Kenya National Parks, Safaris and Game Reserves

(Kenya, KE, East Africa)



Lake Nakuru National Park photographWith over 30 national parks and reserves to choose from and many stunning lakes within the Great Rift Valley, it is little wonder that Kenya has gained the reputation of being the safari capital of Africa.

The sheer quality of game viewing in Kenya's national parks really is a spectacle to behold. Add to this the fantastic scenic backdrop against which the animals move, and you can begin to understand why, for many tourists, one visit just isn't enough. Especially notable are the Nairobi National Park, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Mount Kenya, the Hell's Gate National Park, the Maasai Mara and the Samburu National Reserve.


Further view of Lake Nakuru and its resident flamingos

Lake Nakuru National Park

Address: Nakuru, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 51 221 7151
Established as a national park in Kenya back in the 1960s, Lake Nakuru has since become closely associated with saving Africa's dwindling black rhino population. The park comprises a vast area of wood, bush and grassland, which flanks Lake Nakuru itself. The lake provides a habitat for a rich variety of aquatic fauna and flora, including 300 species of birds, which can be observed from nearby hides. Perhaps the most prolific, and indeed a great spectacle, is the park's population of flamingos. Hippos and clawless otters can also be seen in the lake. On the shoreline, look out for waterbuck and zebra. In the forest, visitors stand a good chance of spotting giraffes, Colobus monkeys and leopard.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge (entry by Safari Card only)

Nairobi National Park picture, showing the city's skyline

Nairobi National Park

Address: Nairobi, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 20 600 800
Just 10 km / 6 miles south of the centre of Nairobi, it is hard to imagine such a contrast. In fact, the Nairobi National Park stands out as being the only protected reserve located so close to a major city. The grassland and forest environment of the park is home to black rhino, lions and leopards, as well as hundreds of bird species. A popular attraction is a safari trail which leads to the park's hippo pools. Facilities for visitors also include a well-appointed restaurant, where it is possible to enjoy a spot of wildlife-watching whilst enjoying a good meal.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge (entry by Safari Card only)

Scenic image of the Mount Kenya National Park

Mount Kenya National Park

Address: Nyeri, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 20 3568763
The park is dominated by snow-capped Mount Kenya which rates as Africa's second-highest mountain. Visitors to the park can enjoy a wide range of activities, from game viewing on its moorlands and forests to mountaineering on glacier-topped peaks. Particularly interesting is the way that the scenery, birds and animals on view change with the altitude, from the lower slopes to the highest points of its mountain summits.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Hell's Gate National Park picture

Hell's Gate National Park

Address: Naivasha, Great Rift Valley, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 50 50407
Located next to the birdwatching haven of Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate may not be the biggest of Kenya's national parks, but it certainly holds its own when it comes to the sheer variety of wildlife that calls the park its home. Named by two explorers Fisher and Thomson for the gatelike appearance of its cliffs, the park actually sits upon a series of hot springs and geysers, and has its own geothermal station. Rare inhabitants of the park include Lammergeyer eagles. Other bird and animal species include lions and cheetahs, Augur buzzards and swifts. Hell's Gate is rather conveniently situated just 90 km / 56 miles from Nairobi, making it a popular weekend destination for tourists. Once inside the park, the more adventurous can have a go at mountain biking, boating or climbing. Notable landmarks at Hell's Gate National Park include the Obsidian caves, the Hell's Gate cliffs themselves and the Fischer Tower, a column of rock that offers a good climb.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Meru National Park

Address: Maua, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 164 20613
Forever associated with Joy Adamson's book 'Born Free' and the film that followed, the Meru National Park is rather surprisingly not top of many visitors' safari 'must-do' lists. It is certainly the case that its often swampy terrain, criss-crossed by a dozen rivers, makes wildlife-spotting trickier than in other parks. However, it is worth making the effort. For a start, the park is less crowded than its more popular neighbours. The Meru is also home to numerous animal species, from large prides of lion and herds of buffalo to crocodiles, cheetahs and leopards. The well-marked grave of Elsa, the young lioness famously released by the Adamsons, can also be found within the park's boundaries.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge



Zebra photo, taken at the Tsavo National Park

Tsavo West National Park

Address: Tito Andei, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 43 30049
The Tsavo West National Park is perhaps best known for its landscape of volcanos, remains of lava flows, caves and springs. Wildlife enthusiasts can look out for the endangered corncrake, which can occasionally be spotted here, along with hippos, elephants and rhinos.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge (entry by Safari Card only)

Mombasa Marine Park

Address: Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 41 231 2744
Easily accessed by road from nearby Mombasa, a visit to this marine park makes a pleasant change from the wealth of inland safaris on offer. The marine life on view includes crabs, sea cucumbers and any number of other exotic sea creatures that thrive in the coral environment of the Kenyan coast. It is worth remembering to pack flip flops to protect your feet when strolling on the reef.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Image of the famous Maasai Mara National Reserve

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Address: Kenya, KE, Africa
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is perhaps one of Kenya's most popular national reserves. It certainly offers wildlife in abundance, including herds of elephants, rhino, gazelles, cheetahs and lions. From July to October, the reserve plays host to the spectacular sight of wildebeest migration. The animals travel over 960 km / 600 miles, starting in Tanzania and ending in the Maasai Mara, at the Mara River. For those interested in indigenous culture, a traditional Maasai village is also open to those visiting the reserve. Whilst for some people the reserve can be just a little too busy, few can resist the opportunity to take to the air in a hot air balloon.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Amboseli National Park photo, showing elephants

Amboseli National Park

Address: Namanga, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 20 600 800
Elephants and Mount Kilimanjaro are undoubtedly the two main attractions of Amboseli National Park. From the park's Observation Hill, it is possible to get a great view over both. Visitors to the Amboseli can also find out more about the culture and lives of the indigenous Maasai group who live there.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge (entry by Safari Card only)

Image of giraffes at the Aberdare National Park

Aberdare National Park

Address: Nyeri, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 20 600 800
Forested slopes and deep ravines make up the geography of Aberdare National Park. Visitors stand a good chance of spotting black rhino, black and white Colobus monkeys and baboons. A lucky few may even get a glimpse of the bongo, a rarely spotted species of forest antelope. Look to the skies and there is also plenty of birdlife to photograph, including eagles and goshawks.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge (entry by Safari Card only)

Malindi Marine National Park view

Malindi Marine National Park

Address: Malindi, Kenya, KE, Africa
Tel: +254 20 600 800
With its reefs, coral gardens and mangroves, Malindi is an enjoyable alternative to land-based wildlife spotting. Warm ocean swimming and glass bottom boat trips are on the list of visitor activities, along with an opportunity to visit coral gardens and see tropical fish in their natural habitat.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge (entry by smart card system)

Picture of African elephants at the Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve

Address: Isiolo, Kenya, KE, Africa
The relatively small Samburu National Reserve has become a popular tourist destination of late. Located in the northern part of Kenya, the reserve is dominated by the Ewaso Nyiro River, a great attraction for the animals during the dry season. Rare animals found within the borders of the park include the long-necked gerenuk (a giraffe-necked antelope), as well as reticulated giraffe and the Beisa or East African Oryx. Evening entertainment sometimes includes a glimpse of Samburu villagers performing traditional dances.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge