Kenya
Kenya's national parks
Which park to choose depends on how many days you have. Tsavo East is closest to Watamu, Amboseli has elephants and Kilimanjaro, the Masai Mara the migration. Here are the differences.
Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo, created in 1948, is Kenya's largest park and is split in two: Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Tsavo East is the closest to the coast — from Watamu you reach Sala Gate in about three hours.
- Distance from Watamu
- about 2.5–3 hours to Sala Gate
- Wildlife
- elephant, lion, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, leopard
- Best for
- a first safari, 1–2 days
Tsavo West National Park
Smaller and greener than Tsavo East, Tsavo West is a volcanic landscape of hills, forest and springs, with Kilimanjaro on the horizon. It's where the legend of the man-eaters of Tsavo was born.
- Distance from Watamu
- about 4–5 hours
- Don't miss
- Mzima Springs, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Shetani Lava Flow
- Best for
- 4–7 day safaris
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is the land of giants: some of Africa's oldest and biggest elephants, with Kilimanjaro, the continent's highest mountain, behind them.
- Distance from Watamu
- about 6–7 hours (usually after a night in Tsavo)
- Wildlife
- big elephants, lion, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo
- Best for
- 3–5 day safaris
Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya's most famous reserve, and perhaps its most spectacular. It borders Tanzania's Serengeti and every year, between July and October, hosts the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra.
- From Watamu
- flight from Malindi, about 2 hours
- Wildlife
- Big Five, large lion prides, cheetah, migration
- Best for
- 2–3 day fly-in or longer safaris
Lake Nakuru National Park
A small Rift Valley park, famous for the flamingos that turn the lakeshore pink and for its rhinos, both white and black.
- Where
- Rift Valley, about 150 km from Nairobi
- Wildlife
- flamingos, pelicans, rhino, buffalo, baboons
- Best for
- 6–7 day safaris