Best National Parks In Kenya To See Lions On A Game Drive

During a Kenya safari, most tourists look forward to seeing lions in action as the king of the jungle reigns in the wild. Some Kenyan Game Parks where you may have chances to see lions include Masai Mara National Reserve, Nairobi National Park, Samburu National Park, Kori National Park, Mwingi National Reserve, Meru National Park, Tsavo East, and West National Park.

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While on Kenyan safari, it is best to open your mind to see other wild animals too rather than focus on spotting just the lions because you may get bored. Most of the wild animals do not have permanent locations as factors. Food sources are some of the main determinants of where these animals spend the day.

Kenya is known for its great wildebeest migration a season activity in Masai Mara National Reserve where millions of animals migrate from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. What triggers these millions of animals to start their exodus is still a mystery and one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The great wildebeest migration normally has its peak between July and September.

The lions normally get there full along the way as they pounce and savagely feast on the weak animals. The climax is at the Mara River where they join the survival for the fittest moment as wild animals struggle to get to the other side of River Mara. The bloody Mara River has huge Nile crocodiles who slaughter those too weak to get to cross this River.

You cannot tell the exact date or time when the Mara crossing will happen, but you need to keep up with the news about the trend of the great wildebeest migration season. 

During the morning or afternoon game drives in different game packs in Kenya, you have an opportunity to see animals like gazelles, impalas, Rhinos, waterbucks, bushbucks, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, Reticulated giraffes, zebras to mention but a few. Although not all these animals are found in each of these game parks, you may have the opportunity of seeing them where they are residents.

Where To Find Lions On Kenya Safari?

Masai Mara National Reserve

Other than the great wildebeest migration in Masai Mara National Reserve, when more lions prowl the park more often, lions live in this park all year around. During the game drives on the Masai Mara National Reserve tracks, you can spot other wild animals, too. Some of the resident wild animals of Masai Mara National Reserve include gazelles, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards, impalas, wildebeests, and others.

Masai Mara National Reserve offers extraordinary density of wild animals including the Big Five and other species of plain game. Game viewing is excellent and an entire year activity.

Samburu and Buffalo Spring National Reserve

This Kenya game safari destination offers excellent game viewing and superb visibility for wild animals. During the game drive in this Kenya game park, you may spot animals like lions, leopards, herds of elephants, reticulated giraffes, grevy’s Zebras, oryx, Somali ostriches, wildebeests, and so many others.

This park is composed of rounded and rugged hills plus undulating plains. In terms of vegetation, the various vegetation zones favor the survival of numerous animals. Samburu National Reserve is composed of a mix of wood and grass with riverine forests and swamps. 

A number of bird species spend their day in this national Reserve, too, because of its environment that favors their survival.

Tsavo East and West National Parks

During the game drive in the tracks of Tsavo East and West National Park, you may get the chance too spot a variety of wild animals including lions, leopards, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, wildebeests, hyenas to mention but a few.

Other than wild animals, Tsavo National Park is accredited for its biodiversity awed to the a variety of vegetation zones inclusive of bushy grassland, open plains, savannah and semi-arid acacia scrub and woodland, green swathes that cross Tsavo National Park giving rise to the lush vegetation from the Riverbanks.

Tsavo East and West National Park is historically remembered as the point where the German and British troops had the battle of supremacy during World War 1.

During the building of the Kenya-Uganda Railway, the lions in Tsavo National Park feasted on the builders hindering it progress. 

For a great nature photographic or filming experience, Tsavo East and West National Parks have great sites like the Mudanda Rock and Yatta Plateaus, the world’s largest lava flow.

Kora National Park

Kora National Park is a pristine wilderness composed of inselbergs and the Adamson’s falls, Kora rapids and Grand falls are formed resulting from the great Tana River. The topography of this park is composed of Rocky formations creating rocky formations. Kora National Park was the home of Adamson’s camp until his death.

On a game drive in Kora National Park, you may spot animals like lions, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, cheetahs, hyenas, lesser kudus and others.

Besides the game drives while on safari in Kora National Park, you may do bird watching, rock climbing, camping and other safari activities.

Mwingi Game Reserve

Mwingi Game Reserve is home to a number of wild animals that cross from other surrounding National parks. During the game drive in this park, you may spot animals like lions, leopards, hippos, caracals, gazelles, impalas, waterbucks, bushbucks, and others.

This park is one of Kenya’s untouched safari destinations. While in Mwingi game reserve, you may get the opportunity to do fishing, camel and horseback riding, fly camping and so much more.

Nairobi National Park

Although Nairobi National Park is about 7 kilometers from Nairobi city in Kenya, about 45 lions are residents of this park. During a game drive in the tracks of Nairobi National Park, you may spot animals like lions, wildebeests, hartebeest, black Rhinos, impalas, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs to mention but a few. More than 100 mammal species are residents of Nairobi National Park. 

This park borders Kapiti plains and Kitengela migration corridor which attract a huge list of wild game. If you are looking to do a game safari in Kenya but have limited time, visiting Nairobi National Park is the perfect choice.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Although game viewing in Lake Nakuru National Park is not the top park activity chances of spotting a number of wild animals are open while in Lake Nakuru National Park. During the game drive in this park, you may spot animals like cape buffaloes, lions, leopards, black Rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, elands, klipspringers, steenbok, impalas, chandler’s reedbucks, dikdik, rock hyrax and others. 

Meru National Park

Straddling the equator and dissected by about 13 rivers and mountains is Meru National Park. While on a game drive in Meru National Park, you may spot lions, hyenas, herds if elephants, cape buffaloes, waterbucks, wildebeests and others.

Meru National Park has beautiful scenery, from woodlands to the slopes of Nyambeni mountains to the wide open plains with wandering riverbanks dotted with doum plams.

This park has a history as a research point for Joy Adamson’s Born Free book. This is a true story of Adamson’s life amongst the lions and cheetahs.

What are Other Kenya safari destinations?

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is a place on the Masai land. In the Masai language, the word Amboseli means “Place of water.” Since this park is generally semi-arid, there is water that melts from Kilimanjaro glaciers and filters through thousands of rocks to converge into two clear water springs in the heart of Amboseli National Park.

 While on a game drive or waking safari in Amboseli National Park, you may have chance to spot herds of zebras, wildebeests, impalas, elephants with huge tusks, cape buffaloes and others. Amboseli is an important rangeland in Masai culture. Here, you have a chance to spot games and take part in walking safaris.

Kisite Marine National Park 

From the Kenyan coastline along the Indian Ocean, Kisite Marine National Park lies 500 kilometers with colorful coral gardens. This park has about 3 to 4 kilometers of coral reefs running close to the outer edge of the reefs from Mpuguti Marine National Reserve. More than 45 varieties of coral reefs have been identified in this park. 

Chances of spotting dolphins, bonito and frigate mackerel, freshwater porpoises, and much more.

When is the best time to do Kenya safari to see lions?

All Kenya National Parks are open to game viewing all year; however, the dry season opens more chances. The dry season generally is normally June to September and December to February when the grass is lower, so many animals search for better feeding grounds.

During the great wildebeest migration season in Masai Mara National Reserve, chances of spotting lions in action are high. These feast on the wild animals that are so tired from the long trek or too weak to complete the crossover to the other side of the Mara River. One of the reasons pointed out for the great wildebeest migration is grazers search for greener pastures on the other side of the River. The great wildebeest migration normally has its peak between July and August.

Demand for most safari logistics is on its peak too as many people have a visit to do a Kenyan safari on there bucket list. You have to do your safari amenities booking in advance otherwise the best options of your budget run out.

If you wish to see more infant births, the low season which is normally the season may provide more chances while on Kenyan safari. The wet season is normally March to May. There is plenty of grass for the infants to feed on and hide from predators. 

Since there is less demand for safaris in Kenya during this season, chances of having the lodge to yourself and making you the priority while staying in most lodges are more open. You get less disturbance on the tracks from another vehicle. You have plenty of time to spend in the game park to capture all the great moments without interruption. Although the roads are marram and dusty especially in the dry spell, the wet season is different but you need a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition.

Rules for a safari in Kenya?

• Do not go off track while on a game drive in Kenya, as this is punishable, and you may kill some animals. In case you have to seek permission from the Kenya Wildlife Services.
• Do not enter any national park without a ranger guide, especially if you have to walk. The wilderness has other occupants that may be harmful to you. Even at the lodge, follow the instructions given by the lodge staff, as wild animals have no boundaries.
• Dumping garbage is forbidden while in the wilderness as plastic wraps, cans alter the nature of the habitats where wild animals thrive.
• Shouting or making noise while in the wilderness is forbidden as this scares the wild animals. There other tourists who may want to have the same joy as you get when you locate these animals.
• Feeding wild animals is forbidden because they must depend on the supplies from their habitats and not on human provision.
• When travelling with children let them be in the company of a guardian or parent all the time.
• Do not drive off track during the game drive unless you seek permission from the Kenya Wildlife Services. Chances of driving over some hard to see wild animals are more open. Even driving into an unsafe location that may cause an accident to you is possible when you drive off track.
• Drive on the speed limit advised by park authorities because when you knock animal, you are penalized.
• Open your mind to different features, animals, and sceneries in the park, and do not expect to see all the animals in the pack everywhere. These are wild animals that move freely so enjoy your Uganda safari and not focus on spotting particular animals.

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