1. Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the greatest parks sheltering wildlife in Africa. The Park is famous for The Big Five animals (Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhinos and Buffalo). Tourists love visiting the park for its characteristic large numbers of wildlife and birds. The western part of the reserve has an escarpment where a significant large number of animals concentrate. What amazes tourists in this reserve is the annual migration of wildebeests.

The animals shift on July and return on November and is among the 7th wonder of the world. The park has the largest concentration of African lions, including the black-maned lion. Bird life is in plenty as wildlife at the Mara, which boasts over 400 different bird species. Keep your camera ready to capture everything from elephants to gazelles, crocodiles and lions.

2. Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is one of the largest parks in Kenya. The climate of the region is dry in most time of the year. It shelters many wild animals with elephants forming a significant number of the animals. There are more than 75 mammals in the park. From a distance, you can Zebras and wildebeests grazing on the natural grassland.

The park also provides shelter to more than 400 species of birds. Lodges are adequate and comfortable. Tourists take picture with the huge African elephants in the park. While in park, travelers are also able to view Mount Kilimanjaro a distance away. One can get to the park through the Nairobi-Namanga road and enter the park through Mashenani gate or through Remito gate after Emali, which is 240km away from Nairobi.

3. Samburu National Reserve

Found in the rift valley to the north of Mount Kenya is Samburu National Reserve. The area is gently low lying due to lava flow that resulted from volcanic activities. The climate here is hot and semi-arid. Acacia trees are dominant in the region while animals such as zebra, buffalo, lions, leopards, hyena, giraffe and others are in large numbers. It is one of the sanctuaries with a characteristic large number of birds. Crocodiles and hippos are sheltered in a river crossing the park. Due to aridity conditions in the region, animals find water from oases within the park.

Several lodges and camps in the reserve make it distinctive. Adjacent to Samburu National Reserve is Buffalo Springs National Reserve. Rare species of animals in the reserve distinguish it from the rest in the republic. Beisa Oryx, Somali ostrich, grevy’s zebra, gerenuk and reticulated giraffe are the main extinct species found in the reserve unlike in other others. Explorers access the harbor from Nanyuki or using the airstrip available in the buffalo springs.

4. Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park is a standpoint and a harbor for watching more than 400 species of birds in rift valley. Visitors can enjoy the wide ecological diversity and varied habitats that range from Lake Nakuru itself to the surrounding escarpment. As you visit the lake, game animals are in large numbers. Hippos, buffalos and many species of birds are unstoppable. Flamingos are prominently notable just like in Lake Naivasha. Lake Nakuru National Park is ideal for bird watching, hiking, picnic and game drives.

5. Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo East National Park is located 333km from Nairobi city. The park is a habitat to large animals such as red elephants, buffalos, rhino, lions, hippos, crocodiles, gerenuk and others. Over 500species of birds are available in the park as well. Swampy marshes and thorny bushes occupy a large area in the park. More than 300km stretch of a Yatta define the park plateau, which gives it a plain-like appearance. Travelers coming from Nairobi can access the park via Voi gate or via Manyani gate for those coming from Mombasa. The recently launched railway transport cuts between Tsavo East and Tsavo West making it a suitable medium of accessing both parks.

6. Tsavo West National Park

Tsavo West National Park encompass many attractions. Mountains and hills are available in the park, which attracts climbers. Savanna and semi-arid scrub present in the reserve also attract travelers. Many people visiting the park love the wildlife safaris as they closely view animals while moving through the park. This is where tourists are able to observe the red-skinned elephants and stunning species of birds. In the park, visitors are able to observe Chyulu Hills a distance away from the park. It is tremendous to see lions sleeping under shades while gorillas and cheetah confidently stroll on roads in front of safari vehicles. You definitely need to arm yourself with a camera to take pictures in the beautiful landscape.

7. Aberdare National Park

Aberdare National Park is located in central province of Kenya cutting across two counties: Nyeri and Nyandarua. It is approximately 100km from Nairobi city. The park has mountain ranges, which rise up to 4,300m high with rivers descending on scarps forming beautiful waterfalls. At its lowland, rainforest, moorland and bamboo forests are thick due to the high amount of rainfall experienced in the region.

Wild animals such as elephants, bushbucks, olive baboons, mountain reedbucks, Waterbucks, Cape buffalos and leopards among others characterize the park. More than 250 species of birds are evident in the park as well. Apart from enjoying walking through picnics, visitors also love seeing rivers, animals and birds. The establishment of Nyeri and Mweiga airstrips within the park makes transport convenient for travelers into and out of the park.

8. Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is one of the prime sanctuaries of Laikipia Plateau and all of the Big Five are present. Its highlights include the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa; a population of southern white rhino; a refuge for the last two northern white rhino left in the world; and Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, housing orphaned and abandoned chimpanzees. Ol Pejeta offers excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities. All of the Big Five are here and sightings of both black rhino and white rhino are common. It has some of the highest predator densities in the region, and aside from the big cats, there is a chance of seeing wild dogs. Other endangered species here include the beisa oryx, Jackson’s hartebeest and Grevy’s zebra.

9. Lake Naivasha & Hell’s Gate

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake found in the great rift valley of Kenya. It has a dense population of animals such as hippos and several species of birds. Travelers enjoy riding on waters with the help of boat operators at a favorable fee. Horticultural practices surrounding the lake also present a stunning economic feature that not only is attractive to tourists’ view but also provides them with an opportunity to learn techniques employed to carry out horticultural farming.

Hell’s Gate National Park is located in Naivasha. It harbors a wide range of wildlife and more than 90 species of birds. Towering cliffs, gorges, volcanoes, and geothermal steams form the main attraction in the park. Walking safaris are common in the park; hence, it is suitable for family members to take a walk in the park. Besides, travelers can pitch tents within the park and enjoy biking. What is more, visitors can climb to the Fischer’s tower or central tower to view animals and the landscape all round.

10. Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park lies within sight of Nairobi city, and one can see animals against a backdrop of city scrapers. The park’s proximity to a large urban center is unique in Africa and wildlife viewing is surprisingly good. Wide-open grass plains and scattered acacia bush play host to a wide variety of wildlife and diverse birdlife. Most big safari animals are present (except elephants). Visitors can enjoy the park’s picnic sites, three campsites and the walking trails for hikers. There is a small walk at the entrance leading through indigenous forest, and several wildlife enclosures.

Kenya offers excellent wildlife viewing and on a standard safari you can see all the big five wild animals. The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the best places in Africa to see big cats. Lake Nakuru National Park offers a great opportunity to spot White Rhinos. The Rift Valley lakes, especially Lake Bogoria, attract thousands of flamingo, which feed in the shallow waters.

The best time to visit Kenya is during the Dry season from late July to October (these are the best wildlife viewing months). The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Masai Mara in August and remains until October when they move back to the Serengeti in Tanzania. The Masai Mara National Reserve offers great wildlife viewing throughout the year. In the peak of the rainy season, most other parks, especially in the highlands and along the coast, can be problematic due to heat, humidity and continuous rain.

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