Viewing Kenya's diverse wildlife in their natural habitats is an amazing experience every person should have at least once in a lifetime. Being an incredible safari destination, this East African Nation has a lot to offer that many travelers realize. Here, travelers stand a beautiful chance to experience the big five – elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, and lion. Not sure which places to spot Kenya's incredible wildlife? Read this list of the best spots for viewing some of the most diverse wildlife species in Africa.
8 Nairobi National Park
Most Africa tours start at the Capital of Kenya, which is also the fastest-growing city on the continent. The city features some of the most fascinating natural spots for wildlife viewing. Visitors can start safari at the Nairobi National Park, the country's oldest park, and home to various wild animals, including zebras, cheetahs, giraffes, and of course lions. Have you ever had a chance to spot the endangered black rhino in the wild? Consider visiting Nairobi National Park.
7 The Maasai Mara National Reserve
Being the most famous tourist destination in Kenya and also among the best places to view the wildlife in their natural habitats, a Maasai Mara safari should be every traveler’s top priority. Tourists choose to visit this National Reserve during the Great Migration season to experience over one million wildebeest migrating crossing the Mara River to look for food. For a lover of a luxurious vacation and wildlife, Maasai Mara is the best place to visit during a holiday vacation.
6 Hell’s Gate
Hell's Gate is located 60km on the northwest side of Nairobi, near Lake Naivasha, and is known for its breathtaking landscape parked with various wild animals. Here, travelers can spot the Three Big Cats; leopard, lion, and cheetah as well as buffalo, gazelle, hyena, hyrax, baboon, zebra, and eland. Various bird species, including an eagle, vulture, and buzzard are also housed in this 68 square-kilometer park. If you are looking for a perfect place to view wild animals while enjoying some of the best adventure activities such as hiking, bicycling, and camping, Hell's Gate is the best spot.
5 Samburu National Park
Apart from the Three Big Cats, Samburu National Park, located in northern Kenya, boasts of a baboon, waterbuck, impala, warthog, and gazelle. Being home to hundreds of species of birds, Samburu National Park offers a perfect spot to view birds from their natural habitats. The wildlife has enough water to drink – thanks to the flowing Ngi’ro River. The Nile crocodile and hippo are found in this very river, allowing travelers to experience more animals. Safari operators serve the tourists so services may be less affordable compared to other national parks and game reserves in Kenya. Victors should carry a lot of drinking because talking about northern Kenya – it is dry, and one may not find good amenities there.
4 Lake Nakuru National Park
Animal lovers can visit this popular Rift Valley safari destination. Lake Nakuru National Park is known for its large wild flamingo population feeding and nesting along the Lake's shores. Travelers stand a chance of spotting white rhinos, hippos, waterbucks, and the rare, tree-climbing lions – the Big Cats! Planning to visit Lake Nakuru National Park? A day tour from Nairobi would be an easier way of accessing the park.
3 Mount Kenya National Reserve
Mount Kenya National Reserve is located northeast of Nairobi in central Kenya. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including money, hyrax, elephant, hyena, buffalo, porcupine, and antelope. Several species of birds. Visitors can also enjoy adventure activities such as rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, and camping. The best time to visit this national reserve is during the dry season because there is less vegetation visible and travelers can have a beautiful view of its wildlife. Touring the Mount Kenya National Reserve is affordable and one doesn't need to rob a bank to experience Kenya's breathtaking wildlife.
2 Amboseli National Park
Being one of Kenya's best national parks, Amboseli is the best spot for wildlife viewing. The park houses the wildebeest, buffalo, lion, cheetah, hyena, giraffe, impala, and zebra as well as pelican, kingfisher, hamerkop, and various other species of birds. A day tour may not be enough to view most of the park sites, so, consider sticking around. There are good hotels, lodges, campsites, and travelers will even find safari companies within the area.
- Animals can be seen between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm so travelers should consider taking tours within this timeline.
- Being a premium park, the admission fees are a bit higher for non-residents. An adult will most likely spend $60 for admission into the park.
1 Tsavo National Park
Kenya's largest game park is worth exploring because some of the most tourist attractions such as the Yatta Plateau, Aruba Dam, Lugard Falls, and Mudanda Rock are located in this 22,800 square-km park. There is a variety of wildlife, including wild dogs, rodents, monkeys, big cats, herbivores, as well as over 500 bird species calling this place home.