Located in the southern part of Kenya, the Amboseli National Park is one of the most exciting places to visit in Kenya in December with your loved ones. This park is famous for the majestic beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro that you can see on the horizon and large herds of grazing wild elephants.
Spread over a vast area of 715 square km, Mount Kenya National Park was established in 1949, to protect Mount Kenya and its surrounding biodiversity.
Lake Victoria is also known as Victoria Nyanza and is the largest lake in Africa making it one of the best places to visit in Kenya. It was named Lake Victoria, by British explorer John Hanning Speke. The vast lake is spread over an area of 69,484 square km and preserves more than 200 species of fishes.
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in Kenya and a part of the Great Rift Valley. The name ‘Naivasha’ is derived from the native Maasai language ‘Nai’posha’ means ‘rough water’. Due to sudden storms, the water turns very rough in this lake, which is the phenomenon from which the lake gets its name.
The Samburu National Reserve was established in 1985. It is a game reserve situated on the banks of River Ewaso Ng’iro in Kenya. Spread over a sprawling area of 165 square km it is one of the best places to visit in Kenya due to the ecological wealth that it possesses.
The picturesque Diani Beach is amongst the most scenic places to visit in Kenya, where you can relax and unwind and take in the serenity of nature. Surrounded by the vast Indian Ocean, this mesmerising beach is famous for its soft white sand, the pleasant ocean waves and a thick outgrowth of swaying palm trees.
The word ‘Uhuru’ means ‘freedom’ in Swahili. The Uhuru Gardens is a memorial park in Nairobi, which symbolises the celebration of independence from British rule in 1963. This park also celebrates the inauguration of Jomo Kenyatta – the first president of Kenya.
Hell’s Gate National Park is situated in the southern part of Lake Naivasha and to the north-west of Nairobi. It was established in 1984. The park is spread over an area of 68.25 square km.
Tsavo National Park is one of the oldest and largest parks in Kenya, covering an area of 13,747 square km. This park was established in 1948. A large part of this park is covered by semi-arid grassland and savannah. It is home to a vast number of magnificent animals and birds.
Arabuko Sokoke National Reserve, located along Kenya’s coast, is a biodiversity hotspot known for its unique forest ecosystems. Spanning 420 square kilometers, it is home to various species, including the endangered Amani sunbird and the Sokoke bushy-tailed mongoose. The reserve features diverse habitats, from coastal forests to wetlands, making it a vital conservation area for wildlife and plant species.
The Shimoni Slave Caves in Kenya, located in the southeastern coastal town of Shimoni near the Tanzanian border, are a significant historical site, bearing testimony to the region's dark history of slavery. These natural limestone caves, now a popular tourist destination, were once used to confine enslaved Africans before they were shipped across the Indian Ocean to markets in the Middle East and Asia. The Arab slave traders who controlled these operations used the coastal caves as holding cells, keeping slaves in deplorable conditions for days or weeks. The narrow pathways and dim chambers of the caves, along with the chains still embedded in the cave walls, offer a stark reminder of this painful period.
Meru National Park, located in eastern Kenya, is a striking and diverse wilderness area renowned for its scenic beauty and abundant wildlife. Covering approximately 870 square kilometers, the park is characterized by its lush riverine forests, vast savannas, and rolling hills, offering a rich mosaic of landscapes. It gained fame as the setting for Joy Adamson’s famous book *Born Free*, which tells the story of Elsa the lioness.
Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park, often called the "home of dolphins" in Kenya, is a hidden gem along the Kenyan coast that promises a captivating experience for nature enthusiasts and marine adventurers alike. Located near Shimoni, south of Diani Beach, this pristine marine sanctuary spans approximately 39 square kilometers and is part of a larger marine reserve, teeming with an array of colorful coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, and a rich variety of marine life.
One of the park's major highlights is its thriving dolphin population. Spinner and bottlenose dolphins are frequently seen playfully swimming alongside boats, offering unforgettable close encounters. Many visitors come specifically for the chance to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, while snorkeling or taking boat excursions. Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park also boasts some of the best snorkeling and diving sites in Kenya. The vibrant coral gardens, home to over 250 fish species, create an underwater paradise. Visitors can spot angelfish, parrotfish, groupers, and even sea turtles gliding gracefully through the warm waters.