Kenya is of course famous for safari and nature, this was the highlight of our trip. However, it does offer so much more. From cities, to beaches and even nightlife. Kenya is located in East Africa along the equator, bordered by the Indian Ocean to the southeast. It offers an unforgettable experience for travelers and nature lovers.
Here is our guide on Kenya things to do. If you have more time, we would recommend going for longer so you can experience more safari, but you will be surprised how much you can still tick off in a week. Kenya is also still quite an affordable option if you are travelling on a budget.
Jump to:
- Things to Know
- Nairobi – Kenya Things to Do
- Safari – Kenya Things to Do
- Mombasa – Kenya Things to Do
- Final Thoughts
Things to Know
Accommodation
You will easily find plenty of accommodation options throughout the main parts of Kenya. From budget rooms, apartments and luxury resorts. Depending on your safari choice, you might have accommodation included.
We recommend a £40 – 80 budget per night for accommodation depending on what you are after. In Mombasa we stayed at PrideInn Hotel Nyali, which we would definitely recommend if you don’t need to be right on the beach front.
Train
The train network in Kenya is very good and you should look into it for getting around. We took the Madaraka Express to travel between Nairobi and Mombasa which took between 4-5 hours, and is very affordable. The train is modern and clean, and the train journey offers unique, scenic views throughout. You will pass through national parks and we managed to see a range of wildlife.
Getting Around
For shorter journeys Uber and Tuk Tuks are great options to get around in Kenya. In Mombasa we did encounter a repeat problem with Uber, hopefully this is improving but you should bear it in mind. When we booked an Uber, they would either phone beforehand or they would turn up and demand a lot more money, otherwise they would make you cancel the ride. In Nairobi we didn’t encounter this.
We therefore used the local Tuk Tuks in Mombasa and found this to be a cheaper (and funner) way to get around, and the drivers were all honest and friendly.
For longer journeys, or if you have a few places you want to visit we recommend hiring a driver for the day so you can comfortably explore at your own pace.
Food
We don’t remember having a bad meal in Kenya, however there were also few stand out experiences. You might have food included depending on what accommodation and safari you pick. Sometimes we found food courts in malls a good option when out and about. If you have an apartment, you will easily find decent supermarkets in the main cities.
Our main recommendation for eating out has to be Nairobi Street Kitchen, which is a modern street food market, offering a mix of local and international food. Don’t miss it!
Safety
Kenya has a rich unique culture, and the people are very friendly. However we would say to be cautious while travelling in this country. We did avoid certain areas in the evening to keep safe. We found locals would come up to us asking for money sometimes when walking around, but we never felt scammed or ripped off. In the day we walked through a very local market and neighbourhood and again everyone was friendly and we had no trouble.
When taking the train to Mombasa we did have an odd experience at the security control. This was closer to an airport style security, and after scanning one of our bags the officer accused us of having a medium sized knife. They were very strict and something definitely felt a bit off!
They took Lewis to the side where there was a table, and were pressing him to admit having a knife or weapon. I denied this and offered for them to search my bag with me. They didn’t want to search my bag and were pushing for me to confess to having a knife.
They advised they would take my bag away to search it, but I said I wanted to see them do the search. They did agree and checked the contents of my bag fairly quickly with me. And that was it, I was free to go! This might have been a genuine concern, but it did feel odd and therefore is a good reminder to be cautious when travelling.
Nairobi – Kenya Things to Do
Nairobi is the bustling capital city of Kenya, located in the south-central part of the country. It has a unique blend of urban energy and natural beauty, Nairobi offers everything from lively markets and rich cultural heritage to wildlife safaris right on its doorstep.
After one of our worst airport experiences (and trust us, there’s been a few) we arrived 30 hours later than expected in Nairobi. We immediately headed to the hotel for some much needed rest and to freshen up!
This is what we got up to and recommend while you are in Nairobi for a few days.
Giraffe Centre
The Giraffe Centre was a highlight, seeing the giraffes, interacting with them and being able to feed them was a beautiful, unique experience. It is a giraffe conservation, and overall felt very ethical. They work hard to care for the animals and educate the public. You can spend a couple of hours there, as there are walks and cafes to enjoy too. Entry costs less than £10 per person and by car it’s around 40 minutes from the centre of Nairobi.
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nursery
Another unique and heart warming experience is the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nursery, located in Nairobi National Park. They do a fantastic job of caring for orphaned elephants and you can witness the midday mud bath and feeding session. You will need to book in advance for this as sessions are limited.
National Museum of Kenya
If you want to dive into Kenya’s history, culture, and wildlife further, The National Museum in Nairobi is a great place to explore. It offers everything from ancient fossils to traditional art. It’s laid-back, family-friendly, and has lovely gardens to also explore.
Karura Forest
Karura Forest is the perfect spot to explore nature without leaving the city! This huge urban woodland has over 50 km of trails great for walking, or you could rent a bike. You’ll find waterfalls, caves and lakes, plus loads of wildlife like monkeys, birds and butterflies.
The Nairobi Arboretum
This is another great spot to switch off and take in nature. Just a few kilometers from the centre of Nairobi, the Arboretum is like a secret garden in the heart of the city. There are over 30 hectares of peaceful trails and gardens to explore.
Maasai Market
Our last recommendation while in Nairobi is to visit a Maasai Market to experience the culture, and find an authentic souvenir. The market moves throughout the week, so it’s worth checking the location before you head out.
Safari – Kenya Things to Do
We opted to do a safari tour at The Nairobi National Park. This was our first safari experience, so we went with an easy option and it was definitely worth it. We also wanted to see more of Kenya and this gave us the time to do so.
It’s located around 5 miles from the centre of Nairobi and is perfect for a half-day safari experience. It was a great choice and we definitely recommend it if you are tight on time, or like us it’s your first safari.
We got picked up early in the morning (the best time to go) in an open‑top 4×4. We got to see Elephants, Giraffes, Lions, Hippos, Zebras, Rhinos, Buffalos, Monkeys, Ostriches, Deer, and many more animals roaming freely.
For the half day, including the entry and a private driver / car for a couple we paid around £120 each. If you want to do a group tour though, you will find it cheaper.
Next time, we will be looking to complete a 3 day safari in the Masai Mara to experience more of Kenya’s wildlife, as this is really what we enjoyed seeing. If you are just going 100% for safari then you should look at this too.
Mombasa – Kenya Things to Do
Mombasa is Kenya’s oldest and second-largest city, located on the southeastern coast along the Indian Ocean. The city is a vibrant mix of culture, historic charm, and beaches. After the spectacular train journey we reached Mombasa where we spent a few days relaxing and seeing more of what Kenya has to offer. This is what we got up to.
Beaches
Mombasa has plenty of beach options for you to enjoy. Nyali Beach we were a little disappointed with, maybe our expectations were too high. We found it lovely to walk along, however for swimming and spending a beach day it could have been better. Many people we speak to love Nyali so don’t let us put you off!
Diana Beach is the other main option, and is an award winning beach. It’s located a little further from the centre of Mombasa and is popular for larger resorts. However the beautiful beach is also perfect for a day trip.
Fort Jesus Museum
Fort Jesus Museum in Mombasa is an interesting historic site located right by the ocean, and it was built by the Portuguese in the 1590s. You can explore its unique stone fortress, check out ancient artifacts, and learn about its history.
Old Town and Markets
Mombasa Old Town is a vibrant maze of narrow streets filled with colorful Swahili architecture, bustling markets, and rich cultural vibes. We really enjoyed wandering through the markets and soaking up the local atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
We really hope you have enjoyed our honest guide on Kenya things to do, showing how we spent a week exploring Kenya’s rich culture, bustling cities and stunning nature. It was definitely a unique trip, and we would love to come back one day to complete a larger safari.
