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Kenya National Parks and Reserves

Kenya national parks are some of the best places in Africa for open-plains game viewing, and the classic circuit from Nairobi can be done in about a week.

Kenya National Parks and Reserves

Kenya protects a large share of its land in national parks, national reserves and private or community conservancies. National parks are run by the Kenya Wildlife Service, while national reserves such as the Masai Mara and Samburu are run by the county governments. Conservancies are leased from local Maasai and Samburu landowners and limit the number of vehicles, which is why they feel quieter.

For most travellers, a Kenya safari is built around the Masai Mara, then one or two parks that add something different: Amboseli for elephants under Kilimanjaro, Lake Nakuru for rhinos in the Rift Valley, or Samburu for the dry north and its unusual species. All four are reachable by road from Nairobi, and the Mara, Amboseli and Samburu also have airstrips with scheduled flights.

Kenya's main parks at a glance

Masai Mara National Reserve

Lions, leopards and cheetahs on open grassland, and the Great Migration from about July to October. 5–6 hrs from Nairobi, or a short flight.

Amboseli National Park

Big elephant herds, swamps full of birds and the best views of Kilimanjaro in East Africa. 4–5 hrs from Nairobi.

Lake Nakuru National Park

A Rift Valley lake with black and white rhinos, Rothschild's giraffes and viewpoints over the water. About 3 hrs from Nairobi.

Samburu National Reserve

Dry northern country along the Ewaso Nyiro River, with Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx and gerenuk. About 6 hrs from Nairobi.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

The last two northern white rhinos, black rhinos, the Big Five and Kenya's only chimpanzees. 3–4 hrs from Nairobi.

Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate

Hippo boat trips, walking among giraffes on Crescent Island and cycling in Hell's Gate. About 2 hrs from Nairobi.

Tsavo East and West

Kenya's largest wilderness, with red elephants and Mzima Springs, between Nairobi and the coast.

Nairobi National Park

Lions, rhinos and giraffes on the edge of the city, ideal on an arrival or departure day.

Which Kenya park is best for what?

If you wantGo to
Big cats and the best chance of a killMasai Mara
The wildebeest migration and river crossingsMasai Mara, roughly July to October
Elephants with Kilimanjaro behind themAmboseli
RhinosLake Nakuru or Ol Pejeta
Walking and cycling among animalsLake Naivasha and Hell's Gate
A safari before the beachTsavo
Species you will not see further southSamburu
A short add-on to a Uganda gorilla tripThe Masai Mara, flying in from Nairobi

How to combine Kenya's parks

Three to four days is enough for the Masai Mara on its own. A week lets you add Lake Nakuru and Amboseli, which is the classic first Kenya circuit. With ten days or more you can add Samburu in the north, either by road through the central highlands or by flying, usually with a night at Ol Pejeta on the way. Tsavo pairs well with Amboseli and the coast, and Lake Naivasha is an easy stop between Nairobi and the Mara.

The drive between the Mara and Amboseli is long because it goes back through the Nairobi area, so many itineraries break it with a night at Lake Nakuru or fly part of the way. Our Kenya safari tours show the routes we use, and each day links to the lodges on that route in our Kenya safari lodges guide.

Kenya with Uganda or Rwanda

Nairobi is about an hour's flight from Entebbe and from Kigali, so Kenya pairs well with gorilla trekking. A common plan is to trek gorillas in Bwindi or Volcanoes first, then fly to Nairobi and on to the Masai Mara for big cats and savannah. See Uganda and Kenya safaris for how we put the two together.

When to visit

The main dry seasons, from late June to October and from January to February, are the easiest time for game viewing in all the main parks. See the best time to visit Kenya and our Kenya travel guide. The long rains usually fall from about April to May and the short rains around November. Parks stay open in the rains, roads can be slower, and some camps close for part of the long rains.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a national park and a national reserve in Kenya?

National parks such as Amboseli and Lake Nakuru are run by the Kenya Wildlife Service. National reserves such as the Masai Mara and Samburu are run by the county governments, and local people keep some rights to use the land around them.

Which Kenya national park is best for a first safari?

The Masai Mara. It has the most big cats, open plains that make animals easy to see, and plenty of lodges at every level.

How many days do I need for a Kenya safari?

Three or four days for the Masai Mara alone, and about a week to add Lake Nakuru and Amboseli.

Can I combine Kenya with gorilla trekking?

Yes. Fly between Entebbe or Kigali and Nairobi, which takes about an hour, and add the Mara before or after your gorilla trek.

Are Kenya's parks open all year?

Yes. Some camps close during the long rains, usually around April and May, but the parks themselves stay open.

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