Kenya's National Parks

Nairobi National Park

One of Kenya's original National Parks established in 1948, it features 117 sq. kms of pristine savannah and yet is only 8 kms from the city centre. Large populations of Giraffe, Wildebeest, Eland and Gazelle dominate the plains. Of the big five only the Elephant has not been spotted. Prides of Lions appear at the entrance to Mbagathi Gorge. This park, so convenient to the business traveler also offers the spectacle of a Nairobi silhouette on the near horizon. Bounded by the Athi River to the south with its Hippo pools, here there are two animal orphanages including Daphne Sheldrick's Home for Orphaned Elephants and Rhinos.

Tsavo National Park

At 20,807 sq. kilometres, Tsavo is larger than Wales and Jamaica. The Park lies midway between Nairobi and Mombasa. Its red earth characterises its rivers and Elephants. A safari here will turn your hair red! The Chyulu Hills feed Mzima Springs with 20 million litres of crystal clear water daily. A remarkable oasis supporting Hippos, Crocs, Gazelle, Zebra, Giraffe and thick Acacia forests filled with chattering Birds and Monkeys. Outstanding vantage points include Ngulia Escarpment and Voi out in the east. The Chyulu Hills out west and the outstanding lava flows/cones, as at Shitani (near Kilaguni Lodge), are a fascination unequalled to many geologists.

Amboseli National Park

One of the most popular National Parks right on the Tanzania border, offering a unique spectacle - the backdrop is snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro. Located 165 kms S.E.. of Nairobi and encompassing 392 sq kms., the park is entered from the North via Namanga. You can expect to see a proliferation of Giraffe and Elephant. The 56 species here includes Baboon, Velvet Monkey, Lion, Cheetah, Rhino, Zebra,Wildebeest and Grant's Gazelle. With a seasonal lake that attracts Flamingo, bird life spotted in this region includes the Taveta Golden Waver and the Malachite Kingfisher.

Maasai Mara Game Reserve

The Mara's gentle fertile climate bounded by The Rift, offers perhaps the richest stocked reserve set within some 1672 sq kms - an unlimited spectacle of wildlife. Located 268 kms west of Nairobi, the emphasis here is on game. Herds of immense Elephants, browse among Lion, Buffalo, Thompson's Gazelle, Zebra and Topi. You may occasionally sight a Rhino or Leopard. In the Mara River Hippos play and Crocs bask on the banks. The annual migration of a million Wildebeest follows the rains north.

Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba Game Reserve

A getaway delight for the connoisseur who may well chance upon a Leopard. Dramatically hot under the harsh equatorial sun, watered by the Ewaso Nyiro River, rich in huge Nile Crocodile & Hippo, Samburu is some 331 kms North of Nairobi and set within the lands of the colourful Samburu Pastorialists. The reserve contains rarely found species including Reticulated Giraffe, Blue Legged Somali Ostrich, Grevys Zebra and the long-necked Gerenuk (Antelope Giraffe). Within Shaba we have the sharp contrast of riverine forest around the four springs within its rugged wilderness.

Mount Kenya National Park

Aquafresh mountain air, the glorious views, peace and tranquility. This, the country's highest mountain sits astride the Equator. This National Park skirts the 10,500 feet contours and encompasses three principal zones upwards. First, bamboo jungle and thick mountain forests dress the vast gentle slopes; then the alpine zone with its giant vegetation, including the Giant Groundsel, towering some 18 feet in height. Finally the rock peaks perpetually clad in glaciers and snow-fields. Game is best spotted below the park boundary in and around the forest from the Mountain Lodge.

Aberdare National Park

In this range of mountains everything is on a grand scale. The highest is 13,120 feet. Mutant Alpine plants include the 18 feet high Seneccio - flowering only once in 20 years! Huge trees cover the lower foothills. This fairyland of awesome majesty and beauty - a unique ecosystem is fuelled by the perpetual and sometimes heavy rains. Teeming with fish, crystal clear streams feed icy rivers, which plunge in glorious waterfalls, the grandest acquiring its name from Thompson who explored the area in 1883. At its east lies The Ark and Treetops on the Elephant migration trek to Mt. Kenya. You may also see the Rhino.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Nakuru and nearby (about 12 kms) Elementaita, playing host also to Cormorants, Pelicans, Black Winged Stilts, Avocets and in winter a mass of Ruffs. Just north is the Menengai Crater (85 sq. km). This protected habitat also supports a few Lions and Buffalos. Forest game includes an occasional Leopard or Black Rhino. Close by is Lake Elementaita.

Mwalunganje

Just north-west of Shimba Hills lies Mwalunganje, watered by the Manolo River, a favourite haunt of big tusker male Elephants, and where they take their entertaining mud baths. The area with its surrounding thick forest became a reserve to open up a connecting corridor for the elephant trek south en-route to Shimba Hills. The conservation area is recognised for its role in the development of young independent male Elephants in their demanding life ahead. The terrain is diverse, riverine forest gives way to deciduous woodlands and dry baobab bushland, here the rare Sokoke Scops Owl can be sighted.

Shimba Hills

This relatively compact game sanctuary of 192 sq kms is just 30 kms from Mombasa and comprises rainforest, which opens out into gentle hills, rolling savannah and riverine forest. Sea breezes maintain a cool climate. Here Elephants can be seen trailing their young, the graceful Giraffe, numerous species of Antelope and on occasion the proud and magnificent Lion. Both Taita Hills Lodge and the distinctive thatched towers of Salt Lick, provide the traveller with Hilton amenities and service. Tents at Taita Hills satisfy a thirst for a bush safari.

Malindi Marine National Park and Reserve

Malindi Marine Park and Reserve was the first marine protected area in Kenya, established in 1968 and designated as a Biosphere Reserve under the Man & Biosphere Reserve programme of UNESCO in 1979. The park has a total area of 6 km2 and lie between Lat. 3o and 4o South. It is located south of Malindi town extending to Mida creek. It neighbors Gede ruins and Arabuko Sokoke forest. The park is enveloped by a national reserve and a 100 ft strip of coastal land starting from Vasco-da-Gama pillar to Watamu. The reserve covers 213 km2 and extends three and a half nautical miles out to seaward.

Watamu Marine National Park

Watamu National Park is part of a complex of marine and tidal habitats on Kenya's North coast stretching from Malindi town to beyond the entrance to Mida creek. It is enclosed by the Malindi Marine National Reserve which also encloses Malindi Marine National Park. Habitats include inter-tidal rock, sand and mud; fringing reefs and coral gardens; beds of sea grass; coral cliffs, platforms and islets; sandy beaches and Mida Creek mangrove forest. The park was designated as a Biosphere reserve in 1979.

Mida creek is a large, almost land locked expanse of saline water, mangrove and inter-tidal mud. Its extensive forests are gazetted as forest reserves and the extreme western tip of Mida Creek is part of the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve.