Best National parks to visit in Kenya

Kenya and national parks go hand in hand. There are an astounding twenty-three of them there, along with four marine national parks. Kenya has plenty of protected parks, reserves, marine parks, and privately held conservancies. The sight of scalding geysers at Hell’s Gate National Park and the stunning picture of thousands of wildebeest crossing the Mara River during their wildebeest migration are just a couple of the highlights.

A lot of tourists travel  for safari in kenya with the unwavering goal of seeing the Big Five: lions, buffalo, elephants, leopards, and rhinos. The phrase comes from hunters in the colonial past who thought they were the most dangerous animals to pursue on foot. Don’t let a need to see them all deter you from visiting national parks that don’t have them all on there; you’ll undoubtedly see lots of other intriguing animals. Kenya’s national parks are about more than just wildlife; no matter which park you choose to visit, you’ll be in for a treat thanks to the Kenya safari attractions, breathtaking scenery, geothermal springs, vibrantly coloured birdlife, and the indigenous cultures that live in and around these locations.

1: Maasai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara National Reserve, also referred to as the “Mara” locally, is the most well-known national park in Kenya. This is due in part to the fact that, from July to October, it is the path taken by thousands of wildebeest, giraffes, and zebras as they migrate from the Serengeti in southern Tanzania across the Mara River to the lush grasslands of Kenya. On the banks of rivers, Nile crocodiles wait for their meal. Travellers are also drawn to the semi-nomadic Maasai people because of their vibrant clothing, traditional singing and dancing, and warrior customs. One method to promote locally driven tourism is through the Maasai people’s multiple privately owned reserves surrounding the Mara, which are leased to various Kenya safari firms. A Maasai warrior can show you around wildlife and medicinal plants, making a bush walk with them an amazing chance to experience the community’s relationship to the land.

Ensuring cultural tourism experiences are truly ethical and free from exploitation is not always simple. Visit a Maasai-run initiative if possible, or find out exactly where your money is going by asking your tour operator. Ask how and whether you can see any community projects that a company claims to support. On the other hand, some visitors complain that they were overpaid (for crafts or a picture, for example). However, this is frequently the result of years of affluent visitors passing through their villages on pricey tours that haven’t helped the locals.

Home to rhinos, buffalo, elephants, leopards, and lions, the Mara is one of the Big Five parks. The Mara is home to some of the largest concentrations of lions in the world, but the 470 kinds of birds that call the area home, including migratory and prey birds, and the untamed grassland are equally captivating. Make reservations for a hot-air balloon expedition to truly appreciate the Mara’s grandeur. As you soar over scattered plants, cloud shadows, and herds of animals, you’ll understand why the Maasai people called it the Mara, or “spotted land.” Armed rangers accompanying you on walking and horseback safaris is a fantastic way to get up close and personal with the Mara’s natural splendour.

2:Amboseli National Park

The big-tusked (tusker) elephant herds of Amboseli National Park, located in southern Kenya close to Tanzania, are well-known for their sight of Mount Kilimanjaro and their estimated 1500-strong population. The Amboseli Trust for Elephants, one of the most well-known such initiatives in the world, is largely responsible for the elephant population’s relative stability. Amboseli receives less rain than other parks, but because of its mountain forest setting, it contains a network of marshes that are home to a variety of birds. Big cats, buffalo, Maasai giraffes, antelopes, and vervet monkeys can all be found in the park.

Aim for an early wake-up call when the sky is clear and before the clouds roll in to capture vistas of Kilimanjaro on camera. The movement of wildlife has also been altered by weather patterns, environmental problems, and climate change. As a result, flamingos may now be seen in Amboseli, whereas before they were more frequently seen at Lake Naivasha or Lake Nakuru. Recently, there have also been sightings of wildebeest, which are not typically seen in Amboseli.

3:Tsavo National Parks

Known for its stunning semi-arid scenery and vast herds of elephants, Tsavo, located in southwest Kenya, is made up of two national parks: Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park. Kenya’s largest national park is made up of Tsavo West and East, two of the country’s oldest parks. Tsavo is a fantastic safari stop-off on a city-to-coast trip because the parks were divided when the railway route from Mombasa to Kenya’s interior was built, and now a highway runs between Nairobi and Mombasa.

The topography of the two parks differs slightly. The Galana River flows through Tsavo East, which is primarily made up of flat plains. One of the best things to do in Tsavo is to camp beside the river or go on a walking safari across the enormous Yatta Plateau, which is 300 km (186 miles) long and the largest lava flow in the world.

4:Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park, the only national park inside a city in the world, was established in 1946 and was Kenya’s first national park. Some passengers are even lucky enough to see some animals while en route to or from the airport. Being on an open plain with Nairobi’s skyscrapers in the background is incredibly bizarre. Amidst the acacia bush, you may see a variety of wildlife, including buffalo, lions, leopards, and the critically endangered black rhino. Through its breeding initiatives, the park has successfully established a rhino conservation programme and restored rhino populations in other parks. With almost 400 species identified, the birdlife is exceptional, as it is in many of Kenya’s national parks.

5: Mount Kenya National Park

As the primary peak for trekkers, Point Lenana, is reached by hiking or climbing Kenya’s second-highest peak, Mount Kenya, which should be on the top of your list of the best treks. Excellent camping is available in Mount Kenya National Park, including rock climbing on the lower peaks and wild camping on some of the less-travelled roads. If you can just spare a day, the park offers a 10km (6.2 mile) walk up to the Met Station. Discovering the environment of lakes, glaciers, mineral springs, and Afro-Alpine forest within this UNESCO-listed park is an absolute delight. As you ascend farther into the park, expansive vistas of towering mountains, profound valleys, and dense forests eventually give way to glacier topography await you.

6:Aberdare National Park

Enjoying nature in the milder climate of the central highlands, Aberdare National Park is arguably the most unique of all Kenya’s national parks. Although there is a lot of wildlife to be seen, Aberdare is most famous for its breathtakingly beautiful foggy woodlands and river valleys. Hiking is ideal in the upper moorlands, sometimes referred to as the High Park. Lesatima, Il Kinangop, and Kipipiri are easily climbable summits, but you’ll need a guide and a pass, so plan your trip ahead of time. Established in 1950 as a safeguard for the Aberdare highlands, which plunge into the Rift Valley on the western flank, the park is home to thunderous waterfalls, open moorland, steep ravines, and dense forests. Black rhinos, elephants, baboons, colobus monkeys, buffalo, and the elusive leopard all call it home. Observers of birds are also in for a treat, with over 250 species recorded.

7: Meru National Park

The Rift Valley’s Meru and Kora national parks are excellent choices if you’re searching for wild, secluded, and unspoiled scenery. Along with more than 420 different bird species, these parks are home to Grevy’s zebras, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and giraffes, as well as large grasslands, prickly bushes, gushing rivers, and dense jungle. During the dry season, the vast expanses of savanna in the terrain become parched, therefore it’s critical to stay hydrated and cool. Some of the less frequented national parks are Meru and Kora, which are approximately eight hours’ drive from Nairobi.

8:Samburu National Reserve

North of Laikipia, Samburu National Reserve is a well-liked park on the northern safari circuit. It’s home to the “Special 5,” which are reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali (blue-necked) ostrich, gerenuk, and Grevy’s zebra ; both antelope species because they aren’t usually seen in Kenya’s southern game reserves. The Samburu and Rendille people residing in this area are engaged in the care and observation of Grevy’s zebras. Named for the warrior and nomadic pastoralist Samburu people who once lived in this area, this national park is a top destination for tuskers and one of Kenya’s greatest spots to watch leopards. Along with experiencing Samburu culture, you can go on safaris with Samburu guides and undertake camel trekking.

9:Hell’s Gate National Park

The striking scenery of Hell’s Gate National Park, one of Kenya’s most evocative national parks, is a distinctive feature of the Great Rift Valley. Rising from the earth is geothermal steam in a spectacular setting of gorges, steep cliffs, basalt columns, and volcanoes. You can take in the vistas while taking a hot bath from a sizable natural spa pool that is run by KenGen, the primary provider of electricity in Kenya. While zebras, buffalos, antelopes, and baboons are among the park’s inhabitants, kenya wildlife isn’t the main draw for tourists. Among the 100 bird species identified there are Verreaux’s eagles and vultures. Raptors that have made their nests in the cliffs can occasionally be seen. Walkers, mountain bikers, rock climbers, and cyclists are the park’s main draws.

10:Lake Nakuru National Park

You may combine a wildlife drive, birdwatching, hike and picnic in one day at the UNESCO-listed Lake Nakuru, which is located on the Great Rift Valley bottom, just a short drive from Nairobi. Because of the high amounts of algae in the lake, Lake Nakuru National Park a known birding safari in Kenya, is particularly ideal area to view water birds, with about 450 species documented. However, the number of flamingos has been declining as pollution and human expansion have impacted the lake. Numerous pelicans and other water birds continue to be drawn to it. Additionally, you’ll witness creatures like white rhinos and waterbucks. The park is well-known for its yearly Cycle With the Rhinos race, which covers 50 km (31 miles) and raises money for rhino conservation.

11:Lake  Turkana National parks

The vibrant greenish-blue Lake Turkana, the biggest permanent desert lake in the world, is surrounded by three parks that together make up the UNESCO – listed Lake Turkana National Parks: Sibiloi National Park, the South Island National Park, and the Central Island National Parks. This strange area is perfect for the daring traveller because it is wide, windy, volcanic, hot, and dry. The Central Island is made up of three active volcanoes, three crater lakes, and the world’s highest population of Nile crocodiles, as well as massive tilapia and Nile perch fish. There should be plenty of wildlife to witness, including kudu, lions, cheetahs, and leopards, if you’re lucky. South Island is covered in volcanic ash and is home to a significant number of crocodiles and over 20 different bird species.