Kenya National Parks

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Kenya is situated in Eastern Africa, and is a country with many diverse natural resources and complex ecologies. Kenya has outstanding National Parks located within its territorial borders.

Nairobi National Park is Kenya’s oldest National Park and is ideally situated just 7 kilometres from Nairobi, which is an excellent base for a day trip and for accommodation. Nairobi National Park is a heavenly stretch of savannah plains set against the glorious skyline of Nairobi. The seasonal park attracts a range of game and is also a year round protection area for indigenous species such as the Black Rhino. The rich grazing spots in the park are home to the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra. The Nairobi National Park has an education centre, nature trails, various picnic sites, and a hippo pool nature trail. There are species of rhino, lion, leopards, hippo, buffalo, cheetah, and crocodiles that can be viewed, and the park have excellent roads for saloon cars as well as 4x4 vehicles. The avid bird watcher has over 400 species of bird life to observe. Nairobi National Park also has a historic ivory burning site.

Mount Kenya National Park is situated 175 kilometres from Nairobi and has an airstrip located at Naro Moro. The mountain has fascinating fauna and flora which ranges from dry upland forest to dense bamboo forest with scattered open spaces, and offer excellent game viewing opportunities. The forest belts are home to many animals and plants which include black and white colobus monkey, bushbuck, buffalo, and elephant. In the lower parts, water buck, bush pig, hyena, leopard, and the elusive bongo antelope can be seen. Mount Kenya National Park offers the visitor stunning lake and mountain peak views. The park is also home to natural mineral springs. Accommodation at the park consists of a lodge, a few elevated huts, and self catering sites. Located just outside the park are three more lodges and a self catering site.

Hell’s Gate National Park is located 90 kilometres from Nairobi and is an ideal family outing for a day trip or as a stopover en route to Lake Nakura or Masai Mara National Parks. The park is famous for its natural hot springs and open air saunas. Splendid game viewing opportunities exist and visitors can view lion, buffalo, giraffe, eland, leopard, and cheetah. There are outstanding viewing sites at Fisher’s Tower and the Central Tower. At Olkaria and Hobley's there are two extinct volcanoes and natural steam rises from the cracks in the volcanic rocks. Hell’s Gate National Park is a haven for ornithologists as well as rock climbers as the nesting grounds of eagles and vultures are set high up against the cliffs. Over 103 species of bird life has been recorded in the Hell’s Gate National Park. The Maasai Cultural Centre is located within the park. Visitors to the park can participate in an abundance of activities such as walking, rock climbing, game viewing, cycling, and camping.