National Parks and Game Reserves

MAASAI MARA NATIONAL PARK

Its name derives from the name of the Masai people (that inhabits various areas in the plains of the Serengeti) and the Mara River. The Masai Mara game reserve is a large nature reserve located in the south western part of Kenya, in the plains of the Serengeti . The reserve is known for its large concentration of wildlife and the famous migration of wild beasts and zebras that takes place in October and April. The whole area is crossed by the Great Rift Valley. In the park there are all the so-called Big Five with a particular concentration of hippos in the Mara River.

As in the Serengeti Park, the wild beests are the main inhabitants and migrate from the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara in during autumn and vice versa in the spring. There are also other numerous species like the antelope species, in particular the Thomson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle and impala. Large herds of zebra are found everywhere in the reserve.

TSAVO EAST AND WEST NATIONAL PARKS

It’s the largest animal reserve in Kenya with an extension of about 20.000 sq km. It is named after the Tsavo Rivers, which passes through it and is divided into two parts, the Tsavo East and the West which are mountainous and moist, with flood plains. Tsavo East is rather flat, with large areas of savanna along the river Galana. The two Parks are divided by road from Nairobi to Mombasa and railway. The nearest town is Voi, in Taita District. It’s formed by savannas hills, shrubs and trees, baobab forests, acacia and tamarind.

There are extinct craters, caves and lava formations. The Mzima waterfalls are a natural spectacle of great magnificence and its sources, fed by crystal clear water coming from underground courses in the area of the Chyulu hills, forming huge pools, a favorite haunt of crocodiles and hippos. Among the many species that inhabit the park there, dik-dik, baboons, buffalo, jackals, wild cats, cheetahs, leopards, lions, wild dogs, impala, ostriches, gazelles, mamba, elephants, birds, kingfishers, secretaries and herons, warthogs, hares African giraffe, spotted hyena, striped hyena, mongoose, rhinos blacks, ground squirrels, antelopes, zebras and many other species.

MERU NATIONAL PARK

Situated in central Kenya Extending 870 sq km. The Meru National Park, is wild and beautiful-a dry paradise dotted with giant baobab trees and crossed by crystal clear streams. Located in an ‘altitude of 700 meters above see level has a generally mild climate with very little moisture. Today, thanks to the careful work of the Kenya Wildlife Service, it’s the most renewed natural attraction of Kenya.

SAMBURU NATIONAL PARK

KSituated in Central with an Extension of 104 sq km.The Samburu National Reserve is one of the most interesting encounters with the wild African nature. And known for its large herds of elephants, as well as for the endemic species of the north or gerenuk like antelope giraffe, reticulated giraffe, Gravy’s zebra, the Somali ostrich. It is also the home of the cousin of the Maasai tribe.

ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK

Extends 767 square kilometers in central Kenya. Aberdare National Park is part of the mountain range, where, according to tradition Kikuyu, is one of the homes of Ngai (God). The mountain range has high peaks with deep valleys where rivers flow and spectacular waterfalls. Many are the animals that live there: elephants, buffalo, warthogs, blacks rhinoceros, lions, leopards, baboons and monkeys Sykes.

MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK

Extends for 715 sq km in central Kenya. Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa (5,199 meters) and together with the Kilimanjaro is a beloved destination for mountaineers and climbers from all over the world. The park is home to particular types of alpine vegetation in addition to many animals including rare examples of albino zebra.

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

Found in Kenya’s western province and extends for 188 sq km. Lake Nakuru National Park is a national park located 157 km from Nairobi, near the town of Nakuru in the Rift Valley. Within its perimeter is Lake Nakuru, known as a refuge for migratory birds, especially flamingos that color the lake pink. On the shores roam waterbuck, zebra and antelopes. The woodlands and forests have become habitats for both the white rhino that of the black one. The word Nakuru means “dusty” in Maasai language.

LAKE TURKANA

It is a large alkaline lake in the Rift Valley located northwest of Kenya and partly in Ethiopia. The original name is Lake Rudolph in honor of the Austrian Prince Rudolf so named by 2 Austrian explorers who discovered it for the first time. It was later renamed Turkana instead, as the population living on its shores. It ‘also called the Jade Lake for the color of its waters.

The temperatures are very high and thus cause evaporation of the water from Omo River. A Deserted place, full of charm, considered very important for the history of man as a site of fossil finds including a skull of Homo habilis hominid species of the genus Homo.

LAKE NAIVASHA

With its fresh waters, it’s located about 90 km northwest of Nairobi and is the deepest lake in the Rift Valley. The word Navaisha means “rough waters” , given from the presence of strong winds.

LAMU ISLAND

The Lamu island is the ideal place for those who want to immerse themselves in the slow pace of the past history and experience. Its ancient and magnificent houses, the narrow alleys, the delicate wood, hand-carved houses, mosques and prosperous Swahili culture have stopped the flow of time. Lamu Island is considered the Venice of Kenya for the connections to the mainland and the three smaller islands (Kiwayu, manda and Kiunga) and the series of waterways. Lamu is also equipped with a small airport connected to Nairobi and Malindi.

TANZANIAN PARKS

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Located in the north of Tanzania, its northern boundary coincides with that between Tanzania and Kenya, and divides it by the Kenyan Maasai Mara reserve. Between the two parks there are no fences, and wildlife moves freely between them; particularly well known are the massive seasonal migration of wildebeest. Serengeti in the Maasai language means “endless plain”. The park is in fact a vast expanse of yellow grass, interrupted only by the round shapes of the kopje (small hill of metamorphic rock).

NGORONGORO NATIONAL PARK

The Ngorongoro Crater is a volcanic cave located in the plains of the Serengeti. Due to the rainfall and the streams that cover the area, the whole area is inhabited by many species of animals such as zebras, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, lions, hippos and all that focus primarily in the inner part of the crater where there is a large lake . Very numerous are the flamingos.

The Maasai tribe have grazing rights in this area and therefore will not be difficult for you to meet them with their cattle during the safari.

LAKE MANYARA

The National Park consists of a long strip of land about 50 km wide and between 6 and 8 km which includes the homonymous lake and extends up to the steep western side of the Rift Valley. The lake Manyara is located in the northern part of Tanzania, about 50 km long and 16 km wide.

The park offers the opportunity of close encounters with numerous herds of elephants, colonies of baboons, wildebeest zebra, giraffes, hippos and lions, as well as many varieties of birds including the beautiful pink flamingos. Particularly well known are the lions of Manyara, which in this area in the habit of climbing trees (behavior that is observed very rarely elsewhere).