can guarantee you that not many visitors go to Kenya and visit the beautiful beaches along the Indian Ocean. Most visitors will simply go on a safari, and tour Nairobi and maybe a few other towns like Nakuru before proceeding to their next destination.
Next time you visit Kenya go down to the Kenyan coast. Relax by the beaches, enjoy some fresh seafood, and engage in water sports happening along the beach.
Diani Beach has been rated as the best beach in Kenya and Africa. You will love the soft white sandy beach, sky diving, kite surfing, and scuba diving among many other activities happening there.
However, it’s not the only beach you can visit in Kenya. Others include Watamu Beach, Nyali Beach, and Shela Beach just to mention a few.
Spend a Day at a water park
On a sunny weekend or afternoon relax and engage in fun water sports with friends and family. If based in Nairobi I highly recommend visiting the Maji Majic Aqua Park in Karen.
When in Mombasa or Nyali, visit Wild Waters Park in Nyali for the ultimate fun and adrenaline rush.
Visit a historical site
Coastal Kenya is rich in history and historical sites. As a major trading hub since the 16th century, the region has a lot of history to see, learn and experience.
Visit the oldest Swahili settlement in Lamu a Unesco World Heritage site with beautiful beaches and amazing food. Similarly, you could visit the Gede Ruins in Malindi or Fort Jesus in Mombasa. No matter which coastal town you find yourself in, there is history all around you.
Watch turtle hatching
Depending on the season you visit Kenya, you will either find the green turtles nesting or hatching. A good time to catch the hatching is around June. The best beaches to see these beautiful turtles hatch are Diani, Watamu, or on Manda Beaches.
Since green turtles are endangered and protected here in Kenya, use a turtle watching and conservation group like Diani Turtle Watch. They know where to find the nests and hatching seasons.
Explore Nairobi
Nairobi is home to over 5 museums, the only national park in the world located within a city, local markets to buy souvenirs, and hundreds of restaurants and cafes.
Spend a day or two exploring Nairobi, visit the malls, visit the local markets, and try some local foods. Most tourists only spend time in the Westlands part of Nairobi. Here you will find nice restaurants serving both local and international cuisines but if you want to experience the real hustle and bustle of Nairobi, visit the CBD.
Read More: 19+ Nairobi Travel Tips To Know Before Travel
Go souvenir shopping
As mentioned above you will find different markets selling souvenirs in Nairobi. The most popular is the Maasai market open on different days and locations in Nairobi. Here the items can be a bit overpriced compared to other markets. Maasai market is also open at the Two Rivers Mall basement (ask any soldier at the mall to direct you).
The other two markets you can visit to buy souvenirs at affordable prices are the City Market located at the heart of Nairobi, Kariakor, and the Mwariro markets located downtown.
Things to Do in Kenya Other Than Safari
Visit a Lake in Kenya
In addition to the beautiful beaches, Kenya has many lakes spread across the country. Most resorts are built around lakes giving you beautiful views and a nice breeze.
Popular lakes include Lake Nakuru, Naivasha, Victoria, Baringo, and Turkana. Enjoy the lake views from your hotel, go on a boat ride, watch Flamingoes, or relax by the beautiful beaches at Lake Turkana.
Go hiking
Are you in Kenya planning to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania? Start acclimatizing in Kenya. You can choose to start with simple hikes like hiking Ngong Hills, Mt. Longonot, or go big in Mt. Kenya.
Even when not planning a major summit to the peaks of Mt. Kenya or Kilimanjaro, you can still find many hiking trails in Kenya. Most hikes can be done in a day from Nairobi or any other town around Kenya.
Go on a dhow cruise
An amazing way to end your day while at any coastal town is on a dhow cruise. Dhow operators organize evening tours with refreshments and snacks from as low as $35 per person.
Some beach hotels can help organize the tours for you or simply walk to the beach and find the boat owners. Enjoy the beautiful sunsets as you sip some wine and munch mshikakis.
Go on a train Safari
Enjoy a safari across Kenya on the SGR. While this isn’t anything like your typical Kenyan safari, you get to see the different landscapes and some wild animals on your way to the next destination.
The best routes to enjoy beautiful views are from Nairobi to Mombasa or the scenic train from Nairobi to Suswa in Narok County.
The scenic train to Suswa passes through the Nairobi national park where you can spot different wild animals. This particular train operates from Friday to Sunday. If you are heading to Maasai Mara this is one fun way to get there.
Watch Flamingoes
If traveling with kids who love flamingoes or you simply want to see flamingoes in Kenya, you will find them in Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria.
Lake Bogoria has the largest population of flamingoes in Kenya as well as a hot spring where you can actually boil eggs :-).
Participate in a marathon
Feeling adventurous? Train in a marathon with some of the best runners in Kenya. If traveling the Rift Valley region in Eldoret, and Iten among other towns, it’s very normal to see runners training along the road each morning.
If you feel adventurous and looking for some fun with locals, you can talk to them and see if it’s possible to join their training sessions.
Alternatively, you can sign up for a charitable marathon at Lewa Conservancy in Laikipia County. This is organized annually so start planning early. Funds raised in this marathon go towards helping the conservancy and the wild animals within the area.
Explore a tea farm
Tea lovers can enjoy walking through tea plantations in Kericho, Limuru among many other areas. Some tea plantations such as the Kiambethu tea plantation in Limuru organize guided tours for visitors.
Kenya exports over 300,000 metric tonnes of tea each year to many Western countries such as the UK. While in Kenya take some time to learn about tea farming and the history of these major plantations.
Visit Bomas of Kenya
For visitors wishing to learn about Kenyan tribes and culture, Bomas of Kenya is a good place to start. Here you will find different settings of what a traditional home looked like. Although not all tribes are represented at Bomas, you can find over 10 different tribes represented.
Few communities still practice the traditions but very few still live in the traditional homestead setting as shown at bomas.
Visit an animal sanctuary
You can still see wildlife in Kenya without going on a safari. Visit an animal sanctuary, orphanage, or reserve. Here the animals are very close to you separated by an electric fence only.
At the Nairobi National Park, you can choose to either go on a traditional safari, visit the animal orphanage, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, or go on a safari walk right next to the orphanage. Adopt an elephant at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and get annual updates on your adoptee.
Discover waterfalls
Another fun thing to do is discover waterfalls in Kenya. One of the most popular falls to visit is the Thompson Falls in Nyahururu right next to the Panari Resort. Enjoy the lush green surrounding the waterfall from the observation deck or hike down to the base of the waterfall.
Other falls you will love include the Fourteen Falls in Thika, scenic Ngare Ndare Falls, and Chania Falls found within the Mount Kenya National Park among many others.
When visiting any national park in Kenya, you can always ask your guide if there are any falls within the park. Some are not massive or well-known but worth visiting for some relaxation.
Watch the Safari Rally
A safari rally in Kenya is a sight to behold and a fun way to spend a weekend for the sport lovers. Check the WRC safari rally website to see when the next rally is held in Kenya.
If planning your trip around the rally start planning and booking hotels early as everything is usually booked fast. This is also important for those wishing to tour Kenya but also avoid areas where the rally is being held as they are always overcrowded and overpriced at the time.
Dance The Night Away
If you love partying, you will love the nightlife in major cities across Kenya. Dance the night away with Kenyans as you enjoy Kenyan beer. Rember to drink responsibly and don’t do anything you wouldn’t do back home like leaving your drink unattended! 🙂
Conclusion
If you are looking for other things to do in Kenya other than safari, I hope this list provides a good foundation. Kenya has many activities for you to participate in with kids, friends, or as a couple. When feeling stranded you can always ask the locals for some recommendations.
