Kenya Tours/Kenya National Parks and Game Reserves

Click on any of the National park or Reserve on the map to view more details

Aberdare National Park

This highland forest park created in 1950, is known for its montane vegetation, scenic views, waterfalls and the rare Bongo in addition to other wildlife such as Elephant, Leopard and Buffalo.

Accommodation is in elevated mountain lodges which are built near watering holes or saltlicks to allow sighting of animals. The typically highland weather is known for its unpredictability and is generally quite cool.

Aberdare Park Facts

• Altitude 7,000-14,000ft.
  
• Area 767sq. kms
  
• Distance from Nairobi 180 kms
  
• Mweiga and Nyeri airstrips
  
• Opened May 1950
  
• Game to view includes: Bongo, Leopard, Elephant
  
• Second largest Population of Indigenous Black Rhino
  
• Diverse Eco-System - Rainforest, Waterfalls, Table Mountains
  
• Queen Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne here
  
• Night Game Viewing at the Ark and Treetops Lodges
  
• Kimathi Hideout - used by the legendary Mau - Mau General
  
• Trout Fishing, Moorland Walks
  

Amboseli National Park

Famous for the stunning scenery, with the 19,450 feet Mount Kilimanjaro dominating the view, this park, located on the Kenya -Tanzania border, is also known for its wildlife, especially the prolific elephant herds.

The vegetation is varied but dominated by savannah which allows for viewing of the plains game, ranging from lions, leopards and giraffe.

Amboseli Park Facts

• Altitude 3,900 - 4,500ft
• Area 392 sq. ft.
  
• Distance from Nairobi 135 kms
  
• Airstrip
  
• Opened April 1948
  
• International bio - sphere reserve
  
• Unrivalled views of Mounts Kilimanjaro & Meru
  
• Contemporary Maasai Culture
  
• Excellent Elephant and bird viewing
  
• Year round springs and waterholes

One of the most scenic parks in Kenya and East Africa, this bird and rhino sanctuary is home to a wide range of animals including lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, waterbuck and rhino, the only notable exception being the elephant. The park is also a bird watcher’s paradise, with 400 known species having being spotted here.

Vegetation ranges from savannah to various indigenous forests. A world heritage site, Lake Nakuru is most famous for its million-plus grand pink flamingo population.

• Altitude 4,000-5,767ft
• Area 188sq. kms
• Distance from Nairobi 157 kms
• Naishi Airstrip
• Opened June 1968
• Over 400 species of bird life (Aquatic & Terrestrial)
• Over 1 million Flamingo
• Plentiful & Easy Game viewing: Leopard, White & Black Rhino
• Picturesque Landscape & Yellow Acacia

Lying North East of Mount Kenya, this park is known for its remote location and is therefore less frequented by tourists. Although generally semi-arid, several streams flowing off the mountain have led to the proliferation of rich forests and marshes which sustain the usual wildlife in addition to several species best spotted here, such as the Gerenuk and Lesser Kudu.

• Altitude 1,000 - 3,400ft.
• Area 870 sq. kms
• Distance from Nairobi 348 kms
• Opened April 1968
• Beautiful Landscape, 13 Rivers
• Former Home of George & Joy Adamson & "Elsa" the Lioness
• Game viewing: elephant, hippo, lion, leopard, cheetah

At 5,199m high, Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain. It offers easy or challenging ascents with scenic beauty.

According to Kikuyu folklore, it is the home of the Supreme Being: Ngai, a name also used by the Maasai and Kamba to describe God. In traditional prayers and sacrifices, Ngai is addressed by the Kikuyu as Mwene Nyaga: Possessor of Brightness.
The name comes from Kere Nyaga the Kikuyu name for Mount Kenya, meaning Mountain of Brightness - Ngai's official home.

• Altitude 11,000 - 17,058ft.
• Area 715sq. kms
• Distance from Nairobi 175 kms
• Naro Moro airstrip
• Opened December 1949
• Excellent game viewing
• Mountain climbing
• Fantastic scenery: Lakes, Tarns, Glaciers & Peaks
• Rare Birds & Animals
• Natural Minerals Springs
• Mountain Forest with High altitude plains game

Located on the outskirts of Nairobi, the park offers spotting of Lions, Leopard, Rhino and other plains game with the exception of Elephant.Vegetation is primarily savannah with isolated stretches of riverine forests. Several hundred species of birds can also be spotted here.

This park is excellent for a day visit from Nairobi. No accommodation/lodges available inside the park

• Altitude 5,000ft.
• Area 117sq. kms
• Distance from Nairobi 7 kms
• Opened December 1946
• Day outing from Nairobi
• Leading rhino, buffalo, lion leopard, crocodile, hippo
• Cheetah raised 7 cubs in 1977, 1992, 1994, 1995
• All weather roads good for saloon & 4 WD. vehicles
• Nature trail & education center at main gate
• Historic ivory burning site
• 6 picnic sites
• Hippo pool nature trail

Tsavo East National Park is one of Kenya's oldest and largest parks: covering about 40 per cent of the total area of all national parks.

Its beautiful landscape and proximity to the Coast make it a popular safari destination.

It is one of the world's leading biodiversity strongholds, with bushy grassland and open plains alternating with savannah and semi-arid acacia scrub and woodlands. Green swathes cross the park where riverbanks give rise to lush vegetation.

• Altitude 500 - 4,000ft.
• Area 11,747 sq. kms
• Distance from Nairobi 333 kms
• 16 airstrips (4 graded)
• Opened April 1948
• Spectacular scenery: Galana river, Lugard Falls Aruba Dam and Mudanda rock
• Unrivalled bird watching: Resident and Migratory flocks
• Game viewing: elephant, rhino, giant crocodile, ostrich
• Camel safaris, river fishing
• Easy access from the coast

Tsavo-West National Park has important historic connections as a major battleground in World War I where British and German troops battled for supremacy.

The park, located off the main Nairobi-Mombassa road is easily accessible. It offers tremendous views with diverse habitats ranging from mountains, river forests, plains, lakes and wooded grassland. It borders the southern Serengeti plains in Tanzania.

Game include: leopard, cheetah, buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe, zebra, lion, plains game, crocodile and small mammals including mongoose, hyrax, dik dik and the nocturnal porcupine.

• Altitude 500 - 6000ft.
• Area 9,065 sq. kms
• Distance from Nairobi 240 kms
• Opened April 1948
• Cave & Geological exploration: shetani lava flow & caves
• Excellent bird watching over 600 species
• Game viewing: elephant, rhino sanctuary
• Mzima springs - Underwater hippo watching
• Excellent views of Mount Kilimanjaro
• Chyulu Hills National Park extension of Tsavo-West National Park

Sibiloi Park is located on the north eastern side of Lake Turkana and is close to the Ethiopian border. The park, one of the most remote and managed by Kenya Wildlife Service, is within an arid region on the eastern shores of Lake Turkana.

Sibiloi Facts

• Area 1570sq. kms
• Alt 200-1000m
• Special Feautures: Largest crocodile population
  

A scenic park located just inland from the coast, South of Mombasa. The closeness of this park to the beaches of Mombasa makes it an ideal excursion for beach holiday makers who can experience the excitement of a Kenya Safari. The wildlife includes Elephant, Waterbuck, Antelope and Warthog.

Shimba Hills Facts

• Area: 192 sq km Altitude: 120 - 240m above sea level.
  
• Access from Nairobi : Road: 535kms ( 8 hours )
  
• Location: In Coast Province, South East of Nairobi.
  
• Animals: Sable Antelope, elephant, waterbuck, bush pig.
  
• Vegetation : Brachystegia woodland, riverine forest, grasslands.
  
• Birds: Ostrich and a number of other bird species
  
• Facilities: One lodge, bandas and campsites.
  
• Attractions: Sable Antelope (Only found here in the whole of Kenya).
  
• Climate: Hot and humid coastal climate.
  

Established in 1968 at Isiolo and Neighbouring Samburu Reserve, Shaba is smaller with a greater occurrence of riverine forests with acacia trees, doum palms and a dramatic landscape.

Shaba Facts

• Area: 240 sq. kms
• Alt: 500-700m
• Special Feautures: Dramatic landscape, riverine forest

Located in the homeland of the nomadic and colorful Samburu people, this semi-arid region is a popular stop for game watchers. Home to unique local species of giraffe and zebra, the reserve is also famous for leopard, river game, including crocodiles and hippos as well as the usual plains wildlife.

Samburu Facts

• Area: 165 sq km Altitude: 800 to 1230 m [2620 - 4035 ft]
  
• Access from Nairobi : Road : 344 kms ( 5 hours )
  
• Location: In Eastern Province, North of Nairobi
  
• Animals: Gerenuk, crocodiles, storks, leopards
  
• Vegetation: Doum palms, acacia woodland and arid land
  
• Birds: Storks, weaver birds, marial eagle, blue legged Somali Ostrich
  
• Facilities: Several lodges
  
• Attractions: Various wildlife species and the colourful Samburu people
  

This is a small park on the northern side of Kitale Town, home to the 'sitatunga' antelope. During recent years, there has been a depletion of the parks exotic and hardwood trees.

Saiwa Swamp Facts

• Area: 8 sq. kms
• Alt: 1880m
• Special Feautures: Blue, vervet and de brazza's monkeys
  

The name of this park established in 1967, Ol Donyo, means 'mountain of the buffalo'. It is situated 85km north of Nairobi and has an excellent and clear view of Nairobi and other lowlands.

Ol Donyo Sabuk Facts

• Area: 207sq. kms
• Alt: 5000 -7000ft
• Special Feautures: Excellent view of Nairobi and lowlands

Probably the most famous wildlife reserve in the Kenya and the world, the "Mara", as it is popularly known, is the best place to see a range of game, from the big cats to the grazers and river game.The Mara also hosts the spectacular and primal wildebeest migration, which occurs annually as the wildebeest and other animals migrate south across the Mara River.

Maasai Mara Facts

• Altitude 5,000ft
• Area 1,510sq kms
• Distance from Nairobi 275 kms
• 4 airstrips
• Opened November 1974
• Annual migration from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara
• Exceptional game viewing: Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant
• Mara River Hippo Pools
• Traditional Maasai Culture
• Tremendous views across the plains & rolling hills

Marsabit National Park and Reserve is situated south of Nairobi and is home to a wide variety of wildlife species such as the lion, leopard, big tusk elephants, cheetah, rhino, buffalo and other game species. It was also home to the famous Ahmed - a big tusker and his replacement Mohammed whose tusks were estimated to weigh 45kg each.

Marsabit Facts

• Altitude 1,000 - 5,000ft.
• Area Samburu 1,482 sq. kms
• Distance from Nairobi 620 kms
• Two airstrips
• Opened 1967
• Untouched forest, scenic & wild landscape
• Crater lakes
• Diverse local cultures
• Good game viewing: elephant & greater kudu
• Former homeland of famous elephant 'Ahmed'

This two parks are located in an area established in 1979 and declared a "biosphere" : one of the four biospheres in Kenya. Located 199km from Mombasa city and on the Malindi-Watamu coastline, the parks have hundreads of fish species including huge groupers and rock cod with other varieties not yet identified. In Watamu Marine Park there is a coral reef that lies about 2km offshore.

Malindi and Watamu Facts

• Area: 199km from Mombasa
• Special Feautures: Hundreds of fish species, coral reef

One of the most scenic parks in Kenya and East Africa, this bird and rhino sanctuary is home to a wide range of animals including lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, waterbuck and rhino, the only notable exception being the elephant. The park is also a bird watcher’s paradise, with 400 known species having being spotted here.

Lake Nakuru Facts

• Area: 107 sq km Altitude: 1000 to 1600 m [3280 - 5260 ft]
  
• Access from Nairobi,road: 155 kms ( 2 - 3hours )
  
• Location: In the Rift Valley Province, South of Lake Nakuru
  
• Animals: Flamingoes, pelicans, hippo, rhino, reedbuck, giraffe
  
• Vegetation: Open savannah and light patches of bush, cactuslike euphorbia trees
  
• Birds: Flamingoes, pelicans and over 450 other bird species
  
• Facilities: Few hotels and camp sites
  
• Attractions: World famous for its countless number of flamingo
  

Surrounded by looming cliffs, the Hells Gate National Park is home to a wide variety of birds & animal species and is one of only 3 parks in Kenya where walking is allowed.

Hells Gate Facts

• Area: 68.25 sq km Altitude: 5,000-7,000 Ft above sea level.
  
• Access from Nairobi, Road : 90kms ( 2 hours )
  
• Location: Nakuru District, Rift Valley Province.
  
• Animals: Buffalo, Masai Giraffe, eland, Coke's Hartebeest, lion, leopard and some cheetah
  
• Vegetation: Grasslands and shrubs with several species acacia.
  
• Birds: Over 103 species of bird recorded.
  
• Facilities: Several campsites.
  
• Attractions: Game viewing, looming cliffs, gorge walk, hot springs, scenic landscape, rock climbing.
  
• Climate: Warm and dry.
  

Located on the slopes of Mount Elgon (4300m), Mount Elgon National Park is an area of unspoiled mountain forest with a wide variety of game from the elephant, buffalo and colobus monkey to the giant forest hog, water buck and leopard.

Mount Elgon Facts

• Altitude 8,000 - 13,800ft.
• Area 169 sq. kms
• Distance from Nairobi 470 kms
• Airstrip at Park Headquarters
• Opened April 1968
• Third Highest Mountain in East Africa
• Kitum 'Underground' Elephant caves
• Wide variety of game to view, bird & primate watching
• Nature Trails, hiking, picnics, fishing
• Cave exploration & geological safaris

This park is joined to the north western part of Tsavo West National Park. Here there is a beautiful rolling ridge of volcano dating back four to five centuries and mountains which are great for cave exploration and trekking.

Chyulu Hils Facts

• Area: 741 sq km Altitude: 1,500 - 2,160 meters above sea level.
  
• Access from Nairobi, road : 230kms ( 5 hours )
  
• Location: Makueni District, south-east of Nairobi
  
• Animals: Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, eland, leopard, bush pig
  
• Vegetation: Rough grassland and thickets (some areas with mountane forest)
  
• Birds: Over 300 species of bird recorded.
  
• Facilities: A guest house and three public campsites.
  
• Attractions: Shetani caves, rare forest birds, one of the worlds newest mountain ranges, Chyulus.
  
• Climate: Hot and dry.
  

Recently announced as a new location for flamingoes, Lake Bogoria National Reserve is one of the little visited parks in Kenya. Its attractions include its vast bird population (over 1.0 million) in addition to hot springs and geysers.

Lake Bogoria Facts

• Area: 107 sq km Altitude: 1000 - 1600m above sea level.
  
• Access from Nairobi ,road: 280kms ( 5 hours )
  
• Location: In the Rift Valley Province, North of Lake Nakuru.
  
• Animals: Flamingoes, greater kudu, thompsons gazelle, groups of zebra, warthog, klipspringers
  
• Vegetation: Arid vegetation, acacia and euphorbia trees
  
• Birds: Flamingoes, greater kudu, thompsons gazelle, groups of zebra, warthog, klipspringers
  
• Facilities: Lake Bogoria Hotel.
  
• Attractions: Steam jets, bubbling hot springs and flamingoes
  
• Climate: Hot and humid coastal climate.