With no less than 50 game parks and reserves, all showcasing the rich wildlife and scenic beauty of East Africa, Kenya is undoubtedly one of the most stunning safari destinations in the world.
Within thousands of square miles of pristine wilderness areas, co-exists a diverse and magnificent range of wildlife. Better yet, visitors have a great chance of spotting the BIG 5 during their trip.
Kenya is one of my favourite countries in the world and on my visits I’ve been lucky enough to not only spot the Big Five, but have some of my best ever wildlife sightings here.
Watching four fluffy cheetah cubs frolic about in the Masai Mara and a herd of several hundred elephants cross the road in front of me in Amboseli are two of the many experiences that will stay with me for a lifetime.
Blessed with a varied landscape of lakes, rivers, tall mountains, volcanoes, semi-arid deserts, vast open savannahs, dense woodlands, and a tropical climate, the difficult part is choosing which Kenya safari park to visit during your trip.
In this post, we’ll go through the top safari parks in Kenya, including what wildlife you can find at each, and tips for planning your visit.
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Table of Contents
- Amboseli National Park
- Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- Lake Nakuru National Park
- Samburu National Reserve
- Tsavo East National Park
- Tsavo West National Park
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is undoubtedly one of the premier safari parks in Kenya and for its relatively small size of 392km², it sure packs a big punch. Amboseli’s contrasting landscapes of open savannahs, woodlands, lakes, and swamps are home to a wide range of wildlife and over 400 species of birds.
During a safari here, you will potentially see an abundance of lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, hippos, and tons of antelope species.
One of my best days of safari took place in Amboseli and I was able to witness three separate cheetah hunts in one morning, two of which were successful. Later that day we stumbled upon a pride of lions with tiny cubs, only a couple of weeks old. Hearing their adorable mewling and watching them climb atop their mother was a truly magical experience.
The main stars of Amboseli, however, are its huge herds of elephants, which have earned Amboseli the title of “The Home of the African Elephant”. There are over 1600 elephants in the park, many among the largest on the continent with tusks weighing over 100 pounds.
The most famous elephant is a male called Craig who has tusks which almost touch the floor. There’s nowhere else on the planet where you can see elephants with tusks as long as this!
Some of the best places to see the wildlife include the large marshlands and waterways around Amboseli Swamp, a crucial water source for elephants, and the seasonal Amboseli Lake in the western section of the park. The lake is home to numerous water birds, including huge colonies of flamingos.
Another must-visit spot in Amboseli is the pyramid-shaped Observation Hill, which offers panoramic views of the entire landscape, including Mount Kilimanjaro looming in the distance. This is the only place within the park where you can leave your vehicle to stretch your legs and is a great spot to enjoy a picnic lunch.
The early mornings (around 7am) and evenings (around 5pm) are the best time to view Amboseli’s elephants as this is when they migrate to and from the swamps in the middle of the park. Like clockwork, they will cross Amboseli’s roads and walk in front of Kilimanjaro, providing some fantastic photographic opportunities.
Animals aside, another reason Amboseli is one of the top safari parks in Kenya is due to its accessibility; there’s an airstrip and numerous lodges inside and just outside the main gate. It’s also only 6 hours away from Nairobi by road.
✅ Combine some of the absolute best safari parks in Kenya on this 4 day tour of Amboseli, Tsavo East and Tsavo West.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Maasai Mara is one of the world’s best safari destinations, offering not only unspoiled natural beauty and wildlife but also being home to an integral part of East Africa’s famed Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest traverse the plains, which starts in the southern plains of the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania.
With that in mind, if you’re planning your Kenya safari itinerary between late July and early November, don’t miss the migration at the infamous Mara River. Here, millions of travelling wildebeest, zebras and antelopes dare to cross the river to reach the open Masai Mara plains, despite many falling prey to over 3,000 waiting crocodiles and other predators.
But the Maasai Mara is not just about the Great Migration. It has a vast array of resident animal species, including the Big Five in large numbers and over 500 species of birds.
If the Great Migration isn’t a must-have on your list, then I’d strongly recommend visiting the Masai Mara outside of peak season. As Masai Mara is one of the most famous safari destinations in the world, it can get a little busy between June and the end of September. Lodges and park fees are also more expensive.
The park’s high density of lions and other big cats provides some of the best opportunities to see them hunting – even the secretive leopards! I’ve had one of my best ever leopard sightings within the Masai Mara, of a female leopard eating a meal right by my vehicle.
With vast wide savannahs and rolling hills, spotting animals is relatively easy throughout the year; it’s no wonder Maasai Mara National Reserve is considered a must-visit destination.
✅ Take a 3 day guided tour of the park to get the most from your experience. You’ll be camping amongst the action, and having a professional to help find the best animal-watching spots is definitely the way to go.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Conveniently situated below the western foothills of Mount Kenya and three hours north of Nairobi, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy is often the unexpected highlight for many visitors to Kenya, despite being smaller and less famous than some of its counterparts. It certainly was for me!
Besides being the closest place to Nairobi where you can see the Big Five, Ol Pejeta also has a healthy population of most other common animals found in Africa, such as cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, hippos, eland, impalas and other antelope species.
You may have a chance to see some rare and endangered species here too, such as wild dogs, oryx and Grevy’s zebras.
The reserve’s highly commended conservation programs have also resulted in a high number of both white and critically endangered black rhinos.
While you can consider yourself lucky to spot a single rhino in many of Africa’s famous parks, sightings of these vulnerable giants are common here. Ol Pejeta also hosts the world’s last two remaining northern white rhinos; Najin and her daughter Fatu.
Other fantastic things to do in Ol Pejeta include visiting the chimpanzee sanctuary and enjoying a self-drive or horse-riding safari. There are also loads of lodging and camping options available to suit all styles.
I love visiting Ol Pejeta as you are supporting a worthy cause. Ol Pejeta is a non-profit organisation and the largest rhino sanctuary in East Africa.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Even closer to Nairobi, Lake Nakuru National Park is another stunning safari destination in Kenya.
Best known for its abundance of white and black rhinos, this park can easily be visited on a day tour from the capital. And despite being 45km², this small park is packed with most species of animals found in Africa, except elephants.
Since Lake Nakuru is at the heart of the park, the wetlands provide a home to thousands of birds, including fish eagles, pelicans and literally millions of flamingos, so don’t miss this one if you’re a keen birdwatcher.
The lake is surrounded by open savannahs, dense woodlands, waterfalls and high rocky ridges with many viewing sites from where you can pause for a picnic and take in the breathtaking scenery.
Its small size makes it possible to get close to much of its wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, rhinos, and hippos. Leopards usually hang out in the thick woodlands, but you’d need a keen eye to spot them.
The woodlands and rocky ridges are also a haven for the rare black and white colobus monkeys and troops of baboons. This park is also famous for its huge pythons, but I was not lucky enough to spot any.
For its extreme natural beauty and the high density and visibility of its wildlife, I would not hesitate to recommend this park to anyone.
Samburu National Reserve
Also situated a few hours north of Nairobi, Samburu is another small but famous park which hosts diverse wildlife, including the Big Five plus cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, hippos, warthogs, baboons and tons of antelope species. It has an exceptionally high number of big cats and over 900 elephants.
Samburu also has an abundance of several rare and endangered species, including the reticulated giraffe, the blue-legged Somali ostrich, the thinner-striped Grevy zebra, Beisa Oryx and wild dogs. With no less than 450 species of birds present here, it is a birder’s paradise too.
Despite the wealth of wildlife here, Samburu is less visited compared with the bigger parks like the Maasai Mara, so it’s an excellent option for visitors who prefer viewing wildlife without the dense crowds. Sightings here feel more special as you don’t have to contend with dozens of other jeeps, jostling for the best view.
If the name ‘Samburu’ sounds familiar, perhaps it’s because this is the park in which pioneering couple George and Joy Adamson raised and “rewilded” Elsa, the lion cub made famous in the classic 1960s book and film, “Born Free”. In the early 2000s, the park made headlines once again when a grieving lioness adopted a baby orphaned oryx.
If you’re looking for something different from the usual game drives, Samburu also offers magical balloon rides and the unique experience of camel-ride safaris.
Tsavo East National Park
Separated from Tsavo West by the highway running from Mombasa to Nairobi, Tsavo East is one of the largest and most stunning safari parks in Kenya. Despite its unique natural beauty and diverse wildlife, it’s less travelled so a great choice for those looking to avoid the crowds.
Like its western neighbour, Tsavo East is home to a significant number of game species including the Big Five plus cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, hippos, crocs, kudus and tons of other animals and bird species, all regularly and very easily spotted.
The Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, technically on Tsavo West, located on the border between the two parks, is one of the best places in Kenya to view black rhinos, which were poached to near extinction in this area.
Most of the park’s terrain consists of vast, dry dusty plains with some incredible and rugged mountain views. Many animals tend to congregate around the banks of the Galana and Tsavo rivers, which run through the park providing wonderful game-viewing vantage points.
If you’re into landscape photography, Tsavo’s distinctive red dusty soils contrasting with the deep blue waters of the rivers and the African sky create stunning images. The vibrant volcanic soil is also responsible for Tsavo’s iconic “red” elephants, which is actually just caused by elephants dust-bathing.
✅ We recommend booking this tour, which will take you to several of the safari parks on this list and give you the best chance of seeing a huge diversity of wildlife and scenery.
Tsavo West National Park
Situated just North of the Tanzanian border, Tsavo West has a similar volcanic terrain and variety of wildlife as its neighbour Tsavo East. However, here things are a bit more rugged and mountainous, with more woodlands and water sources.
Although I saw many animals across the entire park, head to Lake Jima on the southern border and the crystal Mzima Springs to the north – both were teeming with life and must notbe missed.
For a unique perspective, visit the underwater viewing room at Mzima Springs, where you can see hippos, crocs and fish enjoying the crystal-clear water. Meanwhile, lions, leopards, elephants, black rhinos, buffaloes and tons of other game roam freely around the shores in vast numbers as well as a wide variety of birds.
Tsavo West is perhaps most famous for its man-eating lions which preyed upon dozens of railway workers back in the 1890s. Whilst the man-eaters are long gone, their bloodline likely still remains and so viewing lions here is always thrilling.
There’s a different, unique look about the lions in the region, with shorter, mohawk-like manes in comparison to the lions of Kenya’s western parks.
✅ Make sure you book onto a reliable and well-reviewed tour to get the most from your trip. We recommend this 4 day safari which you can book through Viator, our go-to tour operator.
Conclusion: Top Safari Parks In Kenya The Spot The Big 5
So there we have it, some of the best wildlife viewing found anywhere in Africa, all right here in Kenya.
Kenya is a fantastic destination for first-time safari-goers as it’s one of the easier African countries to travel to. Direct flights to Nairobi operate from various destinations across Europe including London and Amsterdam.
Additionally, Kenya’s infrastructure is pretty good, all the key parks are connected by well-maintained roads and also housing at least one airstrip each.
There are a number of lodging options available too, from budget ground camping all the way to luxury lodges and camps, meaning there really is something for every budget.
Kenya safari costs typically start at $150 per person per day for group safaris and $300 per person per day for private safaris, the latter of which I would recommend unless you are a solo traveller.
Note: Kenya is most popular for it’s safari tours, which are obviously incredible. But don’t plan a trip here without getting a little off the beaten path too. With 10 days in Kenya you can see so much more of what this country has to offer.
Author Bio
Ella McKendrick is a travel writer and photographer with a passion for all-things Africa. She first set foot on the continent when she was 17 years old and fell in love with it. Since then she has been back more times than she can count and has visited over 10 African countries.
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