What to see in Kenya: 10 must-sees

Cross the Maasai Mara during the great migration and you'll see 1.5 million wildebeest plunge into the Mara River, dodging crocodiles as the herds raise dust across the Rift Valley savanna. Follow the trails with Maasai guides to spot birds, lions, and the seasonal routes that set the park's rhythm. The reserve runs conservation programs to keep this cycle intact, and every sunrise safari offers a different reading of the same Kenyan plain.

Watch the flocks of flamingos that turn the shores of Lake Nakuru pink, in the heart of Kenya's Rift Valley. Tour the national park in search of white and black rhinos, giraffes, and buffalo among acacias and open grasslands. Head up to the Baboon Cliff viewpoint to take in the entire alkaline lake and its pelican colonies. Go hiking and birdwatching while learning about the programs that protect local wildlife and keep this corner of the valley safe.

Walk along Diani's nearly 20 kilometers of white sand, south of Mombasa, where coconut palms cast shade all the way to the shore and the coral reef breaks the waves of the Indian Ocean. Snorkel among tropical fish in crystal-clear water, kitesurf in the trade winds, or sail a traditional dhow at sunset. Just minutes away, the Shimba Hills forest and the Kaya Kinondo colobus sanctuary round off a day spent between sea, mangroves, and the Swahili culture of Kenya's coast.

Take in Malindi Beach on Kenya's coast, where the Indian Ocean swell allows surfing and the nearby reef invites you to snorkel among corals and tropical fish. Walk on its fine, pale sand, take a dip in its transparent waters, or sail on the dhows that set off from the shore. A few kilometers away, Watamu Marine Park offers more diving options, and Malindi's old town preserves remnants of its Swahili and Portuguese past, such as the Vasco da Gama pillar, erected in 1498.

Visit Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest peak at 5,199 meters, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Hike its trails through bamboo forests and giant heather, home to elephants, buffalo, and colobus monkeys. At higher elevations you'll find glaciers, glacial lakes, and sharp ridges of volcanic rock. Routes like Naro Moru or Sirimon let you reach Point Lenana without technical climbing skills. Bring warm clothing: snow lingers near the summit all year round.

Watch giraffes and zebras grazing with the skyscrapers as a backdrop in Nairobi National Park, just a few kilometers from the capital's downtown. Browse the Maasai Market, where wooden carvings, kanga cloth, and beaded jewelry are traded. Visit the Karen Blixen Museum and the Rothschild's giraffe center on the outskirts, or try nyama choma at a restaurant in the Westlands district, where live music fills the nights.

Sail by dhow to Lamu, Kenya's oldest continuously inhabited Swahili town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Explore its coral-stone alleyways on foot, where there are no cars and donkeys remain the usual means of transport. Notice the carved wooden doors, the inner courtyards, and the mosques that blend Arab, Persian, and Indian influences. The site stands as exceptional testimony to a living cultural tradition, with markets, boatyards, and festivals that keep centuries of history alive.