East Africa’s prosperous gem – Kenya – is a dream haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The country is blessed with some of the most beautiful and breathtaking safari experiences, from the world-renowned Masai Mara to the lesser-known Samburu National Reserve. So, team unstumbled thought of giving you a run-down of the 7 best safari experiences in Kenya. Grab your binoculars and polish those lenses – you’re about to enter a wild ride!
7 Best Safari Experiences In Kenya: Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, And More
Maasai Mara
We’ll start with the most well-known among all the safari experiences in this list – Maasai Mara. As a national game reserve that’s contiguous with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Maasai Mara is one of the largest wilderness areas in Kenya. The reserve gets its name from the local Maasai people, while the ‘Mara’ translates to ‘spotted’ referring to the short bushes dotting the landscape.
Maasai Mara safari is an experience you shouldn’t miss out on when in Kenya. It is home to the Big Five – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes. Here, you can also try a helicopter ride or a small plane flight to get a bird’s eye view of the sprawling savannah below you. Moreover, you can also interact with the local Maasai people and get to know more about their daily life. And did we mention that between July and October, you can witness the Great Migration here, where thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and other animals migrate from the Serengeti to Maasai Mara!
Highlights of Maasai Mara:
- Home to the Great Migration – a breathtaking natural phenomenon!
- Home to the Big Five beasts.
- Different kinds of safari experiences, including helicopter and plane rides.
Amboseli
With Mount Kilimanjaro serving as the backdrop, how could you resist going on a safari at the Amboseli National Park? This national park is known for its elephants, zebras, cheetahs, and a diverse variety of birds. Not just safari drives, you can also enjoy picnic lunches as well as bush dinners and sundowners with friends and family.
If you’re more interested in wildlife, let us tell you that there are several ways you can explore them here. While jeep safari is common, you have the option of choosing a small plane flight to soar over the Amboseli National Park. Moreover, you have the option to choose a hot air balloon safari if you wish to take your safari experience to newer heights, pun intended!
Highlights of Amboseli National Park:
- Hot air balloon ride as well as plane flight ride.
- Panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Best destination to enjoy private lunches, dinners, and sundowners.
Laikipia Plateau
Next on the list of the best safari experiences in Kenya is a plateau located in northern Kenya. The Laikipia Plateau is a series of private conservancies but there are safari trips available to explore parts of Laikipia Plateau. The plateau sits in close proximity to Mount Kenya, offering a stunning savannah view as far as your eye can see.
If Maasai Mara is too mainstream for you, you can skip it and spot the Big Five here instead. With a rich and diverse landscape and biodiversity, the place also leaves no stone unturned when it comes to conservation efforts for black rhinos and Grevy’s zebras. In fact, it is home to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy – the largest rhino sanctuary in East Africa! Perfect for safari trips as well as mountain biking trips and many other activities, the Laikipia Plateau is a lesser-explored gem of Kenya.
Highlights of Laikipia Plateau:
- Home to the Big Five.
- Has the Ol Pejeta Conservatory – largest rhino sanctuary in East Africa.
- Protects endangered species through conservation efforts.
Shimba Hills National Reserve
What if we tell you that you can combine a safari experience with a lovely break by the sea? If this got you excited, you must visit the Shimba Hills National Reserve. The reserve is an exceptional place to spot Kenya’s wilderness in their natural habitat. From common ones like elephants and wild dogs to rare animals like the sable antelope, the reserve is home to a diverse range of animal and bird species.
The reserve isn’t as famous as Maasai Mara or Amboseli, which only makes it a perfect place to go on a safari, away from the usual crowd. Shimba Hills National Reserve is also incredibly close to the Diani Beach, so you could wrap up your safari and head straight to the sea! Soak in panoramic views of the Indian Ocean stretching out in front of you and unwind on the golden, palm-lined sand!
Highlights of Shimba Hills National Reserve:
- Proximity to the Diani Beach and Mombasa.
- Home to rare animal species including the sable antelope.
- Less-crowded and underexplored safari experience in Kenya.
Tsavo National Parks
The Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks combine to form a semi-arid bushland that’s one of the biggest wildlife reserves in Kenya! Tsavo National Parks are even bigger than the Yellowstone National Park to put it in context! Here you can spot a lot of animal species like elephants, lions, and Tsavo lions. The latter are known for their absence of majestic manes!
However, many visitors visiting the Tsavo National Parks come here for the dusk and night-time safaris. This is when you can spot nocturnal birds as well as predators like cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and other animals. These national parks also offer dining under the star-lit sky, adding a touch of sophistication to your safari experience in Kenya. Overall, if you’re visiting Tsavo National Parks, we recommend staying here for at least a couple of days to be able to enjoy all that it has to offer.
Highlights of the Tsavo National Parks:
- Known for the Tsavo lions that do not grow a mane!
- Night-time expeditions, safaris, and under-the-stars dining.
- One of the biggest wildlife reserves in Kenya – even bigger than Yellowstone!
Lake Nakuru National Park
Established as Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary, the Lake Nakuru National Park is an underrated gem in the country. The national park is home to diverse species of birds, terrestrial animals, and unique flora. A highlight of the national park is its large black rhino concentrations, believed to be one of the largest in Kenya.
Here, you can not only go on a fun safari to peep into the natural habitats of animals but also go camping. Lake Nakuru National Park is home to Lake Nakuru where you can spot vibrant, pink, and white flamingos as well as pelicans and other birds! The park is great for spotting animals but is even better if you’re more into bird watching.
Highlights of the Lake Nakuru National Park:
- One of the largest concentrations of black rhinos in Kenya.
- Home to Lake Nakuru where you can spot pelicans, flamingos, and rhinos.
- Diverse range of birds as well as giraffes, primates, zebras, hyenas, and more
Summing Up
7 of the best safari experiences in Kenya are now at your fingertips! From Lake Nakuru’s vibrant flamingos to the hot air balloon rides in Amboseli, these safari experiences are unlike any other you’ll find in the world. Kenya is a traveler’s paradise if you’re into nature and wilderness. So, pack your bags, plan your itineraries, and be a part of these unique safari experiences in Kenya!
