Parks and Reserves in Kenya
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Wildlife Safaris: Parks, Reserves and Sanctuaries in Kenya
The home to the Big Five, namely Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino and Cape Buffalo, Kenya is endowed with numerous national parks, marine parks and game reserves that host a large variety of wild animals. Most of the safari wild animals on an adventurer’s wish list can be found in Kenya. It is the world’s capital boasting more than 50% of the globe’s wildlife families. So, let’s take a look at some of these high-density parks and reserves.
National Parks
Kenya is home to some of the world’s best safari parks. Here is a conclusive list of all national parks in Kenya.
National Parks Amboseli National Park
Referred to as the home of the elephant family, Amboseli is found in the Rift Valley Province in Loitoktok district...
National Parks Lake Nakuru National Park
Located in Rift Valley Province in Nakuru city in Nakuru county, Lake Nakuru is the second of the premium national...
National Parks Nairobi National Park
Just as the name suggests, Nairobi National Park is located in Nairobi County in Kenya’s capital city. It is the...
National Parks Tsavo East National Park
Notably one of the vital safari parks in Kenya due to its large number of elephants including the world’s super...
National Parks Tsavo West National Park
Adjourning the Tsavo East National Park in Coast province, Tsavo West is slightly smaller than Tsavo East it is the...
National Parks Chyulu Hills National Park
Boasting the best views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Chyulu Hills is a rugged wilderness that features rolling hills of endless green,...
National Parks Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park
An alluring destination within the beautiful Machakos County, Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park is typically a one-day trip destination dominated...
National Parks Hell’s Gate National Park
With a rather peculiar name, Hell’s Gate National Park is a popular destination by a majority of local and international...
National Parks Mount Longonot National Park
Mount Longonot is another park in Naivasha with the main attraction being the mountain. Mount Longonot is a stratovolcano located...
National Parks Aberdare National Park
This is a unique park found in 2 counties - Nyeri and Nyandarua. Its nearest town is Nyeri. With dense...
National Parks Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano in Kenya and the second-highest peak in Africa, after Mount Kilimanjaro. The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian...
National Parks Meru National Park
Remote and unspoilt, Meru National Park is one of the least visited parks in Kenya despite being surrounded by a...
National Parks Marsabit National Park
This misty mountainous park features a dense forest and three crater lakes that are home to a range of reptiles,...
National Parks The Lake Turkana National Parks
Sibiloi National Park Rarely mentioned in the list of the best national parks in Kenya is Sibiloi National Park, but...
National Parks Saiwa Swamp National Park
This is the habitat for the famous aquatic antelope called Sitatunga and a preserve for the rare De Brazza’s monkey....
National Parks Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park is on Kenya’s western side and shares the ecosystem with Uganda’s Mount Elgon National Park. It...
National Parks Ndere Island National Park
Ndere Island is a small island (4.2 km2 or 1.6 sq mi) in Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria in Kenya. It was gazetted as the Ndere Island National Reserve in November 1986 and has...
National Parks Ruma National Park
Ruma National Park is found in Homa Bay County and is the only terrestrial park in Kenya's Nyanza. It’s known...
National Parks Kora National Park
Kora National Park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometers. It is located 125 kilometers east of Mount Kenya. The...
National Reserves
What is the difference between a park and reserve, you may ask?
Well, a park is a protected area that is only habitat to wildlife species and locals aren’t allowed to reside inside the national parks. A reserve is open for humans to live in and herd their domestic animals in the same area as the wildlife, and they are commonly managed by local authorities. With Maasai and Samburu culture playing a huge role in Kenyan culture and heritage, you can see why the main wildlife attractions Maasai Mara and Samburu are national reserves and not parks. There are 28 national reserves in the country, but the six mentioned here are the most visited, easiest to access and worth noting.
National Reserves Maasai Mara National Reserve
Probably the most famous wildlife reserve in Kenya, Maasai Mara is located in the south west of Kenya bordering the...
National Reserves Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve in Kenya is one of the premier wildlife reserves in East Africa and a popular Safari destination set...
National Reserves Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Buffalo Springs National Reserve is named after an oasis of clear water at its western end. It has often been...
National Reserves Shaba National Reserve
Though overshadowed by the neighboring Samburu and Buffalo Springs Reserves, Shaba is a real wilderness experience. This scenically stunning reserve...
National Reserves Shimba Hills National Reserve
The Shimba Hills National Reserve is a small National Reserve about 15 km from the coast. The reserve is an area of coastal rainforest, woodland and grassland....
National Reserves Kakamega Forest National Reserve
Kakamega Forest National Reserve is a natural tropical forest within the counties of Nandi and Kakamega. The closest town is...
National Reserves Lake Bogoria National Reserve
Lake Bogoria is a shallow saline lake within the Great Rift Valley lying north of the equator famously known for...
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Wildlife Sanctuaries Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary
Newly established, this is a bird lover's paradise with over 400 bird species have been recorded in the Lake Nakuru/Lake...
Wildlife Sanctuaries Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a privately-owned wildlife sanctuary in Kenya established in 1972. The sanctuary covers an area of...
Wildlife Sanctuaries Kisumu Impala Sanctuary
This little gem is tucked into a corner of the city, right beside Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in...
Wildlife Sanctuaries Lake Simbi National Sanctuary
Lake Simbi is a small volcanic crater soda lake in Kenya located outside Kendu Bay and close to the shore...
National Marine Parks
A marine park is a type of marine protected area (MPA). An MPA is a section of the ocean where a government has placed limits on human activity. These are the best Kenyan marine parks usually allowing recreational activities, such as snorkeling, and boating.
National Marine Parks Mombasa Marine National Park
The perfect destination within the county of Mombasa for a fun filled day in the vast Indian Ocean. The Park...
National Marine Parks Watamu Marine National Park
Watamu Marine Park is described as the ‘Haven of the Green Turtles’ on the Kenya Wildlife Service website. Green turtles,...
National Marine Parks Malindi Marine National Park
From swimming with zebra fish to windsurfing, this beautiful slice of Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline is the perfect getaway. The...
National Marine Parks Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park
Found in Kwale County off the Shimoni and Wasini islands, this is the home to dolphins. The highlight of a...
National Marine Parks Kiunga Marine National Reserve
Kiunga Marine National Reserve is a beautiful marine national reserve in Kenya situated along Kenya’s spectacular Indian Ocean. The reserve...