Get a quote

Free Call: +254 748 717 387

Get a Quote

Menu

Best Kenya National Parks – Ranked

“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” – Mary Davis

KENYA PARKS

From golden savannahs teeming with wildlife to misty mountain forests echoing with birdsong, Kenya’s national parks are a testament to nature’s beauty. Each park tells a unique story—of migration and survival, of ancient landscapes shaped by time, and of breathtaking encounters that leave visitors in awe. Whether you dream of witnessing the Great Migration, standing beneath Africa’s highest peaks, or exploring untamed wilderness, Kenya’s parks offer an adventure like no other. Here’s a ranked list of the best national parks in Kenya based on wildlife, scenery, and visitor experience.

Widely regarded as Africa’s premier wildlife destination, the Masai Mara is famous for the Great Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cross the Mara River from the Serengeti. The reserve boasts an incredible concentration of big cats, including lions, cheetahs, and leopards, making it a top choice for safari-goers.

Masai Mara National Reserve

Widely regarded as Africa’s premier wildlife destination, the Masai Mara is famous for the Great Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cross the Mara River from the Serengeti. The reserve boasts an incredible concentration of big cats, including lions, cheetahs, and leopards, making it a top choice for safari-goers.
Located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli offers stunning landscapes and an iconic backdrop for wildlife photography. The park is best known for its large elephant herds, often seen against the towering Kilimanjaro. Other wildlife includes lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and numerous bird species.

Amboseli National Park

Located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli offers stunning landscapes and an iconic backdrop for wildlife photography. The park is best known for its large elephant herds, often seen against the towering Kilimanjaro. Other wildlife includes lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and numerous bird species.
Tsavo is Kenya’s largest national park, divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Tsavo East is known for its vast savannahs and red-dust-coated elephants, while Tsavo West offers dramatic landscapes, including Mzima Springs and the lava flows of Shetani. The park is home to diverse wildlife, including lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalos.

Tsavo National Parks (East & West)

Tsavo is Kenya’s largest national park, divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Tsavo East is known for its vast savannahs and red-dust-coated elephants, while Tsavo West offers dramatic landscapes, including Mzima Springs and the lava flows of Shetani. The park is home to diverse wildlife, including lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalos.
Famous for its flamingo-filled lake, Lake Nakuru National Park is a haven for bird watchers. The park is also home to endangered rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, and tree-climbing lions. Its compact size allows for excellent wildlife viewing in a short time.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Famous for its flamingo-filled lake, Lake Nakuru National Park is a haven for bird watchers. The park is also home to endangered rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, and tree-climbing lions. Its compact size allows for excellent wildlife viewing in a short time.
Samburu offers a unique and off-the-beaten-path safari experience with its arid landscapes and rare wildlife species such as the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and gerenuk. The Ewaso Ng’iro River, which runs through the park, attracts a variety of animals, making it an excellent game-viewing destination.

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu offers a unique and off-the-beaten-path safari experience with its arid landscapes and rare wildlife species such as the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and gerenuk. The Ewaso Ng’iro River, which runs through the park, attracts a variety of animals, making it an excellent game-viewing destination.
Often overlooked, Meru National Park is one of Kenya’s most beautiful and wild parks. It gained fame as the home of Elsa the Lioness from the book and movie Born Free. The park offers diverse landscapes, including rivers, swamps, and forests, and is home to elephants, lions, leopards, and rhinos.

Meru National Park

Often overlooked, Meru National Park is one of Kenya’s most beautiful and wild parks. It gained fame as the home of Elsa the Lioness from the book and movie Born Free. The park offers diverse landscapes, including rivers, swamps, and forests, and is home to elephants, lions, leopards, and rhinos.
Just a short drive from the capital, Nairobi National Park is unique as the only national park bordering a major city. Visitors can spot lions, rhinos, and giraffes against a backdrop of Nairobi’s skyline. It’s an excellent option for a quick safari without leaving the city.

Nairobi National Park

Just a short drive from the capital, Nairobi National Park is unique as the only national park bordering a major city. Visitors can spot lions, rhinos, and giraffes against a backdrop of Nairobi’s skyline. It’s an excellent option for a quick safari without leaving the city.
Aberdare is a mountainous park with lush forests, waterfalls, and cool highlands. It’s famous for its unique wildlife, including the elusive bongo antelope, giant forest hogs, and black leopards. The park’s lodges, such as The Ark and Treetops, offer excellent nighttime game viewing.

8. Aberdare National Park

Aberdare is a mountainous park with lush forests, waterfalls, and cool highlands. It’s famous for its unique wildlife, including the elusive bongo antelope, giant forest hogs, and black leopards. The park’s lodges, such as The Ark and Treetops, offer excellent nighttime game viewing.
Known for its dramatic scenery, Hell’s Gate is one of the few parks in Kenya where visitors can explore on foot or by bicycle. It features gorges, hot springs, and towering rock formations. The park inspired the landscapes in The Lion King and offers a thrilling adventure for hikers and rock climbers.

Hell’s Gate National Park

Known for its dramatic scenery, Hell’s Gate is one of the few parks in Kenya where visitors can explore on foot or by bicycle. It features gorges, hot springs, and towering rock formations. The park inspired the landscapes in The Lion King and offers a thrilling adventure for hikers and rock climbers.

Did you know?
Buffalos look like they’re always judging you… because they probably are. With those heavy, boss-like horns and serious “resting buffalo face,” they resemble grumpy old men who just caught you walking on their lawn. And the best part? Despite their moody look, they have excellent memory — so if you annoyed one in 2018… yep, it still remembers.

Related Posts

Nature Expedition

Receive news and offers from Nature Expedition.

Our Safari Brands

TreKenya – Trekking Adventures & Mountain Expeditions
Bookenya.com – Safari Bookings Made Easy.
BonSafaris – French Market Safaris & Special Packages
Kenya & Tanzania Safari

Company Info

About Us
Blog

Get in Touch

+254 748 717 387
info@naturexpeditions.com 
Booking Form
Agent Form 

Find us on

Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2023 Nature Expeditions.