Top 8 Best Safari Parks in Kenya you should Visit – Hail Tours Kenya

The 5 best safari parks in Kenya to explore: Which are the best safari parks in Kenya? When you think of a safari, there is endless list of places to go to but there is something unique that makes Kenya a special African safari destination.

Kenya is naturally endowed and offers plenty of opportunities for wildlife and nature enthusiasts to meet their dreams.

Kenya is celebrated as a home to African safaris and indeed it is for a good reason.

There are several pristine national parks and reserves (about 40 of them) to visit to explore on Kenya safari, each with abundant wildlife, birds etc.

If it is the big five, wildebeest migration experience, birding, cultural encounter that you are looking for, no better place to travel to than Kenya. For unforgettable wilderness experiences, here are the 8 best safari parks in Kenya.

Best Safari Parks in Kenya

Nairobi National Park

Most popular as the world’s wildlife capital, Nairobi National Park is without doubt one of the 5 best safari parks in Kenya. Located just 7-10kms from Nairobi city, Nairobi National Park is amazingly one of the world’s most accessible parks from city centre and boasts of its unique attraction.

For tourists with limited time and they want to be part of mesmerizing African safari experiences in Kenya, there is no better place to consider a must-visit than Nairobi National Park. This park was created in 1946 and it is a stronghold to 4 of the big five game (buffaloes, leopards, lions, rhinos).

Other wildlife and attractions to expect to explore on Kenya safari in Nairobi National Park include cheetahs, zebras, warthogs, baboons, jackals, over 400 bird species including Egyptian goose, common moorhen, blacksmith lapwing, secretary bird.

Other birds include black headed heron, Eurasian nightjars, white bellied bustard, Kori bustards, scaly francolin, Southern pochard, helmeted guinea fowl, ring necked dove, northern pintail, white browed coucal etc. While on Nairobi National Park safari, the other key attractions to visit include impala observation point, David and Daphne Sheldrick elephant orphanage, the ivory site monument.

Amboseli National Park

Set right in Kajiado South Constituency, Loitoktok District in Kenya lies Amboseli National Park. Amboseli is famous for its own unique reasons firstly as a home to huge giants and the breathtaking view of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Amboseli National Park is a compact protected area of 392sq.kms making it one of the easiest parks to explore. Its landscape features stunning savanna grassland, shady trees, undulating terrains, and swamps, and its strategic location gets you the best view of the majestic Kilimanjaro Mountain.

From Nairobi city, Amboseli National Park Kenya is 260kms away. The 392sq.kms protected area is a home to huge herds of elephants and other wildlife, floral species, birds etc. Amboseli is one of Kenya’s oldest parks, created in 1974 and in 1991, it was declared as UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve.

The special wildlife species that make Amboseli National Park an amazing wildlife safari park in Kenya include cheetahs, buffaloes, lions, rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, jackals, and leopards. Others include yellow and olive baboons, spotted hyenas, waterbucks, impalas, black face vervet monkeys etc.

Over 450 species of birds all live within the different habitats in Amboseli National Park and they include secretary birds, African skimmers, yellow bishops, grey crowned cranes, steel blue whydahs, superb starling, hamerkop etc. There are plenty of exciting experiences or activities to indulge in while on Kenya safaris in Amboseli N/Park and they include photography safaris, game drives, Masai cultural experience, bird watching and others.

Masai Mara National Reserve

Tsavo National Parks

The 2 safari parks of Tsavo feature as the large protected areas in Kenya, protecting a huge concentration of wildlife. They include Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Parks, separated by A109 road and railway.

Tsavo Conservation Area occupies more than 22000sq.ks of land area with 10,000sq.kms covered by Tsavo West and Tsavo East 12,000sq.kms. The 2 conservancy areas boast of their beautiful sceneries and landscape characterized by caves, springs, lava flow, rocks, and others.

The 22000sq.kms protected area is a home to diversity of wildlife including all the big five game members- rhinos, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, lions. Additionally, it also hosts cheetahs, crocodiles, gerenuks, over 500 bird species etc.

Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park is a magical Kenya National Park set in the Central part of the country, approximately 140 km northwest of Nairobi. Established in 1961 and sitting on 188sq.km, Nakuru National Park is a true birder’s haven.

Nakuru National Park is one of Africa’s leading birding safari destinations, sheltering more than 450 bird species. These include black-tailed godwit, lesser & greater flamingos, pelicans, arrow-marked babblers, sooty falcons, ostriches, Abyssinian thrush, cormorants etc.

At Lake Nakuru National Park, tourists on Kenya safari have more than birds to sight. The park is also a stronghold to diverse wildlife such as rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, zebras, and gazelles. This makes Nakuru National Park a remarkable game-viewing destination.

Where to stay:

Nakuru National Park accommodation options to consider for an overnight stay on Kenya safari include Mbweha Safari Camp, Osun Capital Hotel, JBB Hotel, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Sajim Hotel, and Eagle View. Others include Lakira Camp, Allan Q Guest Home, Naishi Guesthouse, Lake Nakuru Lodge etc.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy situated in the central region of Kenya in Laikipia county is one the most famous wildlife conservancies in the republic of Kenya thought of by a variety of visitors. It occupies an area of about 90,000 acres and it is known for its successful conservation stories which have contributed to its incredible biodiversity. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is home to an array of wildlife species including the Big Five, that’s the lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros. It is also home to the world’s last two northern white rhinos, making it a crucial site for rhino conservation and a perfect spot for rhin tracking in Kenya.

In addition to rhinos, this conservancy is also famously known for its great efforts towards the protection of the endangered African wild dogs and cheetahs. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is among the top spots in Kenya offering the best game drives featured with sightings of elusive predators as well as giraffes, zebras, and a variety of antelope species. It is also home to over 300 bird species making it an ideal destination for birding in Kenya.

Ol Pejeta is committed to sustainable tourism and community development, offering a range of accommodations from luxury lodges to more affordable options. Visitors can also visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which provides care for orphaned and rescued chimpanzees. The Conservancy offers a unique combination of conservation, wildlife experiences, and education, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers.

Mount Kenya National Park

Mt. Kenya National Park is amazingly one of the 5 best safari parks in Kenya. For all breathtaking hiking adventures, Mount Kenya National Park has you covered. Located in the Northeastern side of Nairobi 175 km, this pristine park is home to unique natural features including glaciers, forested slopes, U-Shaped valleys etc.

Sitting on a land area of 1420sq.km, Mount Kenya National Park shelters a range of wildlife species. These include white-tailed mongoose, black rhinos, rock hyrax, suni antelopes, leopards, elephants, bushbuck, black and white colobus monkeys, giant forest hogs, and black-fronted duikers.

Over 130 bird species are also inhabited within Mount Kenya National Park. They include African barbets, bearded vultures, red-billed duck, yellow-bellied waxbill, red-cheeked cordon bleu, African emerald cuckoo, rosy throated long claw. Other birds include oriole finch, orange ground thrush, golden-breasted bunting, brimstone canary, violet-backed starling and more.

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve is a captivating wildlife destination located in northern Kenya, along the Ewaso Ng’iro River. Known for its rugged beauty, the reserve is home to unique flora and fauna, making it a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts. It offers an opportunity to encounter rare wildlife species, such as the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and the Samburu ostrich, all of which are endemic to the region. The reserve is also part of the greater Samburu ecosystem, which includes Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserve, forming a vast conservation area rich in biodiversity.

Visitors can enjoy game drives through the striking landscapes, with stunning views of acacia forests, savannah plains, and riverine vegetation. The Ewaso Ng’iro River, which runs through the reserve, is a crucial water source for the wildlife, making it a prime location for spotting animals like elephants, big cats, and antelopes. Birdwatchers will also delight in the variety of species found here, including eagles and vultures.

Samburu is not only famous for its wildlife but also for its cultural richness. Visitors can interact with the Samburu people, a nomadic community, offering an immersive cultural experience. This reserve provides a perfect blend of adventure, wildlife, and culture, making it an unforgettable destination.

Other places to visit in Kenya

There are plenty of tourist sites/destinations worth visiting on Kenya including Mount Elgon National Park, Longonot National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Meru National Park, Aberdare National Park, Samburu National Reserve, Arabuko-Sokoke National Park, Marine National Parks.

When to visit Kenya

Kenya welcomes visitors at any time of the year, but the dry months from June, July, August, and September to October/December to February is with no doubt the best time to travel for Kenya safaris. During the dry months, the ground is drier and it is easier to navigate through Kenya safari parks game tracks.