10 most photogenic UNESCO world heritage sites in Kenya

Kenya is popularly known for offering classic and adventurous safari since it grants you with an opportunity of viewing the big five animals it still harbours a lot of attractions.  Kenya is composed of spectacular beauty, the rich cultures and its extra ordinary biodiversity. Think of the wildebeest migration at Masai Mara national park where you will witness the mighty wildebeest while crossing the River Masai Mara before visiting the Masai community.

Adventuring Kenya gives you an insight on its stunning landscapes, the wildebeest migration, the incredible birding destinations then to its captivating world heritage sites.

Though Kenya is composed of a numerous world heritage site, in this article we are going to exhaust 10 UNESCO world heritage sites that are found in Kenya that you must not miss out on your visit in Tanzania.

LAKE TURKANA NATIONAL PARK-KENYA UNESCO SITES

Lake Turkana is one of the most saline lakes which are nestle with in East Africa, though still lake Turkana is a unique destination for study of both plant and animal families. Turkana national park was declared a UNESCO world heritage site since 1997 due to it uniqueness as the largest park found in the desert covering of 7 million ha of land.  It is the fourth largest lake in Africa.

The park is surrounded by other three national parks that is Sibiloi national park, central island national park and the South Island national park, all covering a total area of 161,485 hectares all found within the Lake Turkana basin.

Lake Turkana is one of the renown UNESCO sites and is also termed as the cradle land of mankind due to its large concentration of fossil finds. There are a lot of things to discover including its eccentric volcanic landscapes, its impressive waters and many more. The park is also a home to several crocodiles and other animals

Discovery sites at Lake Turkana

This destination is at times referred to as the cradle land of man. While at lake Turkana, you will visit Koobi Fora, many paleontological finds were discovered all the way in 1969.

This discovery that this was once the habitant of man in the past years. Tourists are taught and are equipped with vast information about paleo- environment and any other site of the continent.

MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK AND NATURAL FOREST-KENYA UNESCO SITE

With its towering peaks, glaciers, alpine meadows and dense forests, Mount Kenya is one of the most stunning landscapes within East Africa.

The national park was founded in the years of 1949 and later in 1997 they were added on the list of the UNESCO world heritage sites.

The main importance   was to protect Mount Kenya including its flora and Fauna. Adding to that, Mount Kenya serves as a UNESCO Biosphere reserve. Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest peak at 5,199m behind on mountain Kilimanjaro of Tanzania. This makes the mountain a must go to destination for hikers who come to Africa.

Photogenic

Mount Kenya is composed of many stunning landscapes composed of dramatic contrasts between the snow capped and lush greenery views, also including its breathtaking sunrises and sunset views.

Mount Kenya still lies with in the traditional migrating route of the African elephant population. The mountain was because of volcano eruption and it is from Mount Kenya the name Kenya, a country in east Africa was born

LAMU OLD TOWN-KENYA UNESCO SITE

This is the oldest, preserved and popular Swahili settlements with in East Africa. Lamu has hosted many Muslim religious festivals and it is a recognized area for studying Islamic and Swahili cultures. The town was added on the list of UNESCO world heritage sites in 2001 and people have stayed in it for over 700 years.

Tourists interested in discovering the rich Swahili cultures in Kenya, a visit to Lamu is a must do activity. The town is composed of many several historic sites for example the German post office, Lamu museum and the Lamu Fort. You will be able to visit all these iconic sites on your visit to Lamu old town

Photogenic

Lamu town is composed of narrow streets, stone buildings, vibrant markets, breathing taking court yards, verandas which gives an opportunity of taking timeless photos.

THE SACRED MIJIKENDA KAYA FORESTS-UNESCO SITE

The Mijikenda sacred forests are fortified settlements that were inhabited by the Mijikenda communities, that spread over 200km along the coast, and is composed of 11 separate forest sites.

This Mijikenda forests carry a significant role culturally among the Kaya people and it was added on the list of the UNESCO world heritage sites in 2008. The forests are nurtured by Mijikenda communities mainly to protect and also conserve the sacred graves and groves of the Kaya people.

The dense, green landscapes and the cultural significance of the Kaya shrines provides unique photographic opportunities.

FORT JESUS: MOMBASA

Fort Jesus is situated in the southern edges of Mombasa and is one of the popular UNESCO world heritage sites. The fort was built by the Italian architecture Giovanni Batista und the instruction of Spanish king, king fillips the second a who had an aim of controlling the Indian ocean trade.

The place was gazetted in 1970 and then added on the UNESCO world heritage site list in 2011. Today the fort still symbolises an example of military architecture. It was built by the European in 1593-1596 mainly to protect the port of Mombasa and stamp Portuguese authority on the coastal. The lay out and the complete form of the fort reflect the revival of perfect proportions and geometric harmony can be found with in the human body.

THIMLICH OHINGA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

This is one of the famous UNESCO world heritage sites with in Kenya and it was added on the list in 2018. The word Thimlich Ohinga refers to a word “frightening dense forest’ in Dholuo language. The Dholuo is one of the Nilotic’s group that occupies Kenya. This archaeological site is mainly composed of stone structures. These stone structure surrounding ranges from 1.0 to 4.2 m in height which were built of loose stones and blocks.

There are a lot of archaeological materials that were discovered with in the region and have been there since 16th century.it is located within Victoria basin and believed to have been home to ancient people of Kenya and their livestock

KENYAS LAKE SYSTEM IN THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY

This area was added on to the list of the UNESCO world heritage in 2011 and is composed of three shallow lakes such as lake Bogoria, Nakuru and Elementaita covering a total area of 32,034 hectares. These lakes harbor a variety of attractions including a high number of bird species.

The lakes are homes to large mammal species, Rothchild’s giraffes, greater Kudus, lions, Cheetahs and at times the black rhinos. The lakes depict an exceptional experience of nature due to their setting, they are surrounded with hot springs, and they are with in the east African rift valley region.

Adding to that, the lakes are one of the best birding destinations with in the world with over 1000 bird species both migratory and endemics.  The lakes also harbor a large concentration of flamingos.

Conclusion

These are the top ten UNESCO world heritage site that are found in Kenya that you shouldn’t miss out while on you Kenya visit during your African vacation safari.

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