National Parks

Aberdare National Park

The Aberdares are part of Kenya’s central highlands, running roughly north south between Nairobi and Thomsons Falls with a range of almost 13,000 ft. The topography is diverse with deep ravines that give way to gentler valleys separated by steep hills and rocky outcrops.

The park is an important water catchment area providing water to the Tana and Athi rivers and part of Central Rift and Northern drainage basins. The climate is wet and moist. The park is surrounded by a predominantly indigenous forest, whose management is under an MoU between KWS and the Forest Department.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is located on the border with Tanzania, Kajiado District, South Kenya; Covers 392km2 Amboseli lies immediately North West of Mt. Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania. The Park covers 392 km2, and forms part of the much larger 3,000 Km2 Amboseli ecosystem.

Large concentrations of wildlife occur here in the dry season, making Amboseli a popular tourist destination. It is surrounded by 6 communally owned group ranches.

Buffalo Springs National Reserve

Buffalo Springs Reserve covers 194 km2 on the southern bank of the Uaso Nyiro river.

The reserve has unique landscapes of rounded and rugged hills and undulating plains.

Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate National Park is particularly impressive with soaring red cliffs, isolated volcanic plugs, spreading grasslands dotted with game and a deep gorge where visitors can walk. Fischer’s Tower is a challenging rock climb. This park is excellent for succulents, birds of prey and other bird species.

Lake Bogoria National Reserve

Lake Bogoria lies just south of Lake Baringo but contrasts sharply with Baringo’s green and lush surroundings. This soda lake, with its shores of hot springs, boiling geysers and steam jets, stark evidence of the volcanic origins of the Rift Valley, lies hidden behind ridge after ridge of barren stony scrubland.

Although primarily scenic, Bogoria is by no means devoid of wildlife. Birds are plentiful and, at times, when the waters of Lake Nakuru are low, thousands of flamingo make this their home. On the north-eastern shore the elusive Greater Kudu can be found.

Lake Bogoria National Reserve is owned and managed by Baringo County Council with assistance from KWS. The reserve covers 114 km2 and is famous for spectacular hotsprings and geysers. To the east of the reserve is the scenic Siracho escarpment that descends steeply to the lake shore.

Meru National Park

Meru National Park is located East-north-east of Mount Kenya in Meru District of Eastern Province, covering 870km2. Meru is a savanna National Park, 35km east of Maua town in the north eastern lowlands below the Nyambeni hills.

Meru is part of a complex of protected areas along the Tana river that includes the adjacent Bisanadi and Mwingi National Reserves (to the east and south respectively).

Mount Kenya National Park

Mt. Kenya lies about 140 km North, North-East of Nairobi with its Northern flanks across the Equator. The mountain has two main peaks – Batian (5200m) and Nelion (5188m).

The mountains slopes are cloaked in forest, bamboo, scrub and moorland giving way on the high central peaks to rock, ice and snow.

Nairobi National Park

Located only about 7 km from the city centre, the park is easily accessible on tarmac roads, mainly through Langata Road. The 117 km2 Nairobi National Park is unique by being the only protected area in the world with a variety of animals and birds close to a capital city.

As expected, the park is a principal attraction for visitors to Nairobi.

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve is situated in the hot and arid fringes of Kenya’s vast Northern Frontier District. The area is home to the Samburu tribe, pastoral relatives of the Masai.

Shaba National Reserve

Shaba National Reserve is situated in the hot and arid fringes of Kenya’s vast Northern Frontier District and lies to the east of Buffalo Springs Reserve, just across the Great North Road.

Tsavo East National Park

It is the largest Park in Kenya with an area of 21,812 Km2 Tsavo National Park was divided into East and West for administrative purposes. The two Parks are divided by Nairobi–Mombasa railway /road.

Tsavo West National Park

Located in South Eastern Kenya, inland from Mombasa, and the altitude ranges between 200 – 1000m. The park is a vast expanse of savanna stretching from Mtito Andei.