Africa
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kenya
Kenyan World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Kenya map · historical landmarks in Kenya
Kenya has 8 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 5 cultural and 3 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1997 and 2024. This map of UNESCO sites in Kenya covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Kenyan World Heritage Sites range from Fort Jesus, Mombasa onwards; Lake Turkana National Parks was the country's first inscription, added in 1997; The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi is the most recent, listed in 2024; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations.
Start with Fort Jesus, Mombasa, Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley and Lake Turkana National Parks, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 8
- Cultural
- 5
- Natural
- 3
- First inscribed
- 1997
Sites on the map
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- MBAMombasa2 sites
- NYKGathiuru2 sites
- EDLEldoret1 site
- LAULamu1 site
- MYDMalindi1 site
- MRESerena1 site
Keep exploring
All 8 sites in Kenya
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kenya
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Jesus, MombasaThe Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1593-1596 to the designs of Giovanni Battista Cairati to protect the port. | 2011 | Cultural | The Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1593-1596 to the designs of Giovanni Battista Cairati to protect the port. |
| Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift ValleyThe Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley , a natural property of outstanding beauty, comprises three inter-linked… | 2011 | Natural | The Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley , a natural property of outstanding beauty, comprises three inter-linked relatively shallow lakes… |
| Lake Turkana National ParksThe most saline of Africa's large lakes, Turkana is an outstanding laboratory for the study of plant and animal communit. | 1997 | Natural | The most saline of Africa's large lakes, Turkana is an outstanding laboratory for the study of plant and animal communit. |
| Lamu Old TownLamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, retaining its traditional functions. | 2001 | Cultural | Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, retaining its traditional functions. |
| Mount Kenya National Park/Natural ForestAt 5,199 m, Mount Kenya is the second highest peak in Africa. | 1997 | Natural | At 5,199 m, Mount Kenya is the second highest peak in Africa. |
| Sacred Mijikenda Kaya ForestsThe Mijikenda Kaya Forests consist of 10 separate forest sites spread over some 200 km along the coast contain. | 2008 | Cultural | The Mijikenda Kaya Forests consist of 10 separate forest sites spread over some 200 km along the coast contain. |
| The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of GediSurrounded by a remnant coastal forest, away from the coastline, the abandoned city of Gedi was one of the most… | 2024 | Cultural | Surrounded by a remnant coastal forest, away from the coastline, the abandoned city of Gedi was one of the most important Swahili cities on the East… |
| Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological SiteSituated north-west of the town of Migori, in the Lake Victoria region, this dry-stone walled settlement was probably… | 2018 | Cultural | Situated north-west of the town of Migori, in the Lake Victoria region, this dry-stone walled settlement was probably built in the 16th century CE. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Kenya
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Kenya?
- Kenya has 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 5 cultural and 3 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Kenya?
- Lake Turkana National Parks was inscribed in 1997. The most saline of Africa's large lakes, Turkana is an outstanding laboratory for the study of plant and animal communit.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Kenya?
- The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi, inscribed in 2024. Surrounded by a remnant coastal forest, away from the coastline, the abandoned city of Gedi was one of the most important Swahili cities on the East African coa.
- Which sites in Kenya are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 3 of the 8 listings are natural: Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Turkana National Parks and Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest.
- Which UNESCO sites in Kenya are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Kenya.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Kenya?
- The 8 UNESCO-listed sites above are Kenya's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Lake Turkana National Parks (1997). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Kenyan World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 8 Kenyan UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.