Maasai Mara
Game Reserve
The Maasai Mara Game Reserve is arguably Kenya’s most popular
game sanctuary. It is the most famous and most visited game reserve
in Kenya. The film ‘Out of Africa’ was made to a great
extent in this reserve. Virtually every type of wildlife can be
seen at the Mara. A spectacle worth seeing is the annual migration
of millions of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle from Serengeti plains
across the Tanzania border and the Mara River to reach Masai Mara
grazing fields from late June. The dramatic crossing of the river
and the preying on the migrants by predators can be viewed from
early July to August. The reserve abounds with birdlife since
dose to about 452 species have been recorded. Hot air balloon
safaris are readily available in this park. Accommodation is plentiful
in Masai Mara and ranges from five star lodges to luxury tented
camps and campsites within the reserve.
Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs
Reserves
The highlights of these reserves are the spectacular scenic beauty,
rivers and forests. It is an area where the local people have
a rich and colourful heritage. The reserves have numerous permanent
springs and a wealth of wildlife which includes leopard, hippo,
elephant, lion, reticulated giraffe, grevy’s zebra and crocodile
in the Ewaso Nyiro river. Over 365 species of birds have been
identified in the sanctuaries. There are lodges and campsites
managed by mobile tented camp operators.
Shaba National Reserve is home to the monument
of Joy Adamson who, together with her husband George, contributed
greatly to Kenya’s wildlife as an author, conservationist
and artist. The film ‘Born Free’ is based on Joy’s
book of the same title. Shaba was the setting for the film ‘Sheena
Queen of the Jungle’. Shaba reserve is home to the rare
blue-shanked Somali Ostrich.
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is the oldest of Kenya’s National
Parks and Game Reserves. It was gazetted in 1946. This game sanctuary
is a stretch of Savannah that is set against the dramatic skyline
of Nairobi. Its main entrances are merely a stone’s throw
away from the city’s outskirts, making Nairobi the only
city in the world that borders a natural game protection area.
The park contains over 100 species of mammals, mainly plains game.
The big five are also found here except the elephant. The park’s
advantage is that visitors do not have to travel far to view game
in its natural habitat. The Animal Orphanage and Safari walk at
the main gate should not be missed. The orphanage is home to injured
and orphaned animals. Here they are nursed back to health before
being released to the wild. The park is also ideal for ornithological
safaris.
Amboseli National Park
The Might Kilimanjaro forms a beautiful backdrop. Amboseli Game
Sanctuary is famous for elephants, buffalos and birds.
Tsavo National Park
One of the largest game parks in the world surrounded by the beautiful
Chyulu hills and the Pare Mountains. Mzima springs; a natural
and clear watering point is great for game viewing. Tsavo is also
famous for its large number of elephants among other species of
the animal kingdom.
Kakamega Forest
An Ornithologist’s paradise - here you can find about three
hundred species of birds, some of which are unique to this part
of the country. A natural and ancient forest excellent for game
or botanical walks.
Mount Elgon National Park
This unspoiled national park is famous for caves, game viewing
and hiking. Situated on Kenya /Uganda border, the highest peak
on Kenyan side (Koitobos) is about 4,200 meters high. Kitum cave
(place of ceremonies) extents 200 meters into the mountain. At
night animals go in to feed on the rich salt deposits. An unforgettable
sight is of the elephants licking away at the salt walls in these
caves.
Ndere Island National Park (Meeting
Place)
This place is where Mikaye (the mother of Luo) rested after her
long journey, before she found shelter on this island close to
the rock that goes by her name. Ndere Island is also home to a
large population of crocodiles, swamp antelopes and birds. Fishing
can also be done nearby. Situated in northern part of Lake Victoria
near Kisumu, Ndere Island National Park can only be accessed by
boat.
Ruma National Park
This rarely visited national park is home to a number of Kenyan
animals and birds. Famous for Roan antelopes (hippopotamus equines
) which are an endangered species of antelopes.
Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park is surrounded by 130,000 acres of forest
reserve. Visible from the mountain top on a clear day are Mount
Kilimanjaro to the south, Mount Elgon to the west, Marissa Mountain
to the north and the Indian ocean to the east. Hiking, climbing
and game viewing for rare mountain wildlife can be done here.
Lake Turkana National Park
Lake Turkana National Park is situated on the Ethiopia /Kenya
border. Africa’s longest Rift Valley Lake. The Great Rift
Valley is a symbolic relic of the massive upheavals in the earth’s
crust some 10 million years ago which opened the world’s
largest geological divide stretching over 3,500 miles from Danilil
depression at Ethiopia’s northern Red Sea coast line to
Mozambique. Turkana has the largest number of crocodiles in the
world - more then 10,000. A number of pre-historic human fossils
have been found here including the Australopithecus.
