Wildlife in Kenya : Kenya is a world–renowned wildlife destination in the world supporting an extraordinary range of wildlife, the country hosts a number of national parks and reserves were wildlife are protected and found. There is a long list of national parks and National reserves in Kenya and these include
- Masai Mara National Reserve
- Amboseli National Park
- Tsavo East and West National Park
- Samburu-Buffalo Springs National Reserve
- Meru National Park
- Laikipia and its conservancies
Some of the popular wildlife in Kenya include the Big Five “lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos”, hippos, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras and much more.
While Wildlife/ animal populations in Kenya are high, the large areas and migratory patterns of wildlife means certain times of the year are better than others.
Many parks, reserve and conservancies in Kenya focus on specific species through their conservation efforts, so expect to find certain species in different protected areas.
Note: Kenya is a never disappointing destination as it full each and every tourist’s interest.
LIONS
Where are the best places to see lions in Kenya?
Kenya hosts a huge population of lions which can be spotted in several national parks and reserves, one of the best places to see lions in Kenya is Mara Naboisho Conservancy hosting around 100 lions which makes it one of the most densely populated areas for lions in world.
The largest pride of lions in Greater Mara Region are here.
Meru National Park and Loisaba Conservancy are also great spots for lions, Loisaba conservancy has three lion prides and the prides at Meru are some of the largest in the country.
Other places to see lions in Kenya.
Lions in Kenya are also found in Nairobi national park, Amboseli national Park, the Masai Mara national reserve and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
LEOPARDS
Where are the best places to see leopards in Kenya?
Leopards are the most elusive members of the Big Five and the best places to find them in Kenya are Nairobi national park and Amboseli national park.
Other places to see leopards in Kenya include Maasai Mara, Loisaba Conservancy, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Meru National Park also have leopard populations, but chances of sightings are lower.
Loisaba conservancy hosts all the cats that are lions, leopards and cheetahs.
ELEPHANTS
Where are the best places to see elephants in Kenya?
Elephants are one of the famous wildlife species and easiest animals to see in Kenya, they are also certainly the easiest of the Big Five.
The best places to find elephants in Kenya are Amboseli national park, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant and Rhino Sanctuary. Amboseli national park hosts the largest herds of elephants in Kenya and certainly East Africa, in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a home to 400 migratory elephants that can be viewed from the Elephant Underpass.
Other places to see elephants in Kenya are Maasai Mara national reserve, Loisaba Conservancy and Meru national park. All these areas have good elephant populations.
Rhinos
Rhinos are one of the most endangered species on the globe, in Kenya there is some extraordinary conservation work going on to protect these species.
What are the best places to see rhinos in Kenya?
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is the best place to see rhinos in Kenya, the conservancy is a home to the las two remaining northern white rhinos in the world which are both females. The conservancy is also recognized for being a home to highest population of black rhinos and a good population of southern white rhinos.
Nairobi National park is another great spot for rhinos in Kenya, the park is a home to 50 critically endangered black rhinos which is the densest population in the world.
The Meru Rhino Sanctuary in Meru National Park- hosts a good rhino population.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy has done incredible work to protect and grow the black rhino population in Kenya, the conservancy has a total of 170 black rhinos.
Buffalo
Where are the best places to see buffaloes in Kenya?
Buffaloes can be found at Lake Nakuru along with rhinos, also they are the only member of the Big Five found in Hell’s Gate National park.
Buffaloes can also be found in the Loisaba Conservancy where they traverse the savannah in large migratory corridors
Other places to see buffaloes in Kenya include Maasai Mara national reserve, Meru National Park, Nairobi National Park and Amboseli National Park.
Other notable Wildlife in Kenya?
Giraffes
Where are the best places to see giraffes in Kenya?
Kenya is one of the best places to see giraffes in the world and one of the best places to see giraffes in Kenya is The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Giraffe Centre, the center is a home to the famous Giraffe Manor and has done amazing work to preserve and repopulate the Rothschild giraffe species in Kenya.
Another great place to see giraffes is Lake Naivasha.
Other places to see giraffes in Kenya include Masai Mara national reserve, Hell’s Gate National Park and Mara Naboisho Conservancy. All of these areas host good giraffe populations.
Hippos
Where are the best places to see hippos in Kenya?
Nairobi national park has amazing hippo pools which means the hippos are easily spotted on Kenya safari walks or game drives, Lake Naivasha is the best place in Kenya to see hippos as it is a home to about 1,500 hippos. Sightings of these hippos at Lake Naivasha are guaranteed.
Other places to see hippos in Kenya include Meru National park and Masai Mara national reserve.
Zebras
Where are the best places to see zebras in Kenya?
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is the best place in Kenya to see zebras, Lewa is a home to 12% of the entire Grevy’s zebra species ad 90% of the species population live in northern Kenya. Lewa Conservancy has been crucial to the protection of the Grevy’s Zebras.
Other places to see zebras in Kenya include Amboseli National Park, Nairobi National Park, Hell’s Gate National Park, the Maasai Mara and Meru National Park. Zebras are often spotted cautiously approaching the waterways at Lake Naivasha and Lake Bogoria.
