Offering some of the most beautiful natural sights to see in the entire world, Kenya, should certainly top a photographer’s list of destinations to explore. Rather, anyone with a camera – or smartphone – who wants to capture a brag-worthy photo should plan a trip here.
Between the golden pristine beaches overlooking the Indian Ocean, to the lands providing habitat to the “Big 5” animals, the opportunity to take some of the most satisfying, breathtaking pictures exists all across Kenya.
Whether you’re about capturing those surreal landscapes, vibing with wildlife, or immersing in local cultures, we’ve got the ultimate list to fuel your feed and inspire your next adventure. Pack your bags, charge your phones, and let’s jet off to explore Kenya’s most photogenic locales that are just waiting to fill your grid with stunning shots.
1. Take vibrant photos of the Nairobi City skyline while exploring Nairobi National Park
Situated just outside the bustling city, Nairobi National Park is the only park in the world located so close to an urban area.
This unique park offers an incredible wildlife experience, with the Nairobi skyline serving as an unusual backdrop to the stunning array of animals within. During your game drive, you’ll have the opportunity to observe a diverse range of wildlife including lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinos and zebras making this a photographer’s paradise.
This is where the wild meets urban life. This is like a dream worth snapping the wild animal grazing in the park such as giraffe, with the skyscrapers of Nairobi towering in the distance. The parks easy accessibility from the city makes it a perfect spot for quick fulfilling nature escape.
2. Visit The Giraffe Center to feed the giraffes and maybe even give one a kiss
The Giraffe Centre is one of the top tourist attractions for visitors to Nairobi. Don’t miss the opportunity to spend time with these wild giraffes. As well as a chance to learn all about giraffes in Africa, you will get the chance to feed a giraffe by hand and if you are lucky, even kiss one.
The Giraffe Centre has evolved into one of Nairobi’s most popular tourist destinations. The Giraffe
Sanctuary is a huge protected site where giraffes are able to wander free and safe. Opposite the sanctuary is a 12-acre area of bush where the Giraffe Centre and famous Giraffe Manor are located. The giraffes are really amiable creatures and capturing some memorable shots with them should not be too hard.
3. Feed the giraffes at breakfast at the Giraffe Manor
Imagine waking up in your luxe accommodation and being greeted by a giraffe. It sounds like a fantasy, but at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, a uniquely picturesque and interactive experience awaits. This exclusive boutique hotel is famous for its resident herd of Rothschild’s giraffes that often poke their long necks into the windows of the dining room or greet guests at breakfast. This enchanting interaction provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to capture close-up photos with these graceful animals in a beautifully preserved 1930s manor house set against lush gardens. The elegant architecture of the manor, combined with the chance to have breakfast with giraffes, allows for truly magical and whimsical photographs that are sure to captivate any audience on social media.
4. Capture great snapshots of rescued baby elephants during feeding time at the Sheldrick Orphanage
Here, you’ll witness an extraordinary conservation effort, where orphaned baby elephants are fed and cared for by dedicated staff. This is an opportunity to learn about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s pioneering elephant orphan rescue and rehabilitation program, the most successful of its kind in the world. If you wish, you may also participate in the adoption program, helping to support these incredible creatures as they are rehabilitated and eventually reintroduced into the wild. You will have the opportunity to capture great snapshots of the baby elephants being fed while playing and bathing in the mud.
5. Picture perfect pristine Diani beach
Diani beach should also be in picture for memorable Instagram shot the soft white sands with the sound of waves gently kissing the shore. The coastal paradise is the perfect backdrop for Instagram feed. The clear turquoise waters and swaying palm trees making it possible to take a perfect shot
The most memorable experience is trying a hand at kite surfing. The picture of vibrant kite soaring through the air as skim across the azure waters. The beach is perfect to take a shot as playing with the beach sand.
Activities such as paddle boarding or snorkeling these activities create a perfect opportunity to capture shots in the water.
6. Capture the Magic of Lamu through your lens
The undisputed gem of the Kenyan coast is Lamu and her sister islands in the Lamu archipelago. Lamu town is the most perfect example of a historical Swahili city in the world. A warren of rounded houses, airy courtyards shaded by palm streets, cafes serving steaming chapattis and cups of milky tea, inhabited by women in rustling black full-length robes and men riding donkeys, all overlaid with an omnipresent smell of spice – Lamu is hard not to love.
Packed with history and culture, Lamu Island is a visual feast. The island’s historic architecture offers a unique blend of Swahili, Islamic and colonial influences that make for captivating photos.
7. Witness and capture iconic photos of the big 5 & the dramatic spectacular wildebeest migration in Masai Mara
Maasai mara stands as a beacon for photography adventures for those seeking excellent wildlife encounters. Masai mara, located in the Southern part of Kenya, boosts an extraordinary blend of diverse ecosystem, landscapes, culture and abundant wild life making it the best spot for photographers who are yearning to capture this photographic paradise.
One of the Mara’s iconic spectacles is the great wildebeest migration, where millions of the wildebeests and zebras cross the savannah plains in search of green pasture. Witnessing this natural wonder unfold against the backdrop of the Mara golden savannahs is a worthy experience.
Masai mara also has diverse wildlife year round, including the big five, unique sightings such as – Tira, Tano Bora and Scarface – providing endless photographic moments. The Mara river serves as critical cross over point for the migrating herds, creating endless photographic opportunities as the wildebeests and zebras navigate the crocodile infested river to the predatory ridden Mara in search of pasture.
8. Take iconic photos of Amboseli’s large tuskers with a backdrop of the snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro
Amboseli National Park stands as a testament to Africa’s breathtaking beauty and biodiversity. Its iconic landscape is dominated by the majestic presence of Mount Kilimanjaro, whose snowcapped peak provides a stunning backdrop to the park’s diverse wildlife and rich ecosystems.
Get to take up close surreal photos of the iconic tuskers of Amboseli with the world’s highest free-standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro offering a fantastic backdrop.
9. Witness lake Nakuru’s breathtaking beauty through your lens
Famous for its shimmering waters and abundant birdlife, Lake Nakuru National Park is a photographer’s paradise. The lake itself is often filled with thousands of flamingos, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The park’s diverse ecosystem includes forested areas, savannahs, and rocky outcrops, providing habitats for a wide range of wildlife, including rhinos, lions, and leopards. The park is also renowned for its beautiful scenery, with panoramic views from the surrounding hills.