Three of our favourite Kenyan parks and reserves

Kenya is, with good reason, regarded as the home of the classic African safari. And the place to catch most of the game action is in the dozens of National Parks and Reserves which are dotted throughout the country. Although these regions are united in providing a habitat to the bewildering array of wildlife found in Kenya, they are also distinct and unique, all with their own special set of natural features. Here are three of the parks and reserves that are guaranteed to thrill our guests:

Elephants at Amboseli, with Mount
Kilimanjaro as a backdrop

Amboseli
This National Park is situated in Kenya’s Rift Valley Province, not far from the border with Tanzania. One of Amboseli’s most striking attributes is the sensational views it affords. Whenever you see that unmistakeably African scene of elephants on wide open plains studded with acacia trees, with Mount Kilimanjaro towering on the horizon, the image is most likely to be one captured from this park. In addition to magnificent landscapes, Amboseli also boasts plentiful wildlife. Numerous herds of elephants are among the most impressive of the park’s animals. Also to be spotted are lions, cheetahs, giraffes and an amazing four-hundred-plus species of birds.

Masai Mara
The best-known and most-visited of Kenya’s reserves, the Masai Mara offers an action-packed African safari. The Masai Mara is actually an extension of the similarly famous Serengeti ecosystem over the border in Tanzania. The reserve is packed with diverse wildlife, including representatives of each of the Big Five. In the latter half of each year, the reserve is also the setting for the world’s most spectacular migration as millions of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras flood into the reserve from the Serengeti. The Masai Mara also presents a magical opportunity to glimpse into the ancient lifestyle of the beautiful Maasai people. Despite the reserve’s huge popularity, it still offers relatively remote spots and stunning exclusive accommodation. That’s where Africa House comes in – our intimate knowledge of the the region ensures that we can show guests the very best of the Masai Mara.

David on the dusty Tsavo road

Tsavo
Divided into West Tsavo and East Tsavo, this double National Park, separated by a road and railway line, occupies a whopping 21,000 square kilometres altogether. This region offers a fascinating mix of wildlife, including rare black rhinos, bushbabies, hippos and hartebeest. Tsavo has some stirringly beautiful landscapes to enjoy, including distinctive and stark red plains and rustic scrubland filled with acacia. Some of our favourite luxury accommodation is found here, including the utterly charming Lions Bluff eco-lodge, raised on stilts to make the most of the breathtaking views.