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Explore Kenya

Things to do in Kenya: a guide to all 47 counties

Where to go and what to do across Kenya, from Nairobi to Lake Turkana. Filter by region or by what you enjoy, then open a regional guide or price your trip.

Checked 19 Oct 202647 counties8 regions

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Showing 47 of 47 counties

County 47 · Nairobi, Kiambu & Kajiado

Nairobi

County headquarters: Nairobi

  • Nairobi National ParkA real safari with the city skyline behind, minutes from the centreWildlife · Good for families
  • Nairobi National MuseumKenya's history, cultures and natural history under one roofCulture & history · Good for families
  • Giraffe CentreMeet and feed endangered Rothschild's giraffesWildlife · Good for families
  • Sheldrick elephant orphanageWatch orphaned baby elephants at their daily visiting hourWildlife · Good for families
  • Karura ForestWalking and cycling trails, a waterfall and cavesHiking & nature · Good for families
  • Bomas of KenyaTraditional homesteads and dance performances from Kenyan communitiesCulture & history · Good for families
County 22 · Nairobi, Kiambu & Kajiado

Kiambu

County headquarters: Kiambu

  • Limuru tea farmsTea farm tours and lunch with views over the highlandsHiking & nature · Culture & history
  • Chania and Thika fallsWaterfalls near Thika, an easy half-day from NairobiHiking & nature · Good for families
  • Paradise LostCaves, a waterfall and boat rides near Kiambu townHiking & nature · Good for families
  • Kereita ForestForest walks, zip-lining and outdoor activities on the edge of the AberdaresHiking & nature · Good for families
County 34 · Nairobi, Kiambu & Kajiado

Kajiado

County headquarters: Kajiado

  • Amboseli National ParkBig elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro behind themWildlife · Good for families
  • Lake MagadiA soda lake with hot springs and flamingosBeaches & lakes · Hiking & nature
  • OlorgesailieA prehistoric site with ancient stone tools, run by the National MuseumsCulture & history
  • Ngong HillsRidge hikes with views over the Rift ValleyHiking & nature
County 19 · Central Kenya & Mount Kenya

Nyeri

County headquarters: Nyeri

  • Aberdare National ParkForest, moorland, waterfalls and tree lodges overlooking waterholesWildlife · Hiking & nature
  • Mount Kenya National ParkKenya's highest mountain, with Naro Moru route on its western sideHiking & nature
  • Baden-Powell's graveThe resting place of the Scout movement's founder, in Nyeri townCulture & history
County 21 · Central Kenya & Mount Kenya

Murang'a

County headquarters: Murang'a

  • Ndakaini DamNairobi's main water source, scenic drives and an annual half marathonBeaches & lakes · Hiking & nature
  • Mukurwe wa NyagathangaA site central to Kikuyu heritage and origin storiesCulture & history
  • Tea and coffee farmsHighland farms on the slopes of the AberdaresHiking & nature
County 20 · Central Kenya & Mount Kenya

Kirinyaga

County headquarters: Kerugoya

  • Mwea rice fieldsKenya's largest rice irrigation scheme, good for birdingHiking & nature
  • Mount Kenya's southern forestsForest walks and lodges on the lower slopesHiking & nature
County 18 · Central Kenya & Mount Kenya

Nyandarua

County headquarters: Ol Kalou

  • Lake Ol BolossatCentral Kenya's only natural lake, rich in birdlifeBeaches & lakes · Wildlife
  • Aberdare Range (Kinangop side)Cool highland trails and trout streamsHiking & nature
County 31 · Central Kenya & Mount Kenya

Laikipia

County headquarters: Rumuruti

  • Ol Pejeta ConservancyRhinos, a chimpanzee sanctuary and two of the last northern white rhinosWildlife · Good for families
  • Nanyuki and the equatorStand on the equator and use Nanyuki as a Mount Kenya baseHiking & nature · Good for families
  • Thomson's FallsA 74-metre waterfall at NyahururuHiking & nature · Good for families
County 12 · Central Kenya & Mount Kenya

Meru

County headquarters: Meru

  • Meru National ParkQuiet wilderness, rivers and the Born Free story of Elsa the lionessWildlife
  • Lewa Wildlife ConservancyRhino conservation and the Lewa Safari MarathonWildlife
  • Mount Kenya's northern slopesForest and farmland on the mountain's drier sideHiking & nature
County 14 · Central Kenya & Mount Kenya

Embu

County headquarters: Embu

  • Mwea National ReserveA small, little-visited reserve on the Tana River near Masinga DamWildlife · Beaches & lakes
  • Mount Kenya's south-eastern forestsForest and waterfalls above Embu townHiking & nature
County 13 · Central Kenya & Mount Kenya

Tharaka-Nithi

County headquarters: Kathwana

  • Chogoria route, Mount KenyaOne of the most scenic routes up the mountain, past lakes and gorgesHiking & nature

Few formal attractions are listed yet. Local research is needed.

County 32 · South Rift

Nakuru

County headquarters: Nakuru

  • Lake Nakuru National ParkBlack and white rhinos, flamingos and the Baboon Cliff viewpointWildlife · Good for families
  • Lake Naivasha and Crescent IslandBoat rides among hippos and walking safarisBeaches & lakes · Wildlife · Good for families
  • Hell's Gate National ParkCycling, gorge walks and rock climbingHiking & nature · Good for families
  • Menengai CraterOne of the world's largest volcanic calderas, with viewpointsHiking & nature
  • Lake ElementaitaA shallow soda lake, part of a UNESCO World Heritage SiteBeaches & lakes · Wildlife
County 33 · South Rift

Narok

County headquarters: Narok

  • Maasai Mara National ReserveThe Big Five and the wildebeest migration, usually July to OctoberWildlife · Good for families
  • Maasai cultural visitsCommunity-run village visits around the reserveCulture & history
County 35 · South Rift

Kericho

County headquarters: Kericho

  • Tea estatesRolling tea country and estate toursHiking & nature
  • Chagaik Dam and arboretumA tree garden and lake among the teaHiking & nature · Good for families
County 36 · South Rift

Bomet

County headquarters: Bomet

  • Tea country and the Mau forest edgeHighland farms between Kericho and the MaraHiking & nature

Few formal attractions are listed yet. Local research is needed.

County 27 · North Rift

Uasin Gishu

County headquarters: Eldoret

  • EldoretKenya's newest city and a hub for athletes training at altitudeCulture & history
  • Kipchoge Keino StadiumAthletics meets and training in the home of championsCulture & history
County 28 · North Rift

Elgeyo-Marakwet

County headquarters: Iten

  • Iten, the Home of ChampionsWatch elite runners train on red-dirt roads at about 2,400 metresCulture & history
  • Kerio ValleyDramatic escarpment views and paraglidingHiking & nature
  • Torok FallsA waterfall on the Kerio Valley escarpmentHiking & nature
County 29 · North Rift

Nandi

County headquarters: Kapsabet

  • Nandi Hills tea countryGreen tea estates and cool highland walksHiking & nature

Few formal attractions are listed yet. Local research is needed.

County 26 · North Rift

Trans Nzoia

County headquarters: Kitale

  • Saiwa Swamp National ParkKenya's smallest national park, home of the rare sitatunga antelopeWildlife · Hiking & nature
  • Kitale MuseumA National Museums of Kenya site with nature trailsCulture & history · Good for families
  • Mount Elgon (eastern side)Caves, forest and moorland on an extinct volcanoHiking & nature · Wildlife
County 30 · North Rift

Baringo

County headquarters: Kabarnet

  • Lake Bogoria National ReserveHot springs, geysers and flamingosBeaches & lakes · Wildlife
  • Lake BaringoA freshwater lake famous for birdwatching and boat tripsBeaches & lakes · Wildlife
County 24 · North Rift

West Pokot

County headquarters: Kapenguria

  • Kapenguria MuseumThe prison where the Kapenguria Six were held, now a museumCulture & history
  • Cherangani HillsRemote highland hikingHiking & nature
County 1 · The Coast

Mombasa

County headquarters: Mombasa

  • Fort JesusA 16th-century Portuguese fort and UNESCO World Heritage SiteCulture & history · Good for families
  • Old TownSwahili architecture, narrow streets, spice and coffee shopsCulture & history
  • Haller ParkA restored quarry turned nature parkWildlife · Good for families
  • Nyali and Bamburi beachesBeaches and the Mombasa Marine ParkBeaches & lakes · Good for families
County 2 · The Coast

Kwale

County headquarters: Kwale

  • Diani BeachWhite sand, kitesurfing, snorkelling and divingBeaches & lakes · Good for families
  • Shimba Hills National ReserveForest, sable antelope and the Sheldrick Falls walkWildlife · Hiking & nature
  • Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park and WasiniDolphin trips and snorkelling from ShimoniBeaches & lakes · Wildlife
County 3 · The Coast

Kilifi

County headquarters: Kilifi

  • Watamu and MalindiMarine parks, turtles and beachesBeaches & lakes · Good for families
  • Gede ruinsA ruined Swahili town in the forest, run by the National MuseumsCulture & history
  • Arabuko-Sokoke ForestCoastal forest walks and rare birdsHiking & nature · Wildlife
  • Mida CreekMangrove boardwalk and birdwatchingBeaches & lakes · Hiking & nature
  • Marafa (Hell's Kitchen)Eroded sandstone gorges, best at sunsetHiking & nature
County 5 · The Coast

Lamu

County headquarters: Lamu

  • Lamu Old TownA UNESCO-listed Swahili town with no carsCulture & history
  • Shela beachLong, quiet beach and sand dunesBeaches & lakes
  • Dhow tripsSailing trips around the archipelagoBeaches & lakes

Several foreign governments advise against travel to parts of Lamu County outside Lamu and Manda islands. Check current advice before you go.

County 4 · The Coast

Tana River

County headquarters: Hola

  • Tana River Primate National ReserveForest along the Tana River, home to rare monkeysWildlife

Check current travel advice and local guidance before visiting. Local research is needed.

County 6 · The Coast

Taita-Taveta

County headquarters: Mwatate

  • Tsavo East and Tsavo WestKenya's largest protected wilderness, with red-dust elephants and Mzima SpringsWildlife · Good for families
  • Taita HillsCool hills, forest and a wildlife sanctuaryHiking & nature · Wildlife
  • Lake ChalaA crater lake on the Tanzania borderBeaches & lakes
County 37 · Western Kenya & Lake Victoria

Kakamega

County headquarters: Kakamega

  • Kakamega ForestKenya's only tropical rainforest, with primates and hundreds of bird speciesHiking & nature · Wildlife
  • Crying Stone of IlesiA famous rock formation on the Kisumu roadCulture & history
  • Bullfighting in IkolomaniA traditional community event, held seasonallyCulture & history
County 38 · Western Kenya & Lake Victoria

Vihiga

County headquarters: Mbale

  • Maragoli HillsRolling green hills and farmlandHiking & nature

Few formal attractions are listed yet. Local research is needed.

County 39 · Western Kenya & Lake Victoria

Bungoma

County headquarters: Bungoma

  • Mount Elgon National ParkCaves including Kitum Cave, forest and hikingHiking & nature · Wildlife
  • Bungoma townGateway to Mount Elgon and the Uganda borderCulture & history
County 40 · Western Kenya & Lake Victoria

Busia

County headquarters: Busia

  • Port VictoriaA fishing town on the shores of Lake VictoriaBeaches & lakes
  • Busia border townMain road crossing into UgandaCulture & history
County 42 · Western Kenya & Lake Victoria

Kisumu

County headquarters: Kisumu

  • Lake Victoria and Dunga BeachBoat rides, sunsets and fresh fishBeaches & lakes · Good for families
  • Kisumu Impala SanctuaryA small lakeside sanctuary for an easy wildlife walkWildlife · Good for families
  • Kit MikayiA striking rock formation with cultural significanceCulture & history
  • Kisumu MuseumA National Museums of Kenya site with a traditional homesteadCulture & history · Good for families
County 41 · Western Kenya & Lake Victoria

Siaya

County headquarters: Siaya

  • Nyang'oma KogeloThe ancestral home of Barack Obama's familyCulture & history
  • Lake Kanyaboli and Yala SwampWetland birdwatching near Lake VictoriaBeaches & lakes · Wildlife
County 43 · Western Kenya & Lake Victoria

Homa Bay

County headquarters: Homa Bay

  • Ruma National ParkKenya's only home of the roan antelopeWildlife
  • Rusinga and Mfangano islandsIsland life, rock art and the Tom Mboya mausoleumBeaches & lakes · Culture & history
  • Simbi NyaimaA crater lake steeped in local legendBeaches & lakes · Culture & history
County 44 · Western Kenya & Lake Victoria

Migori

County headquarters: Migori

  • Thim Lich OhingaDry-stone enclosures, a UNESCO World Heritage SiteCulture & history
  • Gogo FallsFalls on the Migori RiverHiking & nature
County 45 · Western Kenya & Lake Victoria

Kisii

County headquarters: Kisii

  • Tabaka soapstone carversWatch artisans carve the famous Kisii soapstoneCulture & history · Good for families
County 46 · Western Kenya & Lake Victoria

Nyamira

County headquarters: Nyamira

  • Highland tea countryGreen hills and tea farmsHiking & nature

Few formal attractions are listed yet. Local research is needed.

County 16 · Lower Eastern

Machakos

County headquarters: Machakos

  • Machakos People's ParkLake, gardens and family activitiesGood for families
  • Ol Donyo Sabuk National ParkHike or drive up the mountain for wide viewsHiking & nature · Wildlife
  • Fourteen FallsWaterfalls on the Athi River near Ol Donyo SabukHiking & nature · Good for families
County 17 · Lower Eastern

Makueni

County headquarters: Wote

  • Chyulu Hills National ParkGreen volcanic hills, lava flows and cavesHiking & nature · Wildlife
  • Makindu GurdwaraA historic Sikh temple on the Nairobi–Mombasa road, welcoming travellersCulture & history
  • Kibwezi Forest and Umani SpringsGroundwater forest and natural springsHiking & nature · Beaches & lakes
County 15 · Lower Eastern

Kitui

County headquarters: Kitui

  • Nzambani RockA large granite rock with local legends and viewsHiking & nature · Culture & history
  • Tsavo East's northern edgeRemote wilderness bordering the parkWildlife

Local research is needed for most visitor services.

County 23 · Northern Kenya

Turkana

County headquarters: Lodwar

  • Lake TurkanaThe world's largest permanent desert lakeBeaches & lakes
  • Eliye SpringsPalm-fringed springs on the lake's western shoreBeaches & lakes
  • Central Island National ParkVolcanic island in Lake Turkana, part of a UNESCO siteBeaches & lakes · Wildlife

Long distances and limited services. Plan fuel, water and accommodation carefully, and check local guidance.

County 10 · Northern Kenya

Marsabit

County headquarters: Marsabit

  • Marsabit National ParkA forested mountain and crater lakes in the desertWildlife · Hiking & nature
  • Sibiloi National Park and Koobi ForaFossil sites on Lake Turkana's eastern shoreCulture & history
  • Loiyangalani and the Chalbi DesertLake Turkana's eastern shore and desert landscapesBeaches & lakes · Culture & history

Long distances and limited services. Plan fuel, water and accommodation carefully, and check local guidance.

County 25 · Northern Kenya

Samburu

County headquarters: Maralal

  • Samburu National ReserveThe Ewaso Nyiro river and the Samburu special fiveWildlife
  • MaralalA highland town and gateway to the northCulture & history
County 11 · Northern Kenya

Isiolo

County headquarters: Isiolo

  • Buffalo Springs and Shaba reservesArid-country wildlife next to Samburu National ReserveWildlife
  • Isiolo townGateway to Northern KenyaCulture & history
County 7 · Northern Kenya

Garissa

County headquarters: Garissa

  • Tana River at GarissaThe river town on Kenya's longest riverBeaches & lakes

Several foreign governments advise against travel to parts of this county, especially areas near the Somalia border. Check your government's travel advice and local guidance before you go.

County 8 · Northern Kenya

Wajir

County headquarters: Wajir

  • Wajir townA historic trading town in the north-eastCulture & history

Several foreign governments advise against travel to parts of this county, especially areas near the Somalia border. Check your government's travel advice and local guidance before you go.

County 9 · Northern Kenya

Mandera

County headquarters: Mandera

  • Mandera townKenya's north-eastern corner, near Ethiopia and SomaliaCulture & history

Several foreign governments advise against travel to parts of this county, especially areas near the Somalia border. Check your government's travel advice and local guidance before you go.

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How METRIKA calculates this

Every county lists established places to visit: national parks and reserves run by the Kenya Wildlife Service or county governments, National Museums of Kenya sites, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, lakes, mountains and well-known landmarks. We don't list places we can't stand behind, so some counties have only one or two entries and are marked as needing local research.

We don't publish opening hours, prices or event dates here, because they change. Check them with the operator, KWS or the county government before you go. Place details were last checked on 19 Oct 2026.

What to know in Kenya

Kenya has 47 counties, each with its own government, grouped here into eight travel regions. Distances are bigger than they look on a map: allow a full day by road from Nairobi to the far west, the north or Lamu. Domestic flights, the SGR train to the coast and long-distance buses connect the main towns.

Most of Kenya is welcoming and easy to travel. A few areas, mainly near the Somalia border, have official travel warnings from foreign governments, and we flag those counties. Always check current advice before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

How many counties does Kenya have?

47, created under the 2010 Constitution. Each has an elected governor and county assembly. Nairobi is county number 47 and Mombasa number 1.

What are the best places to visit in Kenya?

For first-time visitors, the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Naivasha, the coast at Diani, Watamu or Lamu, and Nairobi itself. Use the filters to find wildlife, beaches, hiking or culture in any region.

Where can I go near Nairobi?

Nairobi National Park, Karura Forest and the Giraffe Centre are in the city. Kiambu's tea farms and waterfalls, the Ngong Hills, Naivasha and Hell's Gate are all within a couple of hours.

Which parts of Kenya should I check before travelling?

Several foreign governments advise against travel to areas near the Somalia border, including parts of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Lamu and Tana River counties. Check your government's latest advice.

How do I report wrong or missing information?

Use the 'Report a correction' button on this page or our contact page. We check reports against official sources before updating.

Sources

Links are for reference only. METRIKA is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by these organisations.

Rates checked 6 Nov 2026. METRIKA gives estimates, not financial or tax advice.

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