KENYA NATIONAL PARKS
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Masai Mara is located in East Africa and covers an area
of 1500 sq km approximately. Masai Mara is known as the
Jewel of Africa, a national
reserve with the largest and the most spectacular
wildlife migration in the world . It is situated on
Maasai land. With a concentration of game
superseding most national parks in Africa, Kenya, the
Masai Mara offers an 'Out of Africa' experience.
Masai Mara National
Reserve's varied topography ranges from woodland to
savannah grassland to reverine forest, and encompasses a
great
diversity of wildlife including the “Big Five” i.e.
lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino. The Masai
Mara In Kenya is a must for all first time safari
game viewers. While safari game viewing at Masai Mara
National Reserve, the tracks cover every corner of the
Mara reserve; game viewing on foot or specially on Masai
Mara balloon safari adds an exciting dimension to your
African safari. Within the boundaries of the reserve and
just outside, there are several Masai Mara safari lodges
and camps.
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Amboseli is almost as popular as the Masai Mara, and
is located on the southern side of Kenya near the
Tanzania border . From Amboseli, there are
superlative views of snow topped Mount Kilimanjaro
where you can experience the Kilimanjaro Amboseli
balloon safari. The marshlands and rich
grasses of the central area have large concentrations of
wildlife. Amboseli is a place of stark contrast. Meaning
a "place of water" in Maasai.
Amboseli is a
spectacular national park to visit in its own right. It
is not just the wildlife that attract visitors to
Amboseli In Kenya
but also the magical Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain
in Africa at 5,985m (19,340 ft). Though Kilimanjaro
seems so close from Amboseli flat open plains, its peak
is almost 60 km (37 miles), and also across the Tanzania
border making it a must destination when extending out
for a Tanzania safari into Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake
Manyara and Tarangire.
SAMBURU
NATIONAL RESERVE
Samburu lies north of Nairobi, adjoining with Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserve. The lifeline of these three reserves is the palm fringed Uaso Nyiro River that attracts vast and varied herds of game, abundant bird life to its crocodile and hippo infested waters. Samburu National Reserve has an endless pageant of wildlife with frequent nocturnal visits from the leopard family right from the door of your safari lodge or camp in Samburu.
The
higher hills at the south end of
Samburu reserve
offers lovely views of the Uaso Nyiro River. Crocodiles
at this river hibernate during the dry
seasons when the river dies up. There are quite a few
safari lodges and camps. The famous Samburu Lodge and
its crocodile bar offers the chance to get within
kissing distance of these man eaters, with only a foot
high fence keeping them from nibbling on one's toes.
These crocodiles exceed six meters (20 ft) from snout to
tail.
ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
Running south to north for 60 km through the Central Highlands area are the magnificent Aberdare mountains, nearly 800 sq km of which have been set aside as the Aberdare National Park. The volcanic heights are part of the Great Rift Valley's eastern rampart, and their lower slopes support a fine diversity of wildlife, including elephants and a number of rare animals such as the shy and lovely bongo antelope.
Wildlife is abundant at the
Aberdares. Alongside the road
are many places where elephants have dug into the soil
with their trunks in search of salt. Buffalos, baboons
and impalas are the commonly found. Leopards could be
found near the Wanderis Gate. Four species of sunbird
and over two hundred other species inhabit Aberdare
National Park. Whether you can identify each bird or
not, you will appreciate their call, color and activity
which are all diverse and unique.
LAKE NAIVASHA
Lake Naivasha is one of Kenya most beautiful small Rift
Valley Lakes to visit for your African safari. It is
surrounded by feathery papyrus, marshy
lagoons and grassy shores where distorted flocks of
graceful flamingoes and pink backed pelican settle on
the water.
From Lake Naivasha, one can take a boat to the Crescent
Island, a private game sanctuary where you can walk
around the island and view at close range, zebra,
waterbuck, giraffe and several species of antelope.
Hippos are seen and heard during your boat ride.