Major Attractions in Kenya (National Reserves and Parks)

Maasai Mara National Reserve: Maasai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s wildlife haven as it takes you on a journey of incredible wildlife sightings amidst the vast open savanna land giving one the perfect African safari experience. The Maasai Mara obtains its name from the Maasai tribe of Kenya who are famous pastoralists and are highly dependent on livestock keeping which is an integral part of their life. Maasai Mara National Reserve also known as The Mara is home to a great population of animals that are best seen while on game drives in the game reserve.
The Maasai Mara is famously known for the annual Great Migration which is the longest overland migration in the world. This annual migration involves millions of wildebeest and zebras as they migrate in search of fresh water and food as the seasons change throughout the year. The annual Great Migration sees over a million wildebeest migrate from the Serengeti National park in Tanzania as they cross north in to the Maasai Mara, they are usually joined by Grant’s gazelle, Thomson’s gazelle and elands along the way. 

The Maasai Mara is home to the African Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino and Elephant), these animals are famous and the most sought after species while on safari in Maasai Mara. 

African lion couple and safari jeep in the Masai Mara in Kenya.

Lake Nakuru National Park: Lake Nakuru national park is one of Kenya’s wildlife haven harboring the famous Lake Nakuru which is internationally recognized and ranked as one of the world’s most colorful lakes. Lake Nakuru is known for the flamingos that like to forage at the lake and visitors from across the world flock Lake Nakuru national park for an opportunity to watch these spectacular birds hanging at the lake, a picturesque and magical wildlife experience. Lake Nakuru national park is home to a various mammal species and primate species. Wildlife viewing is best done while on a game drive in the park.

The park is also a popular bird watching site in Kenya and across the world hence offering wonderful birding opportunities. The most sought after birds in Lake Nakuru National Park are the Lesser Flamingo and Greater Flamingos that like to hang around the alkaline Lake Nakuru. 

Amboseli National Park: Amboseli national park covers an area of 392 square kilometres, is rich in bio diversity and offers stunning views of the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa. The views are stunning especially while on a game drive in Amboseli national park as one is treated to amazing views of the pink flamingos in the blue water with a perfect backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, a picturesque moment while on the water point trail in Amboseli national park. The national park formerly known as the Maasai Amboseli Game reserve was gazetted and achieved national park status in 1974.

Amboseli national park hosts about 80 species of mammals but is famously known for its large population of free ranging elephants that are usually seen strolling and feeding in the park. 

Elephant in Amboseli National Park

Samburu National Reserve: Samburu National Reserve which covers an area of 165 square kilometres is situated on the banks of Ewaso Ng’iro River in Kenya and located in Samburu County, on the other side of you find the Buffalo Springs National Reserve. The Greater Laikipia-Samburu region has the largest population of elephants and Samburu National Reserve alone is home to about 900 elephants and the large herds of elephants are one of the main attractions in the reserve. Samburu National Reserve is rich in bio diversity as it has an abundance of animals and is also home to a variety of species of birds (380 species have been recorded) as well as plant life.

Elephants in Samburu National Reserve Photo by Magical Kenya 

Aberdare National Park: Aberdare National Park is rich in bio diversity and an important water source for Kenya as four of the country’s seven largest rivers originate from the park. The Aberdares are a water catchment for the Tana River System, Lake Naivasha and the northern Ewaso Nyiro River. The rich bio diversity makes it a perfect destination for wildlife sightings, birding and other safari activities in the park. The national park is located 100 km north of Nairobi which is Kenya’s capital city and is situated east of the East African Rift Valley.

Aberdare National Park is home to the Big Five which include Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino. The park is known for its large population of Black Rhinos and is the second best place to see black rhinos in Kenya.