Posted by When you’ve got been dreaming in regards to a good safari journey, you’ve in all probability spent a while excited about great Kenya safari park destinations. In this article, I am going to give an overview of Kenya’s safari park destinations
Not solely will you’ve got the possibility to see the Big 5 (the 5 largest recreation animals travelers can see on a safari: elephants, buffalo, rhinos, lions, and leopards), but you’ll have jaw-dropping views of Mount Kilimanjaro in close Tanzania, stretches of fantastic seashores, and extremely welcoming locals.
Nairobi is a metropolis that lives and breathes wildlife, from the carved wood hippos and lions on the market in each vacationer handicraft store to the real-life variations haunting the wildlife reserves close to Nairobi.
Kenya makes an outstanding base for a day or a single-day excursion to a various array of safari parks.
The very best time to go to Kenya for a safari
Kenya is named a year-round safari vacation spot, however, there are at all times issues to think about when deciding when to go to this lovely nation!
A lot of the wildlife can most simply be seen throughout the dry season, from late June into October.
There are a few causes for this: firstly, the dry season means animals collect in huge packs to round out their water, which means a go to a waterhole can imply checking each animal off your listing with one recreation drive!
Secondly, the Nice Migration – a pure occasion wherein tens of millions of wildebeest and zebras journey from Tanzania into Kenya – reaches the Masai Mara reserve in July and stays till October.
Not solely will this imply assured sightings of those grazing animals, but it additionally will increase your likelihood of recognizing a predator or two!
Kenya Safari Park destinations – Must Visit!!!
The one factor left to do, actually, is to determine the place in Kenya you’d like to go to! Fortunately, there’s no scarcity of fantastic safari parks in Kenya – listed below are some of our favorite Kenya safari park destinations.
1. Hells Gate National Park
Pinnacles of honey-toned rock attain towards the sky, deep gorges shatter the panorama, and sun-bleached savannah grasslands bustle with darkish-striped zebra, large troops of baboons, and curious giraffes.
Hells Gate National Park is wonderful on a single-day tour from Nairobi, which is one of the popular Kenya safari park destinations.
The park has loads of plains wildlife but only a few predators or different harmful animals.
Additionally, it is uncommon amongst Kenyan National parks in you could stroll or cycle at will all through the park.
If peddling frantically previous a bunch of moody buffalos isn’t thrilling sufficient then Hells Gate has some very good rock-climbing alternatives.
All up, this is a perfect place for an on-foot African safari close to Nairobi. Weekends, nevertheless, may be busy with folks fleeing Nairobi.
Distance from Nairobi: 125km/77mi (around 2½ hours if the visitors are sweet)
Lodging: Close by Lake Naivasha has loads of good high-quality shore-side lodging, together with the colonial-period Elsamere Lodge, which is the previous house of Pleasure Adamson (conservationist, artist, and creator)
Actions: Biking, strolling, mountaineering; close by Lake Naivasha presents boat safaris and distinctive hen watching
2. Masai Mara National Reserve
Simply essentially the most well-known safari park in Kenya, Masai Mara National Reserve is, without a doubt, one of the greatest safari locations on this planet! Masai Mara is one of the great Kenya safari park destinations.
One of the many fundamental causes this expansive park attracts so many guests is the Great Migration –
from about July to October, travelers will be capable to witness herds of wildebeest and zebras within the tens of millions traveling from close Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Masai Mara looking for meals and water.
This expertise is certainly one of nature’s most unimaginable pure occurrences, so travelers on the lookout for one thing really wonderful throughout their safari ought to put Masai Mara National Reserve on the high of their listing.
3. Nairobi National Park
No different capital metropolis on Earth can boast of getting a fully-fledged National park full of lions, cheetahs, and rhinos with a backdrop of metropolis middle tower blocks.
This one-of-a-kind park is a beautiful 117km2/45mi2 stretch of hilly grasslands and patches of blended woodland that surprises everybody with its abundance of life.
In reality, if you wish to see rhinos then Nairobi National Park is definitely one of the best safari parks in East Africa with wholesome populations of lions, cheetahs, and hyenas so that you have an excellent likelihood of spying on some predators.
There are additionally stable populations of buffalos, impalas, and wildebeest. One factor the park doesn’t have (and by no means had) is elephants.
Nairobi National Park is the plain alternative for somebody with solely half a day or so to go to a safari park close to Nairobi, and it’s additionally a really rewarding park to go to as a part of an extended Kenyan safari.
Distance from Nairobi: 10km/6mi (around 20–45 minutes) from central Nairobi however the spot entry if staying close to the park gates
Lodging: Broad variety of metropolis middle or airport resorts from which entry is straightforward or, for extra real bush expertise, attempt the Nairobi Tented Camp which is the one camp really inside the park
Actions: Sport drives, safari boardwalk, animal orphanage
4. Kenyan coast
The place’s rugged wilderness meets the glistening waters of the Indian Ocean, the revered Kenyan shoreline is a spot of unimaginable magnificence.
The place’s mild commerce winds allowed the passage of conventional dhow boats between Arabia and India, and merchants as soon noticed the realm as a favored spot to change spices.
The ensuing heady mixture of imported and indigenous influences from Africa, Arabia, and Asia created the Swahili tradition, which might go on to supply Kenya’s most spoken language.
At present, this melting pot of individuals and cultures continues to be felt and maybe loved alongside excellently preserved marine life and spectacular offshore coral reef system, gorgeous seashores, and mangroves that teem with birdlife, making it an ideal place to unwind as soon as your safari time is over.
The capital, Mombasa, is Kenya’s second-largest metropolis and the gateway to a few of the best seashores and resorts within the space.
Regardless of Mombasa’s heavy growth for mass tourism, we characteristic these areas that really paint the wonder and serenity of the realm, away from the vacationer hordes.
A small coastal city two hours north of Mombasa, Watamu Bay has a formidable coral reef and Swahili effect and is a tranquil vacation spot that additionally has a National Marine Park, which is a well-liked day-trip possibility for snorkeling and exploring the ample marine life.
5. Amboseli National Park
Situated in southern Kenya, Amboseli National Park is greatest recognized for one animal specifically: elephants!
Travelers dreaming of seeing this spectacular member of the Huge 5 ought to contemplate a go to Amboseli National Park, as guests are nearly assured views of huge elephant herds. Past the wildlife, Amboseli additionally gives wonderful pure views –
right here, travelers have the possibility to get up within the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro; the best mountain in Africa and one of many well-known Seven Summits.
Amboseli is a well-liked park with breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro (in Tanzania).
The park is centered around Remark Hill, which presents nice views of the plains beneath.
The Maasai stay across the park and apart from their cattle, Amboseli is house to greater than 50 species of mammal and over 400 species of bird. You possibly can see elephant, hippo, cheetah, leopards, and extra.
Finest Time to Go: June – October
The place to Keep: There are a number of lodges and campsites within the park.
Getting There: By street from Nairobi (Four hours) or each day scheduled flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport.
6. Laikipia Plateau
An idyllic and lesser-visited space that’s sometimes called the gateway to Northern Kenya, the Laikipia Plateau is an undiscovered ecosystem of wilderness terrain that covers over two million acres and is house to indigenous Samburu, Kikuyu, and Boran tribes.
The distinctive and various habitats right here create stunningly scenic landscapes, from arid plains to icy mountains and sweeping hills, making it a wonderful alternative for the discerning safari fanatic on the lookout for one thing genuine, away from the vacationer trails.
It’s estimated that 10% of Kenya’s black rhino neighborhood is discovered right here in Lewa, so additionally it is an excellent place for Huge 5 recreation sighting while avoiding the crowds.
Many northern recreation species are discovered right here, reminiscent of gerenuk, Grevy’s Zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, and the reticulated giraffe.
Additionally, it is the one space to have rising inhabitants of untamed canines, and there are burgeoning numbers of leopard, lion, rhino, elephant, and lots of different recreation species.
That is in some ways because of the pioneering dedication of the Laikipia neighborhood and the Laikipia Wildlife Discussion board (LWF), established to advertise conservation throughout the district’s personal reserves.
Separated into bigger conservancies, beneath are these areas of Laikipia that comprise our number of luxurious lodges, individually chosen to finish your safari expertise.
7. Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya is Africa’s second-highest peak and offered the inspiration for Kenya’s fashionable identity.
Additionally, it is a UNESCO World Heritage website and the seat of the Kikuyu God, Ngai. The Reserve is house uncommon species of animals in addition to spectacular lakes, mineral springs, and forests.
The mountain is an extremely essential watershed, offering water for about 50% of Kenya’s inhabitants and producing 70% of Kenya’s hydroelectric energy.
Finest Time to Go: January – February, and July – October
The place to Keep: There are huts on the mountain and likewise lodges and personal camps within the surrounding space.
Getting There: By road from Nairobi (3-4 hour drive).
8. Mt Longonot National Park
As you drive west out of Nairobi the ever-sprawling fingers of the town slowly give an approach to cool, muddy, green agricultural land and patches of forest.
After which, fairly all of the sudden, the land tumbles steeply downwards to the searing scorching, dry flooring of the Nice Rift Valley, pockmarked with nice, dimple-like volcanic craters and sun-sparkled lakes.
It’s the form of view that makes folks fall in love with Africa. Probably the most seen of those volcanoes is the massive Mt Longonot (2,776m/9,107ft).
At present this dormant volcano is a bit visited by the National park which makes for an ideal ‘away from all of it’ escape from Nairobi. This isn’t a park providing a basic experience of Kenya safari park destination.
As a substitute, Longonot is all about mountaineering.
The steep volcanic slopes are carpeted in a thick forest (birds and monkeys are frequent) and a sharply ascending path wends upwards to the crater summit and rewards with astonishing views each down into the large ‘Misplaced World’ crater itself and – a thousand meters beneath – the bleached grass plains.
Distance from Nairobi: 83km/51mi (around 2–2½ hours if the visitors are good)
Lodging: There’s a primary campsite on the park entrance or a lot of choices close by Lake Naivasha
9. Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Buffalo Springs National Reserve in northern Kenya is a well-liked Kenya safari park destination –
right here, travelers will take pleasure in sightings of basic safari animals reminiscent of giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs, and African buffalo, in addition to extra distinctive animals, such because the endangered Grevy’s Zebra, or the Somali ostrich (a bigger hen than the Masai ostrich).
There may be additionally some unimaginable hen life in Buffalo Springs National Reserve, with a species for each day of the yr – over 365 species of birds have been recorded within the reserve!
10. Lake Nakuru National Park
Calling all picture lovers! Lake Nakuru’s colors will depart you breathless. Referred to as a haven for a number of animals –
together with each black and white rhino – Lake Nakuru is stuffed to the brim with wonderful sights.
The park serves as a protected space for relocated animals, reminiscent of Rothschild’s giraffes, which have been relocated from western Kenya since 1977.
Lake Nakuru can also be an improbable spot to search for one of many rarer members of the Big 5 – lately, leopard sightings have turned out to be increasingly common within the park.
One of the many largest attracts of Lake Nakuru? The world’s flamingo inhabitants are huge and serve for good pictures of vibrant pink in opposition to vivid blue water.
Distance from Nairobi: 180km/111mi (around 3½ hours)
Lodging: Nakuru metropolis has lodging to go well with all budgets and most of the people base themselves on the town when visiting the park; in case you favor remaining inside the park itself then there are a number of upmarket and costly decisions
Actions: Inside the park, all safaris are carried out by automobile. Round Nakuru is a lot of different attention-grabbing sights, together with the Hyrax hill Prehistoric Website and the Menengai Crater, a formidable volcanic crater that may be climbed.
11. Lake Naivasha
The lake is only a half-hour’s drive from Nairobi and makes a well-liked weekend vacation spot for native metropolis dwellers.
Backed by papyrus timber and 13 kilometers in size, Naivasha is comparatively shallow, at a depth of simply 5 meters however it’s largely depending on rainfall and the scale of the lake can subsequently range in response to local weather adjustments.
Within the morning the lake is mostly calmer, with afternoon winds typically creating increased waves.
Ornithologists typically come to Naivasha for the unimaginable number of fish-eating birds that the lake attracts and you might be prone to see fish eagles, herons, kingfishers, ospreys, and black crakes amongst others.
Across the fringe of the lake, you may observe a few of the mammals that emerge at dawn to graze.
12. Meru National Park
Arguably Kenya at its most untamed and additional faraway from a few of the extra mainstream areas, Meru National Park was established in 1968 and is known as a ‘distant and rugged wilderness’.
The world is famed for its connection to the orphaned lioness Elsa, who was hand-reared right here by George and Pleasure Adamson, who subsequently wrote the favored non-fictional book Born Free.
Regardless of being a topic of some poaching throughout the 1970s and 80s, it’s now well-liked as soon as extra.
13. Tsavo National Parks
Tsavo National Park is cut up into Tsavo East and Tsavo West. The Tsavo parks are huge and the panorama is wild.
Tsavo East is much less developed than Tsavo West however extra accessible.
In Tsavo West, you may watch elephants bathe among the many hippos and the crocs from a novel vantage level of an underwater glass tank.
The “Big 5” do stay right here, however, you need to look fastidiously to identify them.
Finest Time to Go: Might to October
The place to Keep: Tsavo East has Voi Wildlife Lodge; Tsavo West has a number of lodges. Each park has personal campsites.
Getting There: By street from Mombasa (3-Four hours) or Nairobi (10 hours); Or constitution flight.
14. Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park is as well-known for its pretty waterfalls as its uncommon species of rhino, black leopard, and bongo antelope.
The common rains maintain the park inexperienced yr spherical and the temperatures cool, good for mountaineering.
Finest Time to Go: May to October
The place to Keep: Treetops and The Ark are two upscale lodges within the park, there are additionally private and non-private campsites.
Getting There: By street from Nairobi (3-4 hours).
15. Samburu National Reserve
Made well-known by the award-winning ebook and film Born Free, Samburu National Reserve is probably the greatest often called the place wherein conservationists raised Elsa the Lioness.
Travelers trying to spot a few of Africa’s most well-known predators ought to actually head to Samburu –
right here, you’ll discover giant quantities of Nile crocodiles, cheetahs, and leopards, and, because the reserve is a part of a Lion Conservation Unit, there are numerous alternatives to identify these wonderful creatures right here.
Whereas nobody is assured of good climate circumstances or sightings of particular animals on a safari, selecting Kenya for your safari is bound to be tremendous expertise.
Whether or not you’re setting out looking for the nation’s vibrant birdlife, on the lookout for the Big 5, or simply attempting to soak in as a lot of this lovely nation as potential, it’s straightforward to see why Kenya is a high safari vacation spot!
16. Samburu, Shaba, and Buffalo Springs National Reserves
Samburu, Shaba, and Buffalo Springs are Three Reserves bordering each other within the dry panorama of North Central Kenya.
The wildlife congregates across the Ewaso Ngiro River which runs via the Reserves.
Apart from the wildlife (elephant, giraffe, leopard, zebra, blue-legged ostriches), a spotlight of any go-to is to satisfy the Samburu folks.
Camel safaris are on provided at many of the lodges and in case you’re within the space, go to the Laikipia Plateau.
Finest Time to Go: June to October
The place to Keep: There are a number of lodges in every one of the parks.
Getting There: Day-by-day flights from Nairobi or a full-day drive.
17. Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park and Reserve
Kisite is a marine reserve located within the shallow Indian Ocean coastal waters of Southern Kenya.
Conventional Dhows sail you backward and forward to the underwater park the place you may take pleasure in snorkeling or diving amongst its colorful coral reefs. Dolphins, turtles, manta rays, angelfish, and parrotfish are commonly sighted.
Finest Time To Go: October – January
The place to Keep: There are a number of guesthouses and bandas out there within the marine reserve.
Getting There:1 1/2 hour drive from Mombasa after which you may take a Dhow.
18. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
This park is considerably additional afield than any of the others included right here (a minimum of two days is required to make a go-to worthwhile however longer can be higher).
Nonetheless, the world-renowned Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is the whole lot you hoped East Africa may be.
A backdrop of Mt Kenya, the basic, savannah grasslands, and clumps of fever timber make a scenically gorgeous park that’s house to a lot of wildlife it’s like an imaginative and prescient of Eden.
All of the Big 5 are current, together with a lot of rhinos and elephants (consideration: the elephants in this part of Kenya have a well-founded repute for aggression), and straightforward to search out lions and buffalos and a few leopards.
The reserve can also be an important place to see cheetahs. However, the excellent news doesn’t finish right here at Kenya safari park.
Lewa has a few of the greatest wildlife guides in Africa, dreamy safari lodges, and an air of absolute exclusivity.
Better of all, Lewa is at the forefront of neighborhood conservation initiatives in Africa, so you may make certain that each greenback you spend will go in the direction of progressive conservation insurance policies and neighborhood growth.
Of all of the wildlife reserves close to Nairobi, Lewa presents the stand-out African safari expertise.
Distance from Nairobi: 250km/155mi (around 4½ hours); each day flights from Nairobi straight to Lewa are additionally out there
Accommodation: There are 9 camps and lodges inside Lewa – all are attractive, and all are costly
Actions: Automobile jeep safaris are the principal exercise however it’s additional potential to do some thrilling bush walks in a place encounters with giant mammals are frequent.
I hope this blog on great Kenya safari park destinations is found worthy for you.
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