The 12 best national parks in Kenya

Kenya is not merely a destination; it is the ancestral home of the safari. For travelers seeking the ultimate wildlife encounter, the variety of National Parks in Kenya can be overwhelming. From the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya to the sun-baked plains of Tsavo, the country offers a mosaic of ecosystems, each distinct in its topography and inhabitants.

At Mamis Tours & Travel, we understand that the “best” park is subjective. It depends entirely on what you wish to see, your travel style, and the season of your visit. A photographer seeking the perfect Kilimanjaro backdrop has different needs than a family looking for a malaria-free zone or a birder hunting for endemics.

To help you navigate this wealth of options, we have curated an authoritative list of the 12 best Kenya safari parks. We selected these destinations based on strict criteria: wildlife diversity, landscape uniqueness, accessibility, and the quality of the visitor experience.

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Defining the Criteria: How We Chose the Best National Parks

Before diving into the list, it is vital to understand that Kenya’s parks are not identical. When Mamis Tours & Travel designs an itinerary, we evaluate parks based on:

• Wildlife Diversity: Does the park host the Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino), or is it specialized for rare species like the Grevy’s Zebra or Sitatunga?
• Scenery and Landscapes: Is the terrain savannah, alpine forest, marine, or volcanic?
• Accessibility: Can the park be reached easily by road from Nairobi, or does it require a flight?
• Crowd Levels: Does the park offer solitude, or is it a high-traffic tourist hub?

Here are the top 12 national parks and reserves that define the Kenyan safari experience.

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1. Maasai Mara National Reserve

The undisputed king of the African safari.

Known locally as the Mara, the Masai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s most famous national park, it’s the route for the Great Migration, the spectacle of thousands of wildebeest, giraffes and zebra traveling from the Serengeti in southern Tanzania across the Mara River to the lush grass of Kenya. Nile crocodiles lie on the riverbanks waiting for their prey.

The semi-nomadic Maasai communities are another draw, with travelers attracted to their traditional singing and dancing, warrior traditions and colorful dress. A bush walk with a Maasai warrior is a wonderful way to appreciate the community’s connection with the land, as they point out wildlife and medicinal plants.

• Best Known For: The Great Wildebeest Migration (July – October).
• Signature Wildlife: The Big Five are all present, but the Mara is specifically world-famous for its high concentration of lions and cheetahs.
• Standout Experience: A hot air balloon safari at sunrise, floating over the vast plains as the wildlife awakens below.
• Best Suited For: First-time visitors and those wanting to tick off the “Big Five” in a single trip.

2.Amboseli National Park

The land of giants beneath the roof of Africa.

In southern Kenya near Tanzania, Amboseli National Park is known for its big-tusked (tusker) elephant herds – the population is estimated at 1500 – and its views of Mt Kilimanjaro. Amboseli doesn’t get as much rain as other parks but has a network of swamps instead which attracts a lot of birdlife. The park is also home to big cats, buffalo, Maasai giraffe, antelopes and vervet monkeys.

The word “Amboseli” comes from the Maasai for “salty dust,” and you’ll often see elephants caked in this dry, white mud after a good wallow. This region is also home to Maasai people. Some conservation areas such as Selenkay are Maasai-owned, and you can support the community by staying in and visiting their villages.

• Best Known For: The best elephant viewing in the world against the backdrop of Africa’s highest peak.
• Signature Wildlife: Large herds of African Elephants and huge populations of wildebeest and zebra. Note: Rhinos are absent here.
• Standout Experience: Photography at “Observation Hill,” capturing elephants crossing the dry lake bed with Kilimanjaro in the background.
• Best Suited For: Photographers and elephant lovers.

3. Tsavo East National Park

The theatre of the wild.

As one of the oldest and largest parks in Kenya, Tsavo East is defined by its flat, dry plains and the Galana River. It feels ancient, vast, and untamed. The sheer scale of Tsavo East means you can drive for hours without seeing another vehicle, offering a sense of privacy rare in other parks.

• Best Known For: The “Red Elephants” (dust-bathing turns them a distinct brick-red color) and the Yatta Plateau, the world’s longest lava flow.
• Signature Wildlife: Red Elephants and the maneless Tsavo lions.
• Standout Experience: Visiting Lugard Falls to see the Galana River surge through narrow rock formations.
• Best Suited For: Travelers seeking vast landscapes and those combining a safari with a Mombasa beach holiday (due to proximity).

4. Tsavo West National Park

A volcanic wonderland.

Separated from Tsavo East by the highway/railway, Tsavo West offers a completely different topography. It is rugged, hilly, and volcanic. The vegetation is denser, which makes game viewing more challenging but arguably more rewarding due to the stunning scenery.

• Best Known For: Mzima Springs, a crystal-clear oasis where hippos and crocodiles can be viewed from an underwater glass tank.
• Signature Wildlife: Leopards (though elusive), hippos, and black rhinos in the Ngulia Sanctuary.
• Standout Experience: Exploring the Shetani Lava Flow, a black river of solidified magma.
• Best Suited For: Landscape enthusiasts and adventurous self-drivers.

5.Lake Nakuru National Park

The ornithological paradise and rhino sanctuary.

Within driving distance of Nairobi, Unesco-listed Lake Nakuru on the floor of the Great Rift Valley allows you to pack a game drive, birdwatching, a hike and a picnic into one day.

With around 450 bird species recorded, Lake Nakuru National Park is a particularly good place for spotting water birds because of high algae levels.You’ll also see animals such as waterbuck and white rhinos. The park is known for its annual 50km (31 miles) Cycle With the Rhinos race, which raises funds for the endangered rhino.

The lake is surrounded by high ridges: head to the viewpoints of Lion Hill, Baboon Cliffs and the Out of Africa Lookpoint for some of the best vistas over the lake and valley. Many travelers combine this national park with a visit to the Menengai Crater, the caldera just outside Nakuru town.The crater is the site of a Mau Mau Cave, where guerrilla soldiers camped out during the 1950s Mau Mau uprising in resistance to British colonial rule.

• Best Known For: Being one of the best places in East Africa to see both Black and White Rhinos.
• Signature Wildlife: Rothschild’s Giraffe (endangered) and Rhinos. Lions are frequently seen climbing trees here.
• Standout Experience: A game drive around the lake shore, offering a mix of birdlife and heavy mammals.
• Best Suited For: Travelers with limited time (easy access from Nairobi) and those desperate to see rhinos.

6. Samburu National Reserve

The rugged northern frontier.

Samburu National Reserve, north of Laikipia, is a popular park on the northern safari circuit. It’s home to the “Special 5” – Grevy’s zebra, Somali (blue-necked) ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and beisa oryx (both types of antelope). The Samburu and Rendille people of this region are involved in protecting and monitoring Grevy’s zebras.

Named after the Samburu people, nomadic pastoralists, and a warrior people for whom this region is home, this national park is one of the best places to see leopards in Kenya, and it’s a prime spot for tuskers. You can also experience Samburu culture and go on camel-trekking safaris with Samburu guides. The wildlife here is unique, adapted to the dry conditions, and the cultural interaction with the Samburu people adds depth to the visit.

• Best Known For: The “Samburu Special Five”—rare species found only in northern Kenya (Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, and Somali Ostrich).
• Signature Wildlife: Leopards are notoriously easier to spot here than in many other parks.
• Standout Experience: Watching elephants dig for water in the dry riverbeds during the dry season.
• Best Suited For: Repeat safari-goers looking for rare species and a distinct cultural experience.

7.Nairobi National Park

The world’s only wildlife capital.

Opened in 1946, Nairobi National Park was Kenya’s first national park and is the world’s only national park within a city.

It’s deeply surreal to be on an open plain with Nairobi’s skyscrapers as a backdrop, and among the acacia bush, you’ll spot a variety of game, including lions, leopards, buffalo and the endangered black rhino. The park has developed a successful rhino conservation program and restocked other parks through their breeding projects.

The park has designated picnic spots, walking trails around the hippo pools and campsites, so it’s a viable choice for a day trip or overnight if you don’t have time to travel farther. Also inside the park is the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a rhino and elephant sanctuary that retains links with Tsavo National Park, where David Sheldrick worked as an anti-poaching warden. Visitors to the sanctuary can see the Trust’s rescue and rehabilitation program in practice and watch the animals at feeding time, from a distance.

• Best Known For: Accessibility. You can go from a business meeting to a game drive in 30 minutes.
• Signature Wildlife: A very high density of Black Rhinos and lions.
• Standout Experience: The Ivory Burning Site Monument, a historic location for conservation.
• Best Suited For: Business travelers, layover passengers, and those on short city breaks.

8. Hell’s Gate National Park

The active safari.

A unique element of the Great Rift Valley is the dramatic landscape of Hell’s Gate National Park, one of the most atmospheric of Kenya’s national parks. Geothermal steam rises from the ground in an epic landscape of volcanoes, basalt columns, high cliffs and gorges. From a huge natural spa pool managed by KenGen (Kenya’s main electric power producer), you can enjoy the views over a hot soak.

While wildlife isn’t the prime reason for visiting Hell’s Gate. Its 100 recorded bird species include vultures and Verreaux’s eagles. The park is particularly popular with walkers, mountain bikers, rock climbers, and cyclists. If you’re a Lion King fan, you’ll be impressed that the rock formation at Hell’s Gate Gorge is what inspired Pride Rock.

Hell’s Gate National Park is a doable day trip from Nairobi, often combined with Lake Nakuru or smaller soda (alkaline) Lake Elmenteita, which has a population of flamingos.

• Best Known For: Walking and cycling safaris amidst towering cliffs and steam vents.
• Signature Wildlife: Buffalo, zebra, eland, and hartebeest. Birdlife is prolific, particularly vultures and eagles nesting in the cliffs.
• Standout Experience: Cycling through the gorge past grazing zebras.
• Best Suited For: Active travelers, families with energetic children, and budget travelers.

9. Meru National Park

The complete wilderness.

If you’re looking for rugged, remote and pristine landscapes, Meru and Kora national parks in the Rift Valley are great options. These parks contain vast grasslands, thorny bush, gushing rivers and thick jungle, and you’ll find Grevy’s zebras, elephants, buffalo, hippos and giraffes – plus more than 420 bird species.

Famous as the home of Elsa the lioness from Born Free, Meru National Park was once decimated by poaching but has recovered spectacularly. It remains one of the least visited parks, offering a “wild” experience reminiscent of safaris 50 years ago.

• Best Known For: Untamed wilderness and lack of crowds.
• Signature Wildlife: Impressive herds of buffalo and elephant, along with riverine species like hippos.
• Standout Experience: Visiting Elsa’s Kopje and the grave of Elsa the Lioness.
• Best Suited For: Solitude seekers and luxury travelers wanting exclusivity.

10.Aberdare National Park

The high-altitude forest.

Aberdare National Park is perhaps the most distinctive of all Kenya’s national parks, a place to savor nature in the cooler climes of the central highlands. While you will see wildlife, Aberdare is known primarily for the outstanding natural beauty of its misty forests and river valleys. The High Park, as the higher moorlands are sometimes called, is perfect for hiking. You can climb the peaks of Lesatima, Il Kinangop and Kipipiri easily, but you’ll need a guide and a pass, so arrange your excursion in advance.

Created in 1950 to protect the Aberdare mountains, which drop to the Rift Valley on the western side, the park comprises dense forest, steep ravines, open moorland and thundering waterfalls. It is home to black rhinos, elephants, baboons, colobus monkeys, buffalo and elusive leopard. Birdwatchers are also in for a treat, with more than 250 species sighted.

The park also has a lot of history. In the 1950s, the dense forest hid Kenya’s Kikuyu Mau Mau guerrillas during their struggle against European colonization. And it is home to Treetops Lodge, where Princess Elizabeth found out she would be Queen of the United Kingdom in 1952 after the early death of her father. You need a good 4WD vehicle if you’re heading to Aberdare, especially when it’s rainy.

• Best Known For: Dramatic waterfalls (like Karuru Falls) and deep ravines.
• Signature Wildlife: The rare Mountain Bongo (antelope), Black Leopard (melanistic), and forest elephants.
• Standout Experience: Night game viewing at a lodge overlooking a floodlit waterhole.
• Best Suited For: Birders, botanists, and those interested in fishing (trout) and hiking.

11. Mount Kenya National Park

The vertical safari.

If you’re a hiker or a climber, Kenya’s second highest mountain, Mt Kenya, deserves a spot near the top of your best treks list for the trail to Point Lenana, the main peak for trekkers. Mt Kenya National Park has great camping, including wild camping along some of the lesser-used trails, and rock climbing on the lower peaks. The park also features a 10km (6.2-mile) hike up to the Met Station if you only have time for a day excursion.

This Unesco-listed park is pure joy to explore, with its ecosystem of lakes, glaciers, mineral springs and Afro-Alpine forest. You’re in for sweeping views of high ridges, deep valleys and dense forest gradually meeting glacial terrain as you go higher into the park.

Mt Kenya is home to elephant, mongoose, bushbuck, eland and colobus monkeys, but it’s the walking trails and scenery that are its biggest attraction. Mt Kenya lies within the Laikipia Plateau, a network of conservancies mostly managed by local communities, so it’s an excellent region for community-based tourism accommodation. The three-day drive from Nairobi to Mt Kenya National Park is also one of Kenya’s best road trips.

• Best Known For: Mountain climbing and trekking.
• Signature Wildlife: High-altitude adapted species like the rock hyrax, sunbirds, and occasionally leopards in the lower forests.
• Standout Experience: Reaching Point Lenana at sunrise.
• Best Suited For: Hikers, climbers, and adventure enthusiasts.

12. Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park

The underwater safari.

Kenya’s wildlife is not limited to land. Located on the south coast near Shimoni, this marine park is arguably the best in Kenya for diving and snorkeling. The coral gardens are pristine, and the water is warm year-round.

• Best Known For: Dolphin spotting and coral reefs.
• Signature Wildlife: Spinner Dolphins, Humpback Whales (seasonal), and Green Sea Turtles.
• Standout Experience: A dhow cruise followed by snorkeling with wild dolphins.
• Best Suited For: Divers, snorkelers, and families staying at Diani Beach.

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How to Choose the Right Park for You

With so many exceptional choices, narrowing down your itinerary requires expert insight. At Mamis Tours & Travel, we recommend making your decision based on three factors:

1. The Season

If you are traveling between July and October, the Maasai Mara is unmissable due to the migration. However, if you are traveling in the “Green Season” (April/May), parks like Samburu or Tsavo offer better road conditions and lush scenery without the mud of the Mara.

2. Your Budget

• Budget-Friendly: Nairobi National Park, Hell’s Gate, and Tsavo East are generally more affordable and accessible.
• Mid-Range to Luxury: Amboseli and Lake Nakuru offer a wide range of accommodation.
• High-End Exclusivity: Meru and the private conservancies bordering the Maasai Mara offer low-density tourism at a premium.

3. Your Interests

• Family with Kids: Lake Nakuru (easy game viewing) or Hell’s Gate (activity-based).
• Honeymooners: Tsavo West (scenic lodges) or Meru (privacy).
• Photographers: Amboseli (landscapes) or Samburu (unique species).

Conclusion

Kenya’s national parks are a diverse collection of ecosystems that together form the world’s greatest wildlife sanctuary. Whether you are chasing the thrill of the Big Five in the Mara or the silence of the Tsavo plains, there is a park that fits your vision.