RESERVES

KENYA’S GAME RESERVES

Amboseli:-     It is the next most popular park in Kenya after the Maasai Mara, mainly because of the grand backdrop of Mt Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest mountain). It is not the largest park at 392 sq km but due to the plains the animals they have there are easy to spot i.e. buffalo, lion, gazelle, cheetah, gnu, hyenas, jackal, warthog giraffe, zebras and baboons are all present.   Elephants often gather in large herds depending on the season. A combination of drought, increased tourism and over grazing has had an effect on the area. The land has become dry, dusty and barren in places, the animals that once roamed here have moved to more lush grounds in the shrub forests and marshland.

Mount Kenya & The Aberdares:-  The Park is part of the Aberdare Mountain Range which forms the steep eastern edge of the Rift Valley.
It is north of Nairobi and ranges from 7,000 to 14,000 ft above sea level. The world famous treehouse. Treetops can be found here. The area is rich in wildlife, elephant, buffalo, giant forest hog and a varied species of antelope and rhino can be spotted whilst on a game drive.

Samburu:-   The beautiful Uaso Nyiro River runs through this park and attracts a large variety of game. Gerenuk, grevy zebra and reticulated giraffe all are found here. Leopard are regularly seen here though cheetah and lion rarely spotted.

Tsavo Nation Park:-   The largest park split in two, Tsavo East & Tsavo West. The Big 5 can be seen here Rhino, elephant, lion leopard and buffalo as well as many exotic and colourful birds.

Baringo:- A fresh water lake, up to 450 species of birds have been recorded here. A paradise for bird lovers.

Naivasha:-   A freshwater lake with up to 400 species of birds. You can take a boat across the lake. Many hippos can be spotted. Migrant birds can be spotted from November to March.

Nakuru:-   A soda lake which is home to over one million flamingos. Leopard, lion. Black and white rhino can be found here.

Maasai Mara:-   is Kenya’s most recognised park and with nearly 150,000 visitors each year is definitely the most popular. The reserve is west of Nairobi and is 1,510 sq km and borders the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The fantastic sight of the migration of wildebeest from June to October has been well documented. The animals are driven by the rains, thunder and lightening to the north as they head towards the more lush grasslands. By November they start to head back towards the Serengeti. Many animals including the big cats are permanent residents in the Mara and can be seen regularly all year round.

Lake Naivasha:-  This is a fresh water lake with up to 400 species of birds, the lake draws a large number of game to its shores, you can take a boat trip but look out for the hippos as they can be very protective of their young. Afternoon winds and storms can cause the lake to become suddenly rough and produce high waves. Many migrant birds can be spotted here between the months from November to March.

Nairobi National Park:-  can be reached easily and quickly from the city as it is only a 20 min drive away. Because of its location many visitors are guaranteed to see an abundance of game. You can expect to see leopard, lion, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, hippo, antelope, zebra, eland, crocodile and Thompson’s gazelle and many more. At the western end of the park there is an Animal Orphanage, here the staff are dedicated in caring for young animals that are injured or orphaned in the wild. They are eventually returned to their natural habitat as they become fitter, stronger and are able to fend for themselves. Visitors who wish to spend more than a day at the park will be required to find accommodation in the City as there are no lodges in the park because of its close proximity to Nairobi.

SHIMBA HILLS GAME RESERVE:-  Shimba Hills Game Reserve is set in a  beautiful rainforest setting, The rolling meadows and forests of giant primeval trees house a wide variety of wildlife, including elephant that favour the refreshing fruit of the borassus palm. There are leopard but these are very difficult to spot. The rare and impressive Sable antelope can be found here at Shimba Hills. It can be found in the same neighbourhood as large herds of buffalo. The Sable antelope can be found elsewhere in Kenya but not in such large quantities as found at Shimba. It is closely related to the Roan antelope, which it resembles, though smaller in stature. Both sexes carry the large 100-160 cm horns, which rise vertically before curving backward in a pronounced arc.

There are picnic sites on either side of the escarpment which provide entrancing views: to the east overlooking the distant turquoise of the Indian Ocean and to the west, on the right day when it has exceptional clarity Mt Kilimanjaro can be seen. Also the Taita Hills can be viewed from this point on a clear day. Shimba Hills National Reserve also has a large number of insects that create all sorts of unique sounds once the sun goes down.

Unspoiled and one of the least exploited of all Kenya’s game reserves, the combination of rolling grasslands and forest, of hill and valley and the shadowy animals and superb insect habitat make the Shimba Hills a delight for all nature lovers. Escorted walks through a true fairyland are also available on request.