• By: RIYANKA
• Nov 04, 2024
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The Ultimate Guide to the National Parks in Kenya, Beyond Maasai Mara

Spending a month in Kenya gifted me with some of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters of my life. Although I was in Nairobi for a volunteering program, working at a childcare center, I made the most of my free time, exploring the national parks of Kenya over the weekends, and my wildlife game drives began at Nairobi National Park, just on the edge of the capital city, and took me through some of Kenya’s most celebrated landscapes: the renowned Maasai Mara, the pink-hued shores of Lake Nakuru, the peaceful waters of Lake Naivasha, and finally, the breathtaking plains of Amboseli.

Though Maasai Mara is justifiably Kenya’s most popular park, it was Amboseli, with its towering views of Mount Kilimanjaro and herds of elephants, that truly captured my heart. Each park is unique, with distinctive landscapes, wildlife sightings, and experiences.

Here’s a guide to exploring the best national parks in Kenya, with practical details to help you plan your own adventure:

1. Nairobi National Park

• Location: Just 7 km south of Nairobi’s city center
• Timings: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Best Time to Visit: Early mornings or late afternoons for wildlife sightings

Despite being located within sight of Nairobi’s skyline, Nairobi National Park is a wild sanctuary home to over 100 species of mammals, including lions, leopards, and the rare black rhino. My Kenyan game drive adventure started here, where the landscape shifts from grassy plains to acacia bushland and wetlands, providing diverse habitats for the animals. The park’s proximity to the city makes it an easy starting point for anyone flying into Nairobi.

Pro Tips: Book your tickets in advance through the Kenya Wildlife Service website to avoid queues at the entrance. Make sure to bring binoculars to capture the smaller animals that roam the park’s diverse habitats.

2. Maasai Mara National Reserve

• Location: Narok County, approximately 280 km from Nairobi
• Timings: Open 24 hours (but most game drives run from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
• Best Time to Visit: July to October for the Great Migration

Maasai Mara’s fame is well-deserved. Known worldwide for the Great Migration, where over two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cross the Mara River from the Serengeti, the Mara offers unmatched safari experiences. Beyond the migration season, the park teems with wildlife all year round, from majestic lions and cheetahs to elephants and giraffes.

The Mara is managed by the local Maasai communities, which adds a rich cultural layer to the experience. Many lodges offer visits to Maasai villages, where you can learn about the community’s traditional lifestyle and relationship with nature.

Pro Tips: A hot air balloon safari over the Mara at dawn offers surreal views of the park. Book these safaris early, especially if you’re visiting during peak migration season.

3. Lake Nakuru National Park

• Location: 160 km northwest of Nairobi, in Nakuru County
• Timings: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Best Time to Visit: All year round, though April to June offers fewer crowds

Lake Nakuru National Park is a photographer’s paradise, thanks to its ethereal flamingo-lined shores and varied landscapes. As the sun rose over Lake Nakuru, I was greeted by the pink-tinged lake—a sight I will never forget. While the park is known for its flamingos, it’s also home to both white and black rhinos, making it an essential stop for rhino enthusiasts. Nakuru’s landscapes range from lake shorelines to grasslands and dense forests, providing diverse settings for wildlife sightings.

Pro Tips: Plan to arrive early in the morning for the best light for photography, and keep an eye out for the Rothschild giraffe, a species found only in certain areas of Kenya and Uganda.

4. Lake Naivasha National Park

• Location: About 90 km northwest of Nairobi
• Timings: Accessible from dawn to dusk
• Best Time to Visit: June to October, when the weather is dry

Lake Naivasha offers a more relaxed safari experience, with boat safaris that allow you to get close to hippos and various bird species. Located just a few hours from Nairobi, Lake Naivasha feels worlds apart. The lake’s still waters reflect the surrounding acacia trees, while hippos, fish eagles, and waterbucks move about peacefully.

Nearby Crescent Island, which is accessible by boat, provides a unique walking safari experience. Here, you can safely stroll alongside zebras, giraffes, and gazelles—a refreshing change from the usual jeep safari.

Pro Tips: Bird enthusiasts will love Lake Naivasha, as it is home to over 400 species of birds. Don’t miss Crescent Island, where you can experience a more intimate encounter with the wildlife.

5. Amboseli National Park

• Location: Loitokitok District, near the Tanzania border, approximately 240 km from Nairobi
• Timings: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Best Time to Visit: June to October, and January to February for clear views of Mount Kilimanjaro

Amboseli National Park was a personal highlight. Known for its herds of elephants set against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli feels surreal, with a blend of expansive plains, swamps, and lush vegetation. The landscape creates a unique stage for wildlife sightings, especially during sunrise and sunset when Kilimanjaro’s peak is most visible. The park is also home to Maasai giraffes, cheetahs, and over 600 species of birds.

In Amboseli, I witnessed elephants wandering gracefully across the savannah with the snow-capped Kilimanjaro in the background—a moment that felt straight out of a dream. This park is where you go to be moved by the stillness, the vastness, and the overwhelming beauty of nature.

Pro Tips: Amboseli’s mornings and evenings are the best times for photographing Kilimanjaro and the elephants. Many lodges in the area provide guided sunrise safaris, where you’ll catch the mountain in its full glory.

6. Tsavo East National Park

• Location: Located southeast of Nairobi, spanning parts of Taita-Taveta and Makueni counties
• Timings: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Best Time to Visit: June to October and January to February during the dry season

One of Kenya’s oldest and largest national parks, Tsavo East is renowned for its red elephants, colored by the park’s red volcanic soil. The open savannah landscape here makes it easier to spot the wildlife, which includes lions, leopards, and large herds of elephants. The Galana River cuts through the park, providing a rare water source in the dry expanse. Be sure to visit the iconic Mudanda Rock, a natural dam that draws numerous animals in search of water.

Highlights: Tsavo East is known for the ‘man-eaters of Tsavo’, a pair of lions that hunted workers building the Kenya-Uganda railway. You’ll also find crocodiles and hippos along the river banks, and a visit to Lugard’s Falls offers a striking view of water rushing through eroded rock formations.

7. Tsavo West National Park

• Location: Adjacent to Tsavo East, in southeastern Kenya
• Timings: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Best Time to Visit: June to October and January to February

With volcanic landscapes, rugged hills, and dense vegetation, Tsavo West feels vastly different from its counterpart, Tsavo East. It’s home to the Mzima Springs, a series of crystal-clear pools that attract hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of birds. The Chyulu Hills and Shetani Lava Flow create dramatic landscapes that make Tsavo West a must for adventurers looking for unique scenery along with excellent wildlife spotting.

Highlights: Mzima Springs offers an underwater viewing tank to observe hippos and fish. For those looking for a hike, try the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, which hosts one of Kenya’s most significant rhino conservation programs.

8. Aberdare National Park

• Location: Central Kenya, in the Aberdare mountain range
• Timings: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Best Time to Visit: January to February and June to September, though the park is lush and green year-round

Aberdare National Park in Kenya stands out for its forested landscapes, rivers, and waterfalls. The dense bamboo and tropical forests create a stunning habitat for rare species like the bongo (a forest antelope), giant forest hogs, and black leopards. Unlike the open savannah parks, Aberdare’s mountains and forests make it feel like a retreat into the wilderness.

Highlights: Aberdare is known for Treetops Lodge, where Queen Elizabeth II stayed the night she learned she had become queen. The Karuru Falls and Chania Falls are breathtaking, particularly after the rains.

9. Samburu National Reserve

• Location: Northern Kenya, along the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
• Timings: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Best Time to Visit: June to October and December to March.

Samburu is an arid park with a unique blend of wildlife, including the “Samburu Special Five”—Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, and gerenuk (an antelope that stands on its hind legs to eat leaves). The Ewaso Ng’iro River runs through the park, providing a lifeline for wildlife, including crocodiles, elephants, and leopards.

Highlights: For a cultural experience, visit a Samburu village. These semi-nomadic pastoralists are known for their rich traditions, beadwork, and vibrant attire.

10. Mount Kenya National Park

• Location: Surrounding Mount Kenya, in central Kenya.
• Timings: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Best Time to Visit: January to February and July to October for clear skies.

Home to Africa’s second-highest peak, Mount Kenya National Park offers more than just a safari. It’s a paradise for hikers and mountaineers, with trails winding through bamboo forests, alpine moorlands, and glaciers. Wildlife sightings here include elephants, monkeys, and buffaloes, often seen along the lower slopes of the mountain.

Highlights: For a challenging adventure, embark on the multi-day climb to Point Lenana. For those who prefer a more relaxed experience, the scenic Chogoria route offers stunning views and waterfalls.

11. Meru National Park

• Location: Northeastern Kenya, about 350 km from Nairobi.
• Timings: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Best Time to Visit: June to September and January to March.

Meru National Park is the setting of the famous story of Elsa the lioness, told in Born Free. It’s one of Kenya’s most biodiverse parks, with landscapes ranging from riverine forests to savannahs. Despite its beauty, it’s less visited than other parks, making it perfect for those seeking a quieter experience.

Highlights: Meru is home to the ‘Big Five’, along with cheetahs, hippos, and over 300 species of birds. You’ll also find numerous rivers and springs, offering cool, scenic spots to take a break during a game drive.

12. Hell’s Gate National Park

• Location: Near Lake Naivasha, Rift Valley Province.
• Timings: Open daily from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, but early mornings and late afternoons are cooler for hiking.

One of the few parks in Kenya where you can walk, cycle, and even rock-climb alongside the animals, Hell’s Gate offers a different kind of safari. The park’s dramatic cliffs, gorges, and hot springs make for an exciting adventure for those who enjoy exploring on foot. Wildlife sightings include zebras, giraffes, and baboons.

Highlights: Hell’s Gate inspired the landscapes in Disney’s The Lion King. A visit to the Olkaria Geothermal Spa, the largest natural spa in Africa, is a must for a relaxing end to a day of adventure.

13. Shimba Hills National Reserve

• Location: Near Diani Beach, on Kenya’s coast.
• Timings: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Best Time to Visit: January to March and July to October.

Shimba Hills offers a unique blend of coastal forest and savannah, making it one of Kenya’s most scenic reserves. The park is famous for its sable antelope, which is rare elsewhere in Kenya, and the beautiful Sheldrick Falls.

Highlights: A visit to Sheldrick Falls involves a guided hike through the forest, where you can cool off in the pools below. Shimba Hills is also a great add-on to a beach holiday in Diani, just 30 kilometers away.

Each of Kenya’s national parks has its own charm, from the city-edge wildlife of Nairobi National Park to the iconic Maasai Mara, the picturesque Amboseli, and the breathtaking Lake Nakuru and Naivasha.

While I was moved by the grandeur of Maasai Mara, Amboseli’s magic left a lasting impression that I’ll carry with me forever. Kenya’s parks are not only about the thrill of wildlife encounters but also about finding tranquility in nature’s beauty.

I hope this guide helps you in planning your game drives around the National Parks in Kenya, so you can experience firsthand the wonder of these extraordinary landscapes.