Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is the oldest of Kenya’s National Parks and Game Reserves. It was gazetted in 1946. This game sanctuary is a stretch of Savannah that is set against the dramatic skyline of Nairobi. Its main entrances are merely a stone’s throw away from the city’s outskirts, making Nairobi the only city in the world that borders a natural game protection area. The park contains over 100 species of mammals, mainly plains game. The big five are also found here except the elephant. The park’s advantage is that visitors do not have to travel far to view game in its natural habitat. The Animal Orphanage and Safari walk at the main gate should not be missed. The orphanage is home to injured and orphaned animals. Here they are nursed back to health before being released to the wild. The park is also ideal for ornithological safaris.
Maasai Mara Game Reserve
The Maasai Mara Game Reserve is arguably Kenya’s most popular game sanctuary. It is the most famous and most visited game reserve in Kenya. The film ‘Out of Africa’ was made to a great extent in this reserve. Virtually every type of wildlife can be seen at the Mara. A spectacle worth seeing is the annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle from Serengeti plains across the Tanzania border and the Mara River to reach Maasai Mara grazing fields from late June. The dramatic crossing of the river and of these reserves are the spectacular scenic beauty, rivers and forests. It is an area where the local people have a rich and colorful heritage. The reserves have numerous permathe preying on the migrants by predators can be viewed from early July to August. The reserve abounds with birdlife since dose to about 452 species have been recorded. Hot air balloon safaris are readily available in this park. Accommodation is plentiful in Maasai Mara and ranges from five star lodges to luxury tented camps and campsites within the reserve.
Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs Reserves
The highlightsnent springs and a wealth of wildlife which includes leopard, hippo, elephant, lion, reticulated giraffe, grevy’s zebra and crocodile in the Ewaso Nyiro river. Over 365 species of birds have been identified in the sanctuaries. There are lodges and campsites managed by mobile tented camp operators. Shaba National Reserve is home to the monument of Joy Adamson who, together with her husband George, contributed greatly to Kenya’s wildlife as an author, conservationist and artist. The film ‘Born Free’ is based on Joy’s book of the same title. Shaba was the setting for the film ‘Sheena Queen of the Jungle’. Shaba reserve is home to the rare blue-shanked Somali Ostrich.
Aberdare National Park
Center for Kenya’s forest lodges (tree hotels) including the world famous Tree Tops. Night game viewing is available for those whose interests include the nocturnal wildlife and the many mountain animals are seen from the comfort of the balcony as the come to drink from the nearby salt lick.
Great Rift Valley (Lakes Nakuru, Baringo, Bogoria, Naivasha, Magadi and Cherengani Hills, Hell’s Gate National Park)
Thousands of flamingos visit the lakes seasonally. Excellent for those in search of bird-life (An Ornithologists’ paradise). Lakes also attract a large variety of wildlife, water birds and predators.
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli means ‘the place of water’ in Maasai language. The park has an endless supply of water which is filtered through thousands of metres of volcanic rock from Mount Kilimanjaro. Animal species seen include elephant, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, impala and leopard. The birdlife seen here includes pelican, bee eater, kingfisher, African fish eagle and pygmy falcon. Amboseli is one of the most popular parks and offers excellent accommodation facilities. There are five lodges and two campsites inside the park. Kilimanjaro forms the backdrop of this game sanctuary and it is a sight to see and marvel at. The nomadic richly decorated Maasai who are deeply steeped in Maasai culture entertain visitors with enchanting dances of ageless Africa.
Tsavo National Park
One of the largest game parks in the world surrounded by the beautiful Chyulu hills and the Pare mountains. Mzima springs, a natural and clear watering point is great for game viewing. Tsavo is also famous for its large number of elephants among other species of the animal kingdom.
Kakamega Forest
An Ornithologist’s paradise - here you can find about three hundred species of birds, some of which are unique to this part of the country. A natural and ancient forest excellent for game or botanical walks.
Mount Elgon National Park
This unspoiled national park is famous for caves, game viewing and hiking. Situated on Kenya /Uganda border, the highest peak on Kenyan side (Koitobos) is about 4,200 meters high. Kitum cave (place of ceremonies) extents 200 meters into the mountain. At night animals go in to feed on the rich salt deposits. An unforgettable sight is of the elephants licking away at the salt walls in these caves.
Ndere Island National Park (Meeting Place)
This place is where Mikaye (the mother of Luo) rested after her long journey, before she found shelter on this island close to the rock that goes by her name. Ndere Island is also home to a large population of crocodiles, swamp antelopes and birds. Fishing can also be done nearby. Situated in northern part of Lake Victoria near Kisumu, Ndere Island National Park can only be accessed by boat.
Ruma National Park
This rarely visited national park is home to a number of Kenyan animals and birds. Famous for Roan antelopes (hippopotamus equines ) which are an endangered species of antelopes.
Mount Kenya National Park
Surrounded by 130,000 acres of forest reserve. Visible from the mountain top on a clear day are Mount Kilimanjaro to the south, Mount Elgon to the west, Marissa Mountain to the north and the Indian ocean to the east. Hiking, climbing and game viewing for rare mountain wildlife can be done here.
Lake Turkana National Park
Situated on Ethiopia /Kenya border. Africa’s longest Rift Valley lake. The Great Rift Valley is a symbolic relic of the massive upheavals in the earth’s crust some 10 million years ago which opened the world’s largest geological divide stretching over 3,500 miles from Danilil depression at Ethiopia’s northern Red Sea coast line to Mozambique. Turkana has the largest number of crocodiles in the world - more then 10,000. A number of pre-historic human fossils have been found here including the Australopithecus.
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