When travelling from Mombasa to Nairobi, you drive through the vast expanse of Tsavo.  Being the largest Game Park in Kenya and its close proximity to the coast, Tsavo is a popular safari destination

It's divided into two parts; Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Tsavo East is generally more easily accessible as a stopover between Nairobi and Mombasa with several luxury and mid range lodges found at various points along the Mombasa highway, some within their own private conservancies.

Its diverse landscapes range from mountains, plains, lakes, wooded grasslands, scrubland with enormous baobab trees to river forest. The vast openness, make it easy to imagine that this unspoiled wilderness was probably how all of East Africa once looked.

WILDLIFE

You’ll have a chance to see the big 5 (leopard, lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo) and a whole host of other animals and birds. Wildlife you can expect to see include giraffe, zebra, antelopes of all shapes and sizes, crocodile, hyena, ostrich, warthog and so many more. There are hundreds of species of birds. 

WHERE TO STAY

RECOMMENDED

TOP END

Voi Wildlife Lodge 

MID RANGE (Tsavo East)

Kiboko Camp

Ngutuni Safari Lodge

TSAVO WEST

Tsavo is the largest Game Park in Kenya and its close proximity to the coast make it a popular safaridestination .It's divided into two parts; Tsavo East and Tsavo West. West Tsavo is slightly harder to get to, but is the heart of the wilderness and it is here where you find many of the exclusive, luxury camps

LOCATION & LANDSCAPE

Its diverse landscapes range from mountains, plains, lakes, wooded grasslands, scrubland with enormous baobab trees to river forest. The vast openness, make it easy to imagine that this unspoiled wilderness was probably how all of East Africa once looked.

THINGS TO DO, IN AND AROUND TSAVO WEST

Mzima Springs is an oasis in Tsavo West, and has nature walks, an underwater viewing chamber, hippo pools and rapids making this an interesting place to visit. Black lava outcrops at Shetani are also interesting as are the caves and Chaimu crater nearby.

WILDLIFE

You’ll see many elephant, the big 5 (leopard, lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo) and a whole host of other animals and birds. Wildlife you can expect to see include giraffe, zebra, antelopes of all shapes and sizes, crocodile, hyena, ostrich, warthog and so many more. There are hundreds of species of birds and more.

WHERE TO STAY

RECOMMENDED - TOP END (Tsavo West)

Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge

Finch Hatton's Camp

Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge

Voyager Ziwani Tsavo West

MOUNT KENYA

Mount Kenya is t he second highest mountain in Africa standing at (5199m). Fewer people climb here than Kilimanjaro, but those who do, often rate it as a more interesting climb. The area around Mt Kenya is somewhere easy to visit, where you can relax and enjoy the landscape and scenery. Alternatively, if you're in reasonable health and ready for a challenge, why not enjoy the satisfaction of climbing to the top of this magnificent mountain.

LOCATION & LANDSCAPE

It’s has tremendously varied zones of vegetation and scenery as you climb; from the acacia studied plains, lush moorlands, moving up to a barren alpine zone covered in snow and finally the craggy summit. Its toughness and beauty have gripped the imagination of adventurers for more than a century. Even for climbers with experience in mountaineering, Mount Kenya offers a challenge and a natural beauty that is difficult to beat.

There are different options of climbing Mt. Kenya ranging from a quick one day stroll, to an intensive 5 or 6 day climb. Whether you’re a nature admirer just wanting a leisurely day exploring the lower forest of the Mt.Kenya slopes or a more ambitious adventurer, who wishes to summit Pt. Lenana it really is up to you. Because the mountain is so large, and offers such a diversity of trekking and climbing routes, there may be a need for a special itinerary that you require, which we shall be happy to help you with.

WHERE TO STAY

Of course, you don't have to climb Mount Kenya to enjoy the area around it. There are some wonderful places to stay nearby where you can relax and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery.

Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru National Park is a wonderful place to do game-viewing. It’s the place you need to go if you want to see large numbers of Rhino and the thousands of flamingos who congregate at the lake.

Wlidlife

In addition to the rhino, flamingos and leopard which are commonly seen here (and not commonly seen elsewhere!) other animals such as pelicans, lion, giraffe, lion, bat-eared fox, hippo, hyena etc are all there too. 

LOCATION & LANDSCAPE

The lake is picturesque and within the park there is an area of acacia forest (great for spotting leopards) keep driving, and just a few km away from here, you'll find yourself at the top of Baboon Cliff which is a great place for a picnic with stunning views over the lake, the savannah and the forest all down below. As you drive down to the lake you can get up really close to the plains at the lake shore. Here you'll see, hear (and smell) the thousands of birds who congregate here at this alkaline lake all year round. At the lake shore, you'll also be able to see the savannah animals grazing nearby such as impala, Thompson's Gazelle and waterbuck. It's also very common to see rhino here, sometimes alone or very often in groups of 3 or more - make sure you have your camera nearby and the combination of wildlife close up, with the background of a lake full of pink flamingos, the sun shining and a dark stormy sky just can't be beaten!

WHERE TO STAY

HIGH END

Lake Nakuru Lodge

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge

BUDGET

It's also possible to camp at the of the KWS Special campsites. Be aware though that you will be staying in an area where there are wild animals roaming freely!

NEARBY ACCOMMODATION

Another option is to stay near to Lake Nakuru National Park. We recommend the following which are all about 30-40 minutes away

Lake Elementaita Lodge

Sunbird Camp

Kembu Farm

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is 260km (160 miles) from Nairobi, on the border with the neighboring country of Tanzania. Its magnificent situation at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro combined with its excellent opportunities to view Kenya's animals, make it one of the most-visited safari parks in Kenya.

Amboseli History and OverviewAmboseli is renowned for its large herds of free-ranging African elephants. There are over 900 African elephants in Amboseli, as well as huge herds of wildebeests and many other animals including giraffes, African lions, monkeys, zebras, hyenas and antelope.

Amboseli was declared a national reserve in 1968. It became a national park in 1974. However, in 2005, President Mwai Kibaki transferred control from the Kenya Wildlife Service to the Olkejuedo County Council and its residents, the Masai tribe. This is still being contested in the courts because of its implications that could jeopardize Kenya's other national parks.

Amboseli National Park covers 392km² (151miles²) and has a mixed topography of plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush, swamps and marshes. This diversity, along with a long dry season, ensures excellent viewing of the large concentrations of African animals living in this natural habitat.

With its awesome view of Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa's highest mountain at 5,895m), Amboseli National Park offers a unique and breathtaking backdrop for viewing Africa's animals. It also has a dry Pleistocene lake basin that houses a temporary lake, Lake Amboseli, after the rains.

Mount Kilimanjaro as seen from Amboseli

Amboseli offers some of the best opportunities to see African animals because its vegetation is sparse due to the long dry months. Amboseli National Park is home to wild animals, which include the African elephant, buffalo, impala, lion, cheetah, hyena, giraffes, zebra, and wildebeest among other African animals. There is also a host of Kenya birds, both large and small, to see if you keep your eyes open and stop at every sighting.

When you arrive at the park, the warden will give you several common sense rules: do not get out of your vehicle, except at designated spots; do not harass the animals in any way; keep to the tracks; no off-road driving; and remember that the animals always have the right of way. The roads in Amboseli have a loose surface of volcanic soil that is dusty in the dry season and impassable in the wet season.

It can be a long, hot day on a Kenya wildlife safari, so wear cool, comfortable clothing and a sunhat. Remember to bring your camera, binoculars, sunglasses and water to drink.

Climate in Amboseli National Park

The climate in the Amboseli region is hot and dry. The national park is in the rain shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, as it lies on the northwest side. Average temperatures vary only slightly throughout the year. The minimum average daily temperature is 27°C and the maximum is 33°C. Drought is typical in this area, and evaporation is high. A total annual rainfall of just 300mm is expected during April and May, and again during November and December.

What to See and Do at Amboseli National Park

The main purpose of a wildlife safari is to see Kenya's wild animals in their natural state. Many people are surprised when they see birds perched within the reach of predators, or gazelles grazing near big cats. The truth is that predators generally only kill to eat, and for the rest of the time both predators and prey live harmoniously together.

Amboseli National Park is known for its large herd of over 900 free-ranging elephants. This is the best national park to visit to see these wonderful and huge creatures.

Herd of Elephants in Amboseli

View or even climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world.

Visit Observation Hill, which overlooks the park, swamps and, of course, the herds of free-roaming elephants.

Meet the Masai people and learn about the Masai culture and their indigenous lifestyle.

Bird watching is best between October and January if you want to see Kenya's migratory birds, including African skimmers, red and yellow bishops, goshawks, buffalo weavers and palm nut vultures, to name a few.

Accommodation In & Around Amboseli

High End

Safari lodges include Oltukai Lodge, Amboseli Serena Lodge, Amboseli Sopa Lodge, Kimana Lodge and Tortilis Camp a luxurious and award winning eco-tourism lodge.

Campsites have no facilities and you must provide all of your own camping gear. They include Nairushari Special, Olgulului Public Campsite, Abercrombie and Kent Tented Camp, Ker and Downy Tented Camp, Chyulu Tented Camp, Kimbla Campsite, Cottar's Tented Camp, Leopard Tented Camp and Tortilis Tented Camp.

Best Time to Visit

January and February are good months to visit Amboseli, as well as June through September. Avoid April and May, which are the rainy season. There may also be some rain from November to December, which may make the roads in Amboseli impassable.

Temperatures year round are 27-31°C (81-88°F) in the day and 22-24°C (72-75°F) at night. For Kenya birdwatchers, the best months to see migratory birds are October to January. The best times for viewing are early and late in the day, as animals tend to sleep in the hot midday sun.

THE MASAI MARA

The Maasai Mara is perhaps the most popular and commonly visited Game Park in Kenya. It has an amazing array of savannah wildlife, ranging from lion, zebra, elephant and cheetah.

WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT MAASAI MARA?

As well as the wonderful variety of wildlife, the Mara is also famous for the beautiful nomadic tribe’s people. Here you will see the Masai “people” in their traditional bright red blankets and multicoloured beaded jewellery. You can see inside their traditional homes and learn what it’s like to live in harmony with nature. Between July and October, don’t miss one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world, when over a million wildebeest, migrate into the Maasai Mara from Tanzania as they leap and swim across the Mara River desperately trying to avoid the snapping jaws of crocodiles that lay in wait!

WILDLIFE

The amazing variety of animals in the Mara roams free in the wild. The big 5 (leopard, lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo) are all here, as are a whole host of incredible creatures including giraffe, zebra, antelopes of all shapes and sizes, aardvark, hyena, ostrich, hyrax, wild dog, warthog and so many more. There are hundreds of species of birds from tiny sunbirds to crested cranes, secretary birds and ostriches.

LOCATION & LANDSCAPE

The Maasai Mara is a grassland savannah and many of the camps found within the Mara are found along the famous Mara River. There are various other terrains within this vast expanse of wilderness including woodland, hills and scrubland.

WHERE TO STAY

RECOMMENDED: HIGH END

•   Mara Explorer

•   Mara Intrepids

•   Mara Timbo

•   Mara Serena Safari Lodge

•   Cottar's 1920's Safari Camp

•   Elephant Pepper Camp

MID RANGE

•   Siana Springs

BUDGET

It's also possible to camp at the of the KWS Special campsites. Be aware though that you will be staying in an area where there are wild animals roaming freely!

SAMBURU GAME PARK

Samburu offers some rare species of animals that cannot be seen in some of the other game parksand reserves, which is probably why it’s one of Kenya’s most popular reserves for tourists after theMasai Mara. It’s famous for its beautiful but rare species of Gravy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe, Somali ostriches with their distinctive blue legs and the very cute gerenuk, which is a very clever antelope which cleverly balances on two legs in order to nibble acacia bushes. All these unusual animals are rarely seen in other areas and make this game reserve a special place to visit.

Location and landscape

Samburu is in the North of Kenya close to the Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves. It’s much drier and hotter than some of the grassland areas in central Kenya and its part of a lava plain that includes rocky outcrops, steep hills and dried river beds. Through the centre of the reserve runs the Ewaso Ngiro River (also known as the Brown River) and so all along this valued source of water, is rich green forest, doum palms, acacia trees and tamarind trees which create the perfect home for wildlife.

This is a hot, arid region with acacia woodland reserves.

WILDLIFE

In this region you can see different varieties of rare and endangered animals not seen in other parks. The reticulated giraffe and Gravy’s zebra look very different from the regular giraffe and zebra seen in other games parks - we think their markings are more beautiful! We also love the long necked gerenuk which is an antelope which stands on two legs to eat from the tops of bushes which is fascinating to see. There are also many elephant, cheetah and leopard. Birdlife is plentiful with large flocks of guinea fowl and the pygmy falcon and sand grouse frequently seen. As well as these rare breeds of animals, Samburu also has a wide variety of other animals seen in other parks within Kenya. You have a good chance of seeing hippos, crocodiles, lion and leopard, as well as the other antelopes, birds and small mammals commonly found elsewhere.

Traditional Samburu homesteads are interesting to visit with these tall regal people dressed in colourful attire

ACCOMMODATION
HIGH END

Samburu Intrepids

Samburu Serena Safari Lodge

This highland area will give you a slightly cooler experience in one of Kenya’s only virgin forest reserves.

Landscape & Location
The Aberdares National Park is found north of Nairobi in central Kenya. Dramatic waterfalls, mountains and deep valleys, contrast with the undulating moorlands and volcanic outcrops. Deep ravines cut through the forested slopes found within this scenic region.

 Wildlife

The birdlife is rich with over 250 species in the park. Although there aren’t quite as many animals to see in comparison to some of the other game-parks, there is still plenty to see. Animals seen include rhino, elephant, baboon, black and white Colobus monkey and Sykes monkey. Rarer sightings include leopard, lion, the golden cat and an elusive forest antelope called the bongo, which lives in the bamboo forest. Higher in the moorlands, you may also be lucky and see eland and even Serval cats.

Things To Do

These highlands are usually cool and bathed in bright sunshine most of the time; they make a wonderful place to enjoy trout fishing in the clean, pure rivers. Enjoy a picnic or camp in the moorlands. It was in this region that Prince William and Kate Middleton got engaged – ideal for those looking for a beautiful, remote and tranquil environment away from it all.

Where To Stay

Staying at one of the famous tree-house hotels – "Treetops" or "The Ark" will let you see a fair number of animals wandering down to their adjacent waterholes. They have real character and a must if you want a novel place to stay. You may easily see a bush baby, civet or genet cat which are baited each night and come within meters from guests at the bar!

Recommended

Top End

Treetops Tree House

(NB Queen Elizabeth was staying here when she heard of her father’s death; changing her position from Princess Elizabeth to Queen Elizabeth)

The Ark Tree House

Budget

Camping at one of the KWS campsites or Banda’s.