Kenya national parks offer some of the most rewarding wildlife viewing in Africa. In fact, Kenya gave the world the word “safari”, which simply means “journey” in Swahili. On a single trip, you can watch lions on the open plains of the Maasai Mara, see elephants walk beneath Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli and spot rare northern species in Samburu.
The country’s protected areas are also wonderfully varied. For example, you can combine golden savannah, Rift Valley lakes, dry northern bush and the forested slopes of Mount Kenya in one itinerary. As a result, every day of your safari feels different. Most of the national parks are managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service, while famous national reserves such as the Maasai Mara and Samburu are run by local county authorities.
At Roots Tours & Travel, we plan tailor-made Kenya safaris from our base in Kampala. Below, you will find our guide to each park. That way, you can compare them and choose the places that suit you best.
Mount Kenya National Park protects Africa’s second-highest mountain and the wild forests around it. On a clear morning, from the plains of central Kenya, you can see it rising above the clouds. It is a jagged crown of dark rock and white ice, sitting almost exactly on the equator. In
Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the best places in Africa to see rhinos, just a few hours from Nairobi. From the rim of the Great Rift Valley, the lake opens out below you. It is a broad sheet of water fringed by pink and white birds and framed
Tsavo National Park is big. It is bigger than many countries, bigger than any other protected area in Kenya, and big enough to drive for hours without seeing another vehicle. Here, elephants coated in red earth march across golden plains. Lions rest in the shade of baobab trees, and rivers
Samburu National Reserve shows you a wilder, quieter side of Kenya. North of Mount Kenya, the green highlands fall away into a very different world. Instead, the land turns hot, dry and dramatic, with red earth, thorny scrub, lonely mountains and doum palms lining a wide, brown river. This is
Amboseli National Park is where you see the classic African picture: elephants walking beneath Mount Kilimanjaro. As dawn breaks over southern Kenya, the clouds slowly lift. Then there it is, the snow-capped dome of Africa’s highest mountain, filling the sky. Below it, a family of elephants crosses the plain, dust
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s most famous wildlife area and one of the best places on Earth to see big cats. The first thing you notice is the space. Golden grassland rolls to the horizon, broken only by flat-topped acacias, winding rivers and the odd rocky ridge. Then
Each of the Kenya national parks and reserves has its own character. Therefore, it helps to know what makes each one special before you plan your route. Here is a quick guide to the parks we visit most often.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s most famous safari destination. It lies in the southwest of the country and borders the Serengeti in Tanzania. Here, you can look for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and buffaloes on wide, open grassland. In addition, the reserve hosts the great wildebeest migration, usually from about July to October. During these months, huge herds cross the Mara River while crocodiles wait in the water. You can also visit a Maasai village to learn about local culture, dances and traditions.
Amboseli National Park is best known for its large elephant herds. On a clear morning, you can photograph them with snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro rising behind them across the border in Tanzania. Besides elephants, you may see buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes and many water birds around the swamps. Because the park is fairly compact and flat, game drives here feel relaxed and rewarding.
In the dry north, Samburu National Reserve feels wild and less visited. The Ewaso Nyiro River runs through it and draws elephants and crocodiles to its banks. Most importantly, Samburu is home to the “Samburu Special Five”: the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. You will not find all of these in the southern parks, so Samburu adds real variety to your trip. You can also meet the semi-nomadic Samburu people and learn about their way of life.
Tsavo National Park is actually two parks, Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Together, they form one of the largest protected areas in Kenya. Tsavo is famous for its red, dust-covered elephants, its quiet landscapes and its great sense of space. As a result, it is a good choice if you want to avoid crowds and enjoy a more remote safari.
Lake Nakuru National Park sits on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. Its alkaline lake is known for flocks of pink flamingos, although their numbers change with the water levels. The park is also a protected sanctuary for both black and white rhinos. In addition, you may see lions, leopards, buffaloes, monkeys and several kinds of antelope.
Mount Kenya National Park protects Africa’s second-highest mountain. Its forests, moorlands and glacial valleys are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can hike, look for forest wildlife such as colobus monkeys and enjoy the cool mountain air. Consequently, it pairs well with a classic game-viewing safari on the plains.
You can go on safari in Kenya all year round. However, the dry seasons usually offer the easiest game viewing. They run roughly from late June to October and from January to February. During this time, animals gather near water and the grass is shorter, so they are easier to spot. Moreover, the long dry season overlaps with the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara.
The long rains usually fall from about March to May, while the short rains come around November and December. Even so, the wet months have their own rewards. For example, the landscapes turn green, many migrant birds arrive and the parks are quieter. Our team will gladly help you choose the best dates for your interests.
Most safaris start and end in Nairobi. From there, you can travel by road or take short scheduled flights to the parks. For a first visit, many travellers combine the Maasai Mara with Amboseli or Lake Nakuru. On the other hand, if you have more time, you can add Samburu in the north or the wide open spaces of Tsavo.
As a rule, try not to rush. Long drives between parks can be tiring, so it is better to spend at least two nights in each main area. That way, you enjoy several game drives at the best times of day, in the early morning and late afternoon.
To make planning easier, we have created sample itineraries. You can book them as they are, or we can adjust them to your style and budget.
Roots Tours & Travel is a Kampala-based safari company and a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO). We specialise in tailor-made trips across East Africa. So, you can easily combine Kenya with gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, the Serengeti in Tanzania or a beach break in Zanzibar. First, tell us when you want to travel, what you hope to see and how you like to stay. Then, we will send you a clear, personal itinerary for free. Get in touch today and start planning your visit to the national parks of Kenya.
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