Running, the national sport
Kenyans excel in cross-country and middle-distance running. Since the late 1960s, Kenyan runners have won most of the world and Olympic titles in cross-country and 3,000 m steeplechase events, and are frequent podium finishers in 1,500 m, 5,000 m, 10,000 m and marathons. Several reasons have been put forward to explain this success: life and training on the high plateaus at over 2,000 m altitude, the endurance acquired by the children who sometimes have to travel dozens of kilometers to get to school and, finally, a morphology particularly well-suited to long-distance running. Training camps have sprung up in the highlands, particularly in the Eldoret region, attracting athletes from all over the world.
The first to pave the way was Kipchoge Keino, who won two gold medals at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. He was followed by Eliud Kipchoge, double Olympic marathon champion in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021, and the first man to break 2 hours in a non-homologated race. Kelvin Kiptum's official marathon world record of 2h00m35s in 2023 is the latest achievement. This young athlete sadly died in a car accident in early 2024, at the height of his fame, aged just 24.
Safaris and treks, the king of activities
This is what makes Kenya so famous: safaris and the famous "Big Five", which can be observed in the wild... Almost all the species expected in Africa are represented here in impressive numbers: lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, monkeys, giraffes, zebras, crocodiles, antelopes, hippos... There are several options for observing them: 4x4, but also on camelback, on foot, even in a hot-air balloon for impressive overviews... Over 1,000 species of birds are also listed. Don't forget your binoculars, birdwatchers! Outside the parks and reserves, hikers can also consider trekking the ridges of the Ngong Hills, the Loita Hills along the Great Rift Valley, the Cherangani Hills or the Chyulu Hills, as well as Mount Longonot, Mount Elgon on the Ugandan border, protected by Mount Elgon National Park, or the majestic Mount Kenya in Mount Kenya National Park, for the more experienced.
Numerous nautical activities
The Kenyan coast, especially south of Mombasa and Lamu, is a real postcard setting: clear and warm waters (25°C to 27°C), a coral reef that repels sharks, immaculate fine sand, coconut trees... Obviously, the setting is perfect for the practice of many water sports: surfing, especially in Malindi, deep-sea fishing, sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. On land, you can practice kayaking and rafting in the many rivers.
A diving destination
Diving is therefore a very popular activity, thanks to the easily accessible and well-preserved coral reef. From Lamu to Mombasa, the seabed is magnificent and the marine reserves quite numerous. We particularly recommend Malindi Marine Park, Watamu Marine Park and the Kisite Mpunguti reserve. Visibility is good all year round, although the high tides of July and August can be somewhat disruptive. The luckiest divers may catch a glimpse of the famous manta rays or humpback whales. There are a number of clubs along the coast. The best season is from October to April.
Excellent fishing spots
Most hotels on the Kenyan coast organize deep-sea fishing trips (swordfish, marlin, shark...), particularly in Shimoni, Mombasa and Malindi. The best season is between November and March, and no special permit is required by the authorities. However, the ultimate in sport fishing in Kenya is giant Nile perch in Lake Turkana. You can also fish for tilapia in Lake Victoria. Finally, the rivers around the Nyandaruas massif and Mount Kenya are teeming with rainbow trout.
