Last Updated on December 15, 2023
It’s not just for safaris…there are a lot of other things to do in Kenya before you leave.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
By Mike Jensen
Kenya is famous worldwide for its amazing safaris. But when your safari ends, what happens next – do you take your flight home?
Stop right there. There is more to Kenya than its incredible wildlife and beautiful savannahs. In fact, much of it might surprise you.
The following are a few interesting things to do in Kenya after your safari.
Go Sky Diving
If you are the adventurous type, take a trip to Diani on Kenya’s coast and go sky diving. One company there, Skydive Diani, has been operating for several years and provides guests with several sky-diving options, including fun tandem jumps and jump school.
Hopping out a plane and staring down at Kenya’s incredible coastline is an experience no one forgets. The incredible colors of the calm seas, the coral reefs, and the picturesque coastline are incredibly beautiful from above. After your immense adrenaline rush, you’ll land safely on the beach.
Climb Mt Kenya
Mt Kenya, the second-highest mountain in Africa, is a few hours drive or a short flight from Nairobi. Just south of the equator, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is excellent for hiking.
There are a few operators that will take you on a walk around the park or to help you summit one of its 3 peaks. Lenana is a peak we can all walk to, but if you are a technical climber you can try your hand at reaching the summit of Batian or Nelion, a 4-5-day walk. All gear and food are provided.
On the way up Mt Kenya, you’ll walk through all the altitudinal zones, first through ancient forests, then bamboo and finally up into the heather. It’s from here you’ll climb to the peaks.
Mt Kenya is also home to wildlife, and you will have the chance of seeing some of it up close on the way.
Big Game Fishing
Kenya has great offshore fishing, which even lured Ernest Heminway here in 1934. The coastline offers a chance to catch blue, black, and striped marlin; broadbill swordfish; sailfish; tuna and more.
Watamu provides the best chance for catching a marlin, especially during the seasons August to September, and January to March.
The town is on the north coast and is found inside a marine park surrounded by white-sand beaches.
Accommodations here are some of the best in Kenya, and there are many experienced boat captains.
An Unusual Experience in Kenya: Fly Fishing
There are trout in Kenya’s highland streams, thanks to them being stocked by British colonialists in 1906. In the rivers of the Aberdares and Mt Kenya you’ll find brown and rainbow trout, their populations managed by conservationists. The Aberdares are a short drive out of Nairobi and are a beautiful part of the central Kenya highlands.
The fishing in the Aberdares is stunning. Huge cascading waterfalls surrounded by dense African forests become part of your fishing ground as you wander upriver in search of trout. The best fishing is found in the moorlands and the rivers are easy to reach by car. Just ask the wardens at the gate for directions and they will happily show you where to go on the map.
You will have to bring your own fishing equipment, as you cannot rent the gear in the park. The best time to go is between December and March during the dry season.
A Fun Experience in Kenya: Swimming With Dolphins
Lamu is on the north coast of Kenya and is a treasure of its own. It is a short flight from Nairobi or Malindi and once you land, a 15-minute boat ride to the island. The island is covered in sand dunes and long white sand beaches. It is thought to be the oldest Swahili settlement in Kenya and is characterized by its winding narrow streets, good food, a chilled atmosphere, and dolphins.
Boats are easily hired and they will take you just south of Lamu to find the dolphins that so frequently call the waters home. Once you have found them, just gear up and hop in with your guide and follow the dolphins around. Your guide will tell you to interact with and play with the dolphins in the water, this will keep them interested and extend your time with them in the water.
A Cultural Experience in Kenya: Visiting Ancient Ruins
The first colonizers of Kenya were Arab traders and you can find ruins of their settlements dotting the coast today. One of the most well-preserved sites is Gede Ruins, discovered in 1920 after being mysteriously abandoned 600 years earlier.
Today, 44 acres (18 hectares) of the 12th-century settlement have been excavated, showing the remains of an old town that includes several mosques, a palace, a court and old tombs. It is now a National Museum.
There is also a snake and a butterfly park at Gede, which are worth visiting. The site is open every day 7am – 6pm and is easily accessed from Mombasa, Watamu or Malindi by public transport or taxi.
Another Unusual Thing to Do in Kenya: Golf
I bet the thought of golfing in Kenya never entered your mind. Kenya has a great selection of world-class golf courses and it is a perfect break from safari. The weather for golf is ideal all year round and makes Kenya a fabulous golfing destination. Also, Kenya’s world-famous wildlife is never far away. A round of golf in Kenya can often be a nature walk in itself, with a remarkable profusion of birdlife and wildlife surrounding the greens.
Kenya’s courses offer international golfing standards and some of the world’s finest design and landscaping. Its golf and country clubs have fantastic facilities and provide high-quality service.
There are numerous courses to be found, most of them are in and around Nairobi, with a few near Mombasa.
You may also enjoy: On Safari In Kenya and Tanzania / A Tanzania Safari – An Incredible Wildlife Experience / Top Things To Do In Morocco
Watch The Humpback Migration
Every year between August and September, humpback whales migrate up the Kenyan coast, following the cool currents brought by the south monsoon. You can often see the humpbacks and their calves breaching and playing as they head north.
Whale watching tours can be organized in Watamu and your best bet is to head to Hemingways Hotel on Watamu beach. They will organize a boat to take you out so that can you spend time admiring these graceful giants.
– Mike Jensen is addicted to both adventure and travel, so decided to combine the two to form TheAdventourist.
There he shares his journey from one adrenaline rush to another, always exploring new places as he goes.
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