North & Wildlife Parks

Besides the Masai Mara, Kenya has a handful of other world-class national parks, each offering its own character and special animal species. Together they cover an enormous range of ecosystems — from the dry semi-desert of Samburu to the vast lava fields of Tsavo.

The big advantage: These parks are significantly less visited than the Masai Mara, yet often offer equally impressive wildlife experiences. Anyone planning a week of safari should combine at least one of these parks with the Mara.

Amboseli National Park offers Africa's most iconic postcard image: huge elephant herds moving through the savannah against the snow-capped backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m, Africa's highest mountain, located in Tanzania). This image is world-famous — and in Amboseli, you experience it in reality.

Why Amboseli is Special

• Elephants: Amboseli has one of the best-researched elephant populations in the world (since 1972, Amboseli Elephant Research Project). Over 1,600 elephants in more than 60 families — many known by name. The animals come extremely close to vehicles
• Kilimanjaro Panorama: On clear mornings (before 10 am, before clouds cover the peak), the view of the snow-capped Kilimanjaro behind the elephants is surreal
• Swamps: The swamps fed by Kilimanjaro (Enkongo Narok, Ol Tukai) are green year-round and attract hippos, buffalo, and large flocks of birds
• Birdlife: Over 400 species, especially pelicans, flamingos, and birds of prey

Getting There & Staying

Amboseli is located 240 km southeast of Nairobi (4–5 hours drive) or 45 minutes by bush flight. The park is compact (392 km²) — 2 nights are enough for a good experience, 3 are ideal.

Accommodations

• Luxury: Tortilis Camp (magnificent Kilimanjaro view), Elewana Amboseli
• Mid-range: Amboseli Serena Lodge, Ol Tukai Lodge, Kibo Safari Camp
• Budget: Amboseli Sopa Lodge, Public Campsites

Tsavo East and Tsavo West together form Kenya's largest protected area — with a total of 22,000 km², they are larger than the German state of Hesse. Divided by the Nairobi–Mombasa railway line and the road, both parks have their own character.

Tsavo East — Vast Red Plains

The larger and flatter of the two parks is known for its red-earth-covered elephants — the animals wallow in the red laterite dust and look as if they are sculpted from red clay. The vast, dry savannah landscape offers good visibility.

• Galana River: The park's lifeline, its banks are frequented by hippos, crocodiles, and elephant herds
• Lugard Falls: Not waterfalls in the classic sense, but spectacular rapids squeezing through red rock formations
• Mudanda Rock: A 1.6 km long rock ridge under which natural water pools form — an elephant hotspot in the dry season
• Maneater Story: In 1898, two lions killed over 130 railway workers during the construction of the bridge over the Tsavo River — the most notorious man-eaters in history (film: "The Ghost and the Darkness")

Tsavo West — Volcanic Landscape

Hillier, greener, and more varied in landscape:

• Mzima Springs: Crystal-clear underwater springs where you can see hippos and crocodiles underwater through an observation window
• Shetani Lava: Only 200-year-old black lava fields — surreal and moon-like
• Chaimu Crater: Climbable volcanic crater with panoramic views
• Big Five: All five are present here, though harder to spot in the dense bush than in the Mara

Location: Between Nairobi and Mombasa — perfect as a stopover on the drive or at the start/end of a safari-beach holiday combination. The SGR train runs directly through the park!

Samburu National Reserve is Kenya's best-kept safari secret — a dry, dramatic reserve in the north, fundamentally different from the green savannahs of the Mara. It is hotter, drier, and wilder — the landscape of red sand, doum palms, and the life-saving Ewaso Nyiro River has its own irresistible charm.

The "Special Five" of Samburu

Samburu is famous for five animal species that you won't easily find anywhere else in Kenya:

1. Grevy's Zebra: Larger and more beautiful than the common plains zebra, with narrow, elegant stripes. Endangered — fewer than 3,000 animals worldwide
2. Reticulated Giraffe: The most beautiful of all giraffe subspecies, with clearly defined chestnut patches on a cream background
3. Gerenuk (Giraffe Gazelle): Stands on its hind legs to feed on tall bushes — a fascinating, unique animal
4. Beisa Oryx: Large antelope species with long, straight horns and a distinctive facial mask
5. Somali Ostrich: Blue neck instead of pink — the northern variant of the African ostrich

Other Highlights

• Leopards: Samburu has one of the highest leopard densities in Africa — especially by the river, in the doum palms
• Elephants: The Samburu elephants became famous through the "Save the Elephants" organization — many wear GPS collars for research
• Samburu People: Relatives of the Masai, but with their own culture — known for their colorful bead necklaces and warrior tradition. Cultural visits possible

Getting There & Staying

Samburu is located 350 km north of Nairobi (5–6 hours drive) or 1 hour by bush flight. Adjacent: Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserve — together they form a large protected area network. Recommendation: 2–3 nights.

Lake Turkana (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is Kenya's most remote and adventurous destination — a vast alkaline lake in the semi-desert of the north, called the "Jade Sea" due to its incredible turquoise-jade green color. It is the largest desert lake in the world and the largest alkaline lake overall (6,405 km²).

Why the Arduous Journey is Worth It

• Cradle of Humankind: Some of the world's oldest hominid fossils have been found on the eastern shore of the lake — including the Turkana Boy (1.5 million years), one of the most complete early human skeletons. Koobi Fora is the most famous excavation site
• Central Island: An active volcano in the middle of the lake with three crater lakes — one of the largest Nile crocodile breeding sites worldwide
• South Island: Mystical volcanic island avoided by local El-Molo fishermen — UNESCO World Heritage Site
• El-Molo People: Kenya's smallest ethnic group (fewer than 1,000 people) lives on the southeast shore and has fished in the lake for centuries
• Sibiloi National Park: On the eastern shore, home to the Koobi Fora excavations and surprisingly diverse wildlife (zebras, oryx, gerenuks)

Getting There

Lake Turkana is not for short-term travelers: The journey by 4x4 from Nairobi takes 2–3 days over sometimes extreme tracks. Alternatively, fly to Loyangalani (charter flight). The route via the Suguta Valley and South Horr is breathtakingly scenic but strenuous.

On the shore, there are simple camps and the legendary Oasis Lodge in Loyangalani — an oasis of civilization at the edge of the desert.