The Essence of Africa: 5 Must-See Places in Kenya — Part 2

Following Part 1, today we're introducing the remaining 2 of Kenya's 5 must-see destinations.

The essence of African travel: here are Kenya's top 5 destinations.

1. Maasai Mara National Reserve: the world's largest wildlife habitat, where you can enjoy a truly wild safari
2. Amboseli National Park: a place to see elephants roaming freely up close in the borderlands of Kenya and Tanzania
3. Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate National Park: a peaceful haven for herbivores, with plenty of activities amid stunning nature
4. Diani Beach: Kenya's hidden gem, where you can enjoy a beautiful beach
5. Nairobi Giraffe Centre & Elephant Orphanage: a place to meet Kenya's wildlife up close and make happy memories with your family

Diani Beach, Kenya's Tropical Escape on the Indian Ocean

Many people think of Kenya as a safari destination, but beyond safaris that bring you face to face with wildlife, Kenya also offers the charm of slowing down and relaxing on the beach.

Today we're introducing Diani Beach. One of Kenya's most popular beaches, Diani Beach has been named Africa's leading beach destination 5 years in a row. Located on the south coast 30 km from Mombasa and surrounded by the warm Indian Ocean, it offers the perfect tropical paradise on your trip to Kenya.

Soft white sand mixed with talc-like powder and blue water in 12 shades make Diani Beach all the more charming. Its white sand is dazzling, and at low tide the beach stretches up to 150 meters, which is truly beautiful. Stroll along the shore and look up, and the clear blue sky creates a picture-perfect view. Let the gentle sound of the waves and the beautiful scenery give you a truly restorative moment on your trip to Kenya.

Why not take a once-in-a-lifetime photo on the brilliant white sands of Diani Beach?

At Diani Beach you can enjoy a wide range of activities, including diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, water skiing, paragliding and dolphin tours. Diving and snorkeling bring you up close to turtles, dolphins, colorful corals and tropical fish. With its abundant coral reefs, Diani Beach tends to have calm waves and warm water, making it perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Kenya Giraffe Centre & Elephant Nursery: Close Encounters with Wildlife in Nairobi

The final destination we're introducing is the Kenya Giraffe Centre.

This is where you can see giraffes roaming freely against a backdrop of open grassland, truly up close! The Kenya Giraffe Centre (also called the Nairobi Giraffe Centre) is a Kenyan nonprofit founded by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W. Kenya). It was built to educate young people about Kenya's wildlife and environment.

When you visit the Giraffe Centre, you can meet giraffes, the tallest animals in the world, up close and bond with them through a feeding experience. You can see wildlife on a game drive (safari) during your trip to Kenya, but feeding animals yourself is hard to do, so at the Nairobi Giraffe Centre you can have the meaningful experience of touching giraffes and feeding them by hand.

If you're traveling to Kenya with kids or planning an African honeymoon, we highly recommend this special experience at the Giraffe Centre! You'll learn about different kinds of giraffes and bond with them, creating fun and precious memories you can only make at the Giraffe Centre.

See also: Kenya's Giraffe Hotel: Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Where Giraffes Come to Visit

Elephant Nursery: Kenya's Orphanage for Baby Elephants

Another place we'd like to introduce is the Elephant Nursery. Featured on TV many times, it is a must-visit for anyone planning a trip to Kenya. Founded in 1977 by the charity Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT), it runs a program that rescues orphaned baby elephants and rhinos and returns them to the wild.

The Elephant Nursery first appeared in 2015 on the “Overseas Extreme Part-Time Job” episode of the Korean variety show Infinite Challenge, and it became widely known in Korea, starting with the elephants Doto and Jambo. Also called the Orphans' Project, it focuses on rehabilitating young elephants and other animals that lost their mothers to poaching, disease or conflict with people. Through this program, 262 orphaned elephants and 17 rhinos have been successfully raised and returned to the wild in Kenya's national parks.

At the Elephant Nursery, you can watch young elephants eat and play up close and learn about elephant behavior. You can also see firsthand the many activities that help orphaned wildlife thrive. Note that everyone visiting the elephant orphanage in Nairobi must pay the Nairobi National Park entrance fee, which is separate from any donation.

See also: Nairobi National Park Half-Day Safari Tips: Wildlife in the Heart of Kenya's Capital

Continuing from Part 1, we've now introduced all 5 of Kenya's must-see destinations, from safaris to beaches. Today we looked at Diani Beach, Kenya's beautiful beach, along with the Nairobi Giraffe Centre and the Elephant Nursery, where you can meet wildlife up close.

Did you enjoy this guide to Kenya?

If you'd like to know more about Kenya's top attractions, contact Ahmo Travel anytime! We'll carefully guide you through everything about your trip to Kenya, from start to finish, tailored to your tastes.

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