The best wildlife in Kenya

Kenya is often referred to as the birthplace and origin of safaris in Africa offering some of the best experiences to first time visitors on safaris and veterans as well. Known to be one of Africa’s top safari destinations, wildlife viewing is one of the things that need to be ticked off your bucket list. One of the frequently asked questions about traveling to Kenya is what type of wildlife to expect and where to spot the various wildlife species. The different safari destinations where you can watch wildlife in Kenya include the Masai Mara National Reserve, Samburu National Park, Tsavo East and West National Park, Nairobi National Park, Amboseli National Park, Aberdare National Park and Mountain Kenya National Park, among others.

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Thanks to the moderate climate experienced in Kenya, which comes in two seasons which are the dry and wet seasons, wildlife watching can be carried out throughout the year. There are two rainy seasons, also known as the Green season, and the dry season, also known as the peak season.

• The two dry seasons in Kenya are from June to October and December to February and this is the best time to go for wildlife viewing in Kenya.
• The two rainy seasons are from March to May and October to November and the best time to go for bird watching in Kenya.

Below is a list of animals that you are likely to frequently see during a safari to Kenya

Black rhinos        Rare

Crocodiles           Abundant

Buffaloes             Abundant

Hippos, giraffes, elephants, wildebeests, zebras, and crocodiles are abundant

Hyenas and lions are common

Leopards and cheetahs are occasional

White rhinos are rare

Wild dogs are extremely rare.

Lions:

Lions are known as Simba in Swahili and the king of the jungle. It is part of the big five and the first thing that you will notice is the large size of the lions that live in rides. It is exciting to see lions on your safari, and they are known to be the most powerful predators in the jungle, hunting down animals like buffaloes, zebras, antelopes, hippos and young elephants. The hunting is usually done by the female lions as the male lions lie and wait for the prey to be brought to them. Lions are a good spot to see, especially after hunting, because they lie down and relax after having a hefty meal. Enjoy the roars made by the lions and if you are lucky, you will be able to see the lioness hunting. The big cats are present in almost all the national parks in Kenya, including Masai Mara, lake Nakuru National Park, and Samburu, but note that the sightings are extremely rare.

Cheetahs:

They are known as Duma in Swahili and are the fastest land mammals on earth, running over 100km per hour or 60mph. They live in trees and are hard to spot unless they are hunting down their prey, which requires them to run on flat surface areas to easily chase down their prey. Due to their agile front legs, they can easily carry their prey, regardless of their weight, up the trees. Masai Mara is one of the best places where you can spot cheetahs due to the vast landscape of Masai Mara. They also climb trees to rest easily after hunting and to spot their prey for the next meal.

Hippos:

Hippos are known as Kiboko in Swahili and its name is derived from the Greek word for ‘river horse’ living in water most of their time. They are large mammals that can stay up to 6 minutes under water without breathing, they do not know how to swim and neither do they float but keep on bouncing in water. Hippos are unpredictable and aggressive, and that is why they have been labelled as the most dangerous animals in the world, especially when they emerge from the water and how they attack their prey. It is abundant in the country,ry but the best places to spot hippos in Kenya include the Talek and Mara Rivers in Masai Mara Nature Reserve, Amboseli NationaParkrk, Meru National Park, and Lake Nakuru National Pa,rk among others.

Buffaloes:

The Swahili name for buffaloes is Nyati, and these are part of the big five and the most dangerous animals in the world, attacking their prey while using their horns. They have uncontrollable and unpredictable temperaments, and these have few predators because the only animals that can attempt to attack are lions and crocodiles. Buffaloes are notorious grazers and depend heavily on the natural water sources in the country. Some of the areas where you can spot the African buffaloes are the Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Meru National Park, Samburu National Park, and Tsavo East and West National Parks among others.

Elephants:

Elephants are extremely abundant in Kenya, and Amboseli National Park has the highest number of elephants in Kenya. Magnificent herds of elephants can be seen all year round in Kenya and in the different national parks apart from Lake Nakuru National Park, and these include Laikipia, Samburu National Park and Masai Mara National Park. They are known as Tembo in Swahili and were once poached for their giant husks but after conservationists came up with the idea of protecting them and harsh punishments for those that are found poaching the elephants, the number has greatly increased.

Leopards:

The Swahili name for Leopards is Chui, and like the rest of the big five, it is rare to spot these animals because of the way they camouflage with their surroundings and the stealth that they use when going out hunting. Although it has spots that are similar to cheetahs, the leopards are larger than and not as fast as the cheetahs. Unlike other animals that are easily spotted in Kenya, you need to have the guidance of an experienced guide to spot the leopards because it is hard work especially if it is your first safari. Leopards are part of the big five and they can be found in Samburu National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve along the river bank areas and Amboseli National Park.

Rhinos:

Rhinos, also known as Kifaru in Swahili, are endangered species that are rarely seen in the national parks of Kenya because they were poached for their horns, leading to their extinction in some of the national parks and reserves. By 1980, poaching in Kenya had reduced the population of black rhinos to less than 300 in the whole country. Vital conservation efforts by the government and well-wishers have gradually increased the number of black rhinos in Kenya. The best places to spot the black rhinos are Lake Nakuru National Park, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, which is home to the last two remaining northern white rhinos and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Hyenas:

Hyenas, also known as Fisi in Swahili, are opportunists and natural garbage collectors as they are never far off from a kill or carcass left after predators are through with the meat. Their giggling and high laughter can be heard from a distance, and although they are mostly known for their savage nature, they are good to the environment as they are natural recyclers, leaving the national parks and reserves clean. Spotted hyenas can also be heard throughout the night as they howl and are extremely common in Kenya, found in almost all national parks in the country. Some of the places where to spot the hyenas include Masai Mara, Samburu, Mount Kenya National Park, Amboseli National Park, Meru National Park, Tsavo National Parks and Aberdare National Parks among others.

Crocodiles:

Known as Mamba in Swahili, crocodiles are distributed throughout Kenya, especially in aquatic environments like rivers, lakes, marshlands and swamps. This is the largest freshwater predator, weighing over 750kgs and reaching five meters long, especially the male adults. They normally feed on reptiles, fish, mammals and birds. The best place to spot the crocodiles is the Mara River in Masai Mara, where thousands can be seen waiting for their prey, especially during the wildebeest migration.

Giraffes:

Giraffes, also known as Twiga in Swahili, are some of the animals that you are likely to spot during your safari to Kenya. These are popular sightings for tourists visiting Kenya, and watching the tallest animal in the world as it awkwardly eats leaves and maneuvers through the parks is exciting. There are different types of giraffe species you are bound to see in Kenya including;

• Masai giraffe is abundant in most of the national parks in Kenya, like Amboseli National Park and Masai Mara Nature Reserve.
• Rothschild giraffes are the most endangered giraffe species in Kenya and can easily be spotted in Nakuru National Park and the Giraffe Manor.
• The reticulated giraffe can easily be seen in Meru National Park and Samburu National Park for better sightings.

Wildebeests:

These are abundant in Kenyan national parks and are known as Nyumbu in Swahili. Best seen during the wildebeest migration, which usually occurs between June and October, wildebeests arrive in Masai Mara Nature Reserve due to changes in the weather and in search of pasture, and when timed perfectly, the annual wildebeest migration is the most magnificent thing you need to see during your safari to Kenya. Other National parks where you can spot the wildebeests include Samburu National Park, Amboseli National Park and many others.  The Masai Mara can be extremely busy, especially during the dry season, and you need to book in advance to be able to enjoy the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara, especially the Mara crossings.

Zebras:

Zebras are Pundamilia in Swahili and are commonly described by their black and white stripes. They are one of the most common animals in Kenya. Although zebras are common and can be spotted around Kenya, most of them migrate with the wildebeest migration into Masai Mara and then to Serengeti and back to Masai Mara in a never-ending cycle. There are two types of zebras that are found in Kenya and these are the Grevy zebra and the plain zebras.

• Grevy zebras, also known as the imperial zebra, are the largest and most threatened species of zebras in Kenya. The best places to spot the Grevy zebras are the Laikipia and Samburu National Park
• The plain zebra can also be spotted in some of the national parks in Kenya.

Wild dogs:

Normally found in Samburu National Park, wild dogs are known as Mbwa Mwitu and painted wolves are some of the rarest animals to spot in Kenya. Wild dogs are an endangered species, and they are threatened by humans and outbreaks of diseases which have greatly reduced their population. They are predators that are characterized by great and super hearing, exceptional cooperation, acute intelligence, good vision and speed. If you are lucky, you will be able to spot the wild dogs on your safari to Samburu National Park in Kenya.

The Samburu Five:

The Samburu five can only be found in Samburu National Park, and these include Gerenuk, Beisa Oryx, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s Zebra. Samburu National Park is located north of Kenya and the flat plains make it home to a variety of wildlife. For tourists who wish to see the unique Samburu five and other animals, this is the best place to visit.

Other animal species that you should look out for on your visit to Kenya include Aardvarks, Aardwolf, African Hare, and Antelopes and these come in different species including Oribis antelopes, Dik-Dik and Klipspringers, Banded mongoose,  Bush babies, Bat-eared fox, Bush bucks, Chimpanzees, common elands, Coke’s Hartebeests, copper tailed monkeys/red-tailed monkeys, crested porcupine, Dwarf mongoose, Grant’s gazelle. Honey badgers and pangolins, among others.

Bird species in Kenya

Birds are part of the wildlife that can be seen in Kenya, and there are over 1000 recorded bird species in Kenya, both migratory and endemic, and many of the recorded bird species are raptors. Some of the bird species to see in Kenya include Abdim’s Stork, African darter, African Grey Hornbill, African fish eagle, African Harrier Hawk, African open bill Stork, African spoonbill, African white-backed vulture, Bateleur, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Black Headed Heron, Black-winged kite, Coqui Francolin, Egyptian goose, Fischer’s sparrow lark, Green wood Hoopoe, Grey Headed Kingfisher, Grey Kestrel, Hamerkop, Hadeda Ibis, Kori Bustard, Lappet Faced Vulture, Lilac Breasted Roller, Marabou stork, Martial Eagle, ostrich, Rufous Naped Lark, Ruppel’s Vulture, Secretary birds, Southern Ground hornbill, Southern masked weaver, spotted thick knee and Striped kingfisher among others.

Wildlife watching in Kenya is an all-year-round safari activity, and it can be carried out in both the dry and wet seasons.  Animal viewing is best done in the dry season (June to October and December to February), and bird watching is best done during the wet season (March to May).

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