subject: Top 5 Kenya Safari Destinations Worth Exploring [print this page] Kenya has for long drawn large numbers of safari seekers from many parts of the world. The beautiful East African country has about 60 national parks and reserves - which are home to more than 4 million wild animals. These wildlife sanctuaries provide game safari enthusiasts with numerous chances to relish fascinating game drives within impressive landscapes.
The Maasai Mara National Park is without a doubt the most popular safari destination in Kenya. Located about 260 km from Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, Maasai Mara is famous for the annual wildebeest migration that sees more than 2 million ugulates (hooved animals such as wildebeest, zebras and gazelles) crossing into the park from the neighbouring Serengeti National Park in search of foliage. The Great Wildebeest Migration event takes place from July to October with the return journey taking place in late November. From Nairobi, the national park is reached by a 5 hour road trip or a 45 minutes flight. Wilson Airport operates scheduled flights to the Maasai Mara.
The Tsavo National Park, located some 300km from Nairobi, is also a popular Kenya safari destination. The park that is renowned for its huge population of lions ( 'man-eaters of Tsavo') is divided into two: the Tsavo East and the Tsavo West . Tsavo West borders the south Serengeti plains in Tanzania and is home a wide range of animals as altitude levels are conducive. Both nation parks are separated by the Mombasa-Nairobi highway and they form one of the largest national parks in Kenya. Tsavo can be reached via Taveta- Sipe road. Kamboyo, Kilagrui, Tsavo Gate and Maxtar airstrips are also at service.
A safari in Kenya is never complete without touring the Amboseli National Park. Situated 240km south east of Nairobi, at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is among the top national parks in Kenya. The park was accorded national park status in 1974 and is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-roaming elephants. The snowcapped peak of Kilimanjaro creates an imposing backdrop to one of Kenya's most striking displays of wildlife - buffalo, elephants, cheetah and many others - hence creating a haven for animal photographers. Amboseli is easily accessed from Nairobi via Nairobi-Arusha Road.
Located 160km north of Nairobi, the Aberdare National Park is also a popular safari destination in Kenya. The park which is part of the mountain ranges was given national park status in 1950. Its signature features are the Treetops and the Ark hotels - the former having hosted the then princess Elizabeth of England in 1952 just a day before she became queen. Aberdare hosts a huge array of wildlife among them the rare bongo antelope, lions, black leopards and rhinos. The national park is easily reached by road from Nyeri (154 km from Nairobi), Naivasha (87km from Nairobi) and Nyahururu (188km from Nairobi).
The Nairobi National Park is very popular among safari goers who do not want to venture into the Kenyan jungles. Located about 7km from the Nairobi central business district, the park is the world's only natural reserve placed within a city. Occupying 117 sq km, the national park was founded in 1945 thereby becoming Kenya's first national park. It has an Orphanage that serves as a temporary home to young deserted or injured wild animals as they await to be returned to the wild. Among the animals present in Nairobi National Park include the Cheetah, leopard, buffalo, hippos, crocodile and many others.
