Kenya National Parks
Kenya’s natural national parks, which are home to numerous endangered species, conceal the country’s natural beauty. The abundance of national parks and reserves within the borders of this east African nation has earned it the moniker “wildlife capital.” These are the top 8 Kenyan national parks for those who enjoy wildlife, and they will enthral you with their ability to see Africa’s wildlife up close and feel the excitement of being so close to these wild creatures.
It is not surprising that Kenya Safari Tours welcomes so many tourists from all over the world each year given the abundance of amazing things to see and do. Kenya is a destination that draws tourists with its stunning beaches, modern cities, and breathtaking scenery.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Best Time To Visit: July-October
Major Attractions: Ol Kinyei Conservancy, Olare Orok Conservancy, Mara Triangle, Mara River
Must Experiences: Witness the wild beast migration, Jungle safari
Where To Stay & Eat: Elephant Pepper Camp, Enkewa Camp, Mara Bush Camp
How to Get There: Nairobi City is located 270 kilometres away from the national reserve in Kenya. It typically takes 4-5 hours to travel there by car and 40–45 minutes by plane.
Amboseli National Park
Best Time To Visit: July-September (January and February)
Major Attractions: Elephant Research Camp, Lake Amboseli, Sinet Delta
Must Experiences: hiking at Mt. Kilimanjaro, visiting the Observation Hill, meeting the Masai Tribe
Where To Stay & Eat: Ol Tukai Lodge, Amboseli Serena Lodge, Kimana Lodge, Tortilis Camp
How to Get There: Driving is a convenient way to get to the national park. The road from Nairobi to Namanga is fairly uneven, and there are potholes on the route from Namanga to Meshanani Gate. There is also a connection from Nairobi to Amboseli on this flight.
Tsavo National Park
Best Time To Visit: June-October and January and February
Lake Nakuru National Park
Best Time To Visit: June-March
Principal Attractions: Lake Nakuru, the prehistoric site of Hyrax Hill, and the Makalia Waterfall
Must Experiences: Watching flamingos on lake Nakuru, wildlife safari
Where to Dine & Stay: Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, Lake Nakuru Lodge
How to Get There: From Nairobi’s northwest, the park is 156 kilometres away. The main gate, which is 4 km from the Nakuru Town Centre, provides the quickest access to the park.
Mount Kenya National Park
Best Time To Go: December through March
Major Attractions: Mount Kenya, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Must Experiences: Mountain climbing, camping, and caving
Where to Dine & Stay: North Hut-style campgrounds, such as Kinondoni and Austrian Head
How to Get There: The park is 175 kilometres from Nairobi. To get there, take the Nyeri-Nanyuki road near Naro Moru or the Nanyuki-Isiolo road via Sirimon Track.
Nairobi National Park
Best Time To Go: June through September
Principal Attractions: Ivory Burning Site Museum, Galleria Mall, and Nairobi Mosque
Must Experiences: picnic, camping, the sight of black rhino, walking trails at hippo pools
Accommodations & Dining: Twiga Campsite
How to Get There: The national park is ten kilometres from Nairobi’s downtown. Wilson Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport are the closest airports to the national park.
Samburu National Reserve
Best Times to Visit: July–October and December–March
Major Attractions: Samburu National Reserve, Shaba National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Must Experiences: Wildlife safari, Bird watching, and Samburu cultural tours
Accommodations & Dining Options: Sarova Shaba, Samburu Serena Lodge, Samburu Sopa Lodge
How to Get There: The reserve can be reached by road via Isiolo and Archer’s Post, while the national park is 345 kilometres from Nairobi. Additionally, there are scheduled flights that link Nairobi with the national park of Samburu.
Kenya National Parks FAQs
How many national parks are there in Kenya?
There are currently 54 national parks in Kenya.
Which is the most visited national park in Kenya?
Maasai Mara National Park
Which is the biggest park in Kenya?
Tsavo East National Park (13747 square km)
Which is the oldest national park in Kenya?
Nairobi National Park
What is the international entrance fee to Nairobi National Park?
For foreigners, the adult fee is USD 50 and half the price for children.
Kenya’s Game Reserves and National Parks are some of the best safari parks in the world. An essential part of any holiday to Kenya, game safaris are an unforgettable Kenya Travel Guide & experience that you won’t want to miss.
There’s plenty of choice on offer and so much to see and do but don’t forget to also make time to relax on Kenya’s beaches before you leave too. Let our African Experts help you start planning your Kenya Safari Tours today.