How to travel Kenya on a budget: 10 free things to do
How to travel Kenya on a budget: 10 free things to do, For most travelers, magical Kenya is the gateway to exploring the rest of East Africa. This extraordinary safari destination is a very popular stopover on around the African continent tickets, with plenty to stimulate the sense from witnessing the Great annual migration, savoring street food, and beach festivals, to local markets.
Do you yearn to relish the buzz and thrill of Kenya without spending a shilling? As one of the World’s favorite budget travel playgrounds, Kenya overflows with budget-friendly experiences, and there’s plenty to do in the country that won’t cost a Shilling, from trips to Museums, and vast local markets, to guided walks through lush gardens. While some top tourist sites have entry fees, there are countless other places (religious and historic) that you can visit for free. Check out our top 10 free things to do in Kenya;
Soak up the atmosphere of the Masai Village (weekend) market.
One of the largest, most popular and upscale Masai markets in Nairobi, the Village market is an unforgettable Masai experience, even if you don’t plan on spending a shilling. Located in Gigiri, off Limuru Road, this market is free to visit although it only operates on Fridays. You will see stalls piled high with everything from Maasai crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs. The market is particularly popular among expatriates and tourists due to its location close to the UN offices and many embassies.
Find your selection of Beaded Jewelry of the Maasai people (such as beaded necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and belts are available in a wide variety of colors and intricate designs, Textiles, and Shukas (traditional cloth) for the Masai. Also buy Carvings and Woodwork of animals, masks, and figurines, Art and Paintings, Leather Goods (from sandals and belts to bags and wallets, all made by local craftsmen using traditional techniques), Curios and Souvenirs (like Maasai shields, spears, drums, and pottery), and small souvenirs like key chains and magnets.
Learn some local history at the Nairobi National Museum.
Anchored on four pillars -culture, history, arts, and Nature, the free-to-visit Nairobi National Museum will whisk you back to the Nairobi of the 1900s. Located only 20 minutes from the Central Business District, the Museum was initiated in 1910 by a team of passionate naturalists under the then “East Africa and Uganda Natural History Society”, currently known as the “East African Natural History Society.
Outstanding attraction Points include the Cradle of the Human kind gallery (where visitors interact firsthand with early man and Stone Age tools), the Bird’s Gallery which depicts the diversity of birds of East Africa; The Story of Mammals gallery (story of mammals from the large elephant, bats to shrews is captured in three themes), the History of Kenya (which details the origin of Kenya’s different communities and language groups, pre-colonial period, and colonial period), Cycles of life gallery (which paints a picture of the different social interactions, and cultural activities during the life stages of man from childhood, youth, adulthood, and ancestral stage), Numismatic exhibition and Asian African Heritage exhibition gallery, and more.
The Nairobi National Museum opens Monday to Sunday (between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm).
Get haggling for bargains at the local markets.
Nairobi is home to hundreds of bustling local markets and browsing is always free.
Gikomba market, an open-air market in Nairobi is an explosion of color, noise, and exotic aromas. Founded as early as the 1950s, the market draws sellers from all over Nairobi to sale a wide range of goods, from delicious and organic food to trendy clothing. If you are tempted to buy anything, there are some real bargains to be had as the majority of customers are Kenyans, hence tourist prices don’t apply.
Enjoy nature in Nairobi Botanical Garden and Uhuru Gardens
For a dose of peaceful nature in Nairobi, head to Nairobi Botanical Garden and Uhuru Gardens. These outstanding tourist hot spots are perfect opportunities for wandering through gentle sprawls of neatly trimmed gardens, running tracks, forest groves, and swamps thronged by birdlife.
Relax at Diani Beach, Mombasa# How to travel Kenya on a budget: 10 free things to do
Located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa, Diani Beach is protected by a shallow Lagoon followed by a coral reef about 1 kilometer from the low water mark. Being one of the most gorgeous and popular Beaches in the country, this idyllic Paradise has no entrance fees. The easiest way to get to Diani Beach is by driving to Mombasa, taking the car ferry to Likoni, then driving to Diani Beach. You will discover jaw-dropping whitewashed villages, tranquil beaches, and crystal-clear waters once you get there.
Mombasa Old Town#How to travel Kenya on a budget: 10 free things to do
Mombasa Old Town, a 72-hectare area set on the southeastern side of Mombasa Island adjacent to Tudor Creek is part of Mombasa and is thrilling to visit while on a Mombasa safari.
This historical town is inhabited by a mix of local people, Portuguese, Arabs, Asians, and British settlers, and is comprised of several architecturally impressive buildings that were greatly influenced by Mombasa trade culture. The architecture mostly reflects Portuguese and Islamic influence. You can visit Fort Jesus, the Mombasa Butterfly House, take a walk in the Town, visit the Hindu Temple Center, and relish sightseeing and taking memorable pictures of elephant tusks during your Mombasa safari.
Take a leisurely stroll along the Mama Ngina waterfront in Mombasa.
Set along the sparkling shores of the Indian Ocean, the Mama Ngina is a perfect place to take a stroll while enjoying a vibrant and scenic escape. Are you looking to unwind, connect, and celebrate life, watch the breathtaking sunset, enjoy a family outing, or participate in a cultural event that embodies the City’s warm and welcoming spirit? Then visit the Mama Ngina waterfront.
Celebrate Faith and Heritage at the Holy Ghost Cathedral
Among the best-known and frequently visited places in Kenya we could mention the Holy Ghost Cathedral, and you can explore its magnificent interior and exterior for free. Tucked in the vibrant heart of Mombasa, this historical Cathedral is a true testament to Mombasa’s rich religious and cultural heritage. It is an iconic place of worship, a sanctuary of faith, a monument of history, and a symbol of the enduring spirit of the local community.
Learn about art at the Golden Eagle Art Gallery.
The Golden Eagle Art Gallery is set in the heart of downtown Nairobi and is one of the few places that can beckon you into a World where creativity knows no bounds. You can enjoy a stroll away from the vibrant and noisy streets to dive into hands-on workshops led by enthusiastic artists, where brush meets canvas as well as imagination knows no limits.
Get lost in Nairobi’s Chinatown.
Thick with the scent of traditional herbal medicines, Nairobi’s Chinatown provides a sensory experience that you won’t find anywhere else in the City. The narrow alleyways through Chaka Place or Yaya Center (where Chinatowns are found) are crammed with bird’s-nest soup restaurants, supermarkets, grocery, butcheries, and stores with several live fish and shellfish, and flashing neon signs labeled in Chinese characters. It is Nairobi’s most vibrant neighborhood, where half the fun comes from getting completely lost.
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