Kenya will always hold a special place in my heart as it was one of my first international destinations at the start of my travel career. I mean, who hasn’t heard of the famous Masai Mara, one of the most well-protected havens for lions and cheetahs? And even beyond the Masai Mara, Kenya is filled with national reserves that are home to some of the most endangered wildlife on the planet.

Yet, beyond the wildlife lies a tribal culture that traces its roots back to the cradle of human civilization itself. And if you’re looking for city life, Nairobi is one of Africa’s most up and coming, bustling cities. And my personal favorite is the beach town of Mombasa where I experienced the most azure waters in an Indian Ocean that was bath-water warm, with sands so blinding white that I imagined I saw a camel being led by a boy along the beach one hot afternoon. It turns out it really was a camel!

With so many exciting things to explore, here are a just few of the top sites and experiences in the beautiful country of Kenya: