Top 10 Safari Destinations in Kenya

Top 10 Safari Destinations in Kenya

Kenya is one of the most famous safari destinations in the world. The country is endowed with diverse and natural beauty. Kenya ranks position 47 among the worlds largest countries by landmass having a landmass of 582,646 square kilometers. In this article, we discuss what we think are the top 10 safari destinations in Kenya. You can choose to visit all of them but if budget does not allow, then you should visit at least one of them while visiting Kenya. At the onset, it is important to mention that Kenya is famous for fantastic birding safaris, wildlife safaris, hiking safaris, and the amazing cultural experiences of the Maasai, Samburu, Turkana and other tribes. Kenya is a very hospitable country and visitors are welcome to visit and interact with members of different communities or locations.

Kenya has many National Parks and Game Reserves which offer a thrilling tour experience that can capture the imagination of any tourist. From the world-famous Maasai Mara to the mesmerizing view of pink flamingoes on Lake Nakuru and the elephants of the Amboseli to the heartwarming cultural experience of the Maasai, Turkana, and Samburu, there is a lot in store for any person intending to visit Kenya.

Kenya is well known for adventure travel. It is no wonder that Kenya is the first country to introduce the concept of the “African Big Five.” The Africa Big Five comprises of elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, lions, and leopards. In the below sections, let us look into the top 10 safari destinations in Kenya.

1. Maasai Mara National Reserve

The Maasai Mara is regarded as a jewel of safari experience in Kenya. The Maasai Mara comprises of varied land of savannah woodlands, vast grassland, and riverine forest. The Maasai Mara is popular as it is home to the largest concentration of wildlife in Africa.

Do you want to see the big cats, large mammals, like elephants, buffaloes and rhinos? Maasai Mara National Reserve will treat you to all these.

Apart from this, the Maasai Mara has within its basket the dramatic Great Migration. The Great Migration happens every year between July and October. This is the most iconic escapade in the Mara where millions of animals including wildebeests, zebras, and other animals cross the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. This migration is a natural phenomenon in which the animals follow the rains in search of fresh grazing lands and water. The timing of this migration is dependent on environmental factors, the weather, and the animals themselves.

If you are looking for a memorable travel experience in Kenya, Maasai Mara should definitely be part of your list. Do not miss out on the amazing cultural experience of the Maasai. Visit a Maasai boma and experience their culture, traditional dance, and food.

2. Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park is located just a few kilometers from Nakuru City. Lake Nakuru National Park is attractive to visitors from around the world as they flock the park to witness the huge flock of flamingos gathering at the lake. Apart from the flamingos, there are more than 300 bird species that call this place home. The park also features impressive views of the rift valley escarpment, the expansive Lake Nakuru and sporadic savannah landscape dotted with Euphorbia trees.

Lake Nakuru National Park is also home to the endangered white rhinos and black rhinos, and the Rothschilds giraffe. Other wildlife that can be spotted in this National Park include leopards, lions, antelopes, impalas, bucks, baboons, and giraffes.

Visit Lake Nakuru National Park and have a feel of bird watching, wildlife viewing, and sightseeing. In addition, you can add spice to your journey by taking the campsites and lodges in the park.

3. Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is regarded as the elephant’s territory. This is one of the top safari and tourist destinations in Kenya. Amboseli National Park is located in Kajiado County in Southern Kenya. The park is popular for two things. The first is that it is home to largest herds of elephant. The other is that Amboseli National Park offers the most astonishing view of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Amboseli National Park encompasses five diverse habitats that are a thrill to tourists. These are the dry-bed of Lake Amboseli, savannah, woodlands and the wetlands with sulphur springs. Amboseli National Park offers tourists the opportunity to enjoy delightful Maasai cultural experience.

4. Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve is one of the top unique safari destinations in Kenya located in the arid region of Northern Kenya. It is located approximately 311km from the capital Nairobi City. The reserve is situated on the banks of River Ewaso Ng’iro and comprises of rugged vegetation. Samburu National Reserve is relatively smaller in size when compared to other parks and reserves. However, despite its size, there is an amazing safari experience that one can have while visiting this reserve. The reserve is home to large mammals and some of the rare animal species. There is a famous “Samburu Five” that comprises of the Somali Ostrich, gravy zebra, generuk, reticulated giraffe, and Beisa Oryx. For the bird lovers, Samburu National Reserve is home to more than 450 bird species.

Samburu National Reserve is located close to the Samburu people who are culturally and traditionally nomadic pastoralists. The Samburu people were attracted to the Ewaso Ng’iro river which provides water to their livestock. The Samburu have an interesting lifestyle and are generally friendly people. If you are visiting Samburu National Reserve, expect to appreciate the Samburu culture, experience wildlife and enjoy bird watching.

5. Nairobi National Park

Nairobi is a unique tourist destination as it is the only city in the world with a National Park at its entrance. Nairobi National Park is located on the southern end of the city center. The park boasts a variety of birds and animals. There are two game-viewing options that visitors can experience when they visit the park. These are the game drive through the park and the safari walk on the canopied bridge.

While visiting the park expect to appreciate and experience nature and have a sight of buffaloes, zebras, gazelles, leopards, and warthogs. Nairobi National Park is also home to more than 400 bird species.

6. Tsavo National Park

Tsavo National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Kenya. Tsavo National Park is located in Taita-Taveta County near Voi town. Tsavo National Park covers an extensive stretch of a protected area, approximately 13,747 square kilometers.

Tsavo National Park is decorated with wetlands, rocky hills, dormant volcanoes, and natural springs.

Tsavo National Park is divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Tsavo East is mostly characterized by savannah and semi-arid grasslands. Tsavo West is mostly characterized by mountains and savannah woodlands.

Tsavo is home to a variety of animal species including elephants, rhinos, lions, buffaloes, hippos, leopards, waterbucks, crocodiles, oryxes, lesser kudus, gerenuks, giraffes, cheetahs, and monkeys. Apart from these animals, visitors to Tsavo National Park will also be impressed with the more than 500 bird species hosted in the park.

7. Mount Kenya National Park

Mount Kenya National Park is found on Mount Kenya – this is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest mountain in Africa. A safari visit to Mount Kenya National Park offers a remarkable experience of the mountain view itself and the mountain landscape which is covered with bamboo and Africa rosewood forests.

Mount Kenya National Park is home to leopards, elephants, elands, duikers, elands, waterbucks, and giant forest hogs among other wildlife. Mount Kenya National Park is also home to more than 130 bird species that are impressive for bird watchers.

Through a safari visit to Mount Kenya National Park, one can enjoy different activities, such as sightseeing, hiking, and nature walks. Additional activities include game drives and bird watching.

8. Aberdare National Park

The Aberdare National Park is characterized by steep forested gorges and open moorland grassland. This park is home to many wildlife species, primates, and birds. The park is located within the Aberdare Mountain Range in Central region of Kenya.

The common wildlife that one can see while visiting this park include black rhinos, spotted hyenas, warthogs, buffaloes, leopards, olive baboons and monkeys. Other species include African golden cats, serval cats, civet cats, giant forest hogs, duikers, and bongos among others.

Aberdare National Park is also home to more than 250 bird species among them including sparrow hawks, sunbirds, eagles, plovers among others.

9. Kenyan Coastline

The Kenyan Coastline is another famous safari destination in Kenya. The coastline is protected by an offshore coral reef barrier in Mombasa. The Kenyan coastline has breathtaking beaches and tropical waters that allow for different activities like swimming, fishing, scuba diving, kite surfing, and snorkelling among others.

The Kenyan coastline is flooded by groups of families – both locals and international visitors like to have a bite of the Kenyan coastline.

Some of the most visited places along the coastline include Diani, Fort Jesus, Wasini Islands, and Gedi Ruins among others.

10. Meru National Park

Meru National Park is one the lesser-known parks in Kenya. It is located in Meru, approximately 350km from Nairobi City. Meru National Park has since been restored having suffered from neglect and uncontrolled poaching in the 1990s. Meru National Park is increasingly becoming an important safari destination in Kenya. It is still one of the least visited parks in Kenya, when compared against the ones that have been outlined above. This works in its favor since the park has remained unspoiled by a lot of human activities.

Meru National Park may not boast quite as many visitors as the other well-established parks. However, it has a wildlife population and game-viewing opportunities that are similar to the ones available in the other parks. Meru National Park offers great sights of reedbucks, zebras, giraffes, hartebeests, lions, elephants, hyenas, leopards, hippos, cheetahs, jackals among others. There are approximately 400 bird species in the park. Meru National Park also offers opportunities for snake lovers as there are pythons, puff adders, cobras among other snake species in the park.