Top Kenya Tour Destinations

Kenya has to be among the first places that spring to mind when discussing an African safari. It is, after all, the nation that gave rise to the safari and the one that first popularised the idea of the Big 5. Anyone hoping to view a wide variety of animals in Kenya must take a safari, but it can be difficult to decide which park or reserve is best. In light of this, we’ve highlighted our top five safari destinations in Kenya here.

Masai Mara National Reserve

It is widely acknowledged and it is rightfully so that Kenya’s premier wildlife viewing Kenya wildlife safari destination is the renowned Masai Mara National Reserve. The reserve is home to a thriving predator population all year round, with the opportunity to see prides of lions, cheetahs hunting on the open plains, and leopards stalking in the forests among its main draws. The reserve is a diversified region of savannah woodlands, riverine forest, and enormous grasslands.

Millions of wildebeest, zebras and antelopes are crossing the Mara River annually during the Great Migration, which takes place in July through September, offering the ultimate kenya wildlife safari experience in the Mara. The Masai Mara National  Reserve is home to some of Kenya’s most renowned camps and lodges, including the well-known Governors’ Camp, Mara  Serena camp, Angama Mara Camp among many others which are perfectly situated to track the migration because it overlooks the river and has a deck and bar tent alongside it.

Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park, also known as Nairobi Kenya National Park, was established on December 16, 1946, and is the country’s first park. It is situated around 7 km (4.3 mi) south of Nairobi, Kenya, it is the world’s closest wildlife park to a major city. The park spans 45 square miles, or 117 km², and is located between 5000 and 6000 feet (1500 and 1800 meters) above sea level. Nairobi National Park’s vegetation is of the dry transitional savanna type, and it is divided into three sections: rolling plains and valleys, densely forested confluences of multiple rivers, and deep forests around the city’s periphery. Muhuhu, Cape chestnut, Kenya olive, acacias and other prickly types, and they are the most significant trees that provide habitat for the park’s fauna.

Nairobi National Park is home to over 100 mammalian species, including four of the Big Five (lion, buffalo, leopard, and rhino). Other animal species include zebras, black rhinoceroses, giraffes, and various species of antelope, as well as numerous reptiles and exciting Kenya wildlife tours. Nairobi National Park is the primary rhino sanctuary for breeding and restocking other parks.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru attracts tourists from all over the world because of its enormous flamingo flocks and the more than 300 different bird species making it a top birding safari in kenya destination. The number of flamingos and pelicans that congregate in the area has been reported to reach up to 1.5 million, despite a decline in recent years. Not only does a diverse range of wildlife call Lake Nakuru home, but the park was designated as a rhino sanctuary in 1983 and is home to a robust population of black and white rhinos. The well-known lion-spotting area may be found if you head south to the wooded area beneath Flamingo Hill. There, you can observe some leopards and lionesses napping in the trees.

Laikipia

The high plains of Laikipia, which are situated northwest of the snow-capped Mount Kenya, are becoming known as one of Kenya’s best places for safari travel. This is a sparsely populated region and has some of the most amazing Kenya safari views in the entire nation. In terms of wildlife, Laikipia has the second-highest density of wildlife populations in East Africa, second only to the Masai Mara. It also has a healthy population of endemic species, such as the Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe, in addition to supporting more endangered mammals than any other region in the continent. Laikipia’s vast rhino population is one of its main draws. Over 300 rhinos wander the broad plains in the region, which is home to an incredible 50% of Kenya’s rhino population.

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve, named after the Samburu people who have long been local to the area, is one of Kenya’s lesser parks compared to the likes of the Masai Mara but is nevertheless bursting with life. The Ewaso Nyiro River flows through the unrestricted savannah grassland, attracting a variety of animals, including a sizable population of Nile crocodiles. The reserve is also home to the “Samburu Special 5,” a rare group of northern species that live in the park. These include the Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk.

Samburu National Reserve is a birdwatcher’s paradise in kenya with over 350 different species of birds, including vultures, kingfishers, marabous, bateleurs, guinea fowl, and others, can be found in Samburu. Elephants, buffalo, hippos, and cheetahs are among the other Kenyan animals that may be found in the park. In the reserve, elusive leopards can also be found; they are most visible in the evenings. It is highly recommended that you schedule time for the cultural tours when visiting Samburu. These tours take you to the local Samburu villages, where you may engage with the vibrant Samburu people in their traditional environment and learn about their way of life.

Meru National Park

Meru National Park has become a more well-liked location for animal viewing after being rehabilitated after falling into disrepair due to unchecked poaching in the 1990s.Despite being one of Kenya’s most popular parks, it receives relatively little visitors, which is to its advantage because it offers an untouched 870 square km area open for exploration. Meru’s animal population and game watching chances rival those of practically any other Kenyan park, despite the park’s lower annual visitor count than other well-known ones. Big 5 sightings are becoming more common, along with cheetah and many other savannah animals. African fish eagles, crocodiles, and hippos can all be spotted in the streams and rivers that traverse Meru, which are important features of the terrain.

Tsavo National parks

Situated in the southwest of the country, Tsavo National Park is one of Kenya’s most popular tourist sites. There are two national parks in Tsavo: Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park. The park is well-known for its abundance of lions, which were once referred to as “Man-Eaters,” as well as other animal species including the enormous herds of elephants. There are 13,747 square km in the park.

One of Kenya’s oldest national parks, Tsavo is divided by a railway line into two sections: Tsavo West National Park and Tsavo East National Park. Tsavo is located in the southeast of the country. In addition to being well-known for its man-eating lions, Tsavo National Park features a rocky terrain with mountains and forested grasslands. In contrast, semi arid grasslands and savannah, home to several wildlife species, are the distinguishing features of Tsavo East National Park. When two maneless lions attacked construction workers building the railway that passes through Tsavo National Park, the man-eating lions there gained the nickname ‘man eating lions of Tsavo ’. While exploring this national park, tourists are drawn to various attractions, one of which is the presence of these lions.