7 of the Best Safari Destinations in Kenya
The bird calls, overtaking the soundscape a few hours before sunrise, are your first alarm clock in the Kenyan wild, a gentle reminder that the night is soon coming to an end. As you drift in and out of a peaceful sleep, you hear a “good morning” from someone outside the tent, announcing the arrival of coffee or tea as your official wake-up call. You’ll be leaving for your early morning game drive in a few minutes and there’s no better way to start the day than with a hot, caffeinated drink. Even as you feel the chill air on your face, sipping quietly on your veranda, you can already tell from the clear skies above that it’s going to be warm by the afternoon. This is how your day will begin on a Kenyan safari.
1. Maasai Mara
The most famous of all Kenyan safari locations, the Maasai Mara has earned its stellar reputation. It’s easy to forget that cities even exist when you’re in the middle of its wide expanse, with only the fresh air and sounds of the wind and birds. Herds of elephants awe you with their size and grace, harkening back to a world where dinosaurs roamed. Regal lions pose in the grass, as if they know you’re trying to get the perfect photo and are happy to oblige. Cheetahs slink through the grass, their bony shoulders rising and falling as they move in search of their prey; you hold your breath as you hope to see a chase.
The Mara is located on the southern border of Kenya, connecting with the Serengeti on the Tanzanian side, and is primarily open grassland spotted with acacia trees. It’s divided up between the national reserve and several conservancies that are managed in cooperation with local communities. Wherever you stay within this impressive landscape, you are guaranteed to experience the best that Kenya has to offer.
2. Samburu
In the north of the country is Samburu National Reserve, as impressive as the Mara in many ways, but with a unique twist. The landscape is rocky and the soil almost sandy. Several of the animals seen in southern parts of the country are there, but look slightly different. The guinea fowl are vulturine, with a bald head and neck and vibrant blue peaking out under black and white feathers. Many of the zebras have thinner stripes and bigger ears than you’re used to. These Grevy’s zebras are endangered, with only around 3,000 left in the wild. The gerenuk is a strange-looking antelope with a long neck and large eyes; its name means “giraffe-necked” in Somali. And instead of acacia trees, the doum palm is the distinctive foliage, giving the scenery a tropical and almost Dr. Suess feel.
The Ewaso Ng’iro River, forming the border of two counties and the edge of the park itself, can slow to a trickle, but when there’s significant rain on its Mount Kenyan source, it can rise at almost flash flood speeds, making you understand the reason for it steep banks. Its muddy brown water makes it an unappealing swimming spot, but its crocodiles are the real deterrent. The large rocky hills throughout the park are prime leopard locations, although there is never a guarantee when it comes to spotting these elusive cats.
3. Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya’s jagged peaks make it a majestic and intimidating view that inspires awe and alludes to the divine. It is no surprise that it is considered to be God’s earthly dwelling by several Kenyan tribes. This sacred mountain, where the nation’s name was derived, will draw you into its magic through the stunning landscapes that make up this ecosystem.
If you’re climbing the mountain, there are several routes that can be taken, each one providing its own charm and challenges. The Sirimon Route takes you through shrubland, with dark green grass, rocky outcroppings, and passing streams. The Chogoria Route, the longest in distance, is widely considered to be the most beautiful, with rolling hills of long, yellow grass and ridge lines looking down into isolated lakes far below. The Naro Maru Route, by distance the shortest, is a vertical bog considered the most challenging to hike, with dense forest and bamboo zones.
Point Lenana, the third-highest peak, is accessible to experienced climbers and hikers alike, while Batian and Nellion require a technical climb to reach their summits. And if a hike is not on your agenda, these stunning peaks can also be enjoyed from the air.
4. Amboseli National Park
As you enter Amboseli National Park, a wide expanse of grassland before you and the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro to your left, you soon see gray figures emerging in the distance, walking from left to right, across the road. It doesn’t take you long to realize that these are elephants, with their giant size and distinctive trunk. Each morning, hundreds of elephants emerge from the trees where they sheltered overnight and amble together to marshes where they’re able to stay cool and comfortable throughout the hot day.
There are few more iconic safari views than Mount Kilimanjaro on the horizon with a herd of elephants in the foreground. Just north of the Tanzanian border, Amboseli is the perfect destination for the elephant lover.
5. Nairobi National Park
Driving along Langata Road, the hum of the city surrounds you, swallowing you up with the sights and sounds of an early morning Nairobi commute. But only minutes later, you find your ears filled with bird song and insect chirping and a silence you didn’t think possible only a few moments before.
Located within the city, just minutes away from shopping malls and highways, Nairobi National Park is a unique wild space. Often underrated, this park is a gem and one of the many things that make Nairobi a special city. Beyond the appeal of seeing animals and the city skyline simultaneously, the wildlife on its own makes this park a worthwhile destination. While rhinos are very difficult to see in some of the bigger parks, they are a common sighting here. Lions are also seen regularly, cheetahs can be spotted from time to time, and leopards can also be found in the park, although they are hard to see no matter where you are. Along with these big cats, you’re likely to enjoy giraffes, zebras, eland, jackals, hyenas, buffalos, hippos, and crocodiles.
6. Tsavo East
Tsavo, Kenya’s largest national park stretching 22,000 square kilometers, is in the south of Kenya and is separated in two. Tsavo East, split from its western side by Mombasa Road and Standard Gauge Railway connecting the capital city of Nairobi to the primary coastal port of Mombasa, is the more isolated and remote side of the park. Less frequently visited than Tsavo West, this means you’re more likely to be the only people in sight, a true escape from the busyness of city life.
Tsavo East is also the larger of the two Tsavo parks and holds wildlife including the very rare black rhino, lion, leopard, and elephant. Among its geographical features is the Yatta Plateau, the largest lava flow in the world at 300 kilometers long. You can watch rusty-red elephants bathe in the Galana River, which flows through the entire park toward the southwestern edge and eventually flows into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
7. Tsavo West
The baobab trees that rise up out of the dry landscape are broken up only by the reddish-gray figures of some of the largest elephant herds found on the continent. You can also find buffalo, rhino, cheetah, leopard, and lion on your game drives through this rough and wild terrain. In the midst of the dry, dusty setting, Mzima Springs, sourced from Chyulu Hills, is a network of natural springs that stands out with its clear, refreshing water. Lake Chimu, on the edge of the park straddling the Kenya/Tanzania border, is known for certain species of endemic fish and its swampy areas that can stretch as far as two kilometers from the lake’s shore. The Chaimu volcanic crater, just south of Chyulu Hills, is a particularly attractive destination for birders because of the eagles, falcons, and buzzards that can be found there.
Kenya has so much to offer and these locations are only scratching the surface. Find more information on Kenya here and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or for recommendations.
