An insight into the best gem of Kenya’s national parks
Located in the Eastern part towards the horn of Africa, Kenya is one of the top reliable safari destinations for tourists. Whether you are visiting as a group, single, student, researcher, name it, Kenya has a lot for you. All her treasures are hidden in the 24 national parks, 15 national reserves, 6 marine parks, and private conservancies. Visiting Kenya national parks gives you an opportunity of learning and exploring several animal species both big and small. No wonder, some of the best animal documentaries are made from Kenya national parks like Masai Mara Game Reserve.
The Best Kenya National Parks
Below is a list of some of Kenya’s national parks which have a lot to offer on the tourists’ table;
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Nairobi national park
History
Established in 1946, Nairobi national park is usually regarded as Kenya’s first national park. The park lies just a few kilometers from the capital city Nairobi which makes it unique among other national parks not only in Kenya but also in the world at large.
Nairobi national park traces its background from as far as the 19th century much us it had not been organized but was rather a land dominated by animals. The park was later on affected by urbanization as humans continued destroying habitats while the city grew bigger. The park later survived all the threats until its establishment in 1946.
Location
Covering an area of about 117 square kilometers, Nairobi national park lies at just a few kilometers south of Nairobi city.
Major Attractions
- Big five animals (Rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo and elephant)
- Nairobi Mosque
- Galleria Mall
- Ivory Burning Site Museum
How to get to Nairobi national park
Getting to Nairobi national park can be made possible using both road and air transport means;
By Road
Distance 10 kilometers South of Nairobi City Center
By Air
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airports
Best time to visit Nairobi national park
Nairobi national park can be visited all year round however, the best time to visit is during the months of June to September.
Accommodation while at Nairobi national park
Where to stay while paying a visit to Nairobi national park should not worry you. It all depends on your choice and affordability since its accommodations facilities range from budget to mid-range to luxury. Some of these include; Tamarind Tree Hotel, Nairobi Tented Camp, Pori City Hotel, Maasai Ostrich Resort, to mention but a few.
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Amboseli national park
History
Before becoming a national park in 1974, Amboselli national park was declared a national game reserve in the year 1968. It is was later declared a UNESCO site in 1991. It is currently a home of diverse animal, plant and bird species which attract big numbers of travelers from different corners of the world.
Location
Amboseli National Park lies is 260 kilo meters from Nairobi, towards the South West. It is well situated on the border of Tanzania in Loitoktok District, Rift Valley Province of Kenya. Amboseli national park covers an area of 392 square kilometers.
Major Attractions
Elephant Research Camp, Lake Amboseli, Sinet Delta, Cheetah, Leopard ,Wild dogs, Buffalo, Rhino, Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Crocodile, Mongoose, Lesser Kudu, Porcupine, over 400 bird species and Scenic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
How to get to Amboseli national park
Getting to Amboseli national park can be made possible using both road and air transport means;
By road
The route from Nairobi to Namanga is quite rough whereas from Namanga to Meshanani gate leads to experience potholes in the journey.
By air
The flight connects from Nairobi to Amboseli.
Best time to visit Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park can be visited all year round however, the best time to visit is during the months of July-September and January to February.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Amboseli national park varies from budget to mid-range to luxury. Here are some of the suggested place; Tukai Lodge, Amboseli Serena Lodge, Kimana Lodge and Tortilis Camp
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Masai Mara Game Reserve
History
Masai Mara national park got its name from the famous Mara River which is host one of the deadliest crocodiles in the Africa. The park is a continuation of Tanzania’s Serengeti national park. It was established in 1948 as a wildlife sanctuary. The park was later turned into a game reserve in the year 1961. It has been under management of different groups until it was taken over by a not –for – profit agency in 2001. The park is also famous for hosting great wildebeest migration that come in search of water and greener pastures all the way from Serengeti national park.
Location
Covering an area of 1,510 square kilo meters 583 square miles, Masai Mara national park lies in southwestern wing of Kenya at the border of Tanzania’s Serengeti national park
Major Attraction in the Masai Mara national park
The big five animals (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Black Rhino, Wildebeests, Zebra, Gazelle, Eland, Impala, Giraffe, Hippo’s, crocodiles, hyena, cheetah and the Mara River itself.
How to get to Masai Mara national park
Masai Mara national park can be accessed by both road and air transport means.
By road
270 kilo meters from the Nairobi city which usually takes 4 to 5 hours
By air
40 to 45 minutes from Nairobi.
Best time to visit the park
Every day is good to visit Masai Mara national park, however, if you are interested in watching the wildebeest’s migration, the best time is during the months of July and September.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Masai Mara national park rages from budget to mid-range to luxury depending on the traveler’s choice. Here are some of the suggestions for you; Elephant Pepper Camp, Enkewa Camp and Mara Bush Camp
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Aberdare National Park
History
Aberdare National Park was named after the magnificent Aberdare mountain ranges. The mountain ranges were named after a European explorer Joseph Thomson who became the first white man to see Aberdare mountain ranges in 1884. With an intention of protecting the ecosystems of the mountain ranges, in 1950 Aberdare National Park was established. The pack is famous for having good numbers of black rhinoceros, elephants and gazelles.
Location
Aberdare National Park covers an area of 767 square kilometers and lies in central Kenya just 160 kilometers from the capital – Nairobi.
Major Attractions of Aberdare National Park
The park is home to a large population of black rhinos, lions, leopards, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, Thompson Falls, Kereita Cave and Waterfall and over 250 species of birds.
How to get to Aberdare National Park
By road
160 kilometers from the Nairobi
Best time to visit Aberdare National Park
The park can be visited all year round but the best time for sighting its major attractions is during the months of June to September and also January to February.
Accommodation while at Aberdare National Park
Here are some of the parks accommodation facilities which range from budget to mid-rage to luxury; The Ark Lodge, Outspan Golf and Country Club
- Lake Nakuru national park
History
Lake Nakuru national park was established in the year 1961 and later gazette in 1968. The park traces the origin of its name from a Masai word “Nakuru” which means “dust” or a “dusty place”. It is famous for hosting thousands of flamingo birds and other bird species.
Location
Lake Nakuru national park covers an area of approximately 188 square kilometers and in it lies Lake Nakuru one of the soda lakes of the Rift valley that which lies 1754 meters above sea level. It is well situated 140 kilo meters north-west of Nairobi city, in Nakuru district, Rift Valley Province.
Major Attractions of Lake Nakuru national park
The park hosts flamingoes, Lake Nakuru, white and black rhino striped hyena, buffalo, lion, zebra, gazelle, leopard, waterbuck, impala, gazelle, bat-eared fox, wild cat, the rare long-eared leaf-nosed bat, golden cat, warthog, baboons, , hippo, colobus monkey, and over 450 terrestrial and water bird species.
How to get to Lake Nakuru national parks
By road
Lake Nakuru can be accessed by road from Nairobi city via the 156 kilometer road North West wards.
By air
You can use the 25 minute flight from Jomo Kenyatta International airport Naishi airstrip which is located inside the park.
Best time to visit Lake Nakuru national park
For better sightings and views of Lake Nakuru national park’s major attractions one can visit between the months of June to March. However, visiting the park is an all year round activity.
Accommodation while at Lake Nakuru national park
While you are paying a visit to Lake Nakuru national park, you can choose to stay in any of these accommodation facilities; Lake Nakuru lodge, Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, Naishi Guest House, Kambi Nyati campsites, to mention but a few.
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Tsavo East national park
History
Established in 1948 Tsavo East National park is one of the oldest National Parks in Kenya. Tsavo East National park is famous for being the home to the soil-covered, rusty-red elephants playing in the shady Galana River waters. Quite a number of these elephants were once orphans at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust but were later released back into the wild. The park is the largest protected area in Kenya and is a medley of wonders.
Location
Tsavo East National Park is located in Eastern parts of Kenya between Nairobi city and the Indian Ocean coast. The park covers an area of approximately 13,747 square kilometers.
Major Attractions
The park is a home to several animal species which include; the red skinned elephants, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, hippo, crocodile, waterbucks, lesser kudu, and hirola. Additionally, over 500 bird species reside in Tsavo East national park. Some of these birds are rift valley endemics. They can never be easily spotted anywhere else in the world.
How to get to Tsavo East National park
Reaching Tsavo East national park can be made possible using both road and air transport means.
By road
Drive the Nairobi, Mombasa and Malindi road.
By air
Several airstrips have chartered flights that can easily get you to Tsavo East national park, these include; Voi, Aruba, Satao, Sala, Ithumba, Sangayaya, Mopeo, Bachuma and Cottars.
Best time to visit Tsavo East National park
Tsavo East national park is open to travelers from January to December, however, the best times to visit for great sightings and experiences are during the months of June to October as well as January and December.
Accommodation while at Tsavo East national park
While you are on your trip to Tsavo East national park, accommodation should not worry you. This is because the park has got a lot to offer, it all depends on your choice and affordability. The available accommodation facilities range from budget to mid-range and then luxury. Below are some of these accommodation facilities from where you can choose; Voyager Ziwani Camp, Kilaguni, Voi Wildlife Lodge, Serena Safari Lodge, to mention but a few.
- Kenya national park
History
Named after the second tallest mountain in Africa – Mt. Kenya, Mt. Kenya national park was formerly a forest reserve. In the year 1949, the park was declared a park . This was later followed by its designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in April 1978. The national park and the forest reserve were combined and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Location
Mt. Kenya national park lies just 150 to 175 kilometers north of Nairobi city and stands in Central and Eastern Kenya. The park covers an area of 715 square kilometers.
Major Attractions in Mt. Kenya national park
Other than Mt. Kenya, majority of the attractions in Mt. Kenya national park are common at the base of the park. These include but not limited to the following; elephant, water buck, buffalo, monkeys, tree hyrax, antelope and giant forest hog, white tailed mongoose, bushbucks, monkeys and porcupine.
How to get to Mt. Kenya national park
Reaching Mt. Kenya national park can be made possible using Nanyuki-Isiolo road via Sirimon Track or Nyeri-Nanyuki road near Naro Moru.
Best time to visit Mt. Kenya national park
The park is open all year round but the best time to visit between the months of December and March.
Accommodation while at Mt. Kenya national park
Accommodation at Mt. Kenya national park varies from budget to mid-range and then luxury depending on your choice and affordability. Here and some suggestions for you; Like North Hut, Kinondoni campsite, Austrian head campsite and Like North Hut.
Other national parks in Kenya include;
- Samburu National Reserve
- Shimba Hills National Reserve
- Hell’s Gate National Park
- Tsavo west national park
- Longonot National Park
- Mount Elgon National Park
- Kakamega Forest National Park
Kenya national parks are a gem that one should add to their itineraries. Other East Africa safari destinations be combined with Kenya national parks. Read about Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris Are you looking for the best Kenya safari packages? Click here for the best deals.