Which are the best ecotourist sites in Kenya?

In this post, learn the best ecotourist sites in Kenya. You will learn about Kenya’s farming and cooking culture as well other aspects of food processing, sustainability, large scale irrigation and more.

Kenya, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife, offers a unique opportunity to explore ecotourism destinations that promote sustainability and environmental conservation. By visiting these sites, travelers can immerse themselves in Kenya’s natural beauty, learn about conservation efforts, and experience the harmonious coexistence of communities with nature.

Ecotourism in Kenya provides an enriching experience where you can witness the country’s commitment to preserving its ecosystems and promoting sustainable development. From lush forests and pristine beaches to protected wildlife reserves, Kenya’s ecotourism sites offer a glimpse into the country’s dedication to maintaining its natural heritage.

Agritourism—a subset of ecotourism—serves as an additional experience for visitors. By participating in agritourism activities, you can learn about Kenya’s farming practices, local food processing techniques, and sustainable agricultural methods. This experience not only supports local communities but also helps preserve traditional agricultural practices.

Benefits of Ecotourism and Agritourism:

• Ecotourism helps conserve Kenya’s unique ecosystems and wildlife while providing economic benefits to local communities.
• Agritourism offers an insight into Kenya’s rural life and agricultural practices, providing an additional income stream for farms and promoting cultural exchange.

Below is our suggested agri tourist sites in Kenya

Agri processors

Visiting a food manufacturer or any agro-processor can be a interesting and educational experience, It allows you to see firsthand how food and other products are produced and learn about the processes and technologies involved. It can be a great opportunity to learn more about the products and ask questions about the production process. The following is a list of a few suggestions of the major agro processing factories you can visit in Kenya.

• Rice milling factories in Mwea Kirinyaga County
• Sugar factories in Western and Nyanza counties e.g., the Mumias, Kabaras and SONY
• Paper and pulp factories e.g Raiply (Eldoret) and Webuye Pan Paper.
• Textile companies e.g the Rivatex (Eldoret) and the Kitui Texttiles (Kitui)
• Meat slaugtherhouses like the Kenya Meat commission (KMC),
• Leather companies like the Bata (Limuru)
• Ultra-modern open air food markets and business parks e.g Chaka in Nyeri
• Athi River Export Processing Zone (EPZ) to understand how horticulture products are processed and packaged for export markets.
• Midlands Potato processing company in Nyandarua
• The Agventure Canola plant oil processing plant in Nakuru and/or farms in Timau Meru county.
• The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Mombasa port Loading ramps to understand more about requirements to import and export animal and plant materials into the country.
• The KCC and the private milk processing plants like Githunguri dairies.

Ranches & wildlife conservancies

There are 160 wildlife conservancies and ranches you can visit in Kenya. These combine sustainable livestock farming, wildlife conservation and tourism. The most notable that you can visit in Kenya are;

1. Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Located in Laikipia County, this conservancy is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes), as well as a chimpanzee sanctuary. Ol Pejeta is known for its efforts to protect endangered species and promote sustainable tourism. It is the home to the last three remaining white rhinos in the world.
2. Mara North Conservancy: Located in the Maasai Mara ecosystem, this conservancy is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the Big Five, as well as the annual wildebeest migration. Mara North is known for its efforts to protect wildlife and promote sustainable tourism.
3. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy: Located in Laikipia County, this conservancy is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the Big Five, as well as several endangered species such as the Grevy’s zebra and the black rhino. Lewa is known for its successful conservation efforts and its commitment to community development. It gives you firsthand experience where you can sit in the radio room and learn about the sophisticated anti-poaching and security systems used by rangers.
4. Borana Conservancy: Located in Laikipia County, this conservancy is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the Big Five, as well as a variety of bird species. Borana is known for its efforts to protect wildlife and promote sustainable tourism.
5. Ol Kinyei Conservancy: Located in the Maasai Mara ecosystem, this conservancy is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the Big Five, as well as a variety of bird species. Ol Kinyei is known for its efforts to protect wildlife and promote sustainable tourism

You can visit the ranches as groups, schools or an individual guest.  Experiences vary from one ranch to the next. Some memorable fun activities include bush treks with camels, horseback rides, mountain bike rides down escarpments and game drives through the plains.

Coffee, Tea & Flower Farms

Did you know Kenya is the world’s top producer of black tea in the world? You can visit its tea growing farms in Kericho, Nyambene hills (meru), Kiambu or Nandi for free. Besides, there are tea farms specializing in a tea farm tours like the Kiambethu located near Nairobi. You will have wonderful experiences learning about the history of tea farming in Kenya, green sceneries and a picking experience.

 As a local farm tourist, you can arrange with a local KTDA tea factory in your region to book a whole day experience of how tea is processed, packaged and sold in the Mombasa tea auction. If you are lucky, you will enjoy tasting a cup of tea and buy high quality black tea from the factory shops.  You can also book one to a private tea farm and factory.

Apart from enjoying the well blend cup of coffee in the many coffee shops in the city you can tour one of the coffee farms 10km away. You will get a chance to learn everything about coffee from farm to cup. The tour will take you only 20 minutes from the CBD in a private car if you prefer the Nairobi Coffee farm and factory.

The experiences you will get are how to pick coffee and how its processed. Visit the coffee drying and storage areas. Get coffee tasting experience and taste different grades as well as learn about various types and varieties of coffee in Kenya. After the farm tour, you will get to roast your own coffee in the house as you watch the wonderful plantation view.  After this you can buy an array of coffee and other beverage items from the farm.

Plantations

Apart from tea and coffee farms, Kenya enjoys a conducive agro-climatic conditions that support hundreds of crops productions. You can plan to visit some of them for a day visit or a stay vacation. For the best experience visit the commercial plantations and estates.

These include the Rolling landscapes of beautiful tea plantation sceneries in Kericho, wheat farms in Narok and Meru counties, canola fields in Timau and the Delmonte Pineapple estate around Thika. Others are the avocado farms by Kakuzi or the large flower farms in Naivasha area.

Private farms

Local Demo farms and specialty farms are another attractive destination you can visit for memorable learning experiences. You can visit a large farm or a successful farmer who is specializing in a particular farm product like poultry farming or seed propagation. Since most of them are local you will need to rely on the local yellow lists and online ads. Examples include Gracerock, Plat raisers limited, Muguku poultry farm among others.

1. Gachege Farm Stay: Located in Nyeri, this farm offers guests the opportunity to experience rural life and participate in farming activities such as coffee picking and milking cows.
2. Kipkeino Farm: Located in Elgeyo Marakwet, this farm offers guests the opportunity to learn about traditional Maasai life and participate in farming and herding activities.
3. Kephis Organic Farm: Located in Kiambu, this farm offers guests the opportunity to learn about organic farming and participate in activities such as composting and seedling production.
4. Tharaka Farm: Located in Tharaka Nithi, this farm offers guests the opportunity to experience rural life and participate in activities such as farming, beekeeping, and traditional craft-making.
5. Makutano Farm: Located in Meru, this farm offers guests the opportunity to learn about sustainable farming practices and participate in activities such as irrigation and crop management.

How to get most as an agritourist

If you are looking for the most memorable experience from farm visits, you may need to consider the following tips.

• Book an early appointment with the agritourist destinations to get a representative for guidance and training.
• Always carry a camera to capture the memories.
• Carpool with pals and family to get afford transport. In the same thought, consider using trans country trains like the Mombasa Naivasha SGR.
• Book for a cool tour package with one of the tour and travel companies to get the best crafted experience.