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Where to go in Kenya

Kenya is a gem for nature enthusiasts, offering a rich tapestry of national parks that showcase the country’s stunning biodiversity. The Masai Mara National Reserve is a must-visit safari destination, renowned for its wildlife and the wildebeest migration between July and October. Amboseli National Park provides breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro and is known for its large herds of elephants roaming its savannahs.

For those preferring a different safari experience, the arid landscapes of Samburu National Reserve offer a unique experience with its rare wildlife species like the Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe. The Rift Valley, along with Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru National Park, is a bird-watcher paradise. Meanwhile, Tsavo East and West National Parks are perfect for travellers seeking expansive vistas and seeing a broad array of wildlife.

Kenya’s coastal and island experiences, such as the Lamu Archipelago and the white beaches of Mombasa, provide an idyllic retreat.

Kenya National Parks

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

The Masai Mara lies in the Great Rift Valley, a fault line about 5,600km long that extends from Ethiopia's Red Sea through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique.
There are four main types of topography in the Mara: Ngama Hills to the east, the Oloololo escarpment forming the western boundary, the Mara Triangle bordering the Mara River & the central plains, which form the largest part of the reserve. There is an abundance of wildebeests, zebras, impalas, topis, giraffes and Thomson's gazelles on the plains. Visitors often spot leopards, lions, hyenas, cheetahs, jackals, bat-eared foxes and even black rhinos during game drives. The Mara River is filled with hippos and enormous Nile crocodiles. Every July (sometimes August), the wildebeests travel from the Serengeti plains to the Masai Mara. Once they have feasted and the grass is depleted in October, they return to the Southern Serengeti. The Mara birds appear in every size and colour, including the beautiful lilac-breasted roller and plenty of large species like eagles, vultures and storks.

AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

The park is 392 sq. km in size at the core of an 8,000 sq. km ecosystem that spreads across the Kenya-Tanzania border. It is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants and other wildlife species. Here you will have the opportunity to meet the Maasai people and see spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world. Amboseli has a very fragile ecosystem, submitted to significant seasonal variations. During the wet season, the rains flood the lake bed and the surrounding area. The high salt deposits in the lakebed inhibits tree growth and only small patches of acacia and palm trees are found far from the lake. The salt-rich pastures provide good feed to the herbivores. Despite the first impression of the park being dusty and arid, Amboseli has abundant groundwater overflowing into various underground streams. They rise into two clear water springs in the centre of the park, giving birth to large marshes like the Loginya Swamp where elephants, hippos and buffalo's find refuge.

LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK

Lake Naivasha is a beautiful freshwater lake fringed by thick papyrus. The lake is almost 13 km across, but its water is shallow, with an average depth of only 5 meters. The lake draws a wide variety of game to its shores. Giraffes wander among the acacia, buffaloes wallow in the swamps, and Colobus monkeys call from the treetops while the large hippo population sleeps the day in the shallows. Naivasha is traditionally Masai land. The lake's name is a colonial misinterpretation of the original Masai name "Nai'posha", meaning "rough water", about the afternoon storms that can produce high white-capped waves across the lake. The lake is a renowned water source for traditional Masai herds, and they can still be seen along the lakeside roads.

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

Lake Nakuru is internationally known for its flamingos. At times, almost two million flamingos may be inhabiting the area, forming a stunningly beautiful deep pink band around the edges of the lakeshore. This alkaline lake is recognised as one of the world's natural wonders. Lake Nakuru is also a rhino sanctuary, protecting a population of over 40 black and over 60 white rhinos, but the flamingos have always been the main attraction. More than 400 bird species and over 50 mammal species have been recorded, and it is perhaps the best place in Kenya to see leopards. Troops of black-and-white Colobus monkeys can be seen in the yellow-barked acacias. The rare Rothschild’s giraffe, herds of buffalo, dik-dik, klipspringers and eland are among the generally seen game.

ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK

The park contains many landscapes – from the mountain peaks that rise to 4,300 m above sea level to deep valleys intersected by streams, rivers, and waterfalls. Animals that can be observed in Aberdare National Park include leopards, elephants, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, mountain reedbucks, waterbucks, Cape buffaloes, suni, side-striped jackals, elands, duikers, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys. Rarer sightings include the African golden cat and the bongo – an elusive forest antelope that lives in the bamboo forest. The Aberdare also contains a large eastern black rhino population. The park's lions have been moved to other Kenya parks to protect the critically endangered bongo.

SAMBURU NATIONAL PARK

Samburu (“butterfly” in the local Maa language) consist mostly of semi-arid savannah, rough highlands and riparian forests. As a wildlife reserve, it doesn't disappoint. Sightings of the Big Five are prodigious, and you have a possible chance of seeing packs of wild dogs and the critically endangered pancake tortoise – two scarce species. Cheetah sightings are excellent. Above all, though, Samburu is known as elephant country. Here, besides the more formidable predators, you will find the beautiful dry-country animals of Northern Kenya known as the "Special Five". This includes the gerenuk, Oryx, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich and the endangered Grevy's zebra.

OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY

It is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, boasting a population of 93 black rhinos and the world’s last remaining two northern white rhinos! Other wildlife include southern white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, elands, oryx, waterbucks, Grant’s gazelles, Thompson’s gazelles, cheetahs, silver-backed jackals, hartebeests and baboons. The conservancy also boasts several hundred bird species.
A trip to Ol Pejeta would not be complete without a visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya to see these endangered yet highly intelligent animals. Owing to the ongoing destruction of the West and Central African rainforest and the continued demand for bushmeat, Ol Pejeta Conservancy is compelled to provide a safe, secure, and permanent refuge to 42 orphaned and abused chimpanzees from this region.

MT KENYA NATIONAL PARK

Mount Kenya is an ancient extinct volcano and Africa's second-highest mountain. Its cloud-forested middle slopes make it one of the most impressive East African landscapes - arguably more spectacular than the higher Mount Kilimanjaro. Breathtaking scenery is essential to the park, with lovely lakes, pools, glaciers, peaks and natural mineral springs. The vegetation naturally varies according to the height. Dry upland forests are found in the lower slopes, which change to the montane forest from 2,000m upwards. This forest generally consists of cedar and podo. The vegetation changes to a thick bamboo forest at about 2,500m, which changes to the upper forest of smaller trees and high-altitude moss. Visitors can observe a variety of plants and animals, including the black and white Colobus monkeys, Sykes monkeys, bushbucks, buffaloes and elephants. At lower altitudes, animals like the olive baboon, waterbuck, black rhino, black-fronted duiker, leopard, giant forest hog, genet cat, bush pig and hyena are found. A rare sighting to aim for is the elusive bongo, a forest antelope. Other endangered species found in the forests include the Sunni buck, Mount Kenya mole shrew, skins (lizard), and different types of owls. The forests give way to high-altitude heath and shrubs between 3,000m and 3,500m. Above 3,500m, there is open moorland, where animals like the high altitude zebra and eland are found.

LAMU ARCHIPELAGO

Lamu is a town, an island and an archipelago. The archipelago is a chain of seven islands and many islets, separated from the mainland at its narrowest part by a channel just a few meters wide. Dense mangrove forests fringe the mainland and the inland sides of the islands, while the seaward sides are protected by reefs and lined with dunes. The archipelago has numerous historical sites - visible and tangible evidence of ten centuries of a colourful and vibrant cultural past. Most of these settlements were of Arab origin and started as small trading stations. In Lamu, Shela and the small settlements on the other islands, the alleyways are barely wide enough to pass an oncoming donkey. The whitewashed walls and Arabic arches contribute to some of the most elegant architecture on the continent. Without the sounds of traffic, the atmosphere is pleasantly peaceful, interrupted only by the infectious chatter of KiSwahili.

WATAMU MARINE NATIONAL PARK & RESERVE

This marine park and reserve is world-renowned for its natural beauty. The park boasts abundant marine life, with frequent visits from whale sharks, manta rays, and different sea turtle species. This is the place to be if you enjoy water sports and incredible beaches and want to explore an underwater wonderland. It covers an area of 229 km² and is home to many species visiting or living within its borders. Only the Great Barrier Reef can outmatch it. Not surprisingly, it is recognised internationally as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. One of Watamu's most significant conservation efforts is protecting the sea turtles. Three species live and nest here: the green turtle, hawksbill turtle and olive ridley turtle. On rare occasions, you will see leatherback turtles. Watamu Marine Park is one of the world's first national marine parks and was established in 1968. The main protected area is 300m from the shore and encompasses coral reefs, expanses of seagrass, caves and the waters of Mida Creek. It is home to over 600 fish species, coral gardens and many invertebrates and crustaceans. This fantastic diving and snorkelling destination is probably one of the best-kept secrets on the Kenyan coast and is worth discovering!

Kenya SAFARIS

7 NIGHTS
Kenya

Luxury Flying Safari

Private Safaris
Guide price ZAR 176,953 pps
Return flights included (OR Tambo)
19 Dec ‘26
7 NIGHTS
Kenya

Bush & Beach Safari

Private Safaris
Guide price ZAR 39,633 pps
Return flights included (OR Tambo)
31 Oct ‘26
5 NIGHTS
Kenya

Rift Valley & Masai Mara Safari

Private Safaris
Guide price ZAR 72,776 pps
Return flights included (OR Tambo)
Valid until 22 Dec ‘26
11 NIGHTS
Kenya
,
Tanzania

Best of East Africa Safari

Set Departures Safari
Guide price ZAR 98,240 pps
Return flights included (OR Tambo)
Set Departure Safari
6 NIGHTS
Kenya

Mt Kenya Climb

Private Safaris
Guide price ZAR 43,276 pps
Return flights included (OR Tambo)
Private Climb
8 NIGHTS
Kenya

Ultimate Kenya Group Safari

Group Tours
Guide price ZAR 98,740 pps
Return flights included (OR Tambo)
19 – 27 Jul ‘26

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