![]() ![]() Wildebeest, not usually a common sight in Amboseli, have also been spotted recently. Weather patterns, environmental issues and climate change have also changed the movement of wildlife, so you might now see flamingos in Amboseli, when before they were more commonly sighted at Lake Naivasha or Lake Nakuru. To photograph views of Kilimanjaro, aim for an early wake-up call when it’s clear and before the clouds come in. Some conservation areas such as Selenkay are Maasai-owned, and you can support the community by staying in and visiting their villages. This region is also home to Maasai people. ![]() The word “Amboseli” comes from the Maasai for “salty dust,” and you’ll often see elephants caked in this dry, white mud after a good wallow. The park is also home to big cats, buffalo, Maasai giraffe, antelopes and vervet monkeys. Amboseli doesn’t get as much rain as other parks but has a network of swamps instead – due to its mountain forest environment – which attracts a lot of birdlife. The relatively stable number of elephants is mostly thanks to the work of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, one of the most celebrated such projects in the world. In southern Kenya near Tanzania, Amboseli National Park is known for its big-tusked (tusker) elephant herds – the population is estimated at 1500 – and its views of Mt Kilimanjaro. Walking and horseback safaris, in the company of armed rangers, are an incredible way to experience the beauty of the Mara up close.Īmboseli National Park offers unrivaled views of Mt Kilimanjaro © Buena Vista Images / Getty Images 2. You’ll see why the Maasai people named it the Mara (“spotted land”) as you float over specks of shrubs, cloud shadows, and animal herds. ![]() To get a sense of the vastness of the Mara, book a hot-air balloon safari. The Mara has one of the world’s highest densities of lions, but the birdlife – 470 species, including birds of prey and migratory birds – and the wild savanna are just as alluring. The Mara is a Big Five park, home to rhinos, buffalo, elephants, leopards and lions. Conversely, some tourists report being overcharged (for crafts or a photo, for example), but this is often the consequence of years of communities seeing wealthy travelers pass through their villages on expensive tours that haven’t benefited them. If companies claim to support community projects, ask how and if you can see them. Ideally, visit a Maasai-run project, or ask your tour operator exactly where your money goes. It’s not always easy to ensure cultural tourism experiences are genuinely ethical and non-exploitative. A bush walk with a Maasai warrior is a wonderful way to appreciate the community’s connection with the land, as they point out wildlife and medicinal plants. The Maasai people own several private reserves around the Mara, which are leased to different safari companies, and these are one way to support community-powered tourism. The semi-nomadic Maasai communities are another draw, with travelers attracted to their traditional singing and dancing, warrior traditions and colorful dress. Nile crocodiles lie on the riverbanks waiting for their prey. Known locally as the Mara, the Masai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s most famous national park, not least because from July to October, it’s the route for the Great Migration, the spectacle of thousands of wildebeest, giraffes and zebra traveling from the Serengeti in southern Tanzania across the Mara River to the lush grass of Kenya. The Masai Mara is the best place to see the Great Migration in Kenya © Jane Rix / Shutterstock 1. These are the 12 best national parks in Kenya. ![]() The term originates from colonial-era hunters who deemed these to be the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot, so don’t let an obsession with seeing them all stop you from visiting national parks that don’t feature the full list – you’re sure to spot plenty of other equally fascinating creatures.įrom spectacular scenery and geothermal springs to brilliantly colored birdlife and the indigenous communities that live in and around these areas, Kenya’s national parks are about more than wildlife, and you’ll be in for a treat whatever parks you choose to visit. Many people go on safari in Kenya with a steely determination to see the Big Five (rhino, buffalo, elephants, leopards, and lions). From the unforgettable scene of thousands of wildebeest crossing the Mara River during their migration to the sight of steaming geysers at Hell’s Gate National Park, Kenya certainly has no shortage of protected parks, reserves, marine parks, and privately owned conservancies. It’s home to a whopping 23 of them, as well as four marine national parks. National parks and Kenya go hand in hand. ![]()
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