Maasai Mara National Reserve

Maasai Mara is located South-West of Kenya and is regarded as the finest safari destination in Kenya, if not in Africa. One will meet the ‘Big Five’ including Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, and Buffalo. Other animals found here are wildebeest, zebras, giraffe, Thompson’s gazelle, and a good number of bird species.

The Maasai Mara is known to have the highest number of lions in the whole world.

Moreover, it is well known for the annual wildebeest migration that involves the movement of wildebeest accompanied by zebras from the neighboring Serengeti. The vegetation here is grassland and small forests with clumps of acacia trees.

Maasai Mara is about 5 hours by road from Nairobi and 45 minutes by flight. Flights from Diani, Malindi, Lamu, and Mombasa are also possible.

Activities: Game viewing, photography, bird watching, wildebeest migration, cultural visits, balloon safaris, horse riding, and filming.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli together with Lake Nakuru and Nairobi National Park are referred as premium parks in Kenya. Located in the Southern part of Kenya, near Tanzania border, Amboseli is home to a good number of wildlife including birds, savannah vegetation, and exciting Maasai culture.

What makes Amboseli stand out from the rest of the parks is the spectacular view of the Africa’s tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Moreover, this park is unique for being home to a large number of elephants and anyone to this place has to meet several herds of them grazing leisurely. There are also other animals to look out for including buffalo, giraffe, zebra, leopard, rhino, lesser kudu, and over 600 bird species.

Activities: Game viewing, photography, bird watching, balloon ride, cultural tour and camping

Lake Nakuru National Park

This park just like Amboseli is one Kenya’s premium parks. Lake Nakuru is located North-West of Nairobi, 170 kilometers away. Lake Nakuru is home to the largest number of rhinos in Kenya. Apart from flamingoes, there are over 450 bird species making it a good bird watching spot for birders. Other animals accommodated here include; the hippo, leopard, lion, waterbuck, impala, gazelle, hyena, and colobus monkey, and Rothschild’s giraffe which is an endangered species.

Activities: Game viewing, bird watching, camping, and photography.

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu is one of the least known national parks in Kenya although it has gained popularity over the recent years with its unique location and wildlife. Located on the banks of Ewaso Nyiro river, and the savannah plains, Samburu attracts wildlife from surrounding bushes. This place is located in Nothern Kenya approximately 350 kilometers away from the bustling city of Nairobi and since it is less visited, it is a good spot for those who love tranquility and want less crowded areas.

Activities: game viewing, bird watching, nature walks, cultural visits, sundowner dinner, and bush breakfast.

Nairobi National Park

Located just 7 kilometers away from the city centre of Nairobi, Nairobi National Park is for those who are on business trip and would like to sample what Kenya has to offer in terms of wildlife. It is unique because it is the only protected area in a capital city. This park is home to a number of wildlife including black rhino, cheetah, hyena, giraffe, zebra, elands, leopard, lion, buffalo, and a good number of bird species. This park is also endowed with other attractions namely Nairobi Safari Walk, Animal Orphanage, and walking trails at the hippo pool. It is definitely an ideal place for those on short trips to Kenya.

Activities: Game viewing and nature walks

Mount Kenya

Mt. Kenya is located 175 kilometers, North-East of Nairobi and it is the 2nd highest mountain in Africa with 5,199 m after Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It is the largest water source for about 50% of the country’s population. Mount Kenya has unique and beautiful landscapes characterised by afro-alpine moorlands, diverse forests and a rugged glacier-clad summit. Some of the things to look out for while climbing Mt. Kenya is the small lakes, glaciers, a variety of geological matter, forest, mineral springs, rare and endangered animal species, wildlife adapted to the high altitude climate, montane and alpine vegetation. Wildlife found there includes elephants, bush buck, water buck, elands, and white-tailed mongoose. On a lucky day, one can see leopard, rhino and the giant forest hog. Birds are also present here with over 130 species having been recorded.

Activities: Game viewing, camping, trekking, mountaineering, bird watching, photography, and filming.

Aberdares National Park

Aberdares National Park covers the higher side of the wider Aberdare Mountain Ranges of Central Kenya with an area mass of 767 Km². It is rich in topography of deep ravines that cuts through the forest. Wildlife found here includes leopard, white colobus monkey, baboon, elephant, sykes monkey, and black rhino. While here one will notice that the elephants are dominant around water holes and salt lick.

Activities: Game viewing, camping, picnics, bird watching, photography, and trekking.

Tsavo East & Tsavo West National Park

This is the largest park in Kenya that covers 4% of Kenya’s total land area with Tsavo East being the larger of the two. Tsavo East is a hub to large herds of elephants just like Amboseli and other wildlife including rhino, lion, buffalo, waterbuck, zebra, and over 500 species of birds. This park is usually suited for those visitors on leisure on the coastal side of Kenya and would love to combine the bush and the beach. Apart from a good number of wildlife presence, Tsavo also boasts other attractions including the “Shetani Lavas,” Lugard Falls on the Galani River, Mudanda Rock, as well as the Mzima Springs with cool waters.

Activities: Game viewing, walking safaris, and bird watching.

Mount Longonot

This is a beautiful mountain located just 85 kilometers away from Nairobi making it applicable for a day trip. This mountain has V-shaped valleys and ridges with little vegetation with the crater having an impenetrable forest. It has a rough terrain and cannot be accessed by vehicles making it a good spot for hiking. Hiking to the top of the rim will provide a good view of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha.

Activities: Hiking, biking, and nature viewing

Hell's Gate National Park

Hell's Gate is located about 90 kilometers away from Nairobi and is in the environs of Lake Naivasha. It is a park that is characterised by savannah vegetation and harbors a good number of wildlife. Wildlife found in Hells Gate includes zebra, African Buffalo, hartebeest, klipspringer, Chanler’s mountain reedbuck, and Thomson’s gazelle, and over 100 bird species.

Activities: Hiking, cycling, camping, photography, game viewing and bird watching

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is one of Kenya’s conservancies that seek to ensure that endangered species are protected for many years to come. This conservancy which is situated in Laikipia, and sitting along the equator is well known for being the only place in Kenya if not East Africa that hosts caged Chimpanzees. Moreover it is regarded as the East Africa’s Largest Black Rhino Sanctuary as well as home to endangered Northern White Rhinos and Southern White Rhinos. This park also prides itself on a good number of wildlife including the ‘Big Five,’ grevy’s zebra, cheetah and Jackson’s hartebeest.

Activities: Wildlife viewing, guided nature walks, and cultural visits

Kenya Coast

This includes Diani, Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu and Watamu.

Activities: Water sports (swimming, diving, surfing), game viewing, cultural visits to Lamu, and Cultural festivals