Kenya National Parks

The largest national park in Kenya is Tsavo National Park. Tsavo National Park is actually divided into two separate sections: Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park. Together, they form one of the largest protected areas in Kenya, covering a total area of approximately 22,000 square kilometers (8,500 square miles).

Tsavo National Park is located in the southeastern part of the country and encompasses diverse landscapes, including savannahs, hills, mountains, and riverine forests. The park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including a wide variety of wildlife such as elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and numerous bird species.

Tsavo National Park offers opportunities for wildlife safaris, birdwatching, camping, and hiking, providing visitors with unforgettable experiences in the heart of Kenya’s wilderness.

The smallest national park in Kenya is Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park. Covering an area of approximately 20 square kilometers (about 8 square miles), Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park is located in the central part of Kenya, near the town of Thika.

Despite its small size, the park is known for its scenic beauty, including the prominent Ol Donyo Sabuk Mountain, which rises to an elevation of 2,145 meters (7,037 feet) above sea level. The park is also home to diverse wildlife, including buffaloes, baboons, monkeys, and various bird species.

Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park offers opportunities for hiking, nature walks, and picnicking, as well as panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, making it a popular destination for day trips and outdoor enthusiasts visiting the area.

The first national park in Kenya is Nairobi National Park. Established in 1946, Nairobi National Park is located just a short distance from the capital city of Nairobi, making it one of the few national parks in the world located within a major city’s boundaries.

The park covers an area of approximately 117 square kilometers (about 45 square miles) and is known for its diverse landscapes, including open grasslands, acacia woodlands, and rocky outcrops. Nairobi National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and numerous bird species.

It offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, birdwatching, guided game drives, and nature walks, providing visitors with a unique wilderness experience amidst the urban environment of Nairobi.

The top three most popular national parks in Kenya are Masai Mara , Amboseli National Park, and Tsavo National Park.

• Masai Mara is globally renowned for its role in the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles migrate between Kenya and Tanzania’s Serengeti. It is also famous for its “Big Five” game animals (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhino).
• Amboseli National Park, located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, is well-known for its large herds of elephants and stunning views of Africa’s highest mountain. The park offers some of the best opportunities for close encounters with elephants and spectacular photography of wildlife against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro.
• Tsavo National Park, one of the largest parks in Kenya, is divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Tsavo is famous for its red elephants, rugged landscapes, and diverse wildlife, including lions, giraffes, and rhinos. Its sheer size and variety of habitats make it one of Kenya’s key wildlife conservation areas.

Approximately 8% of Kenya’s land area is protected through national parks and reserves, covering about 22,965 square miles (59,482 square kilometers).

Kenya’s protected areas include a combination of national parks, national reserves, marine parks, and conservancies, which play a critical role in conserving the country’s diverse wildlife and ecosystems.

In addition to national parks, Kenya has a network of national reserves and marine protected areas.

Notable reserves include the Samburu National Reserve, known for its rare species such as the Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe, and the Laikipia Conservancy, which is home to endangered species like the black rhino.

Kenya also has several marine parks, including the Malindi Marine National Park and Watamu Marine National Park, which protect coral reefs and marine life along Kenya’s coast.

Apart from its national parks, Kenya offers many other natural attractions. Mount Kenya, the second-highest peak in Africa, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and provides opportunities for trekking and mountaineering.

Lake Nakuru is famous for its vast populations of flamingos and other bird species, while Lake Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake, is a stunning and remote destination.

Kenya’s Great Rift Valley offers breathtaking landscapes and volcanic features such as Menengai Crater and Mount Longonot.

Kenya’s coastline, particularly at Diani Beach, is known for its pristine white sand beaches and clear waters.

Kenya is home to several species that are endemic or have unique populations within its borders. One example is the Hirola antelope, which is critically endangered and found only in the northeastern part of Kenya and Somalia.

The Taita thrush and Taita apalis, both endangered bird species, are endemic to the Taita Hills in southeastern Kenya. Kenya’s rich and diverse ecosystems also host a variety of rare and endangered species, including the Rothschild’s giraffe, which is mostly found in the central regions of Kenya.

Kenya’s main international airport is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (IATA code: NBO), located in Nairobi, the capital city. It is the largest and busiest airport in East Africa and serves as the primary hub for both international and domestic flights.

The following international airline companies fly into Kenya:

• Air France
• British Airways
• Delta Air Lines
• Emirates
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Etihad Airways
• Kenya Airways (the national carrier)
• KLM
• Lufthansa
• Qatar Airways
• Turkish Airlines
• Swiss International Air Lines
• South African Airways

The national parks in Kenya are managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), a government agency responsible for the conservation and management of wildlife and protected areas.

KWS plays a central role in enforcing wildlife laws, promoting eco-tourism, and protecting endangered species. In addition to KWS, local communities and private conservancies are involved in managing wildlife areas, especially in regions like Laikipia and Maasai Mara.

More information can be found on the Kenya Wildlife Service official website: https://www.kws.go.ke.