Kenya is one of the most popular safari destinations in Africa and for a good reason. Kenya has a total of 23 National Parks, 28 National Reserves, 4 Marine National Parks, 6 Marine National Reserves and 4 National Sanctuaries. Within these areas the wildlife is protected from poachers and being hunted for sport which is still not illegal in Africa. In this post we asked top bloggers for their recommendations for the best safari in Kenya, these are the destinations they praised.
Table of Contents
Tsavo West National Park
Tsavo West National Park is part of the largest protected area in Kenya, as such Tsavo is one of the best safari destinations in Kenya. It is budget friendly compared to other safari parks in Kenya and most of the sights can be seen in a 3-day Tsavo Safari.
Tsavo West is the home of the Mzima Springs where visitors can take a 2-km walking tour through the springs guided by an armed park ranger. See crocodiles relaxing alongside the fresh spring water, then descend into the underwater viewing area where you may be lucky enough to spot the resident hippopotamuses tiptoeing in the lake. The Mzima Spring is also the main source of water for Mombasa, providing 250 million litres of fresh water a day.
You are likely to encounter leopards here as the terrain is rocky and volcanic with dense vegetation in places. The Ngulia Safari Lodge is a wonderful place to stay if seeing leopards is on your bucket list as they have a dedicated feeding station on which they hang a cut of meat every night to feed the resident leopards and entertain the guests.
Tsavo West is also home to the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary which is a 90km square area fenced off from the main park and under 24-hour surveillance. This is to protect the 80 endangered black rhinos from poachers, and you can only enter between the hours of 4pm-6pm daily. Inside the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary you can drive around the dusty tracks to the various watering holes and try to spot the black rhinos. It is not guaranteed though as rhinos are elusive and like to hide in the undergrowth.
Samburu National Reserve
Recommended by Heather from Conversant Traveller
If you’re looking for somewhere a little different from the popular Masai Mara savannahs, then you might like to consider Samburu National Reserve up in northern Kenya. The semi-arid plains and rocky mountain peaks make the landscape here just as exciting as the wildlife. The main reason to visit is to see the Samburu Special 5 – a collection of rare and unusual animals that are endemic to this area. Keep an eye out for the reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra, as well as a unique antelope called the gerenuk, which stands on its rear legs to feed on the leafy green shoots of higher branches.
There are several large groups of elephants that roam the plains, and it’s a great place to spot leopards too. You’ll also notice the Samburu herdsmen looking after their cattle, and seeing the vast herds is quite a sight.
There are several lodges in the area with a wide range of prices, including some high-end luxury lodges like Saruni Samburu. A typical day on safari includes game drives in Samburu, and bush walks or night drives in the neighbouring conservancies. You can enjoy early morning bush breakfasts overlooking the dry riverbed of the Ewaso Ng’iro, which is used as a highway for animals searching for water.
Selenkay Conservancy
Recommended by Anna from Really Wild Life
Selenkay Conservancy is a private 14,000 acres of Maasai-owned land, just 10 miles north of Amboseli National Park in Kenya. As it is based on the same ecosystem as Amboseli, much of the wildlife you can see in the national park are also present in the conversancy, but with one key difference: exclusivity.
Wildlife sightings are often completely private, owing to the select camps in the area and limits on guest numbers allowed in at any one time. This means you can get up close and personal with the local lions, leopards, giraffes and elephants on game drives with Mount Kilimanjaro as the ultimate backdrop for your photos. Walking safaris led by Maasai warriors are also possible here, focussing on teaching willing guests all about the landscapes of the area and the culture of the Maasai people.
To reach the conservancy, guests can hop on a Safarilink flight from Nairobi Wilson Airport to the Selenkay airstrip. From there, it’s only a short drive to Porini Amboseli – a safari camp boasting just 10 guest tents. Each one is furnished with twin double beds, solar powered lighting and an ensuite shower room, making for a very comfortable stay in the heart of the wilderness. Prices start at $385 per person per night including all meals, drinks, park fees, game drives and activities.
Hell’s Gate National Park
Recommended by Kesi from Kesi To and Fro
Hell’s Gate is a great safari destination in Kenya because it is self-guided and you can ride a bike around wild animals like zebras, giraffes, and warthogs. Hell’s Gate lies south of Lake Naivasha and is a 3-hour drive from Nairobi, so it’s possible to make a day trip to visit Hell’s Gate. This safari is unique since you are in control. The main attractions are the wildlife and walking around impressive rock formations at the gorge. Hell’s Gate was featured in the movie Tomb Raider, and it’s fun and easy to pretend that you are in an action movie while walking in the gorge.
The park is not crowded, so it’s nice to enjoy nature without many people. It takes about 2 hours to cycle to Hell’s gate. Another reason why this is a great safari is that it is very cheap. You only need to pay for a bike rental, and then a little money for a local guide to show you where the Hell’s Gate is. Between renting a bike and the park entrance fee, the cost should be around $40 US.
Another reason to visit Hell’s Gate is that you pass the Great Rift Valley on the drive from Nairobi, which is the perfect picturesque spot. There might be a lot of traffic between Hell’s Gate National Park and Nairobi, so be prepared. Places like Hell’s Gate make Kenya one of the best places to visit in Africa.
Nairobi National Park
Recommended by Jyoti from Story at Every Corner
Most people land at Nairobi international airport and head directly to Masai Mara or one of the many safari parks of Kenya. Few realize that right next to the airport is the Nairobi National Park. To the extent that I have even seen giraffes right across the freeway from the runway. Not every country can boast that they have such an incredible national park right in their capital city!
If you have a day in the city this is a must-visit destination among many other things to see in Nairobi. It’s just 7 km from downtown Nairobi and is the oldest national park in the country.
One of the fun attractions in Nairobi National Park is its boardwalk above the trees which gives a great vantage point for animal viewing. You can also do the traditional safari in a jeep or car. Compared to other larger parks you’re more likely to see the big cats like lions and leopards in addition to the big mammals, there is plenty of wildlife including my favorite giraffe and zebra. The park also has interpretive center with displays that will give you a great introduction to Kenyan wildlife.
Tsavo East National Park
Recommended by Becky from SightDOING
Although not as famous as some other safari destinations in Kenya Tsavo East has one major advantage, it’s easy to reach from Mombasa and Diani Beach on the Kenyan coast, making it possible to do a safari in as short as 2 days/1 night. Being close isn’t the only reason to go, though, the wildlife here is legitimately spectacular.
Lions are a big draw at Tsavo East and elephants are also abundant. You’ll also have the chance to observe giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and potentially less common species such as gerenuk. With 13,747 square kilometers to explore, there’s ample opportunity to spread out so you can enjoy wildlife watching without the crowds. If you’re looking for a “wild” experience without constantly following a dozen other jeeps, Tsavo East National Park is a great option.
There are several lodges within the park itself, which is great for maximizing your time watching wildlife. Kenya safari costs vary significantly based on when and where you go, but Tsavo East can be very reasonable compared to other parks. Budget lodges start at around $225 for double occupancy, including full board, with upgrades to top-tier camps available at higher cost. However, most travellers come as part of a safari package that also includes game drives, park fees, and transportation to and from Mombasa or other cities.
One great choice for accommodation in Tsavo East National Park is the Voi Safari Lodge, we stayed here during our Tsavo 3-day safari in July 2019, read our complete review post to find out what we thought.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Recommended by Sharon from Shaz On The Move
Lake Nakuru National Park is located in Nakuru County, a 2 hour’s drive from Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi.
Lake Nakuru is an amazing safari destination first of all because of its close proximity to Nairobi. It therefore makes it a good connection destination before going to the other parks located further from Nairobi. It is also close enough to take a day trip safari tour.
Lake Nakuru National Park is an amazing destination for game viewing. You will see lions, giraffes, different antelope species, baboon families, buffalos and white rhinos. The only missing big 5 at the park is the elephant.
Some of the things to see include the Makalia Falls, this is a great place for picnicking and hiking. An idea would be to take a day tour from Nairobi, do a game drive at the park and have a picnic lunch at Makalia falls and after do another game drive on your way back to Nairobi.
The cost of a day trip from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru for a day drip would cost a couple roughly $150 depending on the tour company you settle on. This would include the cost of a tour guide driver, transport to and from and picnic lunch.
Most of the tour packages to Lake Nakuru National Park would include either an itinerary that would have you spend a night or two as you transit to Masaai Mara or Samburu National Park.
Masai Mara National Reserve
Recommended by Ummi from Ummi Goes Where?
Arguably the most famous safari destination in Africa, Maasai Mara National Reserve is located in southwest Kenya, bordering the Serengeti on the Tanzanian side. Its landscape consists of 1,510 square kilometres (583 square miles) of grassy plains and rolling hills, crossed by the Mara and Talek rivers.
The Maasai Mara is home to some 95 species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, and over 400 species of birds. But its major claim to fame is the annual wildebeest migration, that involves over 2 million animals arriving in July and departing in November.
Apart from game drives, other activities you can do in the Maasai Mara include flying on a hot-air balloon over the savannah, visiting Masai villages, and having a sit-down meal in the bush. The reserve is also a popular spot for wedding photo shoots.
Prices vary greatly depending on season, duration, activities, type of accommodation, and whether it is private or shared. A 5-star private safari in the peak season can cost up to USD 3000 per couple per day. In the low season, it’s possible to go on an all-inclusive 3 day 2 night budget safari for as low as USD 600 per couple. That is, if you’re willing to bunk with other people in a 4-bed dormitory room and travel in a group of 6 or 7 per car.
To get in on all the action, try to stay in the central zone of the reserve, where you can get excellent views of the Mara River.
Amboseli National Park
Recommended by Pamela from Directionally Challenged Traveler
Amboseli National Park is located in the southern area of Kenya and is one of the best places to go on safari! The park is over 3,000 square miles (8,000 square kilometers), meaning it is home to a wide array of wildlife. It’s the most visited park in Kenya, after Maasai Mara National Reserve.
There are five different habitats within Amboseli National Park. There are a few swamps that are home to over 400 species of birds! Alongside the swamps, Amboseli has low rainfall each year – making the savannah a great place to see large herds of elephants. Due to the open areas of the park, your chances of spotting the Big 5 safari animals are increased. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Kilimanjaro!
Within the park, there are a number of activities you can do to support the local communities. Get up close with nature during a nature trek or bird safari. Enjoy an exclusive meal with a traditional bush dinner or interact with the Maasai for a glimpse into their culture.
Stay at the Amboseli Serena Lodge for incredible accommodation, knowledgeable staff, and mouth-watering food! Relax in the pool between safaris and enjoy the view of Mount Kilimanjaro.
So, there you have it the best safaris in Kenya as recommended by travel bloggers. If you are planning a safari in Kenya, then be sure to check out this in-depth post for tips on Choosing an African Safari For The Ultimate Experience.
Let us know which Safari Destination in Kenya you want to visit in the comments below!
Like this post? Save it on Pinterest!
