The Most Famous Landmarks in Kenya

Kenya has many landmarks, some of which are natural while others are man-made. Fort Jesus is an impressive old building that was built by the Portuguese at the end of the 16th century when the country was still under the colonialists. This was the trading center in Mombasa for the Portuguese where many Kenyans were sold and taken overseas to become slaves. Today Fort Jesus is a museum where prehistoric trading pots and ceramic are displayed. This fort is open daily, however, there is some fee charged at the entrance.

The Mau Mau Cave situated in Mt Kenya is another interesting site for visitors. These caves were the hideout for the Mau Mau freedom fighters during the Mau Mau rebellion in 1959. A visit to the caves involves a three hour walk which is a bit tiresome especially for first time visitors. This tour will also include climbing the highest peak of the mountain (5,199m) which is the second highest in Africa after Mt Kilimanjaro. It is believed that the peak was over 6,500m about 3 million years ago but, due to heavy glacier erosion it reduced to its current height. Mt Kenya is one of the few places in Africa where you will find permanent glaciers due to the fact being that it lies just near the equator. The outstanding ecology of Mount Kenya has made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. some of the activities here include game viewing, mountain climbing and photographing.

Thomson Falls are located near Nyahururu town. They are about 78m high and they are the most impressive waterfalls in Kenya. This waterfalls were discovered in 1883 by a Scottish geologist, Joseph Thomson. The fall is surrounded by a beautiful dense forest which is maintained by the mist created by the waterfalls. Many hippos are seen in the pool which is located up stream of the fall. Nyahururu is the highest town in Kenya. It is situated at 2,360 meters above sea level and if you are planning to visit the town, remember to carry warm clothes. The Fourteen falls is another remarkable site located near Thika town. There are 14 distinct water falls on the broad section of the river making it interesting and very enjoyable to watch.

Lake Victoria is another landmark and its waters are shared by the three East African countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It is the largest fresh water lake in Africa and the second widest fresh water lake in the world. It covers an area of 68,800 square kilometers. In addition, Lake Victoria is the source of both river Nile and White Nile. The surrounding area is the home to the Luo community who depend on the lake for fishing. Other landmarks in Kenya include the Great Rift Valley where the eight lakes are found, game parks, Menengai crater, Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi city and many others.