These Hidden Gems In Kenya, ‘The Jewel Of Africa’ Will Leave You Awestruck!

Located on the eastern seashore of Africa, Kenya is a nation where the splendor of the landscape, the vibrant culture, and the unspoiled wilderness are in the perfect contrast with each other. Kenya is often known because of its global safari attractions such as Maasai Mara and Amboseli, but there is also another world of less known treasures to be explored in Kenya. These beautiful secrets give the tourists a closer glimpse of the soul of the country, its people, scenery and beats of daily life as rough as they are, yet as alluring.

It is a place where golden savannas blend with sapphire blue waters, where ancient ways coexist with contemporary towns and where each sunset leaves the horizon in colors of fire and gold. There is another Kenya beyond the snarling lions and the open plains, one that purrs softly in coral islands, green woodland and volcanic sceneries not disturbed by the press.

The undiscovered treasures of this great nation will reveal the colorful weave of Kenya, with its natural beauty, cultural legacy, and adventure trips. Although the classic attractions represent the soul of Kenya, its less-known places present its heart, as they provide tourists with the opportunity to embrace something more profound, genuine, and unforgettable.

Then, when you are willing to leave the well-trodden path, consider the list of Kenya hidden gems that will leave you in awe, adventure, and in touch with the best of nature.

1. Lake Turkana

Lake Turkana, or the Jade Sea, a stunningly colored lake with a bright turquoise surface, is a wonder in the dry land of Kenya, to the north. It is the largest desert lake in the world and it has an atmosphere of enigma and unclean beauty.

This ancient lake is enclosed by volcanic hills and barren plains making it seem like a place that is supernatural, a place where time does not exist. El Molo is one of the smallest ethnic tribes in Kenya, but the centuries-old traditions of remote landscape have survived despite all the challenges. Close by, there is the great archaeological site of Koobi Fora, where the fossils of the first humans can be found, that is a reminder that, quite literally, the birthplace of humankind.

Another aspect of this surreal journey is a boat ride to Central Island National Park where there are three crater lakes that are home to the flamingos and crocodiles. To individuals who are attracted to mysteries, loneliness, and geology, the most frighteningly beautiful secret of Kenya is Lake Turkana.

2. Chyulu Hills

The Chyulu Hills run across the horizon as a green wave between Amboseli national park and Tsavo West. These volcanic rolling hills created millions of years ago are one of the purest and the most poetic sceneries in Kenya. The atmosphere is not only clean but also fragrantly wafting with wildflowers and the scenery, as far as the mountain Kilimanjaro and the Tsavo Trek lie, can be considered as grandiose.

The old lava tube caves such as the Leviathan Cave which is one of the longest in the world are found there, the underground labyrinth where the explorers desire adventure. Tourists will be able to walk across the green valleys, ride horses across the gray grassland or just sit and watch herds of elephants pass across the green fields in grace. There is no flocking of people, as Chyulu Hills is full of untamed and reflective appeal of desirable urban tourist spots.

3. Samburu National Reserve

The Samburu national reserve is a dry paradise far away off the tourist-filled trails of the south that reveals the wild side of Kenya in its untouched form. In this case, the Ewaso Ngiro River poses life into the semi-desert landscape, which makes the area home to animals and birds that are not present elsewhere.

The samburu special five, which consists of Grevy zebra, reticulated giraffes, Somali ostriches, beisa oryx and gerenuks are also found in samburu. They are in a small number, and the same can be said about elephants and lions, which move freely on the dusty plains of the reserve.

The people of Samburu are what make Samburu even more special. Sambura tribes, the relatives of the Maasai, are in a perfect balance with nature, wearing bright shukas and beaded ornaments to reveal the strongly-traumatized culture. Interacting with them provides tourists with a genuine cultural experience – the experience that shows them the pace of life in one of the strongest parts of Africa.

4. Mount Elgon

Mount Elgon is a dormant shield volcano that rises high along the Kenya- Uganda border, with a forest cover, waterfalls and wildlife. It is a secret haven of hikers who want to enjoy the out-of-the-way natural beauty, but it is not as busy as Mount Kenya.

Explore the thick bamboo forest full of monkeys and tropical birds, explore ancient Kitum Caves excavated by elephants in search of salt and absorb the peace of Chepnyali and Endebess hot springs. On the peak, look down into the huge caldera, one of largest in the world providing extensive views of the western highlands of Kenya.

Each mountain ascent is a time travel experience, as you go up Mount Elgon to forget that the world was once a volcanic planet.

5. Lamu Archipelago

The Lamu Archipelago is set in the Indian Ocean and is a utopia of small streets, whitewashed buildings and blue waters. It is a pure Swahili at its finest: a spellbound mixture of African, Arab, Persian, and European culture and culture.

In Lamu town, it is the hum of the donkeys that substitute the sounds of vehicles and the speed of life is the speed of the tides. Tourists are given an opportunity to see the architecture of coral-stones, ancient mosques, and dhow-building workshops. Take a sunset dhow cruise and watch the golden sun set beneath the horizon and fishermen cast their nets, it is an experience that is the epitome of calmness.

Islands such as Manda and Kiwayu, located close by, provide virgin beaches and high-end eco-lodges, which eco-travelers can take pleasure in. Lamu is not a destination, but a mood I guess, a hint of history in the sea breeze and the smell of spices.

6. Hell’s Gate National Park

Hells gate national park near Naivasha is an adventure and natural wonder playground to the adrenaline seekers. The park is known as a dramatic cliff, geothermal vents, and wildlife named after a narrow ravine that was used as an exit of prehistoric lakes.

Tourists are given an opportunity to take hiking or cycling trips along canyons that are enclosed by grazing gazelles and zebras – which is a very unique experience in visiting a Kenyan national park on foot. The Fischer tower and central tower structures provide an exciting rock climbing experience and the Olkaria Geothermal Spa calls out to you to have a rest in the mineral pools with steaming water after a day of sightseeing.

The Lion King also took inspiration in Hell’s Gate landscapes and this gave it an extra cinematic magic that was already an awe-inspiring place.

7. Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater sanctuary located in the middle of the Great Rift Valley and is home to many life forms. The flocks of pink flamingos and African fish eagles in the lake are pictured as the reflections of the hills and acacia trees all around and it is a picture taken right out of a painting.

Taking a boat safari to Crescent Island, a wildlife reserve where giraffes, zebras and wildebeests can freely move without attacks by predators. The feeling of sliding through the water without any noises and seeing hippos around your boat is something exciting and tranquil.

The surrounding is also home to lovely lakeside lodges and flower farms which create a splash of color in the landscape. To people who love nature and are fond of watching birds, Lake Naivasha is a quiet but memorable retreat.

8. Kakamega Forest Reserve

Kakamega Forest Reserve is deep in western Kenya and it is the remaining bit of the ancient Guineo-Congolian rainforest that covered Central Africa. This green heaven is vibrant with lives, with the twittering of the colobus monkeys as well as the calls of more than 300 different bird species.

Stroll through tall trees whose moss is falling, and see and hear rare butterflies fluttering in the sunshine, and smell damp soil and wild orchids. Kakamega presents a sensual experience of biodiversity and serenity to ecologists, photographers and solitude seekers.

Not a forest itself, but an apostrophe, a breathing voice of the persistence of nature, resonating with the perennial beat of the African wild.

Final Thoughts

The Kenya secrets reveal that the magic of this country is far beyond the popular safaris. Volcanic hills and serene lakes, primeval forests and sea-coast allegiance, all these, and more, lie bare and open, revealing to the visitor the heart of Kenya, wild, soulful, and infinitely fascinating.

Whether you are following the history of humankind around Lake Turkana, or cruising through the blue waters of Lamu or hiking through the clouds on the Chyulu Hills, you will find that Kenya is not merely a beautiful country; it is a beautiful soul wild, hospitable and very human.

Therefore, the next time you visit the Jewel of Africa, rise out of the rut because where few people have travelled in Kenya, the most memorable tales can be discovered.