Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, amuses the world with its wilderness, natural beauty, and mystical beauty. Kenya’s 8% of the land is wildlife-protected wildlife conservatory areas. For an exciting safari or wildlife observation, Your perfect destination is Kenya. Kenya has over 50 game reserves and safari parks, making it a great area to find amazing wildlife. Hemingway’s Green Hills of Africa, home to all the Big Five animals except elephants, overlooks the city. Volcanoes covered in forest, lakes teeming with flamingos, and shady canyons alive with baboons are only a few hours distant. Nairobi is East Africa’s safari capital, which should be no surprise. Read more about the top 10 safari parks and game reserves in Nairobi.
Here are the best 10 top game reserves near Nairobi, especially made for you!!
If there were one more thing I could do, it would be to go on safari once again
Quote by Karen Blixen
10 Best Safari Parks and Game Reserves Near Nairobi
Nairobi National Park
Distance from Nairobi – 25 min or 13.8 km
Cost – 400 Kenya shillings in the low season; visit the OFFICIAL WEBSITE before confirming the rates.
Nairobi National Park is a little-known treasure in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. This breathtaking national park is a beautiful haven for nature lovers, providing tourists with a singular and unforgettable experience. Nairobi National Park is conveniently accessible by taxi or public transit because it is a part of the busy metropolis of Nairobi. Once you get there, it will become clear why this park is a well-liked tourist destination. The best time to visit Nairobi national park is from March to May. Going on a safari with an experienced guide is one of the most significant ways to enjoy Nairobi National Park. You’ll get the incredible chance to observe wildlife in its natural setting, learn about its habits, and discover conservation initiatives. Numerous hotels in the city center and near the airport are easily accessible; alternatively, for a more authentic bush experience, consider the Nairobi Tented Camp, the only camp located inside the park. This is the best safari park in Nairobi. You can participate in activities such as Game drives, a boardwalk safari, and a wildlife sanctuary. If a full-fledged safari isn’t your thing, you may still walk through the park on one of the numerous designated routes. You might run into elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, and many other animals along the way. Make sure to keep your distance and take decent distant pictures. Bird viewing is also excellent at Nairobi National Park. You can sign up for a guided bird-watching trip to learn more about the distinctive ecosystem and varied population of birds in the park.
READ MORE ABOUT GAME RESERVES IN GARDEN ROUTE .
Hell’s Gate National Park
Distance from Nairobi – 2 hr 35 min or 124.2 km
Cost – Kenyan Residents pay 300 Ksh in high season; visit the OFFICIAL WEBSITE before confirming the rates
You can take a remarkable overnight adventure from Nairobi to Hells Gate National Park. Hell’s Gate National Park provides a variety of experiences and activities for tourists because of its varied and distinctive scenery. The richness of wildlife at Hell’s Gate National Park is one of its key draws. The park has many species, including lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and zebras. Hell’s gate national park is the most popular game reserve in Kenya. The best time to visit Hell’s gate national park is from November to May. You could even be fortunate enough to spot the elusive black rhinoceros. The park is a haven for wildlife photographers and lovers since it is also home to a large diversity of birds and reptiles. Accommodations are plentiful and of high quality along the shores of nearby Lake Naivasha, including the colonial-era Elsamere Lodge, the former residence of novelist, artist, and naturalist Joy Adamson. You can engage in activities like Cycling, trekking, rock climbing, boat safaris on Lake Naivasha, and excellent bird viewing.
READ MORE ABOUT SAFARI ANIMALS IN AFRICA HERE.
Mount Longonot National Park
Distance from Nairobi – 1 hr 54 min or 73.6 km
Cost – Ksh 300 for Adults
Mount Longonot National Park is an excellent game reserve a few kilometers outside of Nairobi, Kenya, and an ideal vacation spot. Mount Longonot, a volcanic peak that rises to over 10,500 feet, is home to many plants, animals, and ecosystems, making it a singular and enthralling destination. More than 30 different kinds of animals may be found on Mount Longonot, including the uncommon Abbott’s duiker, which is only found in a few restricted locations within the nation. The Black Maned Lion, a rare and exciting sight for tourists, also has a popular home in the park. These lions may be recognized by their dense, dark manes, which range in color from black to brown. These volcanoes can all be seen, but the enormous Mt. Longonot is 2,776 meters (9,107 feet) tall. This extinct volcano is now a little frequented national park that is the ideal ‘away from it all’ getaway from Nairobi. This park does not provide a traditional safari experience. Instead, hiking is the main focus of Longonot. The best time to visit is November to May. Mount Longonot National Park provides tourists with various outdoor activities and experiences and its abundant wildlife population. Hiking the volcano, which offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the surroundings, is one of the most well-liked pastimes. A guided park tour is another option that will allow you to discover more about the local fauna and vegetation. Photographers who like the outdoors will find Mount Longonot National Park a rare opportunity to capture beautiful natural scenes. You may be sure to shoot pictures that will leave you speechless because of the area’s distinctive biodiversity, breathtaking scenery, and changing light throughout the day. At the park’s entrance, there is a simple campsite. There are also many options for accommodation nearby Lake Naivasha.
READ MORE ABOUT WHAT TO PACK ON A SAFARI HERE
Lake Nakuru National Park
Distance from Nairobi – 3 hr 31 min or 166.0 km
Cost – For Kenyan adult citizens, 860 Kshs; visit the OFFICIAL WEBSITE before confirming the rates
In Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, there lies a magnificent wildlife refuge called Lake Nakuru National Park. The park is home to various animals, including the well-known white rhino, giraffe, and elephant. Over 400 species of birds may be seen at the lake, including the vibrant flamingos that call it home. It is one of the most popular places in East Africa for birdwatchers. The park also provides a variety of visitor activities, including cultural excursions, nature hikes, and game drives. You can also go to the adjacent Massai Mara National Reserve, well-known for hosting the yearly Great Migration of over a million wildebeest and zebra. The best time to visit Lake Nakuru National Park’s rainy seasons run from April to June and from October to December; the short dry seasons run from July to September and January to March. When visiting the park, most visitors base themselves in Nakuru City, which offers lodging options for every price range. If you’d rather stay inside the park, various upscale and pricey options exist. All safaris within the park are performed in vehicles. The Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site and the Menengai Crater, a volcanic crater that may be scaled, are two other intriguing sites near Nakuru. Lake Nakuru national park became an exclusive game reserve with flamingos.
READ MORE ABOUT NATURE RESERVES IN CAPE TOWN HERE
For as long as I can remember, I have been passionately intrigued by ‘Africa,’ by the word itself, by its flora and fauna, its topographical diversity and grandeur; but above all else, by the sheer variety of the colors of its people, from tan and sepia to jet and ebony.”
By Henry Louis Gates
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Distance from Nairobi – 4 hr 33 min or 259.5 km
Cost – Kenya residents’ day trippers entrance fees is Ksh. 8,074 visit the OFFICIAL WEBSITE before confirming the rates
A spectacular example of sustainable conservation is the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, situated in the western foothills of Mount Kenya National Park. The Lewa wildlife conservancy is an iconic private reserve in Kenya. The region’s geography, consisting of thick woods, meadows, and marshes, provides a home for various creatures. Visitors to Lewa may go on a game drive around the reserve to see the stunning scenery and the numerous animals. Various species, including giraffes, zebras, rhinos, cheetahs, and elephants, call the 60,000-acre reserve home. Other activities include hiking, bird viewing, photography, and visiting local towns to learn about their cultures. The best time to visit Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is the dry season which starts from June to September. Lewa is home to some of Africa’s top wildlife guides, gorgeous safari lodges, and a sense of complete seclusion. The best part is that Lewa pioneered African community conservation programs. You can be confident that every dollar you spend will support forward-thinking conservation practices and local development. Within Lewa are nine luxurious campgrounds and lodges, all costing money. The primary activity is jeep safaris, but it is also feasible to go on some exhilarating forest hikes where encounters with huge species are frequent.
READ MORE ABOUT BEST GAME RESERVES NEAR PORT ELIZABETH HERE.
Amboseli National Park
Distance from Nairobi – 3 hr 31 min or 203.5 km
Cost – In low season for Kenyan citizens, 600 Kshs visit the OFFICIAL WEBSITE before confirming the rates.
Amboseli National Park is about 240 kilometers or 150 miles (four hours) southeast of Nairobi. It is widely renowned for its herds of large tusked elephants. Kenya’s Amboseli National Park is situated close to the Tanzanian border. The famed Mount Kilimanjaro rises just behind the Park, and the area is renowned for its beautiful beauty and abundant animals. Numerous endangered animals call it home, like the African elephant and buffalo. The best time to visit Amboseli National Park is June to October and January to February. This is one of the premier private game reserves in Kenya. The Park is renowned for its breathtaking vistas of Mount Kilimanjaro, covered in snow all year round. Visitors may embark on guided woodland hikes, have picnics, and tour authentic Masai communities. For those who enjoy the outdoors, Amboseli is a fantastic location for bird viewing. The Park is home to more than 400 kinds of birds, many of which are uncommon or endangered. Camping, game viewing, and bird watching are everyday activities in the Amboseli. The ideal lodging option while visiting the Park is Amboseli Serena Lodge. The Chui Cottages and Oltukai Lodge, among others, are wonderful lodges, campgrounds, and cottages.
READ MORE ABOUT GAME RESERVES NEAR CAPE TOWN HERE.
Masai Mara Game Reserve
Distance from Nairobi – 4 hrs or 270km
Cost – For non-resident adults, it is $80 USD; visit the OFFICIAL WEBSITE before confirming the rates.
Masai Mara National Reserve is a wide, picturesque region of gently sloping African savannah grasslands, stretching 1510 square kilometers across southwestern Kenya and adjoining Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to the south. The Great Migration and its opulent tented camps make this national Park noteworthy. It has a distinctive biodiversity, primarily made up of open grasslands, and it offers one of the greatest wildlife safari experiences. The best time to visit Masai Mara Reserve is from June to October. Nowhere else in Africa is there a greater diversity of species than the Mara, which draws tourists for the yearly wildebeest migration. Things to do at masai mara game reserve are Game Drives, Hot Air Balloon Safaris, Maasai Village Visits, Walking Safaris & Nature Hikes, and Horseback Safaris. The accommodation options available from Masai mara game reserve are Luxury Camps, Mid Range, Camps Budget, Camps Safari, and Lodges Private Houses.
CLICK HERE TO GET A PERSONALIZED ITINERARY FOR MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE.
READ MORE ABOUT PRIVATE GAME RESERVES IN SOUTH AFRICA HERE.
Ol Pejeta Wildlife Sanctuary
Distance from Nairobi – 4 hr 12 min or 220.2 km
Cost – Cost for adult citizens KSH 1,400
Ol Pejea wildlife sanctuary was established in 1988 in the Laikipia district in Central Kenya. Initially, the sanctuary was a cattle farm, and it developed into a wildlife sanctuary to protect endangered species. This is one of the little-visited national parks in the premise of Nairobi and is less spoiled. In addition to the conservation works, Ol Pejeta runs a community development program that supports local communities with education, water provisions, and infrastructure funding. You could see lions roaming the plains, giraffes and elephants nibbling on whistling thorn trees, cheetahs scouting for food, or perhaps the rare wild dog and leopard across the 36,400-hectare reserve. It’s one of East Africa’s biggest reserves for black rhinos. The best time to visit Ol Pejeta Wildlife Sanctuary is June to October. The activities you can do in Ol Pejeta Wildlife Sanctuary are Game Drives, Walking safari, Visiting the chimpanzee sanctuary, Endangered species enclosure, Lion tracking, and Hippo hides. The accommodation options available are Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, Sweetwaters Serena Camp, Ol Pejeta House, and Kicheche Laikipia Camp.
CLICK HERE TO GET A PERSONALIZED ITINERARY OF OL PEJEA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Tsavo East National Park
Distance from Nairobi – 7 hr 38 min or 422.4 km
Cost – 52 USD for adults
One of the most impressive sights in Africa is the sight of a dust-red elephant rolling, wallowing, and splashing one other in the midnight blue waters of the palm-fringed Galana River. This creates a unique journey in the Tsavo East, coupled with the 300-kilometer-long Yatta Plateau, the largest lava flow in the world. The park is the most extensive protected area in Kenya. It is home to many large animals, including enormous herds of red elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions, leopards, pods of hippopotamuses, crocodiles, waterbucks, lesser kudus, and gerenuks. The park also supports a thriving bird population with 500 known species. The best time to visit Tsavo East National Park is from May to October. You can do bird watching, nature walks, hiking, camping, game viewing, and trekking in Tsavo east national park. Tsavo East National Park, on the other hand, is distinguished by semi-arid grasslands and savannahs where animals may be viewed. Visitors to this national park are curious to view a variety of sights as they tour the area, including the lions. The nearby accommodation options are Galdessa Camp, Satao Camp, and Ngutuni Lodge.
CLICK HERE TO GET A PERSONALIZED ITINERARY FOR TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK
Samburu Game Reserve
Distance from Nairobi – 6 hr 14 min or 318.7 km
Cost – For non- residents adults, US$ 80 -120.
Northern Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve is a large wilderness region that gives tourists a rare chance to see Africa’s wildness. With its undulating hills, rocky outcrops, valleys, and rivers that flow through them, the reserve is renowned for its diverse topography. Numerous species of animals, notably the rare black rhino and the imperiled elephant call this terrain home. In fact, tourists may expect to encounter giraffes, buffalo, and lions in the reserve, which is regarded as one of the most incredible spots in Africa to watch elephants. The best time to visit Samburu Game Reserve is July to October. Many of the Samburu “Big Five” animals, which are the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx, may be found in the reserve. The main attractions of Samburu Game Reserve are Game Drives, Hot Air Balloon Safaris, Maasai Village Visits, Walking Safaris & Nature Hikes, Horseback Safaris, and Bush Meals & Sundowners. The nearby accommodation options for the Samburu game reserve are Sasaab Camp, Fly Camp, Saruni Rhino, and Saruni Samburu.
READ MORE ABOUT GAME RESERVES NEAR JOHANNESBURG HERE.
FAQS About Safari Parks and Game Reserves near Nairobi
1. What is the best time to visit Kenya for a safari?
Like all other places, the safari in Kenya is also weather dependent. The seasons vary from high to low based on animals’ behavior, migration patterns, water availability, etc. Our parks and reserves provide year-round attractions and activities to fit your interests and schedule times. The optimum times to visit our parks for animal watching and other activities are from July to December or December to March, respectively, which typically correlate to local climate conditions.
2. Name some animals you can see in Game reserves near Nairobi?
Visitors may witness a wide range of animals when visiting Kenya’s game reserves, home to an astounding array of wildlife. One of the most fantastic places to see these magnificent animals in the wild is Kenya. Many of Kenya’s game reserves, notably Masai Mara National Reserve, include them. Another well-known animal in Kenya is the tall, lean giraffe. Like the Masai Mara National Reserve, giraffes are frequently spotted in Kenya’s vast savannahs. Some of the most majestic lions in the world may be seen in Kenya. Many of Kenya’s game reserves, notably Masai Mara National Reserve, are home to them, and you may frequently observe them pursuing their prey there.
3. Which are the airlines that have service to Kenya?
Many international carriers, such as Kenya Airways, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, and Swissair, frequently fly into Europe from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Airlines like American Airlines and Delta provide connections through Europe from North America. Other carriers include Air India, Turkish, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, Qatar, Egypt Air, and South African Airways. Use our straightforward online flight search tool to locate current availability and rates.
4. Is the safari guide and lodge staff adequately trained to deal with emergencies?
The driver guides, and most camp/lodge employees are trained in first aid methods in the unlikely case of illness or injury. We advise that you get a policy with an added benefit for emergency medical evacuation if you need medical travel insurance. An airplane can be sent to a resort or a camp in case of a medical emergency. If you need medical care while traveling, there are high-quality medical facilities in the bigger towns and cities.