A Brief Guide To Wildlife Destinations in Kenya
Africa Travel 2024 – If you are planning for a Wildlife Safari in Africa, specifically Kenya, we bring you some guidelines and important information that you need to know about the Wildlife National Parks or Reserves in Kenya. Plan for your Africa Travel 2024 or 2025 with success.
Masai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara National Reserve, often spelled as ‘Maasai Mara’, stands as one of Kenya’s most renowned destinations. Extending over 1,510 km², it shares an ecosystem with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, allowing for the spectacular Great Migration of around 1.5 million zebra and wildebeest annually from July to October. The reserve is famed for hosting the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo), along with a diverse array of wildlife, including 95 mammal species and over 400 bird species. While the Masai Mara can get busy, offering day trips from Nairobi, there are secluded lodges accessible by light aircraft flights. However, walking safaris and night drives are not permitted within the National Reserve boundary.
Mara Conservancies
Bordering the National Park are 15 wildlife Conservancies, established to promote community-based conservation models. These conservancies safeguard wildlife and habitats while providing income for the Maasai people. Unlike the main reserve, conservancies allow for a more intimate safari experience, with activities such as night drives and nature walks permitted. Limited public access ensures a private and exclusive option compared to accommodations within the Masai Mara.
Samburu National Reserve
Although less renowned than other parks, Samburu National Reserve offers a unique ecosystem characterized by drier conditions. Wildlife here has adapted to desert-like environments, with notable species including the Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and beisa oryx. The reserve boasts over 450 bird species and 75 mammal species, and it is also home to the semi-nomadic Samburu tribes, offering opportunities for cultural experiences through village visits. Activities range from walking safaris and day and night game drives to camel rides and quad biking.
Laikipia Plateau
Situated centrally from Mount Kenya to the rim of the Great Rift Valley, the Laikipia Plateau is renowned for its significant rhino population and large herds of elephants. Private conservancies protect wildlife, making it a hotspot for the Big Five. Light aircraft flights provide access to the region, which serves as a base for exploring northern Kenya and the great lakes.
Amboseli National Park
Southeast of Nairobi lies Amboseli National Park, celebrated for its vast elephant herds and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. While covering 392 km², it is part of a larger 8,000 km² ecosystem. The park is rich in biodiversity, housing around 400 bird species and over 50 mammal species, including lions and cheetahs.
Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks
Named after the Tsavo River, these two parks—Tsavo East and Tsavo West—differ greatly in geography. Tsavo West is mountainous and greener, while Tsavo East is dry with vast open plains. Together, they cover an extensive area of 22,000 km², with Tsavo East being nine times larger than the Masai Mara. Notable attractions include large herds of elephants and the black rhino sanctuary in Tsavo West.
Rift Valley Lakes
Kenya’s portion of the Great Rift Valley is home to some of the world’s oldest, largest, and deepest lakes, including Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha. These lakes, located within National Parks, harbor diverse wildlife, including endangered black rhinos at Lake Nakuru. Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, boasts abundant aquatic life, although only a small portion lies within Kenya’s borders.