Best national parks to visit in Kenya | Our top picks

Kenya does national parks like nowhere else – raw, wild, and full of drama. You’ve seen the documentaries: lions stalking prey on the savannah, elephants silhouetted against Kilimanjaro, wildebeest risking it all at the river crossings. It’s all real – and it’s all part of the Kenya national parks experience. But beyond the Masai Mara, there’s a whole lot more to explore.

This country serves up desert reserves, mountain forests, pink flamingo lakes, and even spots where you can bike past buffalo. Choosing where to go? That’s the tricky part. With so many options, you’ll need a guide that cuts through the noise.

We’ve done just that – rounding up the best national parks in Kenya for real adventure, not just glossy brochure shots. From the big-name legends to a few surprising standouts, these are the parks that are absolutely worth your time.

What are the best national parks to visit in Kenya?

Kenya national parks offer the kind of wild, untamed experiences that define a great trip – lions in the grasslands, elephants under endless skies, and landscapes that feel truly remote. But not all parks are created equal. Some are teeming with wildlife but packed with tourists. Others fly under the radar and still deliver the thrill.

If you’re planning a Kenya itinerary, it helps to know which parks are actually worth your time. Think beyond the famous names – Kenya is home to volcanic craters, alpine forests, bird-covered lakes, and vast savannahs, all protected within its national parks.

The best time for a Kenya safari depends on what you’re after. July to October lines up with the Great Migration and dry weather. January and February are excellent for big cats and clear views. Even the so-called low season has perks – quieter trails, greener landscapes, and fewer vehicles crowding the sightings.

This isn’t just a wildlife checklist. It’s about places that give you space, stillness, and a hit of adrenaline when a cheetah appears out of nowhere. The best national parks in Kenya combine drama with variety, and a sense that you’re part of something wild and timeless.

Here are the best places to visit in Kenya for a safari that sticks with you, long after the dust has settled – and a solid starting point for planning, complete with practical Kenya travel tips.

Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara is the headline act – and it earns the spotlight. This is where the Great Migration rumbles through each year, where lions sprawl under acacia trees, and where you’ve got a real shot at spotting a cheetah mid-hunt. It borders the Serengeti, but the Mara feels more compact, more intimate, with just as much drama.

Game viewing here is top-tier. Wildebeest stretch across the horizon, elephants march in tight formation, and hippos grunt from muddy riverbanks. Local Maasai guides bring deep tracking skills and cultural insight. As for where to stay? Some of the best Kenya safari lodges are tucked into the reserve and surrounding conservancies – think canvas tents with outdoor showers and views over the savannah.

How to get to Masai Mara

Hop on a 45-minute flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Ol Kiombo, Keekorok, or another airstrip in the reserve. Driving takes 5-6 hours on rough roads – doable, but bumpy, especially during the rains.

When to visit Masai Mara

The best time to visit Masai Mara is July to October, when the Great Migration brings thunderous herds and big-cat action. January and February offer clearer skies and fewer vehicles – a solid choice for photographers. Skip April and May if you can – heavy rains flood the trails, and many camps close.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli is all about elephants and views, and not just any elephants. Massive herds roam freely here, often with Mount Kilimanjaro looming behind them. It’s one of the most iconic sights in East Africa. Despite the mountain technically sitting in Tanzania, this is the place to catch that postcard-perfect shot of elephants beneath snow-capped peaks.

What makes Amboseli stand out is the sheer scale of its elephant population. You’ll see calves trotting behind their mothers, big bulls kicking up dust, and family groups bathing in the marshes. It’s also great for lions, hyenas, giraffes, and over 400 bird species. The open terrain makes wildlife easy to spot – and easier to photograph.

It’s no surprise that Amboseli often ranks among the best of Kenya national parks – especially for first-timers and families. The short travel time from Nairobi, wide-open spaces, and reliable game viewing make it a top pick for exploring Kenya with kids.

How to get to Amboseli

Fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Amboseli airstrip – the flight takes about 45 minutes. Driving is an option too: it’s a 4-5 hour trip on mostly paved roads via Namanga or Emali, depending on your entry gate.

When to visit Amboseli

Visit during the dry seasons – January to March and June to October – for the best wildlife viewing.

Rainy months (April-May and November) bring lush landscapes and birds, but also muddy roads and reduced visibility. Kilimanjaro is often cloud-covered, so early mornings during dry months give you the best chance at that classic view.

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu is where Kenya gets wild – in all the right ways. It’s hot, dry, and dramatic, with thorny scrublands and the Ewaso Nyiro River slicing through the landscape. You won’t find crowds here, but you will find some of Kenya’s most unique wildlife. This is home to the “Samburu Five” – Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx, and gerenuk – animals you won’t spot in the south.

Elephants gather at the river, leopards lounge in the rocky kopjes, and crocodiles drift just beneath the surface. Birdlife is off the charts too – over 350 species flash across the skies. Samburu feels remote and rugged, part of what makes it a standout on any Kenya safari.

How to get to Samburu

Flights run daily from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport – around 90 minutes to Samburu or Kalama airstrips. The overland route takes 6-7 hours via Nanyuki and Isiolo – a mix of smooth tarmac and bumpy backroads, but stunning all the way.

When to visit Samburu

Dry seasons – June to October and December to March – are best for game viewing. Wildlife clusters near water, and visibility is excellent. Rainy months bring green cover and fewer visitors, but also slick roads. For golden light and top sightings, head out at dawn and dusk.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru might be compact, but it delivers big. Set around a soda lake in the Great Rift Valley, the park is known for its rhinos, dramatic escarpments, and flocks of flamingos that turn the shoreline pink. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 400 recorded species – from pelicans to fish eagles – but there’s more here than just feathers.

This is one of Kenya’s best spots for rhino sightings. Both black and white rhinos are protected within the park’s fenced boundaries, and they’re surprisingly easy to spot. The dense woodlands also hide leopards, while lions lounge in the open grasslands. You’ll find short driving loops, lakeside lookouts, and forested tracks – ideal if you want variety without long distances.

Adding Nakuru to your trip is a smart move, especially if you’re short on time but still want one of the best wildlife experiences in the region. It’s also a great fit for travellers ticking off classic things to do in Kenya without straying too far from Nairobi.

How to get to Lake Nakuru

It’s an easy 3-hour drive from Nairobi via Naivasha. Roads are mostly smooth, making this one of the most accessible parks in the country. Charter flights land at Naishi airstrip, but most visitors arrive by road.

When to visit Lake Nakuru

Dry months – January to March and June to October – are ideal for spotting big game. Flamingo numbers shift depending on water levels, but there’s always birdlife. Rainy seasons bring lush greenery – and a bit more mud on the trails.

Meru National Park

Meru is wild country – raw, remote, and wonderfully overlooked. If you want to ditch the safari convoys and have lions all to yourself (almost), this is where to go. The park sprawls across eastern Kenya with thick bush, winding rivers, and wide-open plains that feel properly untamed.

This is where Elsa the lioness was released back into the wild – the real-life story behind Born Free. And while the crowds haven’t followed, the wildlife is here: elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and all the big cats. You’ll also spot lesser kudu, Grevy’s zebra, and over 400 bird species. There’s even a rhino sanctuary tucked into the western section, protected but accessible with a guide.

How to get to Meru

Fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Kinna airstrip – flights take just over an hour. Driving takes around 6–7 hours via Embu and Maua. The last stretch is rough but scenic, and you’ll pass through far less-touristy parts of the country.

When to visit Meru

Visit from June to October or December to March – the dry seasons offer better wildlife viewing and easier driving. April-May and November can be rainy and slippery, with some tracks becoming impassable. That said, the park stays lush year-round thanks to its many rivers.

Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks

Tsavo is massive – over 20,000 square miles split between Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Together, they make up Kenya’s largest protected wilderness. Expect red soil, huge skies, and elephants covered in ochre dust.

• Tsavo East is vast, dry, and raw. Its wide plains and the Galana River draw elephants, lions, hippos, and crocs. You’ll cover long distances, often without seeing another vehicle – a proper back-to-basics safari.
• Tsavo West is greener and more varied, with volcanic hills, lava fields, and the crystal-clear Mzima Springs, where you can spot hippos through an underwater viewing window. It’s also home to black rhinos and occasional views of Kilimanjaro.

What Tsavo lacks in polish, it makes up for in space and solitude. It’s easy to reach from the coast – a huge bonus if you’re looking for things to do after Kenya safari adventures. Pair it with the best beaches in Kenya, like Diani, Watamu, or Malindi, to wind down in style.

How to get to Tsavo

Drive from Nairobi or Mombasa – around 4-6 hours, depending on your gate. Airstrips like Voi and Finch Hattons serve both parks. Coming from the coast? Tsavo is your closest big safari.

When to visit Tsavo

June to October and January to February are ideal – dry, clear, and great for wildlife. The rains (March–May) can turn some roads into a challenge, especially in Tsavo East.

Aberdare National Park

Aberdare is not your classic Kenya safari. This is forest country – misty bamboo groves, alpine meadows, and waterfalls crashing through thick jungle. It’s cool, rainy, and full of surprises. If you’re after a change of pace from dusty plains, Aberdare delivers something completely different.

You’ll find elephants and buffalo here, often moving ghost-like through the forest. The undergrowth hides leopards, bushbuck, and the occasional hyena. Black rhinos roam the park’s fenced interior, and lucky visitors might spot the rare bongo – a shy, striped forest antelope. This isn’t a place for big herds and sweeping views – it’s about stealth, patience, and atmosphere.

It may not be as famous as the Mara or Amboseli, but Aberdare still earns its spot among the best national parks in Kenya, especially for travelers looking for something offbeat, moody, and memorable.

How to get to Aberdare

Drive from Nairobi – it takes around 3-4 hours via Nyeri. Roads to the main gates are paved, but inside the park, expect rough, muddy tracks. A 4WD is essential, especially in the wet season.

When to visit Aberdare

January to March and June to October offer drier trails and better visibility. The park is open year-round, but April-May rains can make roads difficult and hikes slippery.

Mount Kenya National Park

Mount Kenya isn’t just for climbers. The surrounding national park is a mix of moorland, forest, and glacier-fed valleys – raw and spectacular at every turn. You’ll move from dense bamboo groves to icy alpine meadows, with rock hyraxes, sunbirds, and mountain antelopes along the way.

Elephants and buffalo roam the lower slopes. Higher up, the terrain gets colder and harsher – and emptier. Point Lenana (4,985m) is the most accessible of the mountain’s three main peaks and doesn’t require technical climbing, just stamina and warm layers. You’ll find trekking routes to match all comfort levels, from half-day forest hikes to multi-day ascents.

It’s a total shift from the heat and dust of the savannah – and one of Kenya’s most underrated wild escapes.

How to get to Mount Kenya

Drive from Nairobi – around 3.5 hours via Nanyuki or Naro Moru. Local drivers or trekking guides can get you to the trailheads. Sirimon, Chogoria, and Naro Moru gates are the main entry points for trekkers.

When to visit Mount Kenya

January to March and July to October offer the best conditions for trekking – clear skies, firm trails, and decent views. Avoid April to June if possible – the long rains make routes slippery and visibility poor.

Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate is one of the few places in Kenya where you can ditch the vehicle and explore on two wheels or two feet. Biking past zebras and buffalo on an open plain with cliffs towering on both sides? It’s as good as it sounds – and much less crowded than the headline parks.

The real highlight is the gorge: a narrow, twisting canyon carved by water and time. Steam vents hiss from cracks in the earth, giving the whole park a prehistoric edge. Fischer’s Tower and Central Tower offer climbing routes, and the birdlife is serious – look up for lammergeiers and vultures riding thermals.

How to get to Hell’s Gate

Drive from Nairobi – around 2 to 2.5 hours via Naivasha. Bikes can be rented at the park gate. No 4WD needed in dry weather.

When to visit Hell’s Gate

January to March and July to October are the driest, safest months. The gorge often closes after heavy rain – flash floods are real here. Check conditions before heading in.