Kenya
National parks and reserves
- Amboselli
- Masai Mara National Reserve
- Tsavo National Park
- Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves
- Meru National Park
- Mount Kenya National Park
- Aberdare National Park
The Lakes
The Kenyan coast
National parks and reserves
The areas in Kenya that contain a high concentration of wild animals have been proclaimed National Parks or National Reserve; thereby protecting the species found there and preventing human settlements in these areas.
The huge increase in the Kenyan population was the main reason for establishing these protected safari parks and reserves. Due to extended cattle breeding and agriculture, large wildlife areas were threatened in their existence. Like the fauna, the flora is also protected in a National Park. A National Reserve does allow some cattle breeding, like in the outskirts of the Masai Mara.
Amboselli
The Amboselli is one of the oldest National Parks in Kenya. It’s a small but frequently visited park. There are large, vast plains with the Kilimanjaro covering the complete horizon in the background. Amboselli is an elephant park. About 600 elephants live here, which is a large number if you take the surface area into consideration. The elephants gather in big herds. Some of them still have big tusks because poachers are kept out, unlike in some other parks. For decades Cynthia Moss and her colleagues have been watching the elephants. They know each animal by name and face. They have also written a book: “Elephant Memories”. The Amboselli Elephant Research Project can be visited by appointment. For more information, contact the lodges in the park.
Masai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara National Reserve is probably the best known and most frequently visited park in Kenya. It is known for its large number of animals and the proud Masai tribe. Masai Mari is located on the Tanzanian border and, together with the adjacent Serengeti National Park, it forms a single eco-system for travelling herds. The savannah of rolling hills, acacia forests and plain fields with beautiful panoramas is an ideal Safari location. Wildlife in any form, big and small, is abundantly present.
The largest lion population of Kenya lives in this area. It is often possible to watch the lions whilst hunting. Some prides consist of over thirty lions! Cheetahs and leopards are less easy to spot, yet they are numerously present.
Without a doubt, the most fascinating event in Masai Mari is the annual migration of wildlife, gazelles, zebras and impalas. This huge migration to the Serengeti usually occurs between October and January. They return to the Masai Mara in June, July and August. There is no set time for this migration. It depends on the unpredictable rainfall.
Tsavo National Park
Tsavo National Park is the biggest Kenyan national park and one of the largest in the world. To keep it manageable the park is divided into an east and west side. Tsavo contains many biotopes which gives rise to a large variety of animals. There is less wildlife than in the Masai Mara, but the landscapes are spectacular and impressive. The steep-rocky Ngulia Hills dominate the area. In the north you can find the Chyulu Range, formed by a chain of volcanic cones. The Chyulu Range belongs to the world’s newest mountain chains. Eruptions in the past 500 years have created lava streams that can be viewed and set foot on near Chaimu and Shetani. In Tsavo West, the western horizon is dominated by the Kilimanjaro. When you are at Poachers Lookout, on top of a hill, you will have a fantastic view over the plains around the Kilimanjaro. Tsavo is renowned for its ‘red’ Tsavo elephants. They acquired their name due to the red dust.
A big part of Eastern Tsavo is not accessible to visitors. The scenery is totally different than the one in Western Tsavo: dry, plain fields with occasionally some bushes and trees. There is plenty of wildlife to be spotted. Because of the plain fields, animals like cheetahs thrive better in this area.
Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves
In the semi desert of Northern Kenya, three areas along to the ‘Ewaso Ngiro’ River form a single ecological unit. South of the ‘Ewaso Nigro’ are the Buffalo Springs and the Shaba National reserves. To the north is the Samburu National Reserve. All of these reserves are just above the equator.
Samburu and Buffalo Springs are characterised by mountains and hills with sand rivers which usually have run dry. For most of the year the ground is a baked brown red. The landscape around the ‘Ewaso Ngiro’ is more green and a permanent source of water for animals. It contains a large amount of wildlife and birds. The other areas only turn green during the rainy season. The presence of four springs results in the water supply in Shaba to be better than in Samburu or Buffalo Springs.
Because of specific climatic circumstances this area hosts rare animal species that do not exist in other parks. Examples include the Grevy-zebras (with big ears and small stripes), the reticulated giraffe and the giraffe-antelope.
Meru National Park
Meru National Park is located on the equator and west of Mount Kenya. Several small rivers run from the Nyambene Hills and Mount Kenya and supply the Meru National Park with water throughout the year: thereby offering a varied Safari from diverse riverside habitats to swampy fields. The park has become famous thanks to Joy Adamson’s ‘Born Free’ movies about the orphan lion Elsa, who was later returned to her natural habitat. Despite the fact that Meru National Park is one of Kenya’s biggest, it has not featured much on the tourist agenda. This is strange, since it is one of the gems of Kenya. Meru National Park is definitely worth a visit!
In the eighties, this area suffered from marauders and bandits. Resulting in less wildlife than in other parks; however recent figures suggest that numbers are rising again.
Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya is part of the central highlands of Kenya. The mountain area holds a large diversity of flora and fauna. Mount Kenya is located on the equator, which results in many biotopes being present. There are several small lakes located in the foothills. The low lying woodland provides a habitat for elephants, leopards (even black leopards are found here!), wild boars and several other mammals. There is a bamboo zone at 2400 metres and above that are the massive plains.
Aberdare National Park
Aberdare National Park is also part of the central highlands. The steep slopes on the west side belong to the Rift wall. This area is too steep for most animal species. The slopes on the east side provide room for wildlife like hippo’ ceros, elephants, buffalos, monkeys, lions and leopards. Depending on the season, the animals move up- and down on the slopes.
The Lakes
Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is one of the two freshwater lakes in Kenya, the other one is Lake Baringo. The lake is surrounded by steep slopes, many hippos are found in this area. The Crescent Island peninsula is located on the eastern riverside. A Game Sanctuary is established here where giraffes, gazelles and water goats are found. The area holds a flourishing bird population, ideal for bird watchers.
Lake Elmenteita
Lake Elmenteita is the most southern and least frequently visited soda lake in Africa. It is mainly populated by flamingos, when the Nakuru Lake does not offer enough food supplies. The lake is often used as a ‘stop-over’ by Flamingo’s who are travelling to Lake Nakuru or Lake Natron in Tanzania. Throughout the year pelicans and other bird species can be spotted here.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park is a shallow alkaline soda lake where very few life forms can survive. It is the habitat of green algae, eaten by small crustaceans: the algae forms the basic diet for small flamingos, and has a characteristic deep pink colour. The big, pale pink coloured, flamingos feed themselves with crustaceans and plankton. It is almost certain that you can witness hundreds of thousands flamingos when you visit the area. Lake Nakuru is named world’s biggest bird show.
The marsh- and grassland is interrupted by acacias and rocky cliffs. The lake is situated between two tall mountain chains both visible in clear weather. Lake Nakuru has no outlet, so when rainfalls are heavy, the alkaline levels decrease. The flamingos then move on to other lakes.
Lake Bogoria
Lake Bogoria is a small soda lake surrounded by sheer cliffs. The appearance of a number of steaming hot springs is an added attraction. Despite the fact that the scenery is bare and plain, it does not lack in charm and attraction. On the western slopes of Laikipia Escarpment you can witness the big skittish Kudu. Just like other soda lakes, Lake Bogoria attracts groups of flamingos. Not surprisingly many flamingos nest here too.
Lake Baringo
Lake Baringo is located a bit further north than Lake Bogoria. This is the second freshwater lake in the Rift Valley. Lake Baringo is twice as big as Lake Naivasha and offers a natural habitat to many hippos. In the evenings, the hippos crawl out of the water to graze on the riverbank. There are many birds found here, an ideal spot for bird watchers.
The Kenyan coast
The complete coastal area of Kenya has been occupied for centuries. There are signs and remains from the time of Solomon and Sheba, also from the ancient Egyptians that settled here. Many Arabs lived here after the time of the prophet Mohammed. Mombassa, Malindi and Lamu were prominent trade cities. Today many of their descendants still occupy the coastal areas. During the European colonisation the cities of Mombassa, Malindi and Lamu became important centres for slavery and the ivory trade.
Mombasa
Mombassa is the biggest harbour city in East-Africa. There are pearly white beaches with palms north and south of Mombassa. The numerous beach resorts to the north and south are frequently visited by European tourists. In front of the coastal areas are rich coral reefs, which invite diving and snorkelling tourists to explore its rich colours and life forms. There are many other possibilities for water sports. Those who prefer a beach holiday can also go on a short safari to Eastern Tsavo, Western Tsavo and the Masai Mara.
Malindi
Malindi is a coastal city dating from the 12th century. It is attractive because tourism is not as large-scaled as in Mombassa. In front of the Malindi and Watamu coast there are two National Marine Parks with excellent diving and snorkelling facilities. The area in between, as Marine National Reserve, is part of the protected area.
About twelve kilometres north of Malindi, is the village of Mambruï. The spacious beaches and high sand dunes invite you to go for long walks.
South of Malindi, close to Watamu, are the ruins of the old Arab trade city Gedi. It still offers well preserved buildings in authentic Swahili style, as well as the remains of an old mosque and a palace.
Near Watamu and parallel to the coast, is the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve which still contains one of the rare remaining mangrove forests of East-Africa.
Midah Creek is located nearby. It has a number of oozes surrounded by mangroves. Malindi is a true paradise for bird-watchers.
Lamu
Lamu and its neighbouring island are the most northern seaside resorts of Kenya. The port of Lamu is over a thousand years old. The Archipelago has been occupied since 200 AD. Much of Lamu remains unaffected by the advancement of Western culture, there are for example no cars allowed on the island. The island is a timeless paradise. The city of Lamu appeals to everyone’s imagination with its narrow streets and Swahili wood carved doorposts. The eldest mosque of Lamu dates from 1300 AD.
Beach tourism is mainly concentrated on the eastside of the island on Shela Beach. It is a large unspoilt sand beach of thirteen kilometres surrounded by high sand dunes. Although there is the common beach entertainment, it is impossible to compare Shela Beach with the beaches in Mombassa and Malindi. The islands deserve a visit from those who prefer quietness. Boat trips can be taken from Lamu to visit neighbourly islands.