Kenya ranks top adventure holiday destination in Africa
Kenya is the best country in Africa and 10th best in the world to visit for adventure holiday, a new study has revealed.
The survey findings could improve Kenya’s credentials as a tourist destination. It was conducted by Slingo.
Several natural adventure spots such as coral reef areas, waterfalls and volcanoes were considered as the parameters to gauge the adventure score.
According to the study, Kenya was awarded 7.26 points out of 10. The US was ranked the most suitable for adventure tourism in the world, scoring 9.44 points out of 10.
To feature on the top ten beautiful countries, Kenya offers a wide range of spots for natural adventure, including 21 volcanoes, 630km2 of coral reef, the highest point of 5,199m, one waterfall that has a height of over 152m and 20 national parks.
Top rated US has 162 volcanoes, 3,770 square kilometres of coral reef area, the highest point of 6,190m, 69 waterfalls that exceed a height of 152m and 63 national parks.
Mexico comes in second after scoring 8.65 out of the mandatory 10 points while Japan is in third position with 8.39 points.
In fourth position is Australia with 8.25 points, France sits in position five with 8.09 while the Philippines makes a cut in the countries that have scored over eight points with 8.06
Global ranking
New Zealand, Costa Rica and Indonesia are ranked seventh, eighth and ninth with 7.34, 7.30, and 7.29 points respectively.
Australia with 685 national parks leads in this category while Indonesia has the largest area under the coral reef with 51,020 square kilometres.
The Asian nation also tops with the highest point at 4,884m followed by France with a highest point of 4,810m.
Kenya has maintained its top position as a tourism destination owing to its natural destination and vibrant hospitality industry.
Ministry of Tourism estimates that last year there was an 83 per cent increase in revenue generated by the tourism sector which was worst hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The country made Sh269 billion from tourism in 2022 after receiving 1.5 million tourists, the highest number in the post-pandemic period and a 70 percent increase compared to 2021 arrivals of 870,465.
The tourism ministry attributed the growth to the relaunch of airlines services where new routes were established, increased airline frequencies and reopening of international hotel chains. USA had the most tourists destined for Kenya with 16 per cent while neighbours Uganda followed with 12 per cent.
