Kenya holiday destinations compared: what to do, when to go and what it costs

Destinations at a glance

METRIKA estimates for March travel with Kenyan citizen park rates, including transport from Nairobi (SGR for the coast, a flight for Lamu, road elsewhere), food, activities, park fees and a 10% buffer.

Where to go, and what to know

Maasai Mara

Best for: The Big Five, the wildebeest migration, hot-air balloon safaris and Maasai culture.
When to go: July to October for the migration; January to February for fewer crowds.
Getting there: About 270 km; 5 to 6 hours by road, or a 45-minute flight.
Good to know: Lodges and tented camps are usually full board. Peak-season prices and the higher July to December reserve fee make the green season far better value.

Amboseli

Best for: Large elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro behind them.
When to go: June to October and January to February, when skies are clearer.
Getting there: About 240 km; 4 to 5 hours by road.
Good to know: Mornings give the best chance of seeing Kilimanjaro before cloud covers it.

Lake Nakuru

Best for: Black and white rhinos, tree-climbing lions, flamingos and Baboon Cliff viewpoint.
When to go: All year; driest June to October and January to February.
Getting there: About 160 km; 2.5 to 3 hours by road.
Good to know: Easy to visit on a weekend. You can drive the park in your own car on its main roads.

Tsavo East & West

Best for: Kenya's biggest wilderness, red-dust elephants and Mzima Springs.
When to go: June to October and January to February.
Getting there: About 330 km to Voi, or the SGR to Voi.
Good to know: The SGR to Voi makes Tsavo one of the easiest safaris to reach without a car.

Samburu

Best for: The "Samburu special five": Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx and gerenuk.
When to go: June to October and December to March.
Getting there: About 340 km; 5 to 6 hours by road, or a short flight.
Good to know: Hot and dry, with wildlife gathered along the Ewaso Nyiro river in the dry months.

Diani Beach

Best for: White sand, kitesurfing, snorkelling, Colobus monkeys and Shimba Hills.
When to go: December to March and July to October.
Getting there: SGR to Mombasa, then about an hour by road and ferry.
Good to know: Some hotels close or discount heavily in May, the wettest month on the coast.

Watamu & Malindi

Best for: Marine park snorkelling, Mida Creek, turtles, the Gede ruins and Italian-style Malindi.
When to go: December to March and July to October.
Getting there: SGR to Mombasa, then about 2 to 3 hours by road, or fly to Malindi.
Good to know: Quieter and often cheaper than Diani, with excellent seafood.

Mombasa & Nyali

Best for: Fort Jesus, Old Town, Haller Park and Nyali and Bamburi beaches.
When to go: December to March and July to October.
Getting there: SGR from Nairobi in about 5 hours, or a 1-hour flight.
Good to know: The cheapest coast option if you take the SGR and stay in town.

Lamu

Best for: A UNESCO-listed Swahili old town, dhow trips, Shela beach and no cars.
When to go: December to March and July to October; the cultural festival is usually in November.
Getting there: Usually a flight, then a boat across to the island.
Good to know: Book flights early; donkeys and boats are the main transport on the island.

Naivasha

Best for: Boat rides among hippos, Crescent Island walking safaris and cycling in Hell's Gate.
When to go: All year; drier June to October and January to February.
Getting there: About 95 km; 1.5 to 2 hours by road.
Good to know: The best-value weekend from Nairobi, with options from campsites to resorts.

Nanyuki & Mt Kenya

Best for: The equator, Mount Kenya hikes, and rhinos and chimpanzees at Ol Pejeta.
When to go: January to February and July to September for climbing.
Getting there: About 200 km; 3 to 4 hours by road, or a short flight.
Good to know: Cool and green, with Ol Pejeta Conservancy close by, home to two of the world's last northern white rhinos.

Kisumu & Lake Victoria

Best for: Lake Victoria sunsets, fish at Dunga beach, Kit Mikayi and the Impala Sanctuary.
When to go: All year; drier June to September and December to February.
Getting there: About 350 km; 6 to 7 hours by road, or a 50-minute flight.
Good to know: Very affordable once you're there, with lakeside hotels at lower prices than the coast.

Nairobi city break

Best for: Nairobi National Park, the Giraffe Centre, the elephant orphanage and Karura Forest.
When to go: All year.
Getting there: You're already there.
Good to know: A staycation with one park day and one culture day costs far less than travelling.

Weekend getaways from Nairobi

For a two-night break without a long drive, look at Naivasha (about 95 km), Lake Nakuru (about 160 km) and Nanyuki (about 200 km). Travelling on Friday afternoon and returning on Sunday keeps it to two nights' accommodation. Or stay in town: a day in Nairobi National Park plus the Giraffe Centre and Karura Forest is a full weekend for a fraction of the cost.

How to get more for your money

1. Ask for resident rates. Many hotels and camps have lower prices for Kenyan citizens and residents.
2. Travel midweek or off-peak. April to June and November are the cheapest months.
3. Take the SGR to the coast or Tsavo instead of flying.
4. Compare full board with bed and breakfast. Full board is better value deep in a park, where there's nowhere else to eat.
5. Share game drives. Group safaris and shared vehicles cut the biggest cost on a safari.
6. Book December early, or skip it: Christmas prices at the coast can be far higher than in January.

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed 19 Oct 2026. METRIKA gives estimates and general information, not financial, tax, legal or immigration advice.