Kenya Parks

KENYA

Aberdare National Park

Located 260 km from Nairobi in the Aberdare Range, this is a very scenic area in the Central Highlands of Kenya. The park sits on the eastern edge of the rift valley with a maximum elevation of 4000m. The park consists of montane forest and moorland. Wildlife is plentiful. Over 40 species of animals including elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, black rhino, bongo, giraffe, zebra, etc and 290 species of birds including Jacksons francolin, sparrow hawk, goshawks, plovers etc. Hiking / walking safaris is possible under an armed escort.

Amboseli National Park

The name is derived from the Maa word "empusel" meaning salty and dusty, referring to the dry lake bed and alkaline nature of the soil here. Established in 1948, the park is situated on the southern border of Kenya with Tanzania, and can be reached by air (45 min) or road (5-6 hours) from Nairobi (240 km). It is 4000-5000 ft above sea level and covers an area of 392 sq kms. It is famous for its large elephant population and the snow-capped backdrop of majestic Mt Kilimanjaro (5895 m), the highest point in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain on earth, which rises from just across the border in Tanzania. The park comprises what was formerly gigantic Lake Amboseli which has now almost dried up, except for two massive perennial swamps (OloKenya and Enkongo Narok) which are fed by melted snow from Kilimanjaro and which sustains the vast flora and fauna. The park is home to 55 species of mammals and 425 species of birds.

Laikipia Plataeu

Stretching across the north western flank of Mt. Kenya, Laikipia Plateau covers an area of 9500 sq km. Although is is not a national park, the many private conservancies in this area are amongst Kenya's wildlife conservation success stories. The average altitude ranges from 1700-2600 metres above sea level. Habitat ranges from arid semi desert to dense forest. In terms of wildlife diversity this area would rate close to the Masai Mara. Animals unique to this area are Grevy's zebra, Reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk and the Beisa oryx, apart from the regular big five and over 300 species of birds. It is 300 km north of Nairobi by road (2 hours by flight).

Lake Baringo

These massive lakes are amongst the rift valley lakes in east Africa. Baringo is a freshwater lake, while Bogoria is alkaline and known for its hot springs that erupt in boiling geysers and a large flamingo population. Both lakes are scenic and rich in birdlife. They are located an hour’s drive from Nakuru.

Lake Naivasha

The name is derived from the Maa word "naiposha" which means 'rough water', referring to the wind waves that are created during a storm. Located just 100 km from Nairobi, Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake, one of the many rift valley lakes in Kenya. The lake is fringed with papyrus and yellow ‘fever’ trees, giving it a quintessential African setting, especially at sunset. It is home to abundant birdlife, especially fish eagles and malachite kingfishers, and a large resident population of hippos and other grazers. The lake served as Nairobi’s airport until the early 20th century where seaplanes would ply and bring the rich and famous to East Africa. An ideal stop over enroute to the north or south when on safari.

Lake Nakuru National park

The name is derived from the Maa word "nakurro" meaning a dusty place. It also means "little soda lake" from some accounts, as well as "place of the waterbuck" in Swahili. This 188 sq km park was established in 1968, on the periphery of the town of Nakuru. It is 160 kms from Nairobi and can be reached by air (30 min) or by road (3 hours). The park is framed by tall cliffs and yellow ‘fever’ trees. The park was world renowned for its flamingo population but excessive rains have removed the alkalinity forcing the birds to migrate to other shallow soda lakes. This is one of the best places to spot both species of rhino as well as the elusive leopard.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Spread over an area of 250 sq km, Lewa serves as a safe refuge for the critically endangered black rhino and the endangered Grevy’s zebra, as well as the elephant, lion, giraffe, wild dog and other iconic wildlife species in Kenya. The Conservancy is also home to more than 400 species of birds. It is 250 km north east of Nairobi by road (2 hours by flight).

Masai Mara National Reserve

Mara is the Maa (language of the Masai) word meaning "mottled" - used by the earliest Masai to identify the tree and shrub dotted areas in the Serengeti. From a distance the patchy areas look like dots on the open savannah grasslands. Known as “the Mara”, the iconic reserve was established in 1974. It forms the northernmost extent of the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania, and consists of rolling savannah grasslands, marshes and hills and is drained by two rivers – Mara and Talek. At an altitude of 4500-5500 ft above sea level, it covers an area of 1510 sq km and is home to the highest concentration of wildlife on the planet during the annual wildebeest migration of over a million animals, between July and October. The “Migration” is one of the top natural wonders of the world. The Mara also has a sizeable resident animal population all year, and can be reached from Nairobi (270 km) by air (45 min) or road (6-7 hours). 450 species of birds have been recorded here of which 54 are raptors. The reserve is home to the Big Five. The Masai people live in their ‘enkangs’ on the periphery of the reserve and can be seen grazing their cattle, in the presence of lions, elephants and other animals - an incredible sight to behold. If one had time to visit only one wildlife park on the planet, this would be the right choice!

Meru National Park

Established in 1966 and spread across 870 sq km, this popular big five park was made famous by Elsa the lioness, of Born Free fame, who was in the care of George Adamson the Game Warden and his wife Joy. The park has abundant rainfall and boasts of a wide variety of flora and fauna. It is bordered by the Bisanadi and Mwingi National Reserves to the east and south respectively. It is 290 km north east of Nairobi by road (2 hours by flight).

Mombasa & Environs

The oldest city in Kenya boasts of a rich cultural diversity. The language Kiswahili was initially spoken here before becoming the lingua franca of entire east Africa. The city changed hands between the local tribes, the Portuguese, the Arabs and finally the British, before Kenya got its independence in 1963. Mombasa is a port as well as commercial centre today with many places of interest. There are the white sand beaches with hotels of all budgets along the coast as well as marine national parks where one can enjoy snorkelling and diving. Tsavo East national Park and Shimba Hills Nature Reserve are only a short drive from here. Mombasa is 500 km south east of Nairobi by road (2 hour by flight / 4.5 hours by train).

Mt Kenya National Park

Mt Kenya’s summit is the highest point in Kenya at 5199 m. The mountain is revered by the Kikuyu, Kenya’s largest ethnic group, who call it “Ngai” (God). The mountain is a Unesco world heritage site and the national park is a Unesco biospehere reserve. This area offers excellent opportunities to mountaineers and trekkers, with boating and rafting options. There is much wildlife here as well, 10,000 feet above sea level, and some of the world’s iconic “Tree-hotels” are located here and in the eastern Aberdares. Animals like elephant, buffalo, even lion and leopard, can be seen drinking at the waterhole from the comfort of the room or a central viewing gallery at a distance of a few feet. The distance from Nairobi is approximately 250 km and can be reached by air (40 min) and road (4-5 hours).

Nairobi National Park

Nairobi was derived from the Maa word meaning "place of cold waters", referring to the altitude and climate of what was then a cold desolate swamp teeming with wild animals. Until the middle of the 20th century wildlife roamed free within the city limits of Nairobi. In 1946, a fence was erected in the southern part of the city to create Kenya’s first national park, which covers an area of 120 sq km. The animals have a corridor to move within and outside the park towards the south (the city sits on the north side). You can spot lion, cheetah, leopard, rhino (black and white), hippo, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and a large number of other animals and birds over an early morning or late evening drive. There are no elephants in the park. As it is located so close to the city, one can see giraffe and zebra when driving to and from the international airport which borders the national park.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Once a cattle ranch, Ol Pejeta (360 sq km) is today the largest black rhino sanctuary in east Africa, and home to two of the world’s last remaining northern white rhino. "Sudan" the last male northern white rhino passed away recently. It is the only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees, in a Sanctuary established to rehabilitate animals rescued from the black market. It has some of the highest predator densities in Kenya, and still manages a very successful livestock programme. Ol Pejeta also seeks to support the people living around its borders, to ensure wildlife conservation translates to better education, healthcare and infrastructure for the next generation of wildlife guardians. It is 150 km north east of Nairobi by road from Nairobi (90 minutes by flight).

Samburu, Shaba & Buffalo Springs National Reserve

The meaning of Samburu is not clear but it may have reference to "those who carry the sampur (bags)" or "warriors" who carried baskets to bring back their trophies from wars. They are close relatives of the Masai but an independent homogenous tribe of Kenya. Established as national reserves in 1985, this area straddles the Ewaso Ngiro River in northern Kenya. The combined area of the three reserves is 535 sq km and is home to the Big Five as also some species that are only found here like Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, Guenther’s dik-dik, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. Also present are more than 350 bird species. The landscape is semi arid with kopjes, doum palms, river acacias, swampland, natural springs, scrub desert, and open savannahs, making this a very scenic reserve. It is located 350 km from Nairobi and is connected by air (75 min) and road (6-7 hours). North of this reserve lies Meru National Park which became famous for the story of Elsa and Born Free, who was raised by the Adamsons here.

Tsavo West & East National Parks

The name means "place of slaughter" in the Akamba language. Established in 1948, the two parks together constitute Kenya’s largest national park. Tsavo East is 12,000 sq km and Tsavo West is 9,000 sq km. The parks are divided by the railway line and the Nairobi – Mombasa highway. Tsavo West is mostly dense bush country and is known for the Chaimu crater, Shetani Lava flows, and Mzima Springs (a natural clear water spring which provides the city of Mombasa with a permanent water supply). Tsavo East is more arid and less dense, and affords easier viewing of game, though it is sparsely populated. The Galana and Athi rivers flow through the park. Sights include Lugard’s Falls and Mudanda Rocks. The Tsavo parks are dotted with gigantic Baobab trees. The park is home to over 50 species of mammals and over 400 species of birds. The park became famous when during the construction of the railway in the late 19th century, over 100 workers were killed by a pair of man eating lions, who were eventually destroyed by Col Paterson and recorded in his memoirs – The Man Eaters of Tsavo. Recently the book was made into a Hollywood movie – The Ghost & The Darkness. Tsavo means “place of slaughter”. Given the history and the fact that you can hear but not see lions in the undergrowth makes the nights at this park doubly exciting and a must for any wildlife buff! Plus Tsavo offers some of the best scenery and backdrops of any park.