In this article, we will profile 10 best game reserves and safari parks in Kenya. Also known as Africa’s business hub, Kenya is the world’s most popular safari destination. It is known for its ‘Out of Africa’ scenery, unique civilizations, and rich wildlife.
The shoreline and tropical beaches are very appealing. Kenya safaris, which take place in some of Africa’s most well-known national parks such as the Masai Mara, Tsavo, Amboseli, and Lake Nakuru, are mostly focused on wildlife.
A Kenya safari is a melting pot of many cultures and traditions. The inhabitants have a natural capacity to make every visitor feel at ease – ‘Karibu,’ a Swahili word for welcome, is frequently heard.
Here are the 10 best game reserves and safari parks in Kenya
Maasai Mara National Reserve
It has a unique biodiversity that consists primarily of open grasslands, making it one of the top wildlife safari destinations. The yearly wildebeest migration draws visitors to the Mara, where wildlife is more numerous than anywhere else in Africa.
Aside from game drives, the highlight of any Masai Mara Game Reserve tour is a visit to a Masai Village, which provides an unforgettable cultural experience.
With the possibility to witness the big five and several bird species, it’s easy to see why Masai Mara is considered one of Kenya’s top game reserves.
Masai Mara is located in Narok, about 247 kilometers southwest of Nairobi.
Getting There: The Mai Mahiu-Narok road connects Nairobi to Masai Mara. But, joining a safari or flying to one of the three airstrips – Keekorok, Olkiombo, or Musiara – is the best way to enjoy this area. View this highly rated Maasai Mara safari excursion.
Maasai Mara National Reserve admission charge is US$ 80 per adult (24 hrs). Guests staying in a camp within the national reserve pay US$ 70 per night. For the most up-to-date pricing, contact your trip operator.
Amboseli National Park
The park is well-known for being the best place in Africa to get up close and personal with herds of free-roaming elephants, hippos, and the big five, as well as other animal species such as pelicans. Several water birds (including the Egyptian geese) can also be seen in the park’s marshes.
From here, you can also see Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s highest free-standing mountain.
Amboseli National Park is located in Oloitoktok, Kajiado County.
Getting There: Amboseli is reached by road from Namanga (west side) via the Meshanani Gate. You can also enter from Emali (east side) via Erimito or Kimana Gates (from Mombasa or Tsavo West). Other people, however, choose to join a tour or to fly into Amboseli and enter through the Empusel Gate.
Non-resident entry fees to Amboseli are currently $70 for adults and $20 for children. Kenyans and residents pay Ksh 800 for adults and Ksh 215 for children.
Mt Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of Africa’s most spectacular landscapes, with its craggy glacier-clad summits, rich woodland, and alpine moorland.
The ecology is breathtaking. It is genuinely breathtaking, with untouched nature, beautiful glaciers and peaks, magical lakes and tarns, lush woods, and mineral springs.
Visitors can expect to view elephants, white-tailed mongoose, duiker, elands, and, on rare occasions, leopards. The park also boasts over 120 recorded bird species, making it a birder’s paradise. This guide will teach you all you need to know about climbing Mount Kenya.
The park is around 176 kilometers from Nairobi along the Great North Road.
The park may be reached by the Sirimon Gate (Nanyuki-Isiolo road) or the Chogoria Gate (Embu-Meru road). The most common gate, however, is Narumoru on the Nyeri-Nanyuki route. The nearest commercial airport is Nanyuki.
Mt. Kenya park entrance costs vary depending on the amount of days spent there. Day trippers pay Ksh 430 for residents and citizens. Adults who are not residents pay $52, while children and students pay $20.
Lake Nakuru Naitional Park
The park’s wooded and bushy meadows sustain a variety of flora and wildlife, and it is home to over 400 bird species in addition to many mammal species.
Visitors to this high-end park can expect to view hippos, lions, leopards, white rhinos, rock hyrax, and Grant’s gazelles. It also has various physical features, including Bamboo Cliff, Makalia Waterfall, and Lion Hill.
Lake Nakuru National Park is located in Nakuru City, roughly 160 kilometers northwest of Nairobi. Non-resident entry fees to Lake Nakuru National Park are $70 (adults) and $20 (children) (children and students). East Africans and residents pay Ksh 800 for adults and Ksh 215 for children (children).
Getting There: Take the A104 route from Nairobi. The main gate (Lanet Gate) is located 4 kilometers south of Nakuru’s city center. Joining a guided game drive is a better option.
Sibiloi National Park
Aside from having some of the most magnificent animal zones in the world, the park also has some of the most important archeological sites in the world.
The semi-desert park was created to conserve animals and prehistoric monuments like Koobi Fora, some of which are linked to the origins of man.
Although being fed by the alkaline waters of Lake Turkana, Sibiloi is home to a diverse range of animals, including Grant’s gazelle, topi, hippos, cheetahs, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
Sibiloi is one of Kenya’s few wildlife reserves that allows visitors to stray off the main path. It’s also an opportunity to go on safari and learn about human history.
The Sibiloi National Park is located in northern Kenya, close to the Ethiopian border.
The park is accessible by road from Nairobi through Marsabit and North Horr or Mararal and South Horr.
Non-residents pay $25 for adults and $15 for children to enter the park. East Africans and residents pay Ksh 300 for adults and Ksh 215 for minors (children).
Samburu National Reserve
They offer the chance to see five uncommon wildlife species seen nearly nowhere else in Kenya: the Beisa oryx, gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and Somali ostrich.
This national park is a treat for those willing to wander off the main path. It’s a northern treasure and a must-see for nature and animal enthusiasts.
The main gate of Samburu National Reserve (Archer’s Gate) is approximately 345 kilometers from Nairobi.
How to Get There: The reserve is accessible by road from Nairobi through Nanyuki and Isiolo. It is also possible to get there by flying into the Oryx Samburu airstrip.
Non-resident park entry fees to Samburu National Reserve are $70 (adults) and $40 (children) (children).
Tsavo National Parks
These two are the biggest in Kenya and are well-known for their vast elephant herds, buffalo herds, and other wildlife. They also have a thriving avian life, with over 500 species.
Tsavo East National Park is one of the best parks in Kenya because of its beautiful scenery. It has an interesting history and beautiful landscapes, such as the Lugard Falls and Mudanda rock formations. The confluence of the Tsavo and Athi rivers, which forms the Galana River, is also a spectacular sight.
Tsavo West is enchanting; appreciate its diverse environment of scrublands, open grasslands, steep hills, and acacia trees.
Leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and lions can be found in the parks.
Tsavo East and Tsavo West are located approximately 232 kilometers south of Nairobi. They are accessible by the Mtito Andei, Sala, Tsavo, and Chyulu Gates.
Getting There: Visitors can access the parks by road or rail using Mtito Andei Gate. There are also flights to Voi, Aruba, Satao, Maktau, and Tsavo Gate.
Citizens and residents pay Ksh 500 (adults) and Ksh 215 (children) (children and students). Non-resident admission rates are $60 for adults and $20 for children.
Hells Gate National Park
It is one of Kenya’s few national parks that allows cycling, strolling, and horseback riding. Guests can bring their own bikes or rent them at the entrance and ride across the park, seeing wildlife and enjoying the varied sceneries.
The park is distinguished by its diversified scenery and offers something for every type of visitor. It is home to numerous species of fauna, birds, and natural features such as geysers, gorges, and rock formations.
When in the park, don’t miss Fischer’s Tower (a volcanic plug around 25 meters high) and Pride Rock, which inspired The Lion King. You can also swim at the Olkaria Geothermal Spa or visit a Maasai village.
Hell’s Gate National Park is located along the South Lake Route, approximately 90 kilometers from Nairobi.
How to Get There: The park is reached by road from Nairobi. The Nairobi-Mai Mahiu or Nairobi-Naivasha highways are accessible to visitors. To explore the woods on two wheels, rent a bike at either gate.
The most recent park admission costs for non-residents are $30 (adults) and $20 (children) (children). Kenyans and residents pay Ksh 300 for adults and Ksh 215 for minors.
Nairobi National Park
While not as well-known as the Masai Mara, this safari park is another excellent location for viewing Kenya’s amazing wildlife. Nairobi National Park is located in the capital’s heart, making it a great safari location for those with limited time.
The park serves as an important breeding and restocking facility for rhinos in other parks. It is also home to the well-known Nairobi Safari Walk and an animal orphanage.
The park is easily accessible and provides breathtaking views of wildlife against the backdrop of skyscrapers. If you have a long stopover in Nairobi, visit the Nairobi National Park for an unforgettable experience.
Nairobi National Park is within about 20 minutes from the city center.
Getting There: Hiring an open-roof van or joining a tour is the best way to get to the game park. Matatus and taxis are also available from anywhere in the city. This highly rated trip is an excellent choice.
The most recent park entry costs for non-residents are $60 (for adults) and $20 (for children). Kenyans and residents are charged Ksh 500.
Shimba Hills National Reserve
A succession of marine parks are located throughout the coastal circuit. They run the entire length of the Kenyan coast and provide marine life enthusiasts with a true sense of paradise.
There are also various game reserves and parks in the area. Shamba Hills, near Diani Beach on Kenya’s south coast, is one such reserve.
Shimba Hills National Reserve is home to a diverse range of habitats, including forestlands, scrublands, grasslands, and massive primeval trees. Mwalunje, after the Arabuko Sokoke forest, is one of the most massive coastal forests in East Africa.
Visitors can also expect to witness African elephants, giraffes, buffalos, bushbuck, the endangered sable antelope, duikers, and a variety of bird species.
The reserve is located 3 kilometers south of Mombasa City in Kwale town.
Getting There: The reserve’s main road access is via Diani, some 56 kilometers from Mombasa. Tourists can also fly from Nairobi to the adjacent Diani Airport.
Shimba Hills Reserve entry fees for non-residents are $15 (children) and $25 (adults) (adults). Kenyans, residents, and East Africans pay Ksh 215 for minors and Ksh 300 for adults (adults).
