Lions, Leopards, and Landscapes: Kenya Jungle Safari Escapade

Kenya, the country of excitement and thrills, has a lot to offer. Whether you want to see rich wildlife, and stunning landscapes or enjoy the culture, Kenya is the go-to destination. A Kenya safari is bound to make up for an unforgettable vacation. With Kenya tour packages, you can explore one of the greatest countries of the African continent.

Whether you are a first-time visitor to Kenya or a fifth, the country manages to surprise you with its ever-changing beauty. Kenyan national parks and reserves, renowned for their diverse ecosystems, safeguard various wildlife, including the famous Big Five Kenya and birdlife species. These parks and reserves are extremely stunning, encompassing landscapes filled with golden-hued grasslands, iconic savannahs, and short bushy trees. Stepping into these parks feels like you’ve entered a scene appearing straight out of a film.

If you’re looking to shortlist some of the Kenyan parks and reserves for your next holiday, here are some suggestions:

Amboseli National Park

Situated in Southern Kenya, Amboseli is a picturesque park that allows one to see the grand Mount Kilimanjaro in the backdrop. It doesn’t come as a surprise that the park is popular among photographers and is usually referred to as a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.

Over 900 African elephants call Amboseli their home, thanks to the Amboseli Trust for Elephants that strive to conserve this species. It is one of the best parks to view elephants from a closer distance.

Furthermore, big cat species like lions and cheetahs as well as plain animals like wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles are in abundance. Around 600 bird species including migratory can be seen in the park. Amboseli also allows you to spot the African Big Five, except for the rhino. Most of the animals are found near Lake Amboseli during the dry season.

Masai Mara National Park

If you’re looking for a luxurious safari, then Masai Mara is ideal for you. Endless savannahs, baobab trees, and towering escarpments is the typical landscape of the Mara. Exploring further, the unspoiled nature of the Mara gives way to riverine forests and hills.

With such diverse flora and fauna, wildlife is found in abundance. The high densities of animal species allow you to witness intense predator-prey interaction frequently. Along with the Big Five, the park is home to cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, thousands of wildebeest, and zebras among other plain animals.

Masai Mara National Park hosts the Great Migration annually. It is the only place, besides Tanzania’s Serengeti, where you can experience nature at its finest. This journey is filled with challenges such as lions stalking wildebeest herds and deadly Nile crocodiles preying on them at the Mara River crossing. The event is thrilling and is best seen in Kenya’s Masai Mara.

Besides game drives, one can also experience hot air balloon rides, birdwatching, walking tours, bush picnics, and much more. If you visit Kenya and miss out on Masai Mara, then your trip surely remains incomplete.

Samburu National Park

One of the lesser-known but equally lush parks of Kenya is the Samburu National Park. Located in Northern Kenya, this premier game reserve is characterized by isolated yet pristine wilderness such as palm groves, acacia woodlands, riverine forests, and rugged mountains. With such varied ecosystems, different species of wildlife and birdlife continue to flourish in Samburu.

Situated on the banks of the river Ewaso Ng’iro, the park is home to a unique group of animals called the ‘Samburu Special Five’. This consists of Grevy’s Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Beisa Onyx, Gerenuk, and Reticulated Giraffe, an unusual collection of animals that are not found in any of the southern reserves in Kenya. Samburu is also home to huge herds of elephants, big cats, endangered wild dogs, and more. Over 450 bird species are also found in Samburu.

Besides game drives, this park allows biking safaris, horseback safaris and even walking excursions. Visits to the traditional Samburu villages to meet up with the indigenous Samburu tribe is a fascinating experience.

Meru National Park

Meru is a remote national park, showcasing its unspoiled and rugged wilderness. In comparison to other national parks, Meru is relatively less visited. However, its landscapes are alive with thirteen meandering rivers, beautiful mountains, woodlands, and vast plains. Undoubtedly, it flaunts breathtaking sceneries one can stumble upon. Just 4 hours away from the city of Nairobi, this park is ideal for those wanting to get away from the tourist crowd and enjoy quiet safaris.

Although small in size, the park makes up for it with its diverse wildlife. Here, you can witness the Big Five, including various herbivore and predator species. Meru also has a rhino sanctuary which is home to both black and white rhinos. With over 400 bird species, most are found near the river banks and streams.

Meru National Park offers a plethora of activities such as game viewing, camping, bush picnics and even hiking. You can also visit the Adamson waterfall inside the park while going on a nature walk.

Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is the world’s only wildlife park to be situated in the major capital. It is just a short drive away from Nairobi’s Central Business District. So, instead of landing in the city and driving hours to get to a national park, you can easily kickstart your safari adventures from Nairobi itself.

Although located in an unusual location, Nairobi National Park offers amazing game viewing opportunities. The park measures around 117 square kilometers, mostly dominated by acacia shrubs and open grasslands. However, instead of the usual mountains, one can capture the animals against the backdrop of skyscrapers and buildings in Nairobi National Park.

Roaming in their natural habitats of the park are leopards, lions, cheetahs, wildebeest, zebras, hyenas, hippos, and many more animal species. Along with this, an array of birdlife is also found in the park. Nairobi National Park shares its boundaries with the neighboring Kitengala plains which allow animals to freely migrate in different areas.

Nairobi National Park provides many activities to its visitors such as exploring walking trails, and visiting attractions like the Ivory burning site monument, the rhino sanctuary, and various picnic spots.

These are just few of the places you can choose for your Kenya safari itinerary. Go ahead and book your Kenya tour packages today for the ultimate African safari experience.