Top 5 Famous National Parks in Kenya

The top 5 National Park of Kenya include Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo East and West National Park and Nairobi National Park. Kenya is a game haven with a number of destinations were several wild animals are residents. The existence of Kenyan game parks is attributed to the continued presence of active conservation bodies in these wild life parks, community sensitization and government support to the wildlife conservation bodies.

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Kenya is a rich wildlife destination and therefore this may make it quite hard to make a choice of which destinations to put on the list of the best five National Parks in the country. The Masai Mara National Reserve stands out because of the Great wildebeest migration one of the 8 natural wonders in the world. The starting and ending period of the great wildebeest migration and why it takes the same trend every year is still a mystery.

Famous 5 National Parks of Kenya

Masai Mara National Park

The Masai Mara National Park is was opened in 1974 ad covers an area of 1510 kilometers. It is the most famous Kenya Wildlife destination because of the mysterious great wildebeest migration which happens every year. The great wildebeest migration which starts from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania  and ends in Masai Mara National Park is among the 8 natural wonders of the world

During the great Wildebeest migration, multitudes of wild animals engage in an exodus every year but its starting and ending time are just assumptions. During the great Wildebeest migration, witnessing Mara crossing is the highlight of the adventure where multiple animals push there way to cross the crocodile crowded Mara River. A number of animals are savaged on by the carnivores leaving a bloody appearance in the water of the river.

While on game drive in Masai Mara National Park, you may spot lions, leopards, Elands, impalas, cheetahs, giraffes, kudus, wildebeests, waterbucks, gazelles, reedbucks, hyenas, Rhinos, elephants, zebras and others. These animals are present in the reserve all year but the number increase during the great wildebeest migration season.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park is the magnet for Ornithologists because of the lesser flamingos that create pink effect on the shoreline of Lake Nakuru. Lake Nakuru National Park was opened in June 1968 and covers an area of188 square kilometers. the Park has a variety of wooded and bushy grassland escarpment and ridges.

During a game drive in Lake Nakuru, you may spot buffaloes, giraffes, black rhinos, elands, Steinbok, impalas, chandlers reedbucks, klipspringers, dik dik and others. other bird species are present in the park.

Amboseli National Park

The Amboseli National Park has the great view of the famous Mountain Kilimanjaro which is an all year snowcapped single standing block.  Amboseli National Park was opened in April 1948 but covers an area of 392 square kilometers. locally in Masai language, the word “Amboseli” means a “place of water”. Within the heart of Amboseli National Park are two clear water springs that result from water sipping through underground thousands of feet of Volcanic rock but this water melts from the glaciers on top of mountain Kilimanjaro

There is endemic dust that spewed from Mountain Kilimanjaro thousands of years ago and left the dust effect however during the extreme dry weather, these appear like a shimmering dry lake bed with a false mirage of populated horizons but some herds of zebras and wildebeest are seen in this occurrence.

In Amboseli National Park, the bull elephants have larger tusks. During the game drive in Amboseli National Park, you may sport, wildebeests ( Gnu), elephants, lions, hyenas, waterbucks, Zebras, impalas, bushbucks and others. A multitude of birds are residents of the park too. Amboseli National Park is a strategic photograph safari location in Kenya because of the backdrop of the Mountain Kilimanjaro and its snowcapped top that provides a great background for nature photography theme.

Tsavo East and West National Park

Tsavo East and West National Park one of the oldest and largest National Parks in Kenya. It was opened in 1948 bur covers an area of 11747 square kilometers. This park is a rich wildlife habitat as it is regarded as one of the leading biodiversity strongholds. The environment round the park supports the existence a number of wild animals as it is composed of bushy grassland, open plains, savanah and semiarid acacia shrub and woodlands, the river banks give rise to lush vegetation.

For a great photography safari with super lighting and great views, the Musanda Rocks and Yatta plateaus which is a wide larva flow in the world is exceptional. When building the Kenya Uganda Railway, a number of lions savaged on the railway workers as they tried to construct the rails which delayed the progress of this project. In the first world war, the British and German soldiers has a battle of supremacy.

Nairobi National Park

Just outside Nairobi city is Nairobi National Park which occupies an area of 117 square kilometers. From Nairobi city, the distance to get to Nairobi National Park is about 7 kilometers. More than 100 mammal species are recorded as residents if this park. The most common and permanent residents of Nairobi National Park are the black Rhinos but most of the other animals are seasonal. These animals migrate via the Kitengela migration corridor but the park also borders the south Kapiti plains

It is a get way destination in case you are tired of the chaotic noise in the city.

Other Kenya Safari Destinations

Meru National Park

Meru National Park which covers an area of 870 square kilometers is at a distance of 348 kilometers from Nairobi city. This Kenya National Park was opened in 1968. The  Meru National Park has 13 rivers that dissect it and several mountains. The stunning scenery around the park includes woodlands which are 3000 feet on the slopes of Nyambeni Mountains, winding riverbanks dotted with doum palms,

During a game drive in the park, you may get the chance to spot herds of elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, elands, impalas, waterbucks, bushbucks and others. More than 300 bird species have been identified as residents of Meru National Park including Peters fin foot, fish eagles and others.

Meru National Park is close to Koru National Park and Bisanadi National Park.

Samburu And Buffalo Springs National Reserves

Samburu And Buffalo springs National reserves have amazing features composed of rounded and rugged hills. The undulating plains are amazing to watch. The vegetation around the park is composed of wood and grassland including Riverine forest and Swamp.

While on a game drive in these parks you may encounter Reticulated giraffes, grevy’s zebras, herds of elephants, Somali Ostriches, a rich bird life with over 365bird species recorded and much more. 

Shimba Hills National Reserve

From Mombasa town, Shimba Hills National Reserve is at a distance of about 56 kilometers. While on a game drive in this park, you find a lush scenery, stunning botanically rich coastal  rain forest, beautiful orchids  and others.

During the game drive in the park, you may find the sable antelopes and others. when in this park, you enjoy the view of the Shedrick falls when at the flat grasslands.

Kisite Marine National Park

The Kisite Marine National Park is located in the southern most point of Kenya which is approximately 500 kilometers from the coast line. The Kisite Marine National Park has some of the most beautiful coral gardens in East Africa. This park lies in shallow water and can be reached using a motorboat.

In terms of size, the Kisite Marine National Park corals are estimated to be about 3 to 4 kilometers long. They run along and at the edges of the reefs from Mpuguti Islands to Kisite. These reefs have one of the most complex ecosystems with over 45 coral species so far identified. These Corals are intact too.

While at Kisite Marine National Park, there are chances of spotting the dolphins, Frigate Mackerel, fresh water porpoises and others.

When is the best Time To Do A safari in Kenya.

Although Kenya is open all year, the dry season is most preferred for safaris. The dry season which is normally June to October and December to February. The environment in most Kenya game parks is dry with most grassland areas being open grass areas allowing better visibility of the animals in this park.

The great wildebeest migration which is expected to be on its peak that is normally July to August happens in this period. Expected more tourists visiting Kenya in this season and high competition for the limited logistical supplies to match up with the demand.

Most of the prices levies on safari amenities are gross and finding discounts on the supporting logistics may be quite hard.

The tracks in the game parks of Kenya are quicker to explore however expect some dusty environment created by the so many vehicles in the park. Have a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle to use when on safari in the game parks of Kenya because the roads are rough, bumpy and may get messy too.

The wet season may not be bad time to do a safari in Kenya because you may get the chance to see some new births. The wet season is normally March to May and November when more rains are experienced in the park and the grass taller as this acts as a hiding spot for the vulnerable infants. Most Kenya game parks experience and increase in the population of wild animals because there is plenty to feed on.

Those wishing not to share their moments on safari in Kenya with crowds may take advantage of the low season when some discounts may be offered on some amenities. Even when you have a limited budget, the low season may be that opportunity you can use to do a Kenya safari when competition for most services is low too.

How Safe Is Kenya When On Safari

Kenya is safe for safari activities as on ground are well trained ranger guides from Kenya, Wildlife Society. They coordinate security matters with other Kenya agencies to keep law and order. On ground there are guidelines that every tourists in the game parks is expected to follow including no driving beyond the speed  limit, feeding the wild animals in the park is forbidden and others.

Do not get out of your vehicle during the game drives especially when you are not with a ranger guide because you may encounter some dangerous wild animals.

Try not to provoke the locals especially the Masais and respect their culture. The Masais are warriors in nature who are conservative with there norms even with the influence of modernity.

What Are The Dos and Don’ts for A safari in Kenya

The main aim of the Kenya Wildlife Service is to preserve and protect the wildlife and there habitats. During the safari in Kenya, you must follow the guidelines given.

• Honor the speed limit while on game drive in the Kenya National game parks to prevent accidents on both the animals and the tourists. Driving off track is nor accepted unless with permission from Kenya Wildlife Service.
• Never disturb the wild animals by hooting at them as you may cause them to run away yet other tourists would like to have some moment with them just like you have. When you find them crossing stop and wait for them. Some of them may charge at you when you sound the vehicle horn, which is dangerous.
• Do not come with dogs or other pets into the park as chances of getting infection from the wild animals or the pet may happen which is quite dangerous to conservation.
• Keep all your litter in your car like plastic wraps as these alter the nature of the environment where these animals thrive.
• Carrying ammunitions in the park is not accepted because you may be triggered to use it and kill the wild animals or any one in your company.
• Never pick flowers or trample on the vegetation in the parks as you destroy the environment where animals thrive. Do not pack anything from the park but just take pictures while on safari and leave only vehicle tyre prints.
• Retain all official receipts for verification at exit so that you are not inconvenienced
• All the park gate are open from 0700 hrs to 1900 hours

Contact our team for more information.