
There is just so much to explore and discover in Kenya that many tourists skip most of these destinations. Kenya is home to incredible travel destinations worth exploring, from scenic mountains to wildlife safaris and hospitable cultures. To have the best experience, we suggest you skip the obvious travel destinations and instead try the off-the-beaten-path to discover numerous pristine gems and unlock unique experiences.
While Kenya is renowned for its iconic wildlife safaris, majestic mountains, and welcoming cultures, there is a whole other world of Kenya hidden gems that many tour operators overlook.
For a truly enriching journey, we recommend stepping off the conventional path to explore offbeat Kenya destinations. These locations are cleaner, more tranquil, and less congested than the ordinary ones. There is a great deal about these unique locations that not many people hear about. You can enjoy more intimate and immersive travel experiences. This is a perfect way of toning down “overtourism” and reducing its adverse impacts on planet Earth.
Here are some of the most amazing off-the-beaten-path destinations in Kenya:
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ToggleTakawiri Island
The famous Lake Victoria is a beauty in itself. Even more, it flaunts countless islands, although only a few have been documented. Of these islands, nothing comes close to Takawiri Island. This location is literally off the beaten path, only an hour’s boat ride from Rusinga Island. It is a classic nature preserve featuring a scenic lake frontier and a sense of tranquility and calm.
Takawiri Island is the perfect definition of sheer tranquility and serenity. You can expect turquoise waters, cool breezes, and palm trees, uniquely similar to the Kenyan coastline. Everything here is fantastic and refreshing, from the ambiance to the people. You can be sure to enjoy feeling the gentle waves and soothing sounds of beautiful birds singing sweet melodies upon landing.
Thanks to the beautiful palm trees, the beach features a beautiful shade.
Even more, Takawiri flaunts one of the best-stocked bars in Western Kenya alongside an innovative kitchen that prepares delicious dishes ranging from the fresh catch of the day to a classic continental, local, and Indian kitchen.
This location is ideal for outdoor fanatics and enthusiasts. Whether all you want is to enjoy the sun, wind down with a chilled cocktail, take a walk, or swim to the fishing village, this is the place for you!
Lwayo Lwa Mulungu
Another hidden gem is the Lwayo Lwa Mulungu tourist destination in Lunga Lunga. In the local Duruma dialect, it translates to God’s footprint. This travel destination is on Kenya’s South Coast, located 5km from Lunga Lunga town.
Lwayo Lwa Mulungu is basically a footprint-like shape embedded on a rock face. Whether the story behind this location is a mere belief, superstition, love for religion, or probably something beyond human understanding, it has drawn significant attention and mixed reactions from the residents and visitors constantly flocking to this area to view this wonder.
The Duruma people, who are this area’s primary inhabitants, believe this footprint must be God’s owing to the fact that this human foot is that big. For this reason, Lwayo Lwa Mulungu is a religion-related hidden gen attraction in Kenya.
There are two footprints, each 18 inches long. For generations, the community has held the specific rock the footprint is on to be sacred. No children are allowed on this site. Furthermore, young men had to reach adulthood to be taught about Lwayo Lwa Mulungu and its significance to the community.
Magical Gravity Hill of Machakos
This location is quite known to many, although it does not receive the right amount of attention. 12 KMs away from Machakos town, you will find a place known as Kyamwilu, famous among the locals, where the apparent beat the odd. How about a place that defies gravity? Imagine a place where a car goes uphill in free gear, where the water goes uphill.
This location has defied physics and the laws of nature. In an unusual phenomenon that Sir Isaac Newton would find challenging to explain, this area, a hill, has no gravity. This keeps baffling both the residents and international tourists. According to experts in this field, the gravitational pull of such hills is uneven. This means the force at the bottom is weaker than higher up, making the objects move up the slope.
Scholars say gravity is not uniform everywhere on the earth. In fact, some areas closer to the equator experience a slightly weaker gravitational pull compared to those further away.
This magical gravity area, covering one square kilometer, will certainly amaze you! The Kamba, the area’s native community, has several myths that attempt to explain this occurrence.
You only need to set a car in free gear and then watch it go uphill unaided. Interesting right?
The Three Sisters Caves at Fikirini in Tswaka Village
The Three Sisters Caves are about 15 kilometers from the Kenana-Shimoni junction. Pangani, Kisimani, and Mdenyenye caves have cultural artifacts of the native Digo people.
Mdenyenye is the first and the most extensive cave among the three. It features a wooden staircase built by the Digo people. History shows that the villagers running away from slave traders used this cave as a hideout.
The second cave is Pangani. It has numerous chambers that were used for prayers and rest. Furthermore, it is believed that their ancestors had their meals in the Pangani cave. This cave’s unique feature is that it has an underground tunnel stretching nearly six kilometers and connects to the Shimoni caves. Unfortunately, reports say this cave has been blocked and is currently impassable. Enslaved people used to run away from Shimoni via this tunnel.
Kisimani cave, meaning “well,” features a freshwater well that never runs dry. From this site, tourists can spot monkeys and baboons as they quench their thirst. It has at least seven species of bats, including Egyptian fruit bats, long-fingered, common bent-wing, angle-faced, and tomb bats.
This destination is managed by a community-based organization and opens doors to locals and tourists at an affordable fee.
Nzambani Rock
The Nzambani Rock in Kitui is another interesting off the beaten path destination to explore. This rock is an outcrop, standing 183 meters above the ground, and considered a mystical gem. Locally known as “Ivia ya Nzambani,” this rock is located about 8km from Kitui town along the rugged Kitui-Mutitu road.
Tales surrounding the Nzambani Rock have constantly become a source of curiosity, attracting several tourists. The native community believes that going around this rock seven times changes an individual into the opposite gender. This narrative has been passed through generations. However, it is clear that no one has ever tried to go around it seven times. Additionally, the local Kamba people used it as a shrine to appease their gods.
The local community has numerous interesting myths surrounding Nzambani Rock. Some will say that a girl named Nzamba picked a small grinding stone to take home, for it to get stuck on her body and continue growing daily. Interestingly, Kamba people are known to engage in witchcraft up to date.
Mida Creek
Mida Creek is a particularly magnificent off the beaten path destination for sustainable travel enthusiasts. It is a tidal inlet expanding across an area of 32 square kilometers. It features several habitats influenced by the tide, such as open shallow waters, mud and sand flats, and mangrove forests.
For environmental enthusiasts, Mida Creek is, in fact, one of the most productive mangrove ecosystems globally. It is a recognized International Bird Area. Together with Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, it forms a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
This destination provides healthy beds for seagrass and coral and is home to several fish species and feeding sea turtles. The mangrove smaller streams and inlets offer a refuge for crabs and birdlife. It is a stopover point for many migratory birds and a vital protected area for their survival. For this reason, it is one of the most incredible natural attractions on the Kenyan coast.
You can best explore Mida Creek by boat on a cruise through the creek at sunset for a sundowner cocktail. The waters turn to a magnificent gold during sunsets, and flocks of roosting birds serenade the sky.
Mida Creek is a relaxing getaway tucked in the serene Dabaso village, a few kilometers from Watamu. This destination is all you need to unwind and refresh your mind. Local communities keenly embrace eco-friendly activities that you will undoubtedly enjoy. The sundowner experience is worth every delight!
River Sirimon and Nyariginu Confluence
River Sirimon and Nyariginu meet at Daiga Muramati in Laikipia County. This off the beaten path destination is relatively new. It recently came to the limelight after a wanderlust group member, a famous travel group, posted the paranormal confluence where Nyariginu (looks black) and Sirimon (brown water) Rivers do not mix.
This beautiful scenery caught many by surprise, and most people promised to visit this newly discovered tourist destination.
How can you get to Daiga Muramati? This confluence of rivers is 15 km from Nanyuki town. You can always hire a taxi that usually costs anything less than $10.
Even better, because these rivers border Lolldaiga Hills, you can visit the Lolldaiga Hills Ranch. You are likely to spot the four of the famous Big Five. There are no Rhinos.
FAQs About Kenya’s Hidden Gems
Q: What hidden gem in Kenya offers a tranquil beach experience away from the typical tourist spots?
A: Takawiri Island is Kenya’s hidden gem that promises an idyllic beach experience, renowned for its serene ambiance and stunning natural beauty, setting it apart from the more crowded tourist destinations.
Q: Where can you find a unique cultural and natural attraction in Kenya’s South Coast?
A: Lwayo Lwa Mulungu, located in Lunga Lunga, offers a unique blend of cultural significance and natural wonder, making it a must-visit for those seeking to uncover Kenya’s cultural and natural hidden gems.
Q: What off-the-beaten-path destination in Kenya defies the laws of physics?
A: The Magical Gravity Hill of Machakos is an off-the-beaten-path destination where visitors can witness the puzzling phenomenon of objects seemingly moving uphill, offering a unique and mind-bending experience in Kenya.
Q: What is the significance of The Three Sisters Caves at Fikirini?
A: The Three Sisters Caves at Fikirini offer a rare glimpse into the historical and cultural legacy of the Digo people, making it a significant site for travelers interested in the rich heritage of Kenya’s hidden destinations.
Q: How does Mida Creek contribute to Kenya’s ecological tourism?
A: Mida Creek stands out as an ecological treasure, offering a sanctuary for diverse bird species and marine life, thereby playing a crucial role in Kenya’s eco-tourism by providing sustainable travel experiences in harmony with nature.