Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Kenya jungle safari is one of the best jungle safari destinations in the world, with a beautiful landscape and wildlife area. Known for its famous wildlife reserves, Kenya is home to the ultimate safari experience, from seeing the Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard, and buffalo) up close. You can experience exciting game drives, guided walking safaris, and stays in eco-lodges located deep in the bush. There is much more to the safari experience than just seeing wild animals during Kenya’s renowned Great Migration, including stunning sunsets and the lively Maasai culture.
Top 10 Locations For Kenya Jungle Safari
With a visit to the following parks and reserves, you can experience the ultimate Kenya jungle safari experience during your trip:
1. Maasai Mara National Reserve
Photo: Nina R / Wikimedia Commons
The Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most famed wildlife reserves, is renowned for its diverse wildlife population and striking vistas. Stretching over 1,510 square kilometres of undulating grasslands, it’s a refuge for the “Big Five” and the place for the annual Great Migration. This staggering spectacle, held from July to October, involves millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles crossing the crocodile-infested Mara River. In addition to game drives, you can embark on hot air balloon safaris at sunrise to take in the sprawling savannah from above. Birdwatchers are also delighted by more than 500 species, including the African fish eagle and the lilac-breasted roller.
Location: Southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzania border
Timings: Open year-round
Best Time To Visit: July to October
2. Amboseli National Park
Photo: Sergey Pesterev / Wikimedia Commons
Amboseli National Park (392 sq km) is a must-visit site for the spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. This site is known for its large herds of elephants and its stunning views with snow-capped mountains as a backdrop. You can explore swamps, woodlands, and open plains where lions, cheetahs, giraffes, pelicans, and more than 400 species of birds, including kingfishers, live. The park’s observation hill provides panoramic vistas of the landscape, making it a perfect photography spot. Learn about their lifestyle, customs and crafts during interactions with the local Maasai people.
Location: Southern Kenya, close to the Tanzania border
Timings: Open year-round
Best Time To Visit: June to October, January to February
3. Tsavo East National Park
Photo: CT Cooper / Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 13,747 square kilometres, the largest and oldest of Kenya’s parks, Tsavo East National Park is famous for its incredible scenery and many varieties of wildlife. Wildlife also includes lions, giraffes, leopards, buffaloes, zebras and more than 500 bird species, such as ostriches and hornbills. The park is also home to the Yatta Plateau, one of the longest lava flows in the world. You can see Lugard Falls, where water tumbles through jagged rock. The best way to see the park and experience the Kenya jungle safari is through game drives and seeing wildlife in their natural habitat.
Location: Southeastern Kenya, near Voi town
Timings: Open daily, 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Best Time To Visit: June to October, January to February
4. Tsavo West National Park
Photo: CT Cooper / Wikimedia Commons
Covering 9,065 square kilometres, Tsavo West National Park features dramatic scenery with volcanic hills and verdant vegetation. Mzima Springs is one of the highlights of the park, a series of clear pools fed by underground rivers from the Chyulu Hills. Hippos, crocodiles and many species of fish inhabit these springs. Tsavo West also boasts diverse types of wildlife, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and the endangered black rhino. Another highlight of the park is its Shetani Lava Flows, where rugged black lava fields were created by ancient volcanic eruptions. Over 600 bird species have been recorded in the area, making game drives, guided bush walks and birdwatching popular activities.
Location: Southeastern Kenya, bordering Tsavo East National Park
Timings: Open daily, 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Best Time To Visit: June to October
5. Lake Nakuru National Park
Photo: Antony Trivet / Wikimedia Commons
Lake Nakuru National Park is a birdwatcher paradise, and it is best known for its thousands of pink flamingos that line up along the shores of its alkaline lake. Also a rhino sanctuary, home to both black and white rhinos, the park covers 188 square kilometres and boasts a strict conservation focus. Other wildlife includes lions, leopards, Rothschild giraffes, zebras and waterbucks, all flourishing in the park’s diverse habitats of grasslands, forests and rocky escarpments. The Baboon Cliff has stunning views of the lake landscape and Makalia Falls is yet another highlight. Game drives, photography, and nature walks around the lake can be enjoyed by visitors.
Location: Central Kenya, near Nakuru town
Timings: Open daily, 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Best Time To Visit: June to March
6. Samburu National Reserve
Photo: Daniel Fafard / Wikimedia Commons
Samburu National Reserve, an attractive park positioned along the Ewaso Ng’iro River, provides a dramatic and rugged landscape that is teeming with wildlife. The reserve covers 165 square kilometres and is known for its “Samburu Special Five,” which are Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Beisa oryx. Lions, cheetahs, and leopards are also often seen here, particularly along the river. The park’s semi-arid climate sustains a distinctive ecosystem that draws a range of birds and animals to the area year-round. Game drives are the main activity, but visitors can also get a taste of Samburu culture on guided tours of local villages.
Location: Northern Kenya, near Isiolo town
Timings: Open year-round
Best Time To Visit: June to October, December to March
7. Aberdare National Park
Photo: Yumiko254 / Wikimedia Commons
Aberdare National Park is a high-altitude, lush park in the Aberdare mountain range with a unique combination of dense forests, waterfalls, and moorlands. Covering 767 square kilometres, it is a refuge for rare species such as the bongo antelope and black leopard. Scenic attractions include Karuru Falls, which drops 273 meters, and Gura Falls, one of the tallest in Kenya. Game drives showcase the park’s wildlife, and fishing in the mountain streams provides an added measure of tranquillity. Lodges such as the Ark and the Treetops have raised platforms facing waterholes where people can watch some beasts at night.
Location: Central Kenya, near Nyeri town
Timings: Open daily, 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Best Time To Visit: June to October
8. Mount Kenya National Park
Photo: Galkey / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Mount Kenya National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The park, at 715 square kilometres, is centred on Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest mountain, with its serrated peaks of Batian, Nelion and Lenana. The park encompasses a variety of activities, from hiking forest trails to multi-day treks up to the summits. Its diverse landscapes have glaciers, alpine meadows and bamboo forests that are home to one-of-a-kind wildlife. Camping, photography and guided treks are great activities in the area with different routes, including Sirimon and Naro Moru. Scenic sights include the blue-hued Lake Ellis and Mackinder’s Valley.
Location: Central Kenya, near Nanyuki town
Timings: Open year-round
Best Time To Visit: January to February, June to September
9. Meru National Park
Photo: Nina R / Wikimedia Commons
Untamed wilderness is found in Meru National Park, which is one of the hidden gems for Kenya jungle safari. It covers an area of 870 square kilometres and includes densely populated riverine forests, open grasslands, and rivers, making it a city of varied habitats. You can spot animals, including lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, and a conservationist-operated rhino sanctuary. Birdwatchers can see more than 400, including kingfishers, sunbirds, and African fish eagles. You can go on game drives, bird-watch and fish along the Tana River. The area’s remoteness guarantees a quiet experience, far from the packed tourist trap.
Location: Eastern Kenya, near Meru town
Timings: Open year-round
Best Time To Visit: June to October, December to March
10. Hell’s Gate National Park
Photo: Alexandra Cadet / Wikimedia Commons
Hell’s Gate National Park is a unique place with dramatic scenery of towering cliffs, deep gorges, geothermal springs and volcanic formations. Spanning 68 square kilometres, it is one of the few parks where you can walk, cycle or climb the ridges alongside zebras, giraffes, gazelles and baboons. Highlights include the Olkaria Geothermal Spa, where travellers can soak in naturally heated pools, and Fischer’s Tower, a rock climber’s mecca. The park also served as the inspiration for the landscapes of Disney’s The Lion King. Adventurers can trek through the Njorowa Gorge to visit its hot springs and caves.
Location: Near Naivasha, 90 km northwest of Nairobi
Timings: Open daily, 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Best Time To Visit: June to February, November to April
With its diverse landscapes and varied wildlife, the Kenya jungle safari is a major attraction for many visitors to Kenya. From the great migration in the Maasai Mara to the beauty of Lake Nakuru, each location is tailored to adventurous nature lovers and photographers. Game drives, birdwatching, hiking, and cultural engagements are some of the activities that guarantee unforgettable new memories for every traveller in Kenya. Support conservation efforts in local areas and plan to connect with nature in its purest state with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Rachel Claire / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
