Aberdare  | Amboseli | Arabuko Sokoke | Hell's Gate | Lake Nakuru | Marine Parks and Reserves | Nairobi   Ol Donyo Sabuk | Tsavo East | Tsavo West | Masai Mara |  Shimba Hills

Aberdare National Park

The Aberdares are an isolated volcanic range that forms the eastern wall of the rift valley, running roughly 100km north south between Nairobi and Thomsons Falls. There are two main peaks, Ol Donyo Lesatima (3,999m) and Kinangop (3,906m) separated by a long saddle of alpine moorland at over 3,000m. The topography is diverse with deep ravines that cut through the forested eastern and western slopes and there are many clear streams and waterfalls.

The unusual vegetation, rugged terrain, streams and waterfalls combine to create an area of great scenic beauty in the National Park. The park is surrounded by a predominantly indigenous forest.

Major Attractions are: Lesatima peak, Kinangop peak, waterfalls, walks in the moorlands, Twin hills, Elephant hills and Table mountains, Elephants, Second largest population of black rhinos in Salient and Northern Aberdares, Queen Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne at Tree-tops, The Kimathi Hideout, Night viewing of wildlife at The Ark & Treetops. 

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Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park

Ol Donyo Sabuk is a mountain park located to the south-east of Thika town 65km from Nairobi. The park comprises of forested slopes, ravines and the 2144m summit from where one can see Mt. Kenya, Mt. Kilimanjaro and the surrounding lowlands including Nairobi city.

Major Attractions are: Athi River, Fourteen Falls, Scenic views from the summit, McMillan grave.

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Tsavo West National Park

The park is a vast expanse of savanna stretching from Mtito Andei, along the Mombasa-Nairobi road and south to the Tanzanian border. The park has open plains, Savannah bush and semi desert scrub, acacia woodlands; rocky ridges and outcrops and more extensive ranges and isolated hills; belts of riverine vegetation; palm thickets and on the Chyulu hills, mountain forest.

Chyulu Hills, is of recent volcanic origin with lava flows and ash cones including the Shetani lava flow, an example of a recent volcano. Lake Jipe in the far south western corner is fed by runoff from Mt. Kilimanjaro and the North Pare mountains.

At Mzima Springs, in the North of the park, water  filtered underground from the Chyulu Hills gushes from below a lava ridge into a series of clear pools.

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Shimba Hills National Reserve

Only 56km south of Mombasa, this reserve is a great option for holidaymakers who fancy a day away from Mombasa town and the beach. It is the only reserve in the country where you will see sable antelope, a tall sleek animal with beautiful horns which is unfortunately hunted for meat elsewhere. The reserve has rolling hills covered in jungle and grassland. At the baited water hole at Shimba Lodge it is possible that you will see leopard and plenty of elephant. Shimba Lodge is a charming Treetops-type lodge with plenty of atmosphere.

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Amboseli National Park

Amboseli lies immediately North West of Mt. Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania.  Large concentrations of wildlife occur here in the dry season, making Amboseli a popular tourist destination. It is surrounded by 6 communally owned group ranches.

The National Park embodies 5 main wildlife habitats (open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland). Amboseli is famous for its big game and great scenic beauty - the landscape is dominated by Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Major Attractions are: Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru, Observation Hill which allows an overall view of the whole park especially the swamps and elephants,Contemporary Maasai culture and indigenous lifestyle.

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Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is unique by being the only protected area in the world with a variety of animals and birds close to a capital city.

The park has a diversity of  fauna and flora. Open grass plains with scattered acacia bush are predominant. The western side has a highland dry forest and a permanent river with a riverine forest in the south. In addition, there are stretches of broken bush country and deep, rocky valleys and gorges with scrub and long grass. Man-made dams have also added a further habitat, favourable to certain species of birds.

The park has  400 species of  birdlife  recorded.

Thel Park is one of the most successful of Kenya's rhino sanctuaries, it is one of the few parks where a visitor can be certain of seeing a black rhino in its natural habitat.

The Mara is an extension of the Serengeti National park of Tanzania, and is cushioned by the Loita Hills in the east, Itong Hills in the North and Siria escarpment in the west. you will also get to see Kilimanjaro snow peaks, a lovely sight

Game viewing is excellent year round. Game includes: elephant, Black Rhino, buffalo, plains zebra, roan antelope in small numbers, white-bearded gnu, Oribi, warthog, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, hartebeest and the big cats; the rivers are home to hippo and crocodiles.

The best thing the Mara has to offer is the wildebeest migration. This sensational display starts during the month of July when the wildebeest start moving north from the Serengeti. An 1.5 million animals partake in this migration. The wildebeests move north in search of the lush vegetation during the long rains. The wildebeests crossing the Mara river is comical yet sad. The long rains flood the rivers, and yet the wildebeests senselessly force their way upstream, and this causes many deaths and injuries. But that is natures way of dealing with it all; the wildebeests fresh death bring lions, vultures, jackals and hyenas who complete the food chain part of the migration. 

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Hell's Gate National Park

Hell's Gate National Park  is situated in the environs of Lake Naivasha about 90 km from Nairobi. The park is s characterized by diverse topography and geological scenery. It is an important home of the lammergeyer.
Ideal for Hiking, camping, rock climbing, biking, bird watching and wildlife viewing.

Major Attractions are: Game viewing, Raptor nesting in cliffs, Spectacular gorge walk, hot springs, scenic landscape, the Geothermal Station, Maasai culture.

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Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru is a very shallow strongly alkaline lake 62 km2 in extent. It is set in a picturesque landscape of surrounding woodland and grassland next to Nakuru town. The landscape includes areas of marsh and grasslands alternating with rocky cliffs and outcrops, stretches of acacia woodland and rocky hillsides covered with a Euphorbia forest on the eastern perimeter.

The lake catchment is bounded by Menengai crater to the north, the Bahati hills to the north east, the lion hill ranges to the east, eburu crater to the south and the mau escarpment to the west. Three major rivers; Njoro, Makalia and Enderit drain into the lake.

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Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo National Park is the largest Park in Kenya.

Some of the attractive scenic features include: Large herds of elephants and other wildlife, Yatta plateau – at about 290Km long it is one of the worlds longest lava flows. Lugard's Falls on the Galana river –  series of rapids, Mudanda rock –  a long rock outcrop about 1.6Km long with a dam at the base where  animals can be seen drinking, Aruba Dam - was built in 1952. The dam attracts many animals and water birds can be seen at this dam, Tsavo/Athi rivers confluence – when the two rivers join they form the Galana river.
Tsavo East in the History of Kenya

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Arabuko Sokoke Forest

The Arabuko-Sokoke forest occupies both Malindi and Kilifi district and is composed of a vast tract of one of the largest remaining indigenous coastal forests in East Africa. The forest covers an area of 420 km2 . It is a dry coastal forest with more than a half of it being composed of dense thicket dominated by Cynometria and Brachystegia woodlands, although some areas are of mixed forest. The Sokoke forest is home to a wide diversity of both flora and fauna attractions. Both small and large mammals can be found here including rare and unique birds like the East Sokoke Akalat, Amani Sunbird and the Spotted Groundthrush and Clarke Weaver, not forgetting the Sokoke Sops Owl. Rare mammals include the Sokoke Bush-tailed Mongoose, the Golden Rumped Elephant shrew, the Golden Cat and the Brown Hyena. Large mammals like the buffalo, the Suni, Sykes Monkey, Yellow Baboon and occasionally the elephant can also be found. Over 260 species of butterflies have also been recorded. Access to the forest is through the visitors centre that is located 2 kilometres form the Gede junction. Hiking, picnicking and ornithological tours can also be arranged through the offices of the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Forest Department.

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