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Masai Mara
National Reserve
The most famous and most visited of Kenya's national parks is
the Masai Mara National Reserve. It offers breathtaking views
and a chance to see Kenya's "big five" animals - rhinos,
elephants, lions, leopards and buffalo.
The Masai Mara (or The Mara) is the best park to visit to enjoy
the spectacular and world-famous annual wildebeest migration
that takes place in Kenya every year.
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is Kenya's second most popular national
park after the Mara. Located 160 miles from Nairobi, the park
offers a stunning view of both Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru.
In addition to the beautiful sunsets and sunrises of Mt.
Kilimanjaro, you can enjoy an eclectic array of animals,
including large herds of elephants, and wildlife habitats, such
as swamps, from atop The Observation Hill.
Aberdare National Park
Majestic peaks, moorland, deep ravines, streams and cascading
waterfalls define the spectacular landscape of
Aberdare National Park.
Aberdare is an ideal park for topography enthusiasts and bird
watchers who also want a chance to view elephants, black rhinos
and other game wildlife.
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a major Kenya attraction for tourists
to Nairobi, offering them a chance to enjoy Kenya's wildlife
from within the city. Located less than 10 miles from Nairobi
city, Nairobi National Park is also a rhino sanctuary and you
are guaranteed to see a black rhino during your visit.
You can also enjoy buffalo, zebras, wildebeests and a host of
birdlife. With picnic sites and nature trails, the park offers
plenty of fun for Kenyans and tourists alike.
Tsavo East National Park
Now a separate park from the original Tsavo, the Tsavo East
National Park is a very popular park for tourists from Kenya's
coast. It's less than 100 miles from Mombasa and is served by
several airstrips.
Tsavo East is the park where you can see the infamous
"Man-Eaters of Tsavo" lions, as well as elephants, rhinos, birds
and other wildlife.
Tsavo West National Park
Occupying 30 percent of Kenya's total park area, Tsavo West
National Park is one of the largest national parks in Kenya. It
is easily accessible from the Mombasa-Nairobi highway and
borders Tanzania to the south.
Tsavo West offers tremendous views of a landscape packed with
diverse wildlife habitats, rocky ridges, acacia woodlands,
isolated hills, semi-desert scrubs and mountain forest.
Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya, which is Kenya's highest mountain, lies within the
Mount Kenya National Park. The park flourishes with pristine
wilderness, glaciers, snow-capped peaks, flora and fauna.
It is an ideal park for hiking and mountain climbing, as well as
for viewing some of Kenya's rare and endangered animal species.
Lake Nakuru National Park
About 95 miles northwest of Nairobi is Lake Nakuru National
Park, popular for it's pink flamingoes. For those who love birds
and bird watching, Lake Nakura offers a picturesque landscape,
and is home to over 400 bird species, including both the greater
and lesser flamingoes, as well as game animals such as the white
rhinos.
Samburu National Reserve
Located in the Samburu district of Kenya is the Samburu National
Reserve, a rugged, semi-desert park that has remained almost
undisturbed by mankind.
In its remoteness, the park is an ideal retreat for those who
enjoy calm and natural serenity. This former home to "Elsa the
Lioness" is full of birdlife and Kenyan game animals, and is a
great park to spot the elusive Kenya leopard.
Meru National Park
Meru National Park is located 350km (220miles) northeast of
Nairobi and offers a spectacular view of Mt. Kenya. It is in
this small savannah park, with its pristine landscape of wooded
grasslands, thorn-bush and wilderness, that George Adamson and
Elsa the Lioness lived.
Mount Elgon National Reserve
In Mt. Elgon National Reserve, located in Kenya's Rift Valley
Province along the Kenya-Uganda border, you will find elephants
living in caves. This park, situated on Kenya's second highest
mountain, Mt. Elgon, is lush with fauna and flora, caves and
waterfalls, hot springs and mountain peaks.
Mount Elgon is an ideal reserve for trekking, rock climbing,
bird watching and hiking.
Saiwa Swamp National Park
As the smallest park in Kenya, this 1.9mē park lies below the
the Cherangani Hills in the Rift Valley and is served by the
Kitale airstrip. It is home to the semi-aquatic sitatunga
antelope and various species of birds.
This swampy park is so small that you don't need to drive.
Simply walk over to camp at the park, enjoy the antelope or view
the birds.
Shimba Hills National Reserve
Located 20 miles in the Kwale district, to the south of Mombasa,
Shimba Hills National Reserve is a dissected plateau with scenic
landscapes comprised of rivers, valleys and hills - an ideal
topography for bird-shooting.
Kenya's national parks are managed by the Kenya Wildlife
Services (KWS), who are also responsible for protecting all
Kenya wildlife animals and species. Kenya national reserves, on
the other hand, are managed by the local county councils within
their jurisdiction.
If you are going on a Kenya safari tour, it is possible to
combine your tours and visit more than one park at the same
time. Some of the parks are close to each other. However, for
the best chance of spotting the animals in any park, go on one
of the game drives that take place during the early morning
hours or late in the evening when most of the animals are active
and moving around. During the day around the parks, tourists are
invited to engage in other types of safaris, such as air balloon
rides, cultural tours, and bird viewing, or to simply enjoy time
in the lodge or camping site.
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P.O. Box 5004 00100, Nairobi, Kenya, Lakamshi Hse, 1st Flr. Biashara Street
Tel: +254-20-2218753 Fax: +254-20-2218753 Mobile: +254 722 782256
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