Top 5 Game Reserves in Kenya
When you think of a safari in Africa, what scenes spring to mind? Herds of wildlife on vast open plains, a pride of lion on the hunt, the sun setting behind an acacia tree, red-robed Maasai under a clear blue sky – these are all images of Kenya. The birthplace of the safari, Kenya is still considered one of the best places to see Africa’s herds and prides.
Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or a newbie looking to dive into the African wild, visiting the best safari parks in Kenya is always an adventure. Watching your favourite predators from up close, coming across thousands of animals, enjoying untouched wild expanses of jungle and exploring a remote African culture, there really is no better experience that the world of travel has to offer. And when you get to do that in parks that actually gave birth to the concept, you’re truly in for a treat.
So without further ado, these are the safaris you must visit while in Kenya.
1. Maasai Mara National Reserve
The magnificent Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is on the wishlist of wildlife lovers around the world. Famous for the Great Migration from July through October, when thousands of wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelle, and zebra travel between here and the Serengeti plains, this park offers some of Africa’s best wildlife viewing. The park protects the “Big Five,” and is known for its large numbers of predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards, while hippos and crocs thrive in the Mara River. The red-cloaked Maasai people who live in the park add a fascinating cultural component. In their language, Mara means “mottled,” perhaps for the shadows cast by shifting light through the acacia trees on the cloud-streaked horizons, making a hauntingly beautiful canvas for photographers.
2. Amboseli National Park
Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, presides over this diverse park, which is famous for its large herds of elephants. This is Kenya’s second most popular national park after Maasai Mara National Reserve. Five different habitats lie within its borders, including a swamp system, dense woodlands, savannah, and the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli. Thanks to these contrasting ecosystems, wildlife is varied and abundant with plenty of big cats, such as cheetah and lion, as well as waterbuck, gazelle, impala, and more than 600 species of birds. Elephants bathing in red dust against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the iconic images photographers might capture during the dry season at this famous park. Visitors here also have the chance to visit a Maasai village near the park and learn about this fascinating tribe, who live around the park’s borders.
3. Tsavo Conservation Area
Comprised of Tsavo West, Tsavo East, and Chyulu Hills National Park, this is the largest park in Kenya and boasts the country’s biggest population of elephants. Tsavo West is the most popular of these parks with Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary as well as the croc and hippo-filled Mzima Springs. Chaimu Crater is a great spot to see birds of prey. The dense foliage, especially in the park’s northern reaches, makes the wildlife more difficult to spot, but the lush landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for photos. Rock climbing is also a popular activity in the park.
Tsavo East, halfway between Nairobi and Mombasa, is much more arid than its western sibling. Large herds of elephant roll in the red dust here, baobabs dot the parched plains, and the palm-fringed Galana River snakes through the dry landscapes.
4. Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest peak. Mount Kenya is a UNESCO World Heritage site and seat of the Kikuyu God, Ngai. The Reserve is home to rare species of animals as well as spectacular lakes, mineral springs and forests. The mountain is an incredibly important watershed, providing water for about 50% of Kenya’s population and producing 70% of Kenya’s hydroelectric power.
5. Samburu Game Reserve
No list of the best safari parks in Kenya would ever feel complete without mentioning the Samburu Game Reserve. Samburu might feel like an infant in front of some of the mammoth parks over there, but make no mistake, its small size has no bearing on the variety of animals or experiences found here. The park is full of game animals and it is among the few in Africa whose lodges offer camel safaris.
When you think of a safari in Africa, what scenes spring to mind? Herds of wildlife on vast open plains, a pride of lion on the hunt, the sun setting behind an acacia tree, red-robed Maasai under a clear blue sky – these are all images of Kenya. The birthplace of the safari, Kenya is still considered one of the best places to see Africa’s herds and prides.
Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or a newbie looking to dive into the African wild, visiting the best safari parks in Kenya is always an adventure. Watching your favourite predators from up close, coming across thousands of animals, enjoying untouched wild expanses of jungle and exploring a remote African culture, there really is no better experience that the world of travel has to offer. And when you get to do that in parks that actually gave birth to the concept, you’re truly in for a treat.
So without further ado, these are the safaris you must visit while in Kenya.
The magnificent Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is on the wishlist of wildlife lovers around the world. Famous for the Great Migration from July through October, when thousands of wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelle, and zebra travel between here and the Serengeti plains, this park offers some of Africa’s best wildlife viewing. The park protects the “Big Five,” and is known for its large numbers of predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards, while hippos and crocs thrive in the Mara River. The red-cloaked Maasai people who live in the park add a fascinating cultural component. In their language, Mara means “mottled,” perhaps for the shadows cast by shifting light through the acacia trees on the cloud-streaked horizons, making a hauntingly beautiful canvas for photographers.