TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK
Tsavo East National Park is one of the oldest and largest national parks in Kenya, covering an area of over 11,747 square kilometers. Located in the southeastern part of Kenya, Tsavo East is known for its vast savannah plains, diverse wildlife, and the beautiful Galana River that flows through the park. The park is home to over 500 bird species, as well as various wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and more. Visitors can enjoy game drives, guided walks, and even birdwatching tours. The park is also famous for its red elephants, which are unique to the area due to the red color of the soil in the region. With its beautiful landscapes and abundant wildlife, Tsavo East National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers in Kenya. you may find the best kenya safari package and book a trip.
TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK
Discover the rugged beauty of Tsavo West National Park, where fifty million gallons of crystal clear water gush out from under parched lava rock at the Mzima Springs. This park offers a unique ecosystem of open grasslands, scrublands, Acacia woodlands, belts of riverine vegetation, and rocky ridges, including the Poacher’s Lookout where visitors can view teeming herds in the plains below. Tsavo West is home to some of the most magnificent game viewing in the world, with the Big Five (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, and leopard) and other predators such as cheetahs and hyenas. Take a glimpse at the resident hippos wallowing in the natural pools of Mzima Springs or view the diverse plant and bird species, including the threatened corncrake and near-threatened Basra Reed Warbler. Explore the Shetani lava flows and marvel at the stark contrast between the black solid lava and the lush green vegetation. Tsavo West National Park is a must-visit for any wildlife enthusiast or nature lover..
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Nestled at the foot of Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts in Kenya. The park spans across 392 square kilometers in southern Kenya and offers breathtaking views of the mountain and its surrounding landscapes.
Amboseli is renowned for its vast elephant herds and diverse wildlife, which includes lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, and many species of antelopes. Birdwatchers can spot over 400 bird species here, making it a true paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts.
Apart from wildlife safaris, Amboseli also offers a unique opportunity to experience the culture and traditions of the Maasai people. Visitors can interact with the Maasai locals, visit traditional villages, and gain insights into their way of life.
While the best time to visit Amboseli is during the dry season from June to October, the park is open year-round, and each season has something unique to offer. Visitors can choose from a variety of accommodation options, including luxury lodges, tented camps, and basic campsites, and indulge in game drives, guided walks, and cultural experiences during their stay in the park.
NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK
Nairobi National Park Safari is a truly unique attraction, as it is the only protected area in the world that offers visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of animals and birds so close to a bustling capital city. It’s no wonder that the park is a top destination for visitors to Nairobi.
Not only is Nairobi National Park a popular tourist attraction, but it is also one of Kenya’s most successful rhino sanctuaries. The park has successfully bred and reintroduced black rhinos into their former range, making it one of the few places in the world where visitors can see these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
For those looking for a truly unforgettable experience, the Nairobi Tented Camp is the perfect accommodation choice. It is the first and only accommodation option available within the park, providing visitors with the opportunity to enjoy an authentic safari experience in the heart of the African bush. The camp offers 9 luxurious tents, each accommodating 2 people, complete with en-suite bathrooms and safari showers. It’s a wilderness escape like no other, providing visitors with the chance to camp in the heart of thick bush land just a stone’s throw away from the capital city.
HELL’S GATE NATIONAL PARK
Hell’s Gate National Park is a unique destination located in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya. The park covers an area of 68.25 square kilometers and is known for its dramatic scenery, including towering cliffs, deep gorges, and hot springs. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including baboons, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, and over 100 species of birds.
One of the unique attractions of Hell’s Gate is the opportunity to hike and bike through the park. Visitors can explore the rugged terrain and stunning scenery on foot or rent bicycles to cover more ground. The park also offers rock climbing opportunities for those seeking a more adventurous experience.
One of the most popular attractions in Hell’s Gate is the geothermal activity. The park is home to several hot springs and geysers, including the famous Olkaria Geothermal Station, which produces electricity for the region.
Hell’s Gate National Park is also known for its cultural significance. The park is home to several Maasai communities who graze their cattle on the open savannah. Visitors can learn about Maasai culture and traditions by visiting one of the local villages.
Accommodation options in Hell’s Gate include luxury lodges, tented camps, and basic campsites. Visitors can enjoy game drives, guided walks, and cultural experiences during their stay in the park. The best time to visit Hell’s Gate is during the dry season from June to October, but the park is open year-round.
ABERDARES NATIONAL PARK
Aberdare National Park is a beautiful landscape characterized by steep, forested ravines and open moorlands. The park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including elephants, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, buffalos, warthogs, and bushbucks, among others. It’s also a rare habitat for the Giant Forest hog, bongo, golden cat, serval cat, African wild cat, African civet cat, and blue duiker.
The park offers a range of activities for visitors to indulge in, including picnics, trout fishing in the rivers, and camping in the moorlands. Birdwatching is another popular activity, with over 250 species of birds in the park, including the Jackson’s Francolin, Sparrow hawks, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds, and plovers.
For those seeking a unique stay in the park, there are two lodges available – Treetops Lodge and the Ark. The latter is built in the shape of Noah’s Ark, offering visitors day game drives and a variety of other activities, as well as night game viewing in the Salient area of the park. This is a great opportunity to witness elephants, buffalos, lions, and rhinos as they come to the saltlicks and waterholes each evening.
MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK
Mount Kenya National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Kenya, approximately 175 km north-northeast of Nairobi. The park covers an area of 715 square kilometers and is home to the second-highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kenya, which stands at an elevation of 5,199 meters above sea level. The park is a popular destination for hikers and climbers, offering stunning views of the mountain, its glaciers, and diverse flora and fauna.
Mount Kenya National Park was established in 1949 to protect the mountain’s unique biodiversity and has since become a vital water catchment area for the surrounding communities. The park has diverse vegetation, including montane forest, bamboo, and heather, among others, with several endemic plant species. Additionally, the park is home to an array of wildlife, including elephants, buffalos, leopards, and several primate species.
The park has various activities for visitors, including hiking, rock climbing, bird watching, and game viewing. For hikers and climbers, the park has several routes up the mountain, including the Chogoria, Sirimon, and Naromoru routes. The routes vary in difficulty and duration, with the Chogoria route considered the most scenic.
Visitors can also engage in cultural tours, where they can learn about the indigenous communities living around the mountain, including the Agikuyu, Embu, and Meru tribes. These communities have unique cultures, including traditional medicine, music, and dances.
Accommodation options in the park range from camping sites, self-catering bandas, to luxury lodges, all offering visitors a chance to experience the beauty of the park. However, visitors are advised to come prepared with warm clothing, as temperatures can drop significantly at higher altitudes.
Mount Kenya National Park is an essential destination for nature lovers, offering a unique blend of biodiversity, cultural heritage, and adventure. The park’s natural and cultural riches make it a must-visit for anyone traveling to Kenya, offering a chance to experience the country’s natural beauty.
LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Lake Nakuru National Park is a protected area located in Kenya’s Rift Valley Province, approximately 160 km northwest of Nairobi. The park covers an area of 188 square kilometers, with Lake Nakuru being the centerpiece of the park. The lake is famous for its large flocks of flamingos that can be seen wading in the shallow waters, forming a pinkish hue visible from miles away.
Aside from flamingos, the park is home to over 400 species of birds, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise. Additionally, the park is home to several mammal species, including black and white rhinos, buffalos, giraffes, and various antelopes. The park is also home to predators such as lions and leopards.
Visitors can engage in various activities, including game drives, bird watching, and nature walks. The park has several viewing points that offer stunning views of the lake and its surrounding areas. Visitors can also engage in cultural tours to nearby communities, including the Maasai, who have unique cultures and ways of life.
Accommodation options within the park range from luxury lodges to campsites, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the park’s natural beauty. Visitors are advised to bring warm clothing, especially during the cold season, as temperatures can drop significantly at night.
MERU NATIONAL PARK
Meru National Park is a captivating destination with a rugged, unspoiled beauty. The park sits on the equator, and it is intersected by 13 rivers and several mountain-fed streams, making it a scenic area of Kenya. The landscape varies from woodlands on the slopes of the Nyambeni Mountain Range, northeast of Mount Kenya, to vast open plains with winding riverbanks dotted with doum palms.
Wildlife enthusiasts will have an array of game to view, including lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, black rhinos, zebras, gazelles, oryx, and rare antelopes such as Lesser Kudu and duiker. Dik Dik, one of Africa’s smallest antelopes, is also a common sight. Visitors can witness large prides of lions and some of Kenya’s largest herds of buffalos. The rivers are home to hippos and crocodiles, and fishing for barbus and catfish is allowed at designated campsites and along the Tana River. In the past, the park suffered from poaching, but thanks to KWS armed wildlife security patrols, the elephant population has stabilized, and breeding herds have settled down.
The park is a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 300 species of birds recorded, including the Red-necked falcon, Heuglins courser, brown-backed woodpecker, sunbirds, Peter’s Finfoot, Pel’s Fishing Owl, kingfishers, rollers, bee-eaters, starlings, and weavers.
Meru National Park is renowned for being the setting for Joy Adamson’s book “Born Free,” which tells the story of the Adamson’s life and research among lions and cheetahs. Elsa, the lioness, was the most famous, and her grave is located in the park. Visitors can stay at the lodge (132 beds) or planned tented camps. The park has eight special campsites that must be pre-booked, one public campsite (Elsa camp), and KWS self-help bandas and Leopard Rock bands.
There are two routes to Meru National Park from Nairobi. The first route is via Nyeri, Nanyuki, and Meru, while the second route is via Embu-Meru road, which is the best approach to the Ura gate. During the dry season, visitors can use the Mathara and Kangeta route towards Maua, turning left on the Kinna road leading to the National park gate. There are airstrips and accommodations at Leopard Rock or Meru Mulika lodge.
