31
Jul

Kenya’s Must-Visit National Parks

Kenya's Must-Visit National Parks

Kenya’s Must-Visit National Parks

Kenya, renowned for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife, boasts an extensive array of National Parks, reserves, and private conservancies. This travel blog delves into the premier National Parks that frequently feature in Kenya travel itineraries, providing compelling reasons to visit each, practical travel advice, and tips for maximizing your experience. Should the Masai Mara pique your interest, we encourage you to refer to our dedicated self-drive guide to the Masai Mara, which offers a comprehensive look at this iconic destination. For a detailed overview of entrance fees for each park, please consult the Practical Info section of our website.

Amboseli National Park: Spotting Elephants

Amboseli National Park serves as an accessible introduction to self-driving safaris in Kenya. The park’s well-marked tracks make navigation straightforward and driving a pleasure.

Why Amboseli is One of the Best National Parks in Kenya

Amboseli National Park is celebrated for its extraordinary herds of elephants, distinguished by their large, majestic tusks, and its breathtaking vistas of Mount Kilimanjaro, which stands sentinel in neighbouring Tanzania. The park’s southern reaches, particularly around the Olodoare Plains, Oltukai, Longinye Swamp, Observation Hill Swamp, and Lake Kioko, offer the best game drive routes. Here, one can easily spot an array of large herbivores, including elephants, wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles. Additionally, Amboseli is a prime location for observing both waterbirds and formidable predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.

Contrary to what one might expect, Amboseli National Park does not feature any public campsites within its borders. Instead, the nearest public camping option is the KWS Amboseli public camp, situated a mere 200 meters from the National Park headquarters. Alternatively, accommodations are available at the KWS Banda’s lodgings.

When is the Best Time to Visit Amboseli National Park?

Amboseli is a year-round destination for self-drive safaris. The park does not experience major animal migration patterns, thus allowing for consistent wildlife viewing throughout the year. The wettest month is April, with shorter rains occurring in November and December. For an optimal experience, it is advisable to visit during the shoulder season, avoiding the peak crowds of July to September and the Christmas holidays. Despite its smaller size, Amboseli is the second most visited National Park in Kenya, trailing only the Masai Mara. Visiting during the less crowded shoulder season can offer a more tranquil and enjoyable experience.

How Do I Get to Amboseli National Park?

For a seamless journey to Amboseli, consider integrating a visit into a self-drive route from Nairobi to the Kenyan coast. Our 16-day Bush to Beach itinerary exemplifies how one can explore Amboseli along with other exceptional national parks and Kenya’s pristine beaches.

When travelling from Nairobi, Google Maps provides two main routes: one diverts at Athi River, heads towards Namanga, the Tanzanian border, and follows the C103 to enter Amboseli from the west. However, we strongly advise against this route due to the poor condition of the C103, which could potentially damage your vehicle and extend travel time. Instead, it is recommended to continue on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, branching off at Emali town, and following the well-maintained C102 to reach Kimana town and the Kimana gate. This alternative route is not only faster but ensures a smoother journey on fully tarmacked roads.

If approaching from Mombasa, access Amboseli via Tsavo West National Park through the Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate. Additionally, if you are incorporating Amboseli into a Tanzanian itinerary, it is conveniently located less than an hour’s drive from Loitokitok town on the Tanzanian border, with the preferred entrance gate being Kimana. Though crossing at Namanga is an option, entry via the western gate on the C103 is discouraged.

Samburu: An Off-the-Beaten-Track Cultural Experience

As one transitions from the lush, verdant terrain around Mount Meru, the landscape of Samburu reveals itself as a stark contrast, characterized by its arid, semi-desert ecosystems interspersed with palm groves and coastal forests. This region is the ancestral homeland of the Samburu people, a community known for their resilience and adherence to traditional customs despite the challenging environment. The Ewaso Nyiro River, the lifeblood of the region, enhances the allure of Samburu National Reserve. Beyond thrilling game drives, Samburu offers a diverse array of landscapes and profound cultural encounters.

Often referred to simply as ‘Samburu,’ this region in the lesser-known northern part of Laikipia is composed of three distinct National Reserves: Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba. Each reserve provides unique attractions and experiences.

Why Samburu is One of the Best National Parks in Kenya

Shaba, while less renowned for its wildlife, captivates visitors with its dramatic landscapes, including walking trails that lead to lava formations and hot springs, imparting a genuine sense of wilderness. Samburu is distinguished by its off-road dirt tracks, which enhance the excitement of game drives. Though the park does not host all of the Big Five, it is home to the unique “Samburu Five”: Grevy zebra, Somali ostrich, Reticulated giraffe, Gerenuk, and Beisa oryx, species that are exclusive to this region. Additionally, Samburu is famed for its resident leopards.

For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, summiting Mount Ololokwe (1754 meters) in a day trip offers a rewarding alternative. Engaging with a community-run elephant orphanage or immersing oneself in Samburu community life provides further enriching experiences. During our visit, the Umoja Women’s Village, located on the outskirts of Archers Post town, profoundly impacted us. Established by 15 courageous women survivors of rape by British soldiers in 1990, Umoja has since grown to shelter women fleeing child marriage, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, and rape—all persistent cultural issues among the Samburu. The women sustain themselves through modest entrance fees paid by visitors. For more information on the Umoja Women’s Group, see this Guardian article.

When is the Best Time to Visit Samburu?

Samburu can be visited year-round, with the prime wildlife viewing occurring during the dry months from June to October and December to March. The rainy seasons typically span April, May, and November.

How Do I Get to Samburu?

We suggest incorporating a visit to Samburu into a self-drive circuit originating from Nairobi. Our 15-day North-Central itinerary illustrates how one can experience Samburu alongside other remarkable national parks and conservancies.

Accessing Samburu is convenient from Nairobi, Nakuru, or Mount Meru via well-maintained tarmac roads. When travelling from Nairobi, a distance of approximately 322 km must be covered, with the journey taking about 7 hours. The recommended route involves connecting to the A2 and proceeding towards Archers Post. For those departing from Nakuru, which is about 323 km away, the drive typically takes around 6 hours. It is advisable to follow the C83 to Nyahururu town, then transition to the B5, leading to the A2 highway and finally reaching Archer’s Post. Note that vehicle rentals in Kenya restrict travel beyond Archers Post.

Camping in Samburu

We highly recommend exploring the exceptional special campsites in Buffalo Springs and Shaba, frequently lauded by road-trippers who have shared positive experiences with Roadtrip Africa. The River Special Campsite in Buffalo Springs is ideally positioned beside the river, providing excellent game-spotting opportunities. Conversely, the Funan Special Campsite in Shaba offers a tranquil setting near a water hole, encircled by majestic trees providing shade on hot days. These special campsites do not require advance booking, granting flexibility for a genuine and spontaneous camping experience. For more information on accommodation and campsites in Samburu, visit the Reserve’s website.

Ol Pejeta National Park: A Role Model for Conservation

Ol Pejeta Conservancy, spanning 90,000 acres and situated between the Aberdares and Mount Kenya, stands as a privately managed wildlife sanctuary. Beyond its diverse array of animals, including the Big Five, Ol Pejeta is home to rescued chimpanzees and serves as the largest sanctuary in East Africa for the endangered Black Rhino. Moreover, the conservancy boasts one of Kenya’s highest predator densities.

Why Ol Pejeta is One of the Best National Parks in Kenya

Ol Pejeta offers a user-friendly self-drive safari experience, with well-marked and well-maintained tracks. The park is accessible year-round and provides a variety of exciting conservation activities, such as lion tracking, night game drives, horse riding among rhinos, and even jogging in the wild. These unique experiences make Ol Pejeta a particularly family-friendly safari destination. Booking for these activities can be done online through the conservancy’s excellent website.

It is important to note that the game viewing circuit in Ol Pejeta, though rewarding, is relatively compact. If additional experiences do not appeal to you, spending one day and one night in Ol Pejeta will suffice to enjoy the park.

How to Get to Ol Pejeta

A visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy is included in our North-Central Circuit itinerary. Most travellers commence their safari in Nairobi, visiting Mount Meru before proceeding to Ol Pejeta and subsequently Lake Nakuru. The conservancy is situated near Nanyuki, a well-established town approximately 200 km north of Nairobi. The journey from Nairobi to Ol Pejeta typically takes around 4 hours on a smooth tarmac road.

Camping in Ol Pejeta National Park

Camping at Ol Pejeta provides a quintessential wilderness experience. The park offers private campsites, ensuring exclusive use of the site. Firewood is provided, though other amenities are minimal. It is crucial to pre-book your camping site at Ol Pejeta, as arrangements cannot be made upon arrival at the gate.

Hell’s Gate & Lake Naivasha: Mountain Biking Among Zebras

Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate, two relatively small national parks in Kenya, are adjacent to each other. For those seeking a more local experience and a budget-friendly, unconventional safari, these parks offer a refreshing alternative. They are particularly popular among Nairobi residents.

Why Hell’s Gate and Lake Naivasha are Among the Best National Parks in Kenya

Lake Naivasha is an ideal spot for relaxation and rejuvenation. Surrounded by lush forests and yellow-barked acacia trees, the lake is renowned for its vibrant birdlife, making it a top destination for bird enthusiasts. While Lake Naivasha offers walking safaris and boat safaris, our personal experience suggests these activities can be less engaging.

In contrast, Hell’s Gate National Park presents stunning scenery and a range of exhilarating activities. Although it is not a major safari destination, visitors can enjoy mountain biking amidst giraffes, zebras, and gazelles—a truly unique experience. Hiking through Hell’s Gate Gorge reveals unusual rock formations, beautiful waterfalls, and a spectrum of red soil hues. For seasoned rock climbers, Fischer’s Tower, a standalone rock formation in Hell’s Gate, offers a challenging climb.

How to Get to Naivasha and Hell’s Gate

A visit to Naivasha and Hell’s Gate is included in all our self-drive itineraries in Kenya. The journey spans approximately 120 km and typically takes between 2 to 3 hours from Nairobi, depending on factors such as slow-moving trucks ascending the escarpment at Maai Mahiu.

Camping at Lake Naivasha

Camp Carnellys is our preferred camping spot at Lake Naivasha. Located right by the lake, it features a delightful restaurant and a popular bar. For those averse to camping, Camp Carnellys also provides budget-friendly bandas with lake views.

This comprehensive guide offers an in-depth look at Kenya’s must-visit National Parks, each with its unique allure and opportunities for exploration. From the iconic elephants of Amboseli to the conservation efforts at Ol Pejeta and the cultural richness of Samburu, these parks offer diverse and enriching safari experiences.