Filter Tours
Key Info for Visitors
- Currency: KES
- Languages: English, Swahili, Kikuyu, Meru, Embu
- Climate: Tropical highland
- Timezone: Africa/Nairobi
- Population: Approximately 4.5 million people live in Central Kenya.
- Best Time to Visit: best time to visit is during the dry seasons to avoid heavy rains.
- Visa Requirements Visitors to Central Kenya generally require a visa to enter Kenya. Citizens from many countries, including the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom, can obtain an e-visa online prior to arrival. Some nationalities are eligible for visa on arrival, but it is recommended to check the latest regulations before travel. Visa applications typically require a valid passport, proof of onward travel, and sometimes vaccination certificates.
About Central Kenya
Central Kenya is a captivating region known for its lush highlands, rich cultural heritage, and scenic landscapes. It offers a unique blend of natural beauty and vibrant local traditions, making it a compelling destination for travelers seeking both adventure and cultural immersion. The region is characterized by rolling hills, fertile farmland, and cool climate, which contrasts with Kenya’s more arid areas. Visitors can explore traditional Kikuyu communities, enjoy fresh agricultural produce, and experience authentic rural life. Central Kenya also serves as a gateway to several national parks and reserves, providing excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and hiking. The combination of welcoming locals, diverse attractions, and moderate climate makes Central Kenya an appealing choice for tourists looking to discover Kenya beyond the typical safari routes.
Top Attractions
1. Mount Kenya National Park – Home to Kenya’s highest peak, offering hiking, climbing, and stunning alpine scenery. 2. Aberdare National Park – Known for its dense forests, waterfalls, and wildlife such as elephants and leopards. 3. Ol Pejeta Conservancy – A sanctuary for endangered species including rhinos and chimpanzees, with excellent safari experiences. 4. Karura Forest – An urban forest reserve near Nairobi, ideal for walking, cycling, and bird watching. 5. Thika Falls – A beautiful waterfall and picnic spot, popular for day trips and nature lovers.
Popular Activities
Visitors to Central Kenya can enjoy hiking and mountain climbing on Mount Kenya, wildlife safaris in conservancies, bird watching in forest reserves, and cultural tours in local villages. Adventure seekers can try horseback riding and mountain biking, while those interested in culture can participate in traditional dance performances and craft workshops. Recreational activities include nature walks, fishing in local rivers, and visiting tea and coffee plantations.
Central Kenya Tours & Experiences
- Top Attractions: Highlights of Kenya
- Duration Range: Half-day or Full-day
- Group Size: Small groups (up to 15 people)
- Difficulty Level: Beginner to Advanced
- Recommended For: The best time to visit is during the dry seasons to avoid heavy rains. Pack layered clothing for variable temperatures, sturdy walking shoes, and sun protection. Respect local customs by dressing modestly and greeting people politely. Stay hydrated and use insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites. Carry some Kenyan shillings for small purchases, though cards are accepted in larger towns. Always keep valuables secure and avoid isolated areas after dark.
Average Tour Price: $95
Lowest Price Tour: $39
Highest Price Tour: $220
31 Available Tour Excursions in Central Kenya
For over two decades, we've immersed ourselves in the vibrant tapestry that is Africa. Our enduring mission is deeply rooted in a fundamental principle: every guest is treated as family, and every experience crafted surpasses expectations. From the enigmatic jungles of Uganda, with their whispers of ancient tales, to the sun-kissed, azure shores of Zanzibar, which have welcomed explorers for centuries, our seasoned team is your gateway to truly unique African journeys. We're dedicated to personalizing your adventure, ensuring it fits your dreams, budget, and needs. With glowing reviews and a commitment to excellence, no one does Africa better. Choosing a private safari offers a completely personalized journey. You select the travel dates and plan your adventure just the way you want it. This means you can focus on the sights you're eager to see and spend as much time as you like at each spot. You'll explore Africa with your chosen companions, be they family, friends, or a partner.
Price: $5,799.00
Duration: 192 hours
Forget safari vans, this is hiking, biking, & raw Kenyan adventure. This is Hells Gate National park! My guides know the park inside-out; we find the hidden magic others miss. Feel the thrill of hiking through the volcanic Ol Njorowa Gorge, steam swirling around you. Optional: For the adrenaline junkies among us, Fischer's Tower awaits. With safety gear and a whole lot of determination, we'll conquer this iconic rock formation. (Extra fee) Sense the rush of wind in your hair as you cycle back alongside zebras and gazelles. As the sun dips below the horizon, you can choose to extend your adventure and spend the night at Fisherman's Campsite right at Lake Naivasha. No hotel beats bonfires and hippos calling under a sky full of stars. Tents up, campfire crackling – this is classic African wilderness at its best. Away from city lights, the Milky Way stretches out like a diamond-studded blanket. An unforgettable day for adventure seekers and outdoor lovers!
Price: $40.00
Duration: 24 hours
Silaa Safaris offers you opportunity to view Malindi museum which was built towards the end of the 19th century as it is built in the typical style fashionable during this era, especially in the old towns of Lamu and Mombasa. The building, known as the column house, is a charming, double storey structure, with a tiled roof. In May 2004 the building opened its doors to the general public as Malindi Museum. The museum features temporary exhibits including famous Malindi Coelacanth. The museum also contains artefacts related to the explorer Vasco da Gama. The museum also has exhibits from the Portuguese period of Kenya's coastal zone, as well as photographs of some of the country's archaeological sites. whereas Falconry has snakes, a giant tortoise and crocodiles; as well as birds, mostly hawks and owls and are allowed to "free fly". you will guided around the ZOO and more explanation about different species done to every visitors.
Price: $116.00
Duration: 10 hours
This Ebike Cycling tour was introduced by Africa Unlocked Tours and Travel as part of a long term solution to tourist vehicle congestion and pollution inside Hell'sgate National Park. By participating, you support our initiative while at the same time impacting the lives of the local community that relies on the park for survival.
Price: $140.00
Duration: 4-8 hours
The towering cliffs, water-formed gorges, wild animals, birds, and unique flora give this park an almost magical feel. The park itself was established back in 1984 and named 'Hell's Gate' due to powerful forces shaping the national park from below. Dramatic volcanic rocky outcrops, obsidian caves, spitting geysers, rock towers, sandstone cliffs, and water gouged gorges are what make this park worth visiting. Hell's Gate National Park is a great choice for thrill-seekers; mountain biking, rock climbing, and hiking are some of the available activities.
Price: $200.00
Duration: 6-8 hours
Enjoy full day tour towards mount Kenya region. This day you will enjoy panoramic views of Mt Kenya, the highest mountain in Kenya. You will proceed to Samburu national park, the park famous for Kamunyak the Miracle Lioness that adapted the baby Oryx making headlines around the world. Enjoy your hot lunch in any of the luxury camps in the park. Visit River Ewaso nyiro where hundreds of hungry crocodiles waits to attack thirsty antelopes.
Price: $400.00
Duration: 9 hours
We provide quality assurance and the equipments we use are of good quality and our guides are professional guides and we encourage the clients to pay after the services to confirm if the fees charged are worth the services and fees charged
Price: $153.00
Duration: 6 hours
It will be amazing and you will make and endure relationships for a lifetime. ... Game Africa Safaris to Mt Kenya has lead climbs on Mt Kenya over the last decade ... at high altitude, While walking up the mountain, you can also hug trees, sit down and watch the forest or just breath in the clean air. “The calming effect that one experiences from a mountain forest improves the memory and it helps a fatigued mind. On top of Mount Kenya, there are several natural features including lakes where you can fish just for fun.
Price: $1,054.00
Duration: 120 hours
On this safari, you will have a chance to have a birdwatching session and see many species of birds and mostly the pink flamingos. You also get to see animals from Soysambu Conservancy. It's a lifetime experience.
Price: $675.00
Duration: 48 hours
Hell's Gate National Park is a stunning landscape of towering cliffs, deep gorges, and geothermal wonders. Visitors can hike, bike, or rock climb through dramatic terrain while encountering wildlife like zebras, giraffes, and buffalo. The park's geothermal features, including hot springs and steam vents, add a unique touch to the adventure. Lake Naivasha is a peaceful oasis in the Great Rift Valley, home to hippos, giraffes, and a vast array of bird species. Enjoy serene boat rides, birdwatching, and exploring Crescent Island, a wildlife sanctuary where you can walk alongside free-roaming animals. Why Book With Us? We offer expertly guided tours, ensuring a seamless and exciting experience at both destinations. With our local knowledge and attention to detail, we take care of all the logistics, so you can focus on enjoying the breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Let us make your trip to Hell's Gate and Lake Naivasha an experience you’ll cherish forever!
Price: $165.00
Duration: 8 hours
This tour entails all the ingredients for a wonderful experience such as Wildlife viewing with different types of animal and bird species at display. An experienced, professional and friendly guide to take through the tour. A relaxing experience after the walk and bike tour in the park while Boat Riding at the Lake Naivasha. The tour will also leave you relaxed and satisfied with the view of nature as the sceneries in the trails attribute to that. It is a fun tour and an adventurous one and the fulfillment after the tour will leave you yearning for another. If you are an adventurous person, a wildlife and safari enthusiast, this is the perfect tour for you. There is also a Maasai market at the entrance to the Gorges where on will be immersed in a rich cultural experience and the chance to interact with the tribesmen and women.
Price: $92.00
Duration: 5-8 hours
A tour to Hell’s Gate National Park and Lake Naivasha offers a unique blend of adventure and serenity. At Hell’s Gate, you can cycle or walk alongside wildlife like zebras and giraffes in a dramatic landscape of cliffs, gorges, and geothermal activity—one of the few parks in Kenya that allows this kind of up-close exploration. After lunch, enjoy a scenic boat ride on Lake Naivasha, where you’ll spot hippos, waterbucks, and a variety of birds, including African fish eagles. The boat passes by Crescent Island, home to free-roaming wildlife like giraffes and antelopes. This tour is perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers, offering both land and water experiences in one day. Located just a short drive from Nairobi, it’s an ideal getaway that showcases the rich biodiversity and stunning scenery of Kenya’s Rift Valley in a compact, unforgettable itinerary.
Price: $40.00
Duration: 8-10 hours
This day trip takes you 90 km northwest of Nairobi to the floor of the Great Rift Valley. The park provides a variety of wildlife, unusual flora, and many species of birds and is one of the only two Kenyan Parks where climbing, walking, and biking are allowed. Animals seen here include Bushbucks, Dik Dik, Gazelles, Gnus, Hartebeests, Impalas, Klipspringers, Buffaloes, Hyraxes, Zebras, Hyenas, Jackals, Mongooses, Baboons, Monkeys and Porcupines amongst other animals. Hell's Gate National Park entry fee is USD 27 payable by Visa or credit card through E-citizen. The fee for the boat ride if you choose to participate in the boat ride, is USD 25 per person.
Price: $43.00
Duration: 11 hours
Enjoy a day tour visiting Hell's Gate National Park, the only park where you can drive, walk and do some cycling within the Park then spice up your excursion with a boat ride in Lake Naivasha where you get a chance to spot the big hippos on the shores of the lake and different species of water bird.
Price: $265.00
Duration: 10 hours
The Purple Tea Farm experience offers a truly unique experience as it is hosted at Kenya's first purple tea farm, located just 70 minutes from Nairobi. Guests will immerse themselves in the tea-making process from start to finish, including picking, roasting, and packaging their own tea. This tour also includes a scenic waterfall trek through a bamboo forest and a refreshing dip in the waterfall. Ideal for adventure seekers, families, and tea enthusiasts, this tour provides an in-depth look at the local tea culture and stunning natural beauty.
Price: $60.00
Duration: 24 hours
This 8 days kenya safari will have you visit incredible national parks and giving you the chance to get out and really experience the East African savannah. it includes all the highlights of wildlife safari in Kenya, that is; Lake Nakuru National Park, The Maasai Mara National Park, The Menengai Crater as well as the smaller but beautiful Crescent Island and Amboseli National Parsk. The Safari is also great for bird watchers as Lake Nakuru and Naivasha are one of the top spots for bird watching in the entire East Africa Eco system.
Price: $5,670.00
Duration: 192 hours
Day 1: Depart at 8am from Nairobi. This road trip takes you to the North of Nairobi through the very scenic views major road to Ethiopia and Mount Kenya. Visit the Chania Falls and Queen Caves that narrates a rich history of the colonial masters and why the Queen had to stay in the Caves. Later have picnic lunches while doing game drive in the park.Scenic views of Mount Kenya in the mornings. Exit park in the late afternoon and proceed to your hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 2: After breakfast, Visit the Illama conservationist center and Coffee research-Plants, sorting, sampling and tasting, (you will have an opportunity to by original coffee), Baden Powell Historical Gardens which encapsulate the war memorial cemetery (optional). Have lunch at one of the hotels and proceed to Nairobi to arrive in the evening.
Price: $483.34
Duration: 48 hours
The exclusive tour leads to Kenya’s uniquely remote but luxury town. You will drive through Kenya’s savannah that is home to a variety of wildlife. You will feel spellbound with the ranch-like atmosphere around Nanyuki! The nearby thompson Falls provide an ambient climate for both wild and humans. What is the story of Ol Pejeta Conservancy? What was the name of the first animal adopted? Have you heard about Thompsons Fall? You will visit sweetwaters tented camps, Thompsons Falls and enjoy the great conservancy work by Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Come see the white rhino embryos before they get too old. Enjoy the calm of Thomson's Falls and experience Christmas season at the foot of Mount Kenya. Experience the magic of rachy Nanyuki.
Price: $1,549.23
Duration: 4 hours
1. Choose Your Tour
Browse our curated selection of tours and select your perfect adventure.
2. Check Details
Review tour inclusions, duration, and meeting points carefully.
3. Book Online
Complete your booking securely with instant confirmation.
4. Enjoy Your Experience
Join the tour and create unforgettable memories in Central Kenya.
Important Tour Information
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing
- Check tour cancellation and refund policies
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early
- Carry valid identification and tour booking confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Food & Cuisine
Central Kenya’s cuisine features hearty, locally sourced ingredients. Staple foods include ugali (maize porridge), sukuma wiki (collard greens), nyama choma (grilled meat), and irio (mashed peas, potatoes, and corn). Traditional Kikuyu dishes often incorporate fresh vegetables and legumes. Dining customs emphasize communal eating and sharing. Noteworthy restaurants include local nyama choma joints and farm-to-table eateries offering authentic Kenyan flavors.
Getting Around
Central Kenya is accessible by road from Nairobi and other major cities. The nearest international airport is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Local transport options include matatus (shared minibuses), boda bodas (motorcycle taxis), and private taxis. For longer distances, buses and car hires are common. Roads vary from well-paved highways to rural dirt roads; travelers should plan accordingly. Costs for local transport are generally affordable.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit is during the dry seasons to avoid heavy rains. Pack layered clothing for variable temperatures, sturdy walking shoes, and sun protection. Respect local customs by dressing modestly and greeting people politely. Stay hydrated and use insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites. Carry some Kenyan shillings for small purchases, though cards are accepted in larger towns. Always keep valuables secure and avoid isolated areas after dark.
Culture & Customs
Central Kenya is predominantly inhabited by the Kikuyu community, known for strong family ties and respect for elders. Social customs include greeting with a handshake and using polite language. Traditional ceremonies and festivals celebrate harvests, rites of passage, and community unity. Visitors should ask permission before photographing people and be mindful of local sensitivities. Gift-giving is appreciated in some contexts, especially when visiting homes.
