Mount Kenya National Park
Although the dominant feature of this park is the snow-clad peaks of
Mount Kenya , this area also boasts of wildlife such as Buffalo , Elephant,
Rhino and the elusive and rare flora and fauna and a wide variety of
unusual trees. The twin peaks of Batian and Nelion present the experienced
climber with a test of fortitude and skill, but Point Lenana is within
reach of those with stamina and good health. The best months for climbing
are mid -December to mid-March, but safaris by horse, mule or zebroid
can be taken as far as the snowline for most of the year.
Aberdare National Park
The Aberdares are a range of mountains extending north-south, almost
from Nairobi to Thomson's Falls; to the west they are bordered by the
Great Rift Valley and to the east by a high fertile plateau which separates
them from Mount Kenya . Between the two main peaks lies a moorland area
and to the eastern slopes towards Nyeri, you will find the famous Treetops
and Ark lodges. The wildlife in this area is abundant-in particular,
Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo , Leopard, Giant Forest Hog, Waterbuck and
the shy Bongo antelope.
Shaba National Reserve
Shaba is one of Kenya 's most beautiful and isolated reserves and is
set in the Northern Frontier District. The reserve, whose northern border
follows the Ewaso Nyiro River , is a mixture of open plains, thick bush
and riverine forest and is dotted with many small hills. This wilderness
contains many of the more common species of animal with the addition
of the rare Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy's Zebra, Gerenuk and Besia Oryx
and over 100 species of birds including the Somali Ostrich.
Samburu/ Isiolo Game Reserve
The Samburu / Isiolo Reserves are really two in one, separated only
by a 16 kms. Frontage of the Ewaso Nyiro River . Most of the company
in both reserves is arid thorn bush with areas of open plain and, in
Samburu, thick forest on the hilltops. Dense vegetation grows along
each bank of the river, which provides permanent water for the abundant
wildlife, which resides in the reserves all year. The riverbanks carry
an extensive range of bird life. The main attraction is the species
of animals which are not commonly seen elsewhere in Kenya , namely Gerenuk,
Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy's Zebra and Besia Oryx as well as the Big
Five.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru was the first National Park in Africa to be set aside primarily
for the conservation of birdlife and the site of Kenya 's first Rhino
Sanctuary. Famous world wide for its great flock of pink Flamingo which
is estimated to number more than a million times, you can also see some
400 Species of birds. The lakes on the floor of the Great Rift Valley
are fed by three seasonal rivers, The Njoro, the Makali and the Enderit,
but has no outlet.
Lake Baringo
One of the largest freshwater lakes in the Great Rift Valley . Lake
Baringo is an ornithologist's paradise, with over 400 different species
of birds and the largest nesting colony of Goliath Herons in East Africa
on Gibraltar island. Apart from the unusual birds, which include the
rare Verreaux's Eagle, Bristle-Crowned Starting and Hemprich's Hornbill,
the lake has groups of resident Hippos And Crocodiles. Jonathan Leakey's
world famous Snake Farm is situated just beyond the Village of Kampi
Ya Samaki and is worth a visit.
Lake Bogoria
Lake Bogoria lies to the south of Lake Baringo and is a deep and spectacular
alkaline lake, lying in a tilted trough of the Great Rift Valley . Geysers
and hot springs are a feature of the lake with a group halfway along
the western shore at the delta of the Gurasine River . Flamingoes are
often to be seen on the northern shores of the lake, as well as a large
variety of other birds.
Shimba Hills Game Reserve
Situated south of Mombasa and 16kms. Inland, this beautiful Reserve
offers magnificent views over the Indian Ocean to the east and bush
country to the west. Among these cool and rolling hills, with tropical
forest streams and waterfalls, live Elephants, Buffalo and the rare
Roan and Sable Antelopes.
Amboseli National Park
The Amboseli National Park has earned a reputation for its great scenic
beauty, with the majestic snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in the background,
and for its big game. Four of the Big Five (Elephant, Buffalo , Rhino
and Lion) are readily seen as well as the long-necked Gerenuk and the
Fringe-eared Oryx. Named after a dry lakebed to the west, which only
has surface water during heavy rains, Amboseli provides a visitor with
a truly African experience.
Tsavo National Park
The Tsavo National Park is divided into two by the main Nairobi/Mombasa
highway. It is Kenya 's greatest game sanctuary and one of the largest
areas in the world devoted to game preservation. The game population
is varied and practically all the interesting species can be seen, in
particular large Elephant herds. Of special interests is the Lesser
Kudu, with spiral horns and a stripped coat. Other animals likely to
be seen include Buffalo, Black Rhino, Cheetah and the occasional Leopard,
Bird life is prolific and colourful in both Tsavo East and Tsavo West,
with the famous Mzima Springs in Tsavo West offering the opportunity
to see Hippos, Crocodiles and shoals of fish at close quarters form
strategically placed lookouts or through the plate glass windows of
a submerged observation chamber.
Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Most of the Mara consists of rolling grasslands covered with Acacia
trees and dense bush thickets. It's southern boundary is continuous
with Tanzania 's famed Serengeti National Park and it is across this
boundary that the spectacular seasonal migration of millions of Wildebeest
and Zebra pass in their search for water and grazing lands. The Reserve
is divided into two sections-the inner area, where no human settlement
is allowed and other outer section where the colourful Maasai are permitted
to graze their cattle. The Mara is the home to the Kenya 's largest
population of Black-maned Lions and huge herds of Elephant, Buffalo
, Wildebeest, Burchell's Zebra, Gazelles and Topi can be seen along
with the odd Leopard or Cheetah. The Reserve bisected by the Mara River
and its tributaries providing a splendid variety of bird life and large
concentration of Hippos in the pools.