Exploring Kenya’s famous Game Parks and Wildlife Reserves

Kenya is famous for its wildlife safaris. If you are a nature and wildlife lover, Kenya is absolutely the perfect destination for you to visit. The best time to visit the country is between July and October to see the world famous annual Wildebeest migration in Masai Mara National Reserve. This is also the peak tourist season here and the lodges and camps therefore need to be booked much in advance. The dry season of January through March is also considered to be the best time for viewing wildlife. The scene during the dry seasons is simply fascinating with a large number of animals gathering round the lakes, rivers and water holes. Wildlife viewing also becomes much easier because of the less dense vegetation during the dry seasons of July to October and January to March.

Kenya abounds in Game Parks and Wildlife Reserves. So, consider booking your flights to Nairobi and visit the country to see some of the famous wildlife reserves such as Nairobi National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Aberdare National Park, Mount Kenya National Park and Forest Reserve, Meru National Park, Marsabit National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park and Amboseli National Park. These wildlife reserves and game parks are exciting to explore as they offer a fascinating insight into Kenya’s wildlife.

Nairobi National Park
The Nairobi National Park is situated near by the city centre and can be reached within 20 minutes. It is one of the best places in Nairobi and the country to watch some great wildlife. The animals that are found here in abundance include zebra, eland, wildebeest, antelope, crocodile, hippo, giraffe, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard and Thompson’s gazelle. The elephant is however not found here. Apart from these, many other species of animals are also found at the Nairobi National Park. The visitors here also get opportunity to see an Animal Orphanage, which is situated at the park’s western end. The young animals, which have been deserted or injured in the wild are taken care of and provided refuge. The Nairobi National Park doesn’t provide any accommodation facility because of its location near by the city centre.
 
Masai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara National Reserve is situated in southwestern part of Kenya. It is quite popular with tourists and most frequented destination for an animal safari in Kenya. This world-famous game reserve is visited by over 140,000 domestic and international tourists every year. The Masai Mara National Reserve is quite expansive spreading in an area of around 1,510 sq km. It is situated 270 km away to the west of Nairobi and shares its border with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.  The landscape of the reserve is mostly acacia shrubland and open Savannah grasslands.

The wildebeest migration that takes place from late July through September annually is the biggest attraction for tourists from different parts of the globe. The reserve is renowned for its gazelles, zebras, vultures, crocodile, hippo, antelope, ostriches, water buffalo, hyenas, leopards, jackals, giraffes, baboons, cheetahs and elephants. The Masai Mara National Reserve is also home to nearly 450 birdlife species, with more than 50 species exclusively being Raptors. If you are planning an overnight or few days at the Masai Mara National Reserve, look for comfortable stay in the tented camps and lodges, found in plenty inside the reserve as well as the Conservation area around it.

Aberdare National Park
The Aberdare National Park is situated in the west of Mount Kenya in the Central Highlands, nearly 150 km away north of Nairobi. The Aberdare National Park is spread in an area of 770 sq km and is the 3rd largest national park in the country. The national park is in fact a part of the Aberdare Mountain Range, lying in the steep Rift Valley. The national park is scenic with a great alpine vegetation and spectacular range of wildlife.
The Aberdare National Park is the best destination for a wildlife safari whenever visiting Kenya. The national park is home to some great wildlife such as buffalo, leopard, genet cats, giant forest hog, gazelle, waterbuck, black rhino, lion, elephant, bongo, a rare spiral-horned antelope. Consider visiting the Aberdare National Park from December through March. It is the best time for wildlife viewing here. An overnight stay is always possible for the tourists with many game viewing lodges present inside the Aberdare National Park.   

Mount Kenya National Park and Forest Reserve
The Mount Kenya National Park and Forest Reserve is situated nearly 175 km away northeast of Nairobi spanning in an area of 700 sq km. The national park mostly comprises of bare rock and forest. The Mount Kenya National Park and Forest Reserve has been accorded the status of World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. The national park of presently home to a large number of wildlife species such as eland, zebra, bongo, hyena, leopard, black rhino, waterbuck, Olive baboon, elephant, buffalo, bushbuck, Sykes monkeys, and black and white colobus. Over 130 bird species are also found here.