From stunning beaches to great safari destinations, hidden gems in Kenya are worth visiting for a spirited African adventure. Be ready to experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip snorkelling through colourful coral reefs, climbing a mountain, or simply watching wild animals across the country’s parks when planning a trip to Kenya, This East African commercial hub has a dose of fulfilment for every traveller; whether you are a wildlife enthusiast, nature lover or a cultural explorer. It’s the place to be for a magical holiday.
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Are there Hidden Gems in Kenya?
From the remote northern province to the south; Kenya has something that will blow your mind away. See Africa Today has curated a list of the most amazing but less popular spots for tourists.
1. Blood-Red Alkaline Lake
Blood-Red Alkaline Lake in Kapedo is one of the leading hidden gems in Kenya. The colour of the lake pinkish red due to high evaporation rates in the area.
How a Blood-Red Alkaline Lake looks like. Photo/ YouTube.
During the dry season, the salinity level of the lake increases to the point that salt-loving microorganisms begin to thrive. Dunaliella algae are responsible for turning the water blood-red.
2. Kituluni Hill Where Nature Defies Gravity
Machakos County is home to the Kituluni Hills, where the rules of gravity do not apply. This odd area is one of the hidden gems in Kenya and tourists have been flocking here to witness nature defy gravity. When you park a car in the middle of the road in neutral gear, it immediately starts moving uphill. When you pour water into the road, it flows uphill defying gravity.
If you take a spare tyre from your car and start rolling it downhill, it opposes the motion, but it is easier to roll it uphill. This is exactly what happens at Kituluni Hills. Newton’s Law of Gravity does not seem to apply in this place. Experts say that the gravitational pull of such hills is uneven. The force at the bottom is weaker than higher up, which results in objects moving up the slope. According to reports, the anomaly was discovered by a white settler who had parked his car along the winding road. He was fetching water from a nearby stream when he noticed his car had moved 50 metres uphill.
3. Saiwa Swamp National Park
Being the smallest national park in Kenya, Saiwa Swamp National Park qualifies to be among the hidden gems in this beautiful country. The park, which features an abundance of exotic plants and trees, is simply a paradise for nature lovers.
Saiwa Swamp National Park. Photo/ Tripadvisor.
It is home to over 1000 species of birds and a very rare semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelope. Visiting the park also presents you with the opportunity to see the distinctive De Brazza’s monkey. Flying high in the forest, you’ll find the Noisy Ros’s turaco, Narina trogons and orange-tufted sunbirds.
4. Giraffe Manor
Set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest on the outskirts of Nairobi, Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel. It is one of the most iconic buildings in Nairobi and has an extraordinary appeal that dates back to the 1930s. At Giraffe Manor, guests sleep in a stone stately home while endangered giraffes roam past the window. The giraffes may visit in the morning and evening, poking their long necks into the windows in the hope of a treat. They will then retreat to their forest sanctuary afterwards.
Giraffe Manor. Photo/ Have Clothes, Will Travel.
What are the Hidden Gems?
“Hidden gems” is an idiom which is used to refer to something which is extremely outstanding and many people are not aware of. Kenya has several hidden gems which most tourists don’t know about, and we have talked about some of the above.
What Gems are in Kenya?
Kenya is famous for Tsavorite Garnet and other glorious gems such as Amethyst, Sapphire, Ruby, Aquamarine and lolite. Tsavorite was first discovered in Kenya in 1970 by Scottish Gemologist Campbell Bridges. Most of the Tsavorite mining takes place in areas such as Kuranze, Voi, Taita Hills, Migama and Kasigau.
Which is the Coolest Place in Kenya?
- Amboseli National Park
- Mombasa
- Diani Beach
- Malindi
- Mount Kenya National Park
- Samburu National Reserve
Where is the Finest Place in Kenya?
- Lamu Island.
- Wasini Island.
- Mt. Elgon.
- David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
- Fourteen Falls.
- Maasai Mara.
- Kiboko Bay.
- Haller Park.
