Kenya as a country is renowned for many things. Talk about its great long-distance athletes, its beautiful weather, diverse tribes and culture, amazing wildlife, and much more. Nonetheless, many tourists travel to the region just to see an attraction on the map. The following are the 10 greatest landmarks on the map of Kenya.
10 Greatest Landmarks on Kenya Map
1. The Indian Ocean
One distinct feature that will be observed from the Kenya map is the Indian Ocean. The country happens to lie next to the beautiful ocean which is famed for its rich marine eco-system. The water body stretches along the coast of Kenya starting from Lamu all the way to Shimoni and beyond. The Indian Ocean is home to many sea creatures, islands, peninsulas and is also a good spot for aqua sports.
2. Mount Kenya
When Kenya is mentioned, one name comes to mind; Mt. Kenya. This huge mountain is located in the Central province of Kenya. Though dormant, it has a colossal height of 5,199 metres which also makes it the second largest mountain in Africa. The snow-capped mountain is home to a wide array of flora and fauna. It is also an ideal spot for hiking, camping, and mountaineering.
3. Coastal Region
Kenya prides itself in having one of the most beautiful and pristine coastlines not only in Africa, but also in the world. In fact, many people will never fail to notice the beautiful and historic attractions that are situated along the coast. Good examples include Fort Jesus in Mombasa, Vasco Da Gama monument in Malindi, The Shimoni Caves, Wasini marine reserve, the Mangrove forests, and many others.
4. Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria stands out as one of the most dominant features on the Kenyan as well as African map. This lake is shared between the three East African Countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania). Lake Victoria is the second largest freshwater lake and also the third largest lake in the world. It is famous for water sports, fishing and also home to several islands.
5. Wasini Peninsula
This peninsula lies between the Kenyan and Tanzanian coast. Several islands such as funzi, Wasini, Pemba, Zanzibar (unguja) and others make up the territory. It is famous for being a great location for snorkeling, marine observation, scuba diving, angling, deep-sea fishing and more.
6. The Rift Valley
It only takes a quick glance at the Kenya map to notice the “Great Rift Valley”. This valley which was formed thousands of years ago passes through Kenya. Many attractions spots in the country are found in the Rift Valley. These include lakes such as Nakuru, Naivasha, Elementaita, Magadi, and more. Other features include Mt. Longonot, Ngong hills and the white highlands among others.
7. Lamu Town
The town of Lamu is one of the unique towns in not only Kenya but also in the world. It has maintained its original architecture. In fact, the roads have remained as they were from the beginning. They can only accommodate walking and donkeys, and no cars are allowed in the town. It has been classified as a heritage centre by UNESCO.
8. Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is situated in the Rift Valley province, Kenya. This expansive lake is world-famous for its large colony of flamingos. As a matter of fact, the lake is at times referred to as the “pink lake” due to the pink coloration from the flamingos’ bodies. Besides being a good bird sanctuary, it also offers great lodging, camping as well as fishing expeditions.
9. Nairobi National Park
Kenya is revered for having a wildlife park in the middle of the city. The Nairobi National Park is located right at the heart of the capital city, Nairobi. Many visitors throng the location to have a glimpse of its rich wildlife. Animals such as lions, leopards, giraffes, monkeys, snakes, antelope, gazelle, zebra, impala, apes, hyenas, cheetahs, and many more can be spotted at the park.
10. The Maasai Mara
The great wildebeest (gnu) migration brought special attention to Kenya. This natural phenomenon sees wildebeests and zebra cross the massive Mara river annually. This has led to the animal migration being listed as one of the seven wonders of the modern world. This takes place at the Maasai Mara game reserve which can be spotted on the Kenya map.
The above list summarises the 10 greatest landmarks on the map of Kenya. This is just a glimpse of what to expect when visiting the country. In addition to these, are many other landmarks that will make your stay in the country worthwhile and full of beautiful memories.
