Kenya is well-known for tourism due to its diverse wildlife and beautiful scenery. This has helped ecotourism grow. When you visit Kenya, you can learn a lot about the local culture, environment, and the everyday lives of its people. Many tourists from around the world visit this country for several reasons. The main reason is its rich biodiversity and the large number of wildlife species, including lions, elephants, giraffes, and others, which are some of the top attractions for visitors. Kenya is well-known for tourism, especially as a top choice for safaris in East Africa. It has more than 24 national parks, 15 national reserves, and several private conservancies for visitors to explore. Here are some of the popular safari destinations in Kenya:
Maasai Mara National Reserve is a well-preserved area dominated by the Savannah wilderness, which is found within the southwestern region of Kenya and shares borders with other countries like Tanzania. The Maasai Mara National Reserve was officially created in 1961 and covers around 1,510 square kilometers. This place is named after the Maasai people, who are some of the oldest people in Africa. The best time to visit is between June and October, when you can see animals migrating from Serengeti National Park. While touring around different parts of this area, tourists are blessed to overlook animal species like lions, elephants, hippos, zebras, cheetahs, wildebeests, and many others.
Nairobi National Park is in southern Kenya, about 7 kilometers from Nairobi. It covers around 45 square miles and is situated at an altitude between 1,500 and 1,800 meters above sea level. It is one of the best places for safaris in Kenya. Nairobi National Park was one of the first areas set aside as a game reserve in 1946 and became a national park in 1963. Its main goal is to protect all the wildlife in the country.
This interesting national park has dense forests, valleys, rolling fields, beautiful rivers, plenty of plants, grasslands, and different types of acacia trees, like Cape chestnut and Muhuhu. These areas provide excellent homes for many animals living in the park. Nairobi National Park has more than 100 types of mammals that visitors can see at any time. Among these are the big five safari animals: lions, buffalos, rhinos, leopards, and elephants. There are also other animals such as zebras, antelopes, black rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, jackals, and many more. Nairobi National Park is also one of the best birding places in Kenya due to the fact that it harbors around 500 bird species, including migratory birds such as Lesser Kestrel, secretary birds, grey-crowned cranes, pallid harriers, marital eagles, sooty falcons, white-bellied bustards, parrots, guinea fowls, and ostrich’s corncrakes, among others.
Aberdare National Park is located in central Kenya, 164 km from Nairobi. Aberdare National Park is located in the Aberdare Mountain Range. The national park was established in 1950 to protect wildlife and the Aberdare Mountain range. Aberdare National Park is located between 2000 and 4000 meters above sea level and covers 766 square kilometers. The park features moorland, bamboo forests, deep V-shaped slopes with rivers, waterfalls, streams, and rainforests. This interesting park is named after the Aberdare Mountain Range, which is a unique volcanic range in the eastern part of the rift valley, stretching about 100 km north and south of Nairobi. Aberdare National Park has many animals like elephants, buffalos, hyenas, leopards, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and different kinds of antelopes. This makes it a great place for a tour in Kenya.
Lake Nakuru National Park, also known as Soda Lake, is situated in the southwestern part of Kenya, in the Eastern Africa Great Rift Valley. In addition, this national park is also widely referred to as a beautiful wildlife haven, and it supports a great bird life; hence, tourists always visit it because it is one of the major places in the country where you can see a large population of flamingos. The best part of a trip to Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya is seeing the black and white rhinos and a million flamingos. Besides flamingoes, guests can also see other animals like baboons, African spoonbills, leopards, and more.
Shimba Hills National Reserve is located in the southeastern coastal area of Kenya. It has an area of about 300 square kilometers and is located around 33 kilometers south of Mombasa, a well-known coastal city in Kenya. This interesting reserve is part of the bigger Shimba Hills area, which also includes the close Shimba Hills National Reserve and the Kwale Forest Reserve. The whole environment is an important area full of different plants and animals. The reserve plays a crucial role in saving and protecting the area’s unique species.
This reserve has beautiful green fields, rolling hills, and thick woods. The reserve is famous for its wide variety of plants, with more than 700 different kinds identified. It is also home to a number of endangered species, including the sable antelope, which can only be found in the area.
Amboseli National Park is a popular place for safaris and is important for the country’s tourism. It is well-known for its wild elephants, which can be seen in various parts of the park, along with other animals like zebras, cheetahs, and giraffes. Amboseli National Park is in southern Kenya and is about 392 square kilometers in size. It is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service. This beautiful national park was first set up as a game area in 1906 and became a national park in 1974. During your Kenya safari in Amboseli National Park, you not only get to see animals but also get to capture famous views of the beautiful scenery of Mount Kilimanjaro. People can go camping, which is fun, but it’s best for those who are physically fit and healthy.
Samburu National Reserve is located in northeastern Kenya. The national park is about 165 square kilometers and is situated by the Ewaso Ng’iro River. The reserve is named after the Samburu people, who are a local ethnic group living in the area. Samburu National Reserve is connected to the nearby Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves, forming a bigger ecosystem. Together, they create a varied and special area known for its rough land, acacia forests, and grassy plains mixed with rocky areas.
The area is located roughly 350 kilometers from Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, so it is fairly easy for tourists to reach. It is located in the Rift Valley Province, in Samburu County. Samburu has many different types of animals, including some that are rare and found only there. Visitors can try to see the “Samburu Five,” which includes the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk (a long-necked animal), and Beisa oryx. These species are special to this area and are rarely found in other parts of Kenya.
In the area, you can also see elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, and hippos. The Ewaso Ng’iro River is home to many birds, and birdwatchers can find over 350 different kinds there.
Tsavo East National Park is located in southeastern Kenya, near Voi in Taita Taveta County. It is part of the larger Tsavo National Park, which is split into Tsavo East and Tsavo West by a railway line. Tsavo National Park is named after the Tsavo River that runs through it. The outlook of Tsavo East National Park is usually flat with savannah grasslands, and it is also semiarid. The park is known for its variety of animals, including many elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and different types of antelopes. During your Kenya Game viewing drives through the park, you will see cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas, as well as a variety of beautiful bird species such as ostriches, starlings, marabou storks, and many other bird species.
Tsavo West National Park has volcanic landforms, rough hills, and many different types of habitats. The park has beautiful Mzima Springs, which are clear pools filled by underground streams. These pools are home to hippos, alligators, and many kinds of birds. A well-known spot in Tsavo West is the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, a safe place focused on protecting the rare black rhino. You can visit the Shetani Lava Flow, which is a black lava area, and enjoy the amazing views from the highest point in the park, Mount Kilimanjaro.
Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks provide many chances to see wildlife, such as game drives, guided walks, and birding. There are different places to stay in the parks, from fancy lodges to simple campsites, so you can pick what suits you best during your trip.
In addition to the safari spots stated, there are other places for tourists to explore, making this country well-known for tourism. These include Lamu Island, known for its clean water and beautiful surroundings; Mount Kenya, the second tallest mountain in the world and the tallest in Kenya; Malindi National Park; and Hell’s Gate National Park, among others.
Get in touch with our reliable tour providers for more details about why Kenya is a top tourist destination. You can also book your trip with our travel companies.
This wraps up the best hiking spots in Kenya.
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