4 Famous Wildlife Safari Parks to Visit in Kenya

Wildlife safari parks in Kenya invite wildlife enthusiasts and adventurers to experience the wilderness in their natural habitat. In this piece, we have listed the top 4 safari parks Kenya proudly offers. These parks allow you to spot the wild animals and promise an unforgettable safari experience along with other fun activities like bird watching, cultural tours and so on.

Keep reading to learn more about these safari parks and their relevant details.

1. Masai Mara National Reserve

The iconic Masai Mara Reserve is home to Africa's Big Five - lions, rhinoceroses, leopards, elephants, and buffalo. Not only this, but it is also famous for hosting the annual Great Migration, which brings millions of wildebeest to the savannahs.   

Types of Safari:

• Walking Safari
• Horseback Safari
• Balloon Safari and more

Major Attractions:

• Game drives
• Village visits
• Bird watching (spot over 500 bird species)

Area Covered: 1,510 km square

Best Time to Visit: July to October

Average Time to Spend: 4 days and 3 nights

Operations Hours: 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours

How to Reach: 

• Wilson Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport are the nearest airstrips to Masai Mara. It takes about 45 minutes. 
• The Mara National Reserve is 270 km west of Nairobi. It takes about 5 to 6 hours to drive.

Entry Fee: 

• USD 100 per day/non-resident adult (from 1st January 2024 to 30th June 2024) and USD 200 per day/non-resident adult after 1st July 2024. 
• USD 50 per day/child (aged between 9 to 17 years at entry).
• Free entry for children aged below 8 years.

2. Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve is known for its Samburu Special Five featuring the Somali ostrich, giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, and the beisa oryx. The reserve is also home to 3 big cats, elephants, and other animals like cape buffalo, olive baboon, etc. 

The birdlife at Samburu is also quite diverse, with over 350 bird species, including kingfishers, vultures and more. 

Types of Safari:

• Camelback Safari
• Walking Safari
• Cultural Safari

Major Attractions:

• Game viewing
• Bird watching 
• Mountain biking

Area Covered: 165 km square

Best Time to Visit: June to October and December to March 

Average Time to Spend: 3 days and 2 nights

Operations Hours: 8 AM to 6 PM

How to Reach: 

• Fly from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to reach Samburu. It takes about 1.5 hours, and the main airstrips are Kalama and Buffalo Springs.
• Drive from Nairobi on the Thika Superhighway Road. It takes about 5 to 6 hours to reach Samburu Game Reserve.

Entry Fee:

• USD 70 per day/non-resident adult
• USD 40 per day/child (individuals aged below 12)

3. Amboseli National Park

Located in Kenya’s Southwest region, Amboseli National Park is famous for its elephant herds and gorgeous view of Mount Kilimanjaro. The park has numerous wildlife, including wild dogs, leopards, cheetahs, and over 600 bird species. It is also a great place to see Africa's Big Five. 

Types of Safari:

• Hot Air Balloon Safari
• Walking Safari

Major Attractions:

• Game drives
• Bird watching 

Area Covered: 391 km square

Best Time to Visit: June to October

Average Time to Spend: 2 days

Operations Hours: 6 AM to 6:15 PM

How to Reach: 

• The National Park is located 240 km from Nairobi. One can travel via the Nairobi/Arusha road through Namanga and enter the park. 
• Alternatively, you can take the Mombasa route, which means you will enter the National Park through the Kimana Gate in Tsavo West National Park.

Entry Fee:

During Low Season (from March to June):

• USD 80 per day/non-resident adult
• USD 20 per day/child
• USD 35 per day/African citizen
• USD 10 per day/African child 

During High Season (from June to March):

• USD 100 per day/non-resident adult
• USD 35 per day/child
• USD 50 per day/African citizen
• USD 20 per day/African child

4. The Meru National Park

At Meru National Park, you can spot the Big 5, cheetah, and other savannah species. In addition, the flowing streams and rivers are a vital feature of Meru’s landscape. This offers an excellent chance to spot crocodiles, hippos, and other African fish eagles. 

Types of Safari:

• Walking Safari
• Cultural Safari

Major Attractions:

• Game drives
• Bisanadi hike
• Guided nature walk
• Bird watching

Area Covered: 870 km square

Best Time to Visit: July to October 

Average Time to Spend: 3 days

Operations Hours: 6 AM to 6 PM

How to Reach: 

• Fly from Nairobi Wilson Airport into any of the two airstrips at the park - Kina and Elsa’s Kopje.
• You can also come via road from Nairobi (348 km) via Nyeri-Nanyuki-Meru or Embu, all-weather roads. The park has two access routes, namely Murera Gate and Ura Gate.

Entry Fee: 

• USD 52 per day/non-resident adult 
• USD 35 per day/child 

Kenya's wildlife safari parks are a paradise for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. The country's diverse range of national parks offers an array of unique experiences that promote preserving its rich biodiversity. For instance, the world-renowned Masai Mara Reserve is home to the famous annual wildebeest migration. 

At the same time, the lesser-known Samburu National Reserve boasts a range of rare and endangered species, such as the Grevy's zebra and the reticulated giraffe. With each park offering a unique blend of flora and fauna, a safari in Kenya is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that shouldn't be missed.