List Of Game Parks In Kenya
A game park is a large area of land, especially in Africa, where wild animals can live safely
In this article Keweb.co tries to answer the question by publishing the full list of Game Parks in Kenya
Below are the full List of Game Parks In Kenya
1. Lake Nakuru National Park, Nakuru City
Located in Nakuru, the park is one of Kenya’s most popular safari parks. It was once famous for its millions of flamingos, however, conditions became unfavorable and these birds have since moved to other lakes along the Rift Valley.
The park’s wooded and bushy grasslands support different flora and fauna, and besides many species of mammals, it also hosts over 400 bird species.
Visitors to this premium park can expect to see hippos, lions, leopards, white rhinos, rock hyrax, and grants gazelles. It also offers guests several physical features such as Bamboo Cliff, Makalia Falls, and Lion Hill.
Location: Lake Nakuru National Park is situated in Nakuru City, about 160 km northwest of Nairobi.
Getting There: From Nairobi, take the A104 road. The main gate (Lanet Gate) is 4 km south of Nakuru city center. A better alternative is joining a guided game drive.
2. Amboseli National Park, Kajiado County
Amboseli is one of the best game parks to visit in Kenya. The ecosystem is mainly savannah grasslands spread across the Kenya-Tanzania border.
The park is famous for being the best destination in Africa to get close to herds of free-ranging elephants, hippos, and the big five, among other wildlife species such as pelicans. Various water birds (like the Egyptian goose) are also visible in the swamps throughout the park.
3. Masai Mara National Reserve, Narok
When I think of the best game reserves in Kenya, Masai Mara comes to mind immediately, and that’s because of its uniqueness. This particular national park is famous for the Great Migration and its luxury tented camps.
It boasts unique biodiversity that mainly comprises open grasslands; providing you with one of the best wildlife safari experiences. Visitors flock to the Mara for the annual wildebeest migration – nowhere else in Africa is wildlife more abundant.
4. Mount Kenya National Park, Central Kenya
Mount Kenya National Park is a UNESCO Heritage Site. Its rugged glacier-clad summits, diverse forest, and alpine moorland make it one of Africa’s most impressive landscapes.
The ecosystem is a sight to behold. It comprises pristine wilderness, beautiful glaciers and peaks, magical lakes and tarns, lush forests, and mineral springs – it’s truly spectacular.
I’ve visited the park several times, with every visit unique. Going up the mountain is rewarding, too, as everything between the gate and the summit is beautiful.
5. Nairobi National Park, Nairobi
Whilst it might not be as world-famous as the Masai Mara, this safari park is another fantastic place for spotting the spectacular Kenyan wildlife. Nairobi National Park is located near the capital center – an ideal safari destination if you’re short on time.
The park is an essential sanctuary for breeding and restocking rhinos to other parks. It also hosts the famous Nairobi safari walk and animal orphanage.
6. Aberdare National Park, Central Kenya
As an avid hiker, I’ve been to this national park countless times and can highly recommend it. It’s a good sample of what nature has to offer in Kenya.
The Aberdare National Park hosts one of Kenya’s most valuable natural resources – the Aberdare Forest. The forest is a hiker’s paradise with over 11 marked trails and several spectacular waterfalls. The latter includes Karuru falls, which are the tallest in Kenya.
Aberdare National Park is also a wildlife and bird haven. Animals spotted in the park include the Columbus monkey, sykes monkey, leopards, black rhino, and elephants. If you’re lucky, there are also occasional sightings of lions, wild dogs, and the elusive bongo here.
7. Hells Gate National Park, Naivasha
If I was to recommend only one safari park on this list, it would be Hells Gate National Park. I lived near the park for about three months and went there for a bike ride almost every weekend.
Hells Gate National Park covers an area of 68.25 km². It may be smaller than other parks in Kenya, but there’s nothing comparable to cycling past zebras, giraffes, and buffalos.
8. Arabuko Sokoke National Reserve, Watamu
Whenever I travel to the north coast of Kenya, I always make sure to stop in and explore this off-the-beaten-path national reserve.
Arabuko Sokoke National Reserve in Watamu is the most significant stretch of tropical forest along the East African coast. It’s also famous for being home to more than 600 bird species.
The park protects a diverse habitat rich with fauna and flora, including wildlife, butterflies, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Here you’ll find the small and beautiful golden-rumped elephant shrew and other rare birds like Clarke’s Weaver, Sokoke scops owl, and Sokoke pipit.
9. Tsavo National Parks, Tsavo
Tsavo East and Tsavo West game parks dominate the southern circuit and form the largest game park in Kenya. The two parks are close to the Indian Ocean offering visitors a chance to view wildlife while staying at the coast.
Both parks are famous for their large herds of elephants, buffalos, and other wildlife. They also have a prolific bird life featuring over 500 species.
10. Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kwale
The coastal circuit has a series of highly protected marine parks. They stretch the entire length of the Kenyan coast and offer a true sense of paradise to marine life lovers.
11. Kakamega National Forest Reserve, Kakamega
Western Kenya is one of the country’s least visited regions, but it has hidden gems for those who enjoy going off the regular tourist trail. One such place is the Kakamega Forest – one of the best game reserves in Kenya.
12. South and Central Island National Parks, Lake Turkana
These remote parks, together with Sibiloi National Park, form Lake Turkana National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The South Island national park offers visitors stunning scenery and excellent bird-watching opportunities. It’s home to hippos, Nile crocodiles, and several species of venomous snakes.
Although relatively difficult to reach, Central Island National Park is charming. This small active volcano park comprises three scenic crater lakes; Flamingo, Crocodile, and Tilapia. It’s also believed to support the world’s largest population of Nile crocodiles.
13. Samburu National Reserve, Isiolo
A short trip from Nairobi, yet a world apart in every other respect, is the less-visited Samburu National Reserve. I visited this park while on a road trip to Marsabit and enjoyed its landscapes and wildlife.
Along with Shaba and Buffalo Springs, Samburu forms an ecosystem separated only by the Ewaso Nyiro River.
Together they provide an opportunity to view five rare wildlife species found almost nowhere else in Kenya: the Beisa oryx, gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and the Somali ostrich.
14. Marsabit National Reserve, Marsabit
The Marsabit National Reserve is situated near the town of Marsabit in Northern Kenya. The park is made up of densely forested mountains and three crater lakes, including the magical Lake Paradise which is the perfect habitat for various birdlife.
Although less visited than other game parks, Marsabit National Park is a great safari destination. It’s home to herds of the African bull elephants, the endangered Grevy’s zebra, hyenas, reticulated giraffes, grant’s gazelles, lions, leopards, and other wildlife species.
The park is more famous for Ahmed, the legendary elephant who in the 70s was offered 24hr security surveillance by presidential decree – a sign of Kenya’s commitment to wildlife conservation.
15. Sibiloi National Park, Lake Turkana
Sibiloi is another great national park in Nothern Kenya. It lies on the eastern shore of Lake Turkana, about 800 km from Nairobi.
Besides having stunningly beautiful wildlife zones, the park is home to some of the most important archeological sites in the world.
Which is the largest game park in Kenya?
The Tsavo National Park ecosystem covers an area of 20, 812km2 and is the biggest park in Kenya and notably one of the largest game sanctuaries in the world. The park was established in 1948, but later split to Tsavo East and Tsavo West parks for administrative purposes.
Which is the best game park in Kenya?
The Masai Mara is Kenya’s best-known reserve, and for good reason too. Home to an abundance of big game, the Mara is excellent for predator sightings – cheetah, lion and leopard – with the open grasslands and far-reaching views making these big cats easier to spot.