Kenya is undisputed as the safari capital of the world. From the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya to the white sands of the coast, and from the open plains of the Masai Mara to the arid beauty of the north, this country offers a diversity of landscapes that few others can match.
At African Breeze Tours, we know that choosing where to go can be the hardest part of planning your trip. Kenya boasts dozens of protected areas, each offering a unique wildlife experience.
Whether you are looking for the Big Five, rare bird species, or a relaxing beach getaway, here is our comprehensive guide to the top National Parks and Reserves in Kenya.
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Location: South Western Kenya, bordering the Serengeti in Tanzania.
The Landscape: Famous for its open, flat grasslands dotted with acacia trees. The reserve is drained by the Sand, Talek, and Mara Rivers—the stage for the Great Migration river crossings.
Wildlife: Home to the ‘Big 5’ (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino) and the famous wildebeest migration. You will also see cheetahs, hyenas, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and crocodiles.
Highlights: The Great Migration (July–October) is a world-famous spectacle, but the Mara offers incredible game viewing all year round.
LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Location: Central Kenya, Rift Valley Province (140km from Nairobi).
The Landscape: A soda lake surrounded by fever tree forests and rocky cliffs. The lake attracts varying numbers of flamingos depending on water levels.
Wildlife: A sanctuary for both Black and White Rhinos. It is also home to lions, leopards, buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffes, waterbucks, and baboons.
Highlights: The Baboon Cliff viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the pink-rimmed lake and the Rhino Sanctuary.
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Location: South Kenya, on the Tanzanian border (260km from Nairobi).
The Landscape: Famous for the breathtaking backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. The park consists of dusty plains, acacia woodlands, and swamps fed by underground springs.
Wildlife: Best known for its large herds of Elephants with big tusks. You will also see lions, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and over 400 bird species.
Highlights: The best views of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa and excellent elephant photography opportunities.
SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
Location: Northern Kenya, along the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
The Landscape: Arid, semi-desert terrain. The lifeblood of the reserve is the Ewaso Ng’iro River, lined with doum palms and riverine forests that attract wildlife.
Wildlife: Home to the ‘Samburu Special 5’ (rare northern species): Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, and the Somali Ostrich. It is also home to lions, leopards, and elephants.
Highlights: A unique safari experience featuring rare animals not found in southern parks, and cultural visits to the Samburu people.
TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK
Location: South Eastern Kenya (240km from Nairobi).
The Landscape: Volcanic hills (Chyulu Hills), lava flows (Shetani Lava Flow), and natural springs.
Wildlife: The “Red” Elephants of Tsavo, rhinos, lions, leopards, and hippos.
Highlights: Mzima Springs (an underwater viewing chamber to see hippos/fish) and the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary.
TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK
Location: South Eastern Kenya.
The Landscape: Vast, flat, arid bushland and the Yatta Plateau (the world’s longest lava flow).
Wildlife: Famous for the history of the “Man-Eating Lions” and large herds of dust-red elephants. Also home to the Hirola (Hunter’s Hartebeest) and the Big 5.
Highlights: Lugard’s Falls and the sheer scale of the wilderness.
NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK
Location: Just 7km from Nairobi city centre.
The Landscape: Open grass plains with a unique backdrop of city skyscrapers.
Wildlife: Home to the Big 4 (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino). It is one of the best places in Kenya to see Black Rhinos close up.
Highlights: The only wildlife park in the world located within a capital city. Also includes the Ivory Burning Site Monument and the Nairobi Safari Walk.
HELL’S GATE NATIONAL PARK
Location: Naivasha (90km from Nairobi).
The Landscape: A dramatic savannah ecosystem with towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, and geothermal steam vents.
Wildlife: Buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, gazelles, and leopards. It is also a breeding ground for vultures and eagles.
Highlights: One of the few parks where you can walk or cycle past wildlife. Famous for Fischer’s Tower (rock climbing) and the Geothermal Spa.
SWEETWATERS (OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY)
Location: Laikipia, near Mt. Kenya (250km from Nairobi).
The Landscape: Private savannah grasslands with views of Mt. Kenya.
Wildlife: The Big 5, plus a Chimpanzee Sanctuary (the only one in Kenya) and a Rhino Sanctuary.
Highlights: Night game drives, lion tracking, and visiting the chimpanzees.
LAKE NAIVASHA & CRESCENT ISLAND
Location: Rift Valley.
The Landscape: A freshwater lake fringed by papyrus and acacia trees.
Wildlife: Huge populations of hippos and fish eagles. Crescent Island is a sanctuary where you can walk among zebras and giraffes.
Highlights: Boat rides to see hippos and walking safaris on Crescent Island.
ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
Location: Central Kenya (160km from Nairobi).
The Landscape: A high-altitude park with misty moorlands, deep ravines, bamboo forests, and spectacular waterfalls.
Wildlife: A haven for the Black Rhino, leopards, baboons, and colobus monkeys. Rare sightings include the Bongo antelope and Giant Forest Hog.
Highlights: Trout fishing, hiking to waterfalls, and staying at tree-top lodges (like The Ark or Treetops).
MERU NATIONAL PARK
Location: Eastern Kenya (348km from Nairobi).
The Landscape: A wild, beautiful wilderness of tall grass, lush swamps, and rushing rivers, offering views of Mt. Kenya.
Wildlife: Large herds of buffalo and elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, and crocodiles.
Highlights: The former home of Elsa the Lioness (Born Free). It is uncrowded and offers a true “wilderness” feel.
MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK
Location: Central Kenya.
The Landscape: Africa’s second-highest mountain (5,199m). The scenery changes from dense rainforest and bamboo at the bottom to alpine moorland, glaciers, and snow at the peaks.
Wildlife: Elephants, buffalo, and monkeys inhabit the lower forests. Higher up, you find hyrax and specialised alpine plants.
Highlights: Mountain climbing, hiking, and exploring the pristine high-altitude lakes.
SHABA NATIONAL RESERVE
Location: Northern Kenya, east of Samburu.
The Landscape: A rugged, dramatic wilderness featuring the Ewaso Ng’iro River, volcanic rock, and Mount Shaba.
Wildlife: Klipspringers, hyrax, leopards, lions, and the rare northern species found in Samburu.
Highlights: A quieter, more exclusive experience for travellers who prefer scenery and solitude over crowded game viewing.
BUFFALO SPRINGS NATIONAL RESERVE
Location: Northern Kenya, separated from the Samburu Reserve by the river.
The Landscape: Flatter and less dense than Samburu, featuring an old “heart-shaped” pool created by a WWII bomb, which is now a crystal-clear swimming hole.
Wildlife: Elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and the rare northern species.
Highlights: The Buffalo Springs pool and excellent leopard sightings.
LAKE BARINGO NATIONAL RESERVE
Location: Great Rift Valley, north of Lake Bogoria.
The Landscape: A freshwater lake surrounded by volcanic ranges.
Wildlife: A birdwatcher’s paradise with over 470 recorded species. The lake is also home to hippos and crocodiles.
Highlights: Boat trips, bird watching, and visiting the Njemps fishermen.
LAKE BOGORIA NATIONAL RESERVE
Location: Great Rift Valley, north of the equator.
The Landscape: A shallow, saline (alkaline) lake famous for steam jets and boiling geysers along the shore.
Wildlife: One of the world’s largest populations of Lesser Flamingos. The reserve also hosts the rare Greater Kudu antelope.
Highlights: The spectacular hot springs, geysers, and thousands of flamingos turning the lake pink.
LONGONOT NATIONAL PARK
Location: Rift Valley (90km from Nairobi).
The Landscape: Dominated by the dormant volcano Mt. Longonot. The crater is filled with a dense forest.
Wildlife: Buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes live on the lower slopes. Leopards live within the crater forest.
Highlights: Hiking to the crater rim for spectacular views of the Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha.
MOUNT ELGON NATIONAL PARK
Location: Kenya-Uganda border (420km from Nairobi).
The Landscape: An ancient eroded volcano featuring vast caves, cliffs, and waterfalls.
Wildlife: Elephants, buffalo, colobus monkeys, and over 300 bird species.
Highlights: Exploring the “Kitum Cave,” where elephants go deep underground to dig for salt—the only place in the world where this occurs.
KAKAMEGA FOREST NATIONAL RESERVE
Location: Western Kenya.
The Landscape: The only remaining patch of the great Guineo-Congolian rainforest in Kenya. It features immense indigenous trees and waterfalls.
Wildlife: A primate haven (De Brazza’s monkey, Colobus, Vervet). Famous for butterflies, snakes, and unique forest birds like the Great Blue Turaco.
Highlights: Guided forest walks, butterfly watching, and birding.
MOMBASA MARINE NATIONAL PARK
Location: The coast of Mombasa.
The Landscape: Coral reefs, lagoons, and white sand beaches.
Wildlife: Dolphins, sea turtles, crabs, starfish, and thousands of colourful reef fish.
Highlights: Snorkelling, glass-bottom boat rides, diving, and sunbathing on the Indian Ocean coast.
Ready to Explore Magical Kenya?
With so many parks and reserves, planning the perfect itinerary can feel overwhelming. That is where we come in. At African Breeze Tours, we specialise in crafting custom safari packages that combine the thrill of the wild with the relaxation of the coast.
Whether you want to witness the Great Migration in the Masai Mara, climb Mount Kenya, or snorkel in the Indian Ocean, we can make it happen.
Contact us today to start planning your dream African adventure.
- Email: info@africanbreezetours.com
- Phone: +254 721 463 393