Top 10 Things You Have to Do In Kenya, Africa

So there you are: You've seen photos of safaris, the Masi tribe, and beautiful green jungles; you've watched The Lion King more times than you care to admit, and you finally decide that you simply must visit Kenya, Africa. Or perhaps you are about to travel there on a missions-trip with your local church or humanitarian group and want to organize some fun activities while you're there.

Either way, I've got you covered.

Kenya holds a special place in my heart because, believe it or not, I actually lived there from 2013-2014, and I have visited twice on short-term trips. If I'm honest with myself, Kenya was where I fell in love with learning languages and traveling, so you can imagine that it means a lot to me.

As someone who has both lived there and visited there, I feel that I have a unique perspective on ways that you can enjoy your visit to the max while simultaneously getting a chance to immerse yourself in the amazing culture. So, in this post, I have compiled my Top 10 Things that I think you should experience if you ever have the chance to visit Kenya.

However, before I get started, I have a few things to mention.

Before you visit Kenya, be sure to refresh yourself on the history and customs of the country! Kenya has an interesting history that greatly influences the culture there. If you think about it, the more you understand about a culture beforehand, the better prepared you are to be a respectful guest when you land in-country. So please, if you haven't researched Kenya's culture, customs, or history, please take some time to do so. It's free to educate yourself on these subjects, and I can guarantee that it will make your visit much more enjoyable.

Now that that's out of the way, here are my Top 10 Must-Do's in Kenya!

1) Try Kenyan Food

Nyama Choma © Xiaojun Deng/Flickr

You'd be surprised how many people visit a different country and completely turn their nose up at traditional cuisine! In my opinion, trying local food is one of the best parts of traveling to a new country. Food brings people together, no matter where you are from, so trying native foods is an important part of experiencing a new culture.

Obviously, you should use your best judgment when deciding where and what to eat and drink, especially if you are in a place where foodborne illnesses are a known issue for foreigners. (i.e. Matazuma's Revenge, Bali Belly, etc...) If you are wondering, no – it is not safe for you to drink the water or take ice in your drinks if you are not from Kenya or somewhere similar because you can get very sick. In this case, play it safe and drink bottled water or bottled and sealed drinks in general.

Where everything else is concerned, I highly encourage you to open yourself up to trying Kenyan cuisine. During my time there, I discovered a ton of different foods that I fell in love with and still crave today. (If you're curious about which foods are must-tries, stay tuned for a future post about Kenyan food.)

2) Ride in a "Matatu" or a "Tuk-Tuk"

As you travel through the streets of Kenya, whether you are in the capital city of Nairobi or the tiny rural towns, you will inevitably see the roads filled with big, rowdy vans called "matatus" and little three-wheeled vehicles called "tuk-tuks." There are also plenty of "piki-pikis" to ride (motorcycles) as well, but I wouldn't recommend them unless you personally know and trust your driver.

Traffic culture in Kenya was one of the largest culture shocks for me because traffic lights, stop signs, and lines on the road are... shall we say, optional? It's nothing unusual to see two or more cars shoved into one lane and watch "piki-piki" drivers fly in between the few feet of clearance between the cars. (See now why I don't recommend them?) Also, everyone honks their horn or "hoots" for any and every reason.

All that to say, you have to experience Kenyan traffic to fully experience Kenya, and you get the full experience in Matatus and Tuk-Tuks. 

3) Shop local

In Kenya, there are so many beautiful and unique items that you can buy in local markets or even just on the side of the road. In fact, I think shopping in the market is one of the most interesting experiences you can enjoy in Kenya. However, when shopping in these situations, it is important to remember that you must always haggle over prices, or you end up overpaying for everything. Never pay the first price that you are given.

Some people may feel uncomfortable with having to bargain like this, especially if it is your first time, but if you automatically say yes to the first price you are given in the market, the seller might actually get somewhat offended and/or lose any respect they originally had for you.

Haggling over prices is a part of the culture and is somewhat like a game if you look at it the right way. It also helps to ease discomfort when you realize that there are two prices – the "Kenyan price" and "American / foreigner price." If you settle for the foreigner price, you are actually paying several times more money than you would pay if you were a Kenyan buying the same thing. Now, that's not to say that you should get offended over this; as a traveler with money to spend on pretty trinkets, you are helping the economy by spending a little extra, so it doesn't hurt to pay a little more. However, playfully arguing over the price of a handmade necklace or basket is just part of the fun! Basically, don't take it too seriously and practice with a Kenyan friend by your side and you'll be golden.

4) Go on a Hike

I know that hiking is not for everyone, but the views from the mountains in Kenya are absolutely breathtaking. One of my favorite mountains to visit is Mount Elgon, but there are numerous mountains you can visit and explore if that is your scene.

Fair warning though, the elevation in Kenya can be a little much even for people who are used to living at a higher elevation. I'm from Texas, so it was definitely an adjustment for me, but I also had friends from Colorado who struggled with the elevation. So keep that in mind before rushing off on a hike! (And I highly recommend taking a guide with you. Believe it or not, there are still groups of people in the more rural areas of Kenya who have never seen white people or other foreigners before, so it is safer to take a friend who knows the area and the language beforehand.)

5) Attend a Church Meeting / Local Celebration

I only suggest this if you have contacts/friends in Kenya who have invited you or are willing to take you to these events, but I think that if you ever have the chance, you have to experience some kind of celebration in Kenya. Singing and dancing are a huge part of Kenyan culture, and music is ingrained in nearly everything they do. There is such a strong sense of pure joy and freedom when it comes to this kind of expression, it would be a shame to never experience it.

However, if you do decide to go to one of these events, don't sit on the sidelines and only be an observer if you are invited to take part – join in on the fun! Most Kenyan people love getting to share their piece of the world and help new people enjoy the beauty of their country and culture. You might feel out of place, but if you are invited to dance and sing, you should definitely try it (even if you aren't good at either one).

6) Learn some Swahili

While English and Swahili are both considered the national language of Kenya, more people are completely fluent in Swahili than they are in English. Granted, especially in most of the bigger cities, you'll meet people who speak amazing English, but as you get more and more rural, Swahili is used more often. Either way, learning Swahili is a fun and useful skill to develop during your time in Kenya.

In my opinion, it's common courtesy to try to learn at least some of a language before you visit a new country, instead of expecting everyone to speak your native language. You don't have to be fluent, but at least try to learn a few words and phrases that you can practice during your time there.

In my experience, most people in Kenya are very kind and welcoming to foreigners who are trying to learn Swahili. I had numerous people who were willing to help me with my vocabulary and pronunciation when they realized that I was interested in learning. When people saw that I was serious about it, I even made friends who would "quiz" me as we went about our days. It can be intimidating to suddenly try to learn a new language, but immersion is the best and quickest way to learn. Plus, it's a great way to meet locals and find new friends. When in doubt, just ask!

7) Volunteer Somewhere

Volunteering is one of the most fulfilling things you can ever do. When you volunteer, not only are you helping other people, but you are also getting involved in their everyday lives and reminding them that they are loved.

While I, personally, was primarily involved with Christian ministries at a Children's Home and a Baby Rescue Home, there are other opportunities to serve and help underprivileged people in Kenya. There are feeding stations, orphanages, halfway houses, addiction recovery centers... The possibilities are endless. Find a cause that you are passionate about and find contacts to get involved with groups that are involved with those causes. Often, if you are unsure where to look, most people in Kenya "know a guy" and can help you find exactly what you're looking for in no time.

8) Visit the Equator

This is a pretty basic one, I know... but there's just something about being able to say that you're standing at the equator. Many travelers actually collect photos from all of the times they've been to the equator, so maybe this is something you'd appreciate.

To be honest, there's nothing incredibly special about the equator mark in Kenya, but it can be a really fun photo-op!

9) See the Great Rift Valley

Unlike visiting the equator, you simply have to take the time to go see the Great Rift Valley in person!! The photos don't do justice to the incredible natural beauty of this enormous valley. Different locations even have markets on the cliffs that overlook the valley, so you can shop while enjoying the view.

Even if you do little else on your trip to Kenya, this view is a definite must-see.

10) Go on a Safari

I feel like this is what everyone wants to do in Kenya. Everyone wants to see the lions, watch the giraffes, and catch a glimpse of a zebra or two. I know in some cases, there are even hunting safaris, where people are allowed to hunt live game. Both of these are different experiences and you should be sure of which one you are signing up for ahead of time.

Here's the thing though... Coming from someone who lived in Kenya, safaris can be a little lackluster depending on who you are. Granted, yes, it is always a new and unique experience––I'm not saying you shouldn't go. In fact, you really should go because the safaris are a huge part of the tourism industry in Kenya. All I'm saying is, you will likely get to see many different interesting animals during your day-to-day if you are willing to stay in more rural areas of Kenya during your stay.

Where I lived, we saw hundreds of zebras every day on the side of the roads, grazing just like cattle do here in the US in Texas. Once, an entire troop of monkeys even snuck into our kitchen and ate our fresh fruit and veggies, and then they ran around our yard to taunt us afterward. It was a much more "up close and personal" experience, so when I went on my safari after living there for 6 months, it felt more like visiting the zoo than going on the glorified safari.

I guess what I'm saying is, do plan a safari on your trip! (I suggest going to Lake Nakuru if you have a chance.) It's a big part of the experience and it can be a lot of fun. But I also highly suggest experiencing the more rural sides of Kenya as well, because you will get to see the real view of what everyday life is like with these different animals around you. Plus, you will get a taste of Kenyan culture (and food) outside of the more touristy areas.

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I hope you enjoyed reading about my Top Ten Things You Should Do in Kenya! For me, it is so exciting to get a chance to share some of the things that interested me during my time in Kenya. For those of you who are planning a trip there in the future, I hope this guide helps you!

Be sure to let me know if you have any questions about Kenya, and I will do my very best to answer them! In the meanwhile, let me know in the comments what kinds of things would YOU like to do if you could visit Kenya?