National Parks in Kenya: Located in East Africa, Kenya is without doubt an exceptional African safari destination with breathtaking landscape, diverse bird species, huge concentration of the big five game etc. 8% of Kenya is mainly made of National Parks or National Reserves and undertaking a Kenya safari holiday guarantees you remarkable bush experiences.
Majority of Kenya’s regions are designated UNESCO Heritage Sites/Important Bird Areas. Visit the Magical Kenya and you won’t be left in regrets while on an African safari holiday.
National Parks in Kenya
1. Amboseli National Park
2. Tsavo East and West National Park
3. Aberdare National Park
4. Lake Nakuru National Park
5. Mount Kenya National Park
6. Nairobi National Park
7. Mount Elgon National Park Kenya
8. Mount Longonot National Park
9. Central Island National Park
10. Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park
11. Chyulu National Park
12. Hell’s Gate National Park
Amboseli National Park
Found in the South-East of Nairobi, 240kms’ drive away, Amboseli National Park is without doubt Kenya’s 2nd most popular protected area just after the vast Masai Mara National Reserve. Amboseli N/P was founded as a National Park in Kenya in 1974 and sits on 400sq.kms of land areas which is mainly characterized by swamps, semi arid vegetation, Pleistocene Lake etc.
Amboseli National Park is most popular for its free-roaming herds of elephants and the backdrop of the Kilimanjaro Mountain. Other than elephants, Amboseli also boasts of its other exceptional species of wildlife including lions, cape buffaloes, spotted hyenas, hippos, blue wildebeests, plain zebras, cheetahs, impalas; 400 bird species 47 of these are raptor species.
Access to Amboseli National Park from Nairobi Capital is easier by road or air-by road, it is 240kms’ drive away along the Nairobi-Arusha route through its Meshanani gate. By air, fly from Nairobi to Amboseli National Park’s airstrip which is found at Empusel gate or at any of the airstrips at Namanga Town/Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge.
Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park the ‘Majestic Moorland’ is a home to Aberdare Mountain Ranges, Kenya’s 3rd highest massifs and it is set 180kms off from Nairobi Capital. It is from these mountain ranges where this splendid park takes its name. The Aberdare Mountains are known for their beautiful peaks, waterfalls, volcanic outcrops, deep valleys etc.
Aberdare N/Park was created in 1950 and it sits on 766sq.kms of land area protecting a significant wildlife species. The important species of wildlife to expect to look for while on Kenya safari in Aberdare National Park include buffaloes, warthogs, spotted hyenas, elephants, leopards, bush bucks, black rhinos, African civet, wild cats, colobus monkeys, serval cats, giant forest hogs, duikers etc; 250 bird species including eagles, sparrow hawks.
Lake Nakuru National Park
When it comes to birding safaris in East Africa, Lake Nakuru National Park never disappoints. Lake Nakuru N/Park is truly a birder’s haven lying along the Great Rift Valley 164kms Northwest of Nairobi.
Lake Nakuru National Park-Kenya sits on 188sq.kms of land area, most ideal for visitors on Kenya safari to enjoy the best of game viewing, bird watching, picnicking, hiking etc. It is a stunning park with diverse attractions including majestic cliffs, waterfalls, shallow soda lake. Over 400 bird species are in Lake Nakuru National Park and they include the pelicans, flamingos, white winged black terns, avocets; wildlife including wild dogs, baboons, lions, elands, leopards, rhinos, colobus monkeys etc.
Lake Nakuru National Park is reachable via Nairobi-Nakuru route 164kms from Nairobi, Kenya. While at Lake Nakuru, some of the best places to retire for the night include Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, Lake Nakuru Lodge, Campsites like Pelican Picnic Site, Baboon Cliff etc.
Tsavo East & West National Parks-Kenya
The Tsavo East and West National Parks combine to make up the Tsavo Conservation Area. The 2 larger protected areas are separated by the Nairobi-Mombasa road. They are complete big game destinations worth visiting to see rhinos, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, lions. Tsavo East NP in particular is popular for its red elephants, hippos, waterbucks, kudus, crocodiles, gerenuk, 500 bird species to mention but a few. Tsavo West NP is a home to diverse savanna ecosystems, springs, lava, scrub land, acacia woodland, rugged ridges etc.
Mount Longonot National Park-Kenya
Mount Longonot National Park is amazingly the best place worth visiting by adventure seekers on Kenya safaris. It is a compact protected area sitting on 52sq.kms of land area, protecting an extinct volcano-Mt. Longonot. This park was created in 1984 and protects diverse animal species including elands, bush bucks, giraffes, buffaloes, leopards, lions, 100 bird species, zebras etc. The major safari activities to undertake while on Kenya safari in Mount Longonot N/Park include rock climbing, hiking, walking, game viewing and many more.
Chyulu Hills National Park
Located 200kms South-east of Nairobi, 30kms Southwest of Kibwezi, Chyulu Hills National Park is a stunning protected area with craters, ash cones, distinct vegetation.
The main wildlife species Chyulu Hills National Park is famous for include leopards, elands, buffaloes, reed bucks, elephants, bush bucks, reptiles, bird species etc. They can be sighted while on game drives, horseback riding, birding.
Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park is found in Eastern side of the Great Rift Valley, 175kms Northeast of Nairobi Capital. The park was created in 1949 and features Mount Kenya (5199m) where it derives its name. Mt. Kenya NP occupies 2800sq.kms of land area and boasts of its diverse wildlife species including elands, white tailed mongoose, black fronted duikers, tree hyrax, mole rat, waterbucks, leopards, bush bucks, elephants, 130 bird species.
The main activities to keep you busy while on Kenya safaris in Mount Kenya National Park include camping, game viewing, mountaineering, cave exploration etc. Places to stay include among others Batian Guesthouse, Sirimon Cottages, Campsites like Narumoru gate campsite, Kinondoni campsite etc.
Nairobi National Park
For nature lovers within Nairobi Capital, a visit to Nairobi National Park is worthwhile on Kenya safari. Nairobi NP is found adjacent to Nairobi city making it the best for you to enjoy your weekend gateway. It sits on 117sq.kms of land area and hosts important wildlife species including black rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, lions, hyenas, elephants, cheetahs, 400 bird species, zebras, elands etc. Nairobi National Park is most ideal for game viewing, nature walks on its trails along the hippo pools, animal orphanage etc.
Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park-Kenya
Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park is located along the South-coast, between Shimon and South of Wasini Island within Kwale Town. It is found at Kenyan coast near Tanzania and perfect to visit for viewing lots of marine species. Kisite Mpunguti Park occupies 39sq.kms and protects the Humpback dolphins, dolphin bottle nose, coral fish species, sea turtles etc. The main activities to engage in while on Kenya safaris in Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park include scenic viewing, bird watching, diving, snorkeling etc.
Mount Elgon National Park-Kenya
Mount Elgon National Park Kenya is 470kms away from Nairobi. The park is lying in the Northwest at the border between Kenya and Uganda, from Kwale it is 11kms. The park protects part of Mount Elgon which is the 2nd largest mountain at the heart of Kenya, wildlife including 400 elephants, blue monkeys, antelope families, leopards, buffaloes, 240 bird species including the red headed parrots, hartlaub’s turacos etc.
Central Island National Park (CINP)
Central Island National Park, the ‘Crocodile Island’ is perched on Lake Turkana shores 800kms away from Nairobi Capital. 3 scenic Crater Lakes are distributed within the Central Island NP including the Flamingo Lake, Crocodile Lake and Tilapia Lake. Besides reptile species, Central Island National Park boasts of other diverse wildlife species including olive baboons, grant’s gazelles, stripped hyenas, zebras, olive baboons, dik-dik, Oryx, hippos and many more.
Hell’s Gate National Park
Hell’s Gate National Park is the most ideal place to visit for day trips/excursions. The park is known for its breathtaking sceneries characterized by scrub clad volcanoes, cliffs, gorges, stark rock towers, belching plumes of geothermal steams etc. Hell’s Gate NP sits on 68sq.kms of land area. It is accessible on Nairobi route 90kms away and 14kms after the old Nairobi-Naivasha route.
Other important protected areas in Kenya include Meru National Park, Sibiloi National Park, Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Malka Mari National Park, Marsabit National Park, Arabuko Sokoke Forest National Park, Watamu Marine National Park, Ruma National Park, Saiwa Swamp National Park, Malindi Marine National Park and Mombasa Marine Park.
