Explore The Hidden Gems in Kenya
Explore The Hidden Gems in Kenya. Kenya is most famous for the thunderous hooves of the Maasai Mara and the white sands of Diani Beach. Yet, beyond these well-known places, there are secret spots where you can breathe fresher air, find no crowds, and have views that will open your mind.
If you desire to experience “real” Kenya isolated from the tourist buses, these ten hidden gems should be on your bucket list.
1. Ngare Ndare Forest:
Ngare Ndare, located at the foothills of Mount Kenya, is a fairytale-like, lush, verdant world. One of the forest’s main attractions is its natural rock pools filled with crystal-clear, waterfall-fed, icy-blue water.
Whether you decide to jump into these turquoise pools or take a stroll on a 450-meter-long canopy bridge through the treetops, you will have a lovely time. It is one of the rare spots where you can see elephants from the bridge: look down, and you will see them drinking from the river.
2. Lake Turkana:
Lake Turkana, known as the “Cradle of Mankind,” is situated in the northernmost part of Kenya. It is the world’s biggest permanent desert lake and its mysteriously greenish water justifies the nickname “The Jade Sea.” The surrounding area is breathtakingly beautiful yet rough, featuring dark volcanic rocks and sandy desert dunes.
Visiting Turkana is more than just a sightseeing trip; it is a cultural experience as well. You get to know the Turkana and El Molo tribes, who have lived in this beautiful yet harsh environment for hundreds of years.
3. Rusinga Island:
Rusinga Island, situated on Lake Victoria, is the perfect free combination of nature and modern amenities. Huge fig trees, a variety of birds and the gentle sounds of the lake’s waves will help you forget the city chaos.
The difference between the ocean and this lake is quite obvious here: the air is pure and fresh. This wonderful place also has a prehistoric legacy, as many fossils have been found here. However, it can also be simply enjoyed by the visitors who can watch the sunset from a boat while fishermen using traditional wooden boats go fishing.
4. Chalbi Desert:
Chalbi Desert in the north of Marsabit is a huge area covered in white salt crust with glaring mirages. It is the only desert in Kenya and you can have an out-of-this-world experience there.
Your journey will be made even more enchanting if you can witness the changing silhouettes of Gabbra camel caravans against the horizon and discover some palm-lined oases that provide a source of cold water in the center of the heat.
5. Takawiri Island:
People generally associate white sand and palm trees with the coast, but Takawiri Island, which is on Lake Victoria, tells a different story. The hidden gem boasts beautiful sandy beaches, and the water is such a clear blue that the island looks like a tropical paradise in the middle of the ocean.
Because of its great distance from the city, it is unlikely that you will encounter the big crowds of Mombasa at this place. It is a quiet refuge where you can enjoy fresh tilapia fishing, kayaking, or simply resting under a silent palm tree.
6. Chyulu Hills:
Between Amboseli and Tsavo lie the Chyulu Hills, a chain of ancient volcanic cones draped with lush, deep green grass. On an especially clear day, the hills frame a perfect view of Mount Kilimanjaro far off in the distance.
Among the interesting things about this place is its “Leviathan” cave, reputedly one of the longest lava tubes in existence. The location is also a paradise for trekkers, as it offers undulating terrain inhabited by giraffes, elephants, and vibrant wildflowers.
7. Meru National Park:
Who doesn’t remember Elsa the Lioness in the inspiring book Born Free? The tale took place at Meru. It is a well-kept secret spot, which is less crowded than the Maasai Mara.
The park has splendid scenery consisting of tall grass, swampy springs, and doum palms. The fact that very few cars are allowed in makes a safari here a very intimate and authentic experience. The “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) can be spotted by you alone in the wild, which is a real taste of nature in Africa.
8. The Home of Champions
This is located on the edge of the Kerio Valley, Iten is well-known all over the world for its athletes who dominate marathon running. On the other hand, for visitors, the main feature that amazes is none other than the “jaw-dropping” scene.
From the Iten cliffs, the land falls steeply into the huge Rift Valley, which lies thousands of feet below. Paragliding is a very popular activity here, but even if you choose not to do it, watching the sun rise above the escarpment is a moment of eternity.
7. Gedi Ruins:
If you go deep into the Arabuko Sokoke Forest near Watamu, you will find the Gedi Ruins. They are the remains of a Swahili coral-stone city from the 13th century. It is still a mystery to everyone why the city was deserted; thus, the ivy-clad walls and arched doorways evoke a sense of wonder. Wandering through the ruins while seeing the monkeys above making a chorus of calls feels like the discovery of a forgotten civilization.
8. Shimba Hills:
You would need just a little drive from Diani’s shoreline to get to the Shimba Hills National Reserve. It would seem like an entirely different universe to step into a cold, foggy forest, which is the home to the rare Sable Antelope, a species you can only find in Kenya.
Apart from that, the reserve also has Sheldrick Falls, a wonderful waterfall at which you are able to go on a guided trek through the woods and refresh yourself with the water spray.
