Kenya. My pictures from the magical land of safaris and the big 5, and of some of the world’s most amazing beaches! Of course, there is much more than tourism to Africa’s third-largest economy. Nairobi, my home city for most of the years since 2002, is a vibrant megalopolis, and one of the economic centers of gravity of the continent.
Since first arriving in Kenya during the final days of the Moi dictatorship, I have traveled extensively around the country, and probably taken more than 20,000 pictures. Even the small, curated selection below is pretty extensive.
The Kenya Coast
Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu
1,420 kms of some of Africa’s best beaches, in an equatorial coastal climate. Doesn’t get better than that, does it? Actually it does: Add tons of fresh seafood, and an exciting traditional cuisine with lots of spices to the mix!
Expatriates who stay in here for a while, are generally loth to leave. Could the Coast be part of the reason?
Throughout my years in Africa, I have been to this part of Kenya more times than I can count. From my trips to Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu as a backpacking youngster in the early 2000s, to my pretty frequent family trips to Tiwi and Diani nowadays. These are all places one can hardly get too much of! With the rise of Diani as an international tourism hotspot, the place has also seen a plethora of great restaurants coming up in recent years, making it, making it an even more exciting destination.
These pictures from dozens upon dozens of trips between 2002 and now.
![Vasco Da Gama Pillar, Malindi](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Vasco-Da-Gama-Pillar-841x1024.jpg)
![Gede Ruins in Watamu, Kenya. Historic Swahili city](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Gede-Ruins-1024x612.jpg)
![Lamu](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Lamu-1024x644.jpg)
![Lamu](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Lamu-2-1024x511.jpg)
![Håvar Bauck on a Dhow](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/havar-bauck-lamu.jpg)
![Huts along Diani Beach](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Evening-on-Diani-Beach-1024x537.jpg)
![Camels on the beach in Mombasa, at the Kenya Coast](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Camels-on-the-beach-in-Mombasa-1024x683.jpg)
![Tiwi Beach Rocks](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Tiwi-Beach-Rocks-3-1024x634.jpg)
![Tiwi Beach](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Tiwi-Beach-3-1024x626.jpg)
![Tiwi Beach](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/tiwi-beach-2-1024x591.jpg)
![Mombasa Tusks](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/Mombasa-Tusks-1024x561.jpg)
![AfroChic Diani Beach Hotel](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/afrochic-diani-beach-hotel-scaled-1-1024x690.jpg)
![Ali Barbour's Cave Restaurant Diani](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Ali-Barbours-Cave-Restaurant-Diani-scaled-1-1024x576.jpg)
![Lichthaus - the funkiest bar in Watamu](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Lichthaus-Watamu-1024x524.jpg)
![Hell's Kitchen, Marafa. Make sure to visit when in Malindi, Watamu or Kilifi](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Malindi-Marafa-Hells-Kitchen-1024x576.jpg)
![Marafa-Hells-Kitchen-1](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Marafa-Hells-Kitchen-1-scaled-1-1024x669.jpg)
![Lamu Crab](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lamu-Crab-1024x768.jpg)
![Lamu Dhow](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lamu-Dhow-1024x728.jpg)
![Lamu Mangrove Bridge](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lamu-Mangrove-Bridge-1024x797.jpg)
![Lamu Shela Boats on the Beach 2](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lamu-Shela-Boats-on-the-Beach-2-1024x690.jpg)
![Lamu Shela Boats on the Beach](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lamu-Shela-Boats-on-the-Beach-1024x625.jpg)
![Lamu Shela Donkeys](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lamu-Shela-Donkeys-792x1024.jpg)
![Lamu Shela](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lamu-Shela-1024x592.jpg)
![Lamu Takwa Ruins](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lamu-Takwa-Ruins-1024x645.jpg)
![Lamu Town 2022](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lamu-Town-2022-1024x647.jpg)
![Malindi Shipwreck](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Malindi-Shipwreck-1024x649.jpg)
![Mambrui - Stranded Boat](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Mambrui-Stranded-Boat-1024x574.jpg)
![Watamu Lichthaus Drink](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Watamu-Lichthaus-Drink-768x1024.jpg)
National parks
Maasai Mara, Tsavo, Amboseli, Aberdares
Perhaps the most famous feature of East Africa: Parks teeming with animals. With about 9000 km2 (roughly the size of Cyprus), this is a dream come true for any wildlife enthusiast or photographer. Here, the setting is always right for truly magical pictures!
Kenya attracted more than 2 million tourists in 2018, and the number of arrivals keeps rising. The world famous national parks and safari lodges are among the key reasons why they keep coming!
These pictures are from Maasai Mara, Hell’s Gate, Amboseli and Tsavo.
![Maasai Mara Sunset](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Maasai-Mara-Sunset-1024x608.jpg)
![Hell's Gate - Maasai Village](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Kenya-Hells-Gate-Maasai-Village-1024x715.jpg)
![Tsavo - Salt Lick Lodge](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Tsavo-Salt-Lick-Lodge-1024x576.jpg)
![Treetops Lodge](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Treetops-Lodge-1024x681.jpg)
![2012 07 29 10.47.31](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/2012-07-29-10.47.31-1024x577.jpg)
![Maasai family in Amboseli](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Maasai-family-in-Amboseli-1024x667.jpg)
![Maasai women in Amboseli](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Maasai-women-in-Amboseli-1024x684.jpg)
![Amboseli Rock Python and Thomson Gazelle](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Amboseli-Rock-Python-and-Thomson-Gazelle-1024x564.jpg)
![Amboseli - Wildebeest](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Amboseli-Wildebeest-1024x620.jpg)
![Amboseli - skull](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Amboseli-skull-2-1024x683.jpg)
![Amboseli - monkey](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Amboseli-monkey-1024x728.jpg)
![Gazelle in Nairobi National Park](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SAM_3677-1024x683.jpg)
![Nairobi National Park - Buffalos in front of the skyline](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Nairobi-National-Park-Buffalos-in-front-of-the-skyline-1024x580.jpg)
![Lake Nakuru - Impala](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lake-Nakuru-Impala-960x1024.jpg)
![Lake Nakuru - Zebra and Rhino](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lake-Nakuru-Zebra-and-Rhino-1024x846.jpg)
![Lake Nakuru - Baboons](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lake-Nakuru-Baboons-1024x685.jpg)
![Lake Nakuru - Trees in the Water](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lake-Nakuru-Trees-in-the-Water-1024x675.jpg)
![Lake Nakuru - Marabou Stork](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lake-Nakuru-Marabou-Stork-1024x699.jpg)
![In the jungle, the mighty jungle..](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lake-Nakuru-Lion-Sleeping-in-a-Tree-1024x768.jpg)
![Lake Nakuru - White Rhino](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lake-Nakuru-White-Rhino-1024x813.jpg)
![Lake Nakuru - Warthogs](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lake-Nakuru-Warthogs-1024x682.jpg)
![Lake Nakuru - Zebra and Buffalos](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lake-Nakuru-Zebra-and-Buffalos-1024x877.jpg)
![Lake Nakuru - Rotschild Giraffe](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lake-Nakuru-Rotschild-Giraffe-1024x768.jpg)
![Lake Nakuru - Lion](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lake-Nakuru-Lion-1024x801.jpg)
Around the country
Pictures from Nairobi, Nanyuki, Kisumu, Kericho, Garissa and the Mount Kenya Region
..and below a collection of pictures from Nairobi, and a lot of other places I have visited throughout the years. Including, but not limited to, Kericho, Garissa, Nanyuki and Naivasha.
![Nairobi CBD Skyline - KICC, Times Tower, CBK Pension Tower](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Nairobi-CBD-Skyline-KICC-Times-Tower-CBK-Pension-Tower-1024x545.jpg)
![Nairobi National Park - Buffalos in front of the skyline](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Nairobi-National-Park-Buffalos-in-front-of-the-skyline-1024x580.jpg)
![Naivasha Hells Gate National Park 2](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Naivasha-Hells-Gate-National-Park-2-1024x607.jpg)
![Hells Gate National Park The Pride Rock](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Hells-Gate-National-Park-The-Pride-Rock-1024x730.jpg)
![Lake Naivasha Person on a tree in the water looking at a boat](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Lake-Naivasha-Person-on-a-tree-in-the-water-looking-at-a-boat-1024x668.jpg)
![Hells Gate National Park Ol Basta Rock Tower](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Hells-Gate-National-Park-Ol-Basta-Rock-Tower-1024x714.jpg)
![Lake Naivasha Fisherman](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Lake-Naivasha-Fisherman-1024x564.jpg)
![Flamingos in Lake Naivasha](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Flamingos-in-Lake-Naivasha-1024x668.jpg)
![Karura Ivy Forest](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Karura-Ivy-Forest-1024x498.jpg)
![Tsavo SGR bridge](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Tsavo-SGR-bridge-1024x532.jpg)
![Nairobi - Uhuru Park](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Nairobi-Uhuru-Park-1024x760.jpg)
![Hell's Gate - Maasai Village](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Kenya-Hells-Gate-Maasai-Village-1024x715.jpg)
![Finlays Tea Estate - Kericho](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Kericho-Finlays-3-1024x768.jpg)
![Garissa - Cows in the main streets](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Garissa-Cows-in-town-1024x557.jpg)
![Naivasha Crate Lake](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Naivasha-Crater-Lake-1024x683.jpg)
![Chang'aa factory in Mathare](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Mathare-Changaa-factory-1024x775.jpg)
![Scenery north of Mount Kenya](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Scenery-north-of-Mount-Kenya-1024x579.jpg)
![Rift Valley scenery](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Rift-Valley-scenery-1024x768.jpg)
![Mount Kenya Safari Club](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Mount-Kenya-Safari-Club-2-1024x683.jpg)
![Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/kenyatta-avenue-1-1.jpg)
![mathare 1](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/mathare-1.jpg)
![kicc 1](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/kicc-1.jpg)
![Nanyuki - Equator sign](https://i2.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Nanyuki-Equator-683x1024.jpg)
![Kenya Equator Crossing in Meru](https://i1.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kenya-Equator-Crossing-in-Meru-768x1024.jpg)
![Kenya Equator Crossing in Timboroa](https://i0.wp.com/www.bauck.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kenya-Equator-Crossing-in-Timboroa-1024x629.jpg)