Maasai tribesmen in the Maasai Mara National Park. Kenya. Africa.

Hugh Sitton / Stocksy United

Western Kenya

For many travellers, the magic of western Kenya is summed up in two poetic words: Masai Mara. Few places on earth support such high concentrations of animals, and the Mara’s wildebeest-spotted savannahs, where drama unfolds on a daily basis, are undeniably the region’s star attraction. The Maasai bring cachet to their lands and your encounters with this ancient people are likely to be the soulful highlight of your journey.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Landscape in Mount Elgon National Park, Kenya.

    Mt Elgon National Park

    Western Kenya

    Straddling the Ugandan border and peaking with Koitoboss (4187m), Kenya’s second-highest peak, and Uganda’s Wagagai (4321m), the slopes of Mt Elgon are a…

  • Maasai tribesmen in the Maasai Mara National Park. Kenya. Africa.

    Masai Mara National Reserve

    Masai Mara

    The world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve needs little in the way of introduction. Its tawny, wildlife-stuffed savannahs are familiar to anyone who…

  • Sunrise over Kakamega Forest National Reserve in Kenya.

    Kakamega Forest National Reserve

    Western Kenya

    All that's now left in Kenya of the massive Guineo–Congolian rainforest that once covered much of western Kenya, the Kakamega Forest National Reserve,…

  • Saiwa Swamp National Park

    Saiwa Swamp National Park

    Western Kenya

    North of Kitale, the small, rarely visited Saiwa Swamp National Park is a real treat – as long as you're not here for the Big Five, this is a chance to…

  • Hiking trail in Kakamega Forest Reserve, Kenya.

    Kakamega Forest Reserve

    Western Kenya

    Kakamega Forest Reserve is the more degraded area of the forest, yet it's the more popular area with tourists. The five-hour return hike to Lirhanda Hill…

  • Kitale Museum

    Kitale Museum

    Western Kenya

    Founded on the collection of butterflies, birds and ethnographic memorabilia left to the nation in 1967 by the late Lieutenant Colonel Stoneham, this…

  • Treasures of Africa Museum

    Treasures of Africa Museum

    Western Kenya

    This private museum is the personal collection of Mr Wilson, a former colonial officer in Uganda and quite a character. Based mainly on his experiences…

  • Kitale Nature Conservancy

    Kitale Nature Conservancy

    Western Kenya

    This place looks as if it was designed by Frankenstein after he converted to Christianity and dropped acid. Though you could come here for the picnic…

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Go Beyond

Western Kenya and beyond

Beyond Western Kenya
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