Kenya’s
National Parks & Reserves
Our Recommended Kenyan
Park’s & Reserves
Kenya hosts an impressive array of safari and wilderness destinations. These areas provide diverse experiences for adventure-seeking travellers. The National Parks and Reserves play a key role in protecting Kenya’s flora, fauna, and ecosystems. Additionally, they safeguard the country’s diverse wildlife and birdlife.
With 23 National Parks and 4 National Marine Parks, Kenya offers abundant opportunities for exploration. The country also features 28 National Reserves, 6 National Marine Reserves, and 4 National Sanctuaries. Together, these protected areas provide a wealth of options for travellers eager to discover Kenya’s natural beauty.
Each destination boasts unique highlights and attractions, making every visit memorable. Below, we showcase some of Kenya’s most popular and distinctive parks and reserves.
Masai Mara
National Reserve
The Masai Mara National Reserve stands as one of Kenya’s best-known and most established wildlife destinations. It borders Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, creating a seamless wildlife corridor. This year-round safari spot offers incredible opportunities to see big game. Visitors can spot big cats, plains game, and abundant birdlife throughout the reserve.
Notably, the Masai Mara hosts part of the Great Migration from July to November. During this time, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest cross from the Serengeti into the Masai Mara. Due to its popularity and proximity to Nairobi, the Masai Mara can become busy. The Dry Season, when game viewing is optimal, tends to attract the most visitors.
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park lies on the border of Tanzania, offering Mount Kilimanjaro as a stunning backdrop. This park provides a picturesque safari experience with incredible landscapes. It is well-known for large elephant herds that amble across its scrub-covered plains.
Amboseli delights visitors with breathtaking scenery and quality game viewing. The park hosts a diverse range of wildlife and abundant birdlife. As Kenya’s second most popular park, Amboseli often sees a steady flow of visitors. Its close proximity to Nairobi adds to its appeal, making it easy to access. Amboseli is also ideal to combine with visits to nearby parks for a richer safari experience.
Samburu
National Reserve
This lesser-known, remote park in northern Kenya teems with abundant wildlife. Samburu’s dramatic landscape features the Ewaso Ngiro River, which sustains the resident animals. As one of Kenya’s smaller parks, Samburu sees fewer visitors than popular spots like Amboseli or the Masai Mara. This quieter setting makes it ideal for travellers seeking a more peaceful safari experience.
Samburu also boasts the Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, ostrich, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, and the gerenuk. These unique species make Samburu an exciting destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
Hell’s Gate
National Park
Although its name sounds foreboding, Hell’s Gate National Park offers a wonderful safari experience. The park features cliffs, gorges, volcanoes, rock towers, and geothermal steam. This diverse landscape is enough to captivate any visitor. Hell’s Gate takes its name from a narrow, gate-like break in the cliffs. Open year-round, the park is ideal for walking safaris and camping trips. Its smaller size and close distance to Nairobi make it perfect for a day trip as well.
Mount Kenya National Park
UNESCO listed Mount Kenya National Park as a World Heritage Site in 1997. It remains one of East Africa’s most impressive landscapes. The mountain, an ancient extinct volcano, serves as the park’s focal point. Around it, diverse habitats spread out, including lakes, glaciers, springs, forests, and grasslands.
Visitors can enjoy game viewing across the lower slopes and grasslands. Meanwhile, hiking and climbing activities take place on the higher sections. This stunning area offers breathtaking natural beauty. It provides a peaceful and quieter safari escape for those seeking tranquillity.
Meru National Park
Many visitors describe Meru National Park as a “complete wilderness.” Located in central Kenya, Meru served as the setting for Joy Adamson’s famous book Born Free. This small, rugged park features a mix of savannah, jungle, rivers, and large termite mounds. Swamps and grasslands add to its diverse terrain, creating habitats that support a variety of wildlife.
Several rivers flow through the park, further enriching its landscapes. In addition, the park offers breathtaking views of Mount Kenya, making each visit truly memorable.
Lake Nakuru
National Park
Vast flocks of pink flamingoes captivate visitors at Lake Nakuru National Park. This park lies within the Great Rift Valley. Its main feature, the shallow and alkaline Lake Nakuru, is home to these famous flamingoes. A true haven for birds and birding enthusiasts, Lake Nakuru National Park offers both scenic beauty and ecological diversity.
In addition to birdlife, the park’s varied habitats teem with game animals. Furthermore, Lake Nakuru has become a sanctuary for endangered black and white rhinos.
Tsavo East and West
National Parks
Combined, Tsavo East and Tsavo West make up the biggest area of protected land in Kenya. Visitors to Tsavo can look forward to dramatic scenery,including Mzima Springs and Lugard Falls, and exciting game viewing. Tsavo East is well –known for its large herds of elephants covered in layers of red dust as well as its resident buffalo. The remote areas in the east are home to a wealth of wildlife which gather along the rivers. The west is notable for rugged landscapes and lush vegetation. Tsavo National Park is located near to Kenya’s coastal region making it a great addition to a Kenya beach holiday (alternatively a visit to the coast is a great addition to a visit to the park).
Nairobi National Park
As one of the world’s only National Parks to be found right next to a capital city, Nairobi National Park is definitely unique. Skyscrapers are the backdrop to one of Africa’s smallest parks. Only a short drive from the center of the city, the park is incredibly accessible to visitors to Nairobi. A variety of wildlife wonders across the acacia dotted plains including elusive black rhino. Nairobi National Park offers walking trails, picnic sites as well as camping sites.