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Top National Parks in Kenya

Top National Parks in Kenya

4 of 10

ThinkStockPhotos
ThinkStockPhotos

Kenya, home to President Barack Obama’s kin, has long been considered one of the top safari destinations in the world. The quality of its national parks, its almost-untouched wild terrain, and incredible diversity of wildlife are unparalleled on the African continent – not to mention the prices for some Kenyan safaris are cheaper than elsewhere, without sacrificing quality. In many of Kenya’s parks, you can set out exploring without a Jeep, whether by boat, bike, foot, or even horseback. Check out these top-rated Kenyan parks.

Migrating wildebeest in the Masai Mara Reserve
Migrating wildebeest in the Masai Mara Reserve
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Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara is the most popular wildlife park in Kenya, and for good reason. Each fall (July to October), you can see the amazing migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra, as well as large families of elephants, buffalo, lions, and more. The Mara River, home to hippos and crocodiles, runs north-south through the entire reserve. Masai tribesman offer cultural tours -a unique addition to the wildlife experience. The downside to Masai Mara is just the numbers of tourists. It’s not uncommon to see several Jeeps watching a single lion devour its prey, but the views make it worth it.

Meru National Park AirRidesTravel
Meru National Park
AirRidesTravel

Meru National Park

A Cinderella story, Meru was nearly destroyed by poachers, but has been restored to the beautiful reserve it is today. An excellent place to spot the Big Five (lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros) as well as plains species and rarer animals, Meru enjoys more solitude than many of the other parks. During its restoration, it was off limits to developers, keeping the natural beauty of the land intact and drawing fewer visitors each year.

Elephant family in front of Kilimanjaro ThinkStockPhotos
Elephant family in front of Kilimanjaro
ThinkStockPhotos

Amboseli National Reserve

Amboseli is considered the second most popular park after Masai Mara, due in part to the breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. The Big Five can all be seen here, but it’s the enormous herds of roaming elephants that set this park apart. Amboseli suffered a debilitating drought in 2009 that killed off many of its animals and forced the Kenya wildlife services to relocate some zebras and wildebeest from other parks to correct the predator-prey imbalance. Luckily, it seems to be back on track and is as beautiful as ever.

Reticulated giraffes on a roadside in Samburu Game Reserve ThinkStockPhotos
Reticulated giraffes on a roadside in Samburu Game Reserve
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Samburu Game Reserve 

Head over to Samburu, a reserve known for its zebras, giraffes, kudu, ostriches, and gazelles, for a more unique wildlife experience. While the Big Five and others (such as cheetahs, leopards, antelope) still have a presence, it is best known as a wildlife and bird watching haven for those hoping to see a wide variety of species. Samburu also receives fewer visitors than some of the other parks, allowing more opportunities to get up close and personal.

Hell's Gate Gorge
Hell’s Gate Gorge
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Hell’s Gate

One of the only parks in Kenya that allows visitors to walk or bike through it, Hell’s Gate offers an (extremely!) up-close-and-personal experience with the wild. You can hike down into Hell’s Gate Gorge, which sits atop a geothermal spring, and see steaming sandstone pools hot enough to boil an egg. It’s not surprising the park is referred to as a gate to Hell. When whiling away the night in your tent, you can see hippos wandering about, although it’s highly recommended you keep some distance – they’re not known for being too friendly.

Red-skinned elephant ThinkStockPhotos
Red-skinned elephant
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Tsavo National Park

The biggest national park in Kenya, Tsavo is situated on the Kenyan coast, offering the best location for a wildlife safari/beach holiday. Visitors come to the park to see its famed maneless lions, red-skinned elephants, black rhinos and others. They can also spend time loafing on the beach and unwinding. Not too shabby.

Flamingos in Lake Nakuru ThinkStockPhotos
Flamingos in Lake Nakuru
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Lake Nakuru National Park

Flamingos, flamingos, flamingos! Lake Nakuru is famous for its huge flocks of flamingos that gather in the shallow soda lake (a lake with high alkalinity) in the Rift Valley. The flamingos, along with hundreds of other bird species, cover the surface of the lake giving the impression that you’ve just entered a real-world version of Candy Land. Lake Nakuru also serves as a sanctuary for the endangered black and white rhinos, and offers a good shot at spotting baboons, lions, gazelles, and the elusive leopard, among others.

Black Leopard ThinkStockPhotos
Black Leopard
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Aberdare National Park

An excellent park for hiking, Aberdare receives more rainfall than most to keep its grounds beautifully green and temperate. There are waterfalls throughout the area. In the lower altitudes of the park, one can even find bamboo and rain forests — not something you would expect on an African safari. Aberdare is home to rare species of rhino, black leopard, and antelope.

Mount Kenya ThinkStockPhotos
Mount Kenya
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Mount Kenya National Park

Mount Kenya, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Africa’s second highest peak, looms over the park and offers more than just a pretty landscape. The mountain provides water for about 50 percent of Kenya’s population, produces 70 percent of the hydroelectric power for the country, and is thought to be the seat of the Kikuyu God, NgaiAlthough its not known for a vast array of wildlife (most people visit the park to hike the mountain and explore the surrounding region), it is home to several species of monkey, as well as Cape Buffalo.