See the Great Migration in Masai Mara

Masai Mara is probably the most famous and most visited national park in Kenya. The Great Migration happens every year, when mostly wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River, where huge nile crocodiles are waiting to catch prey. Apart from the migration, there is besides the Serengeti (which is neighboring Masai Mara on the Tanzanian side) the biggest chance to see big cats throughout the world. It is not uncommon to see lions, cheetahs, and a leopard on the same day, although this is obviously not guaranteed. 

The diversity in this national park is just insane. Only rhinos are very difficult to see, but for the rest, most classic safari animals are present. Unfortunately, the park also hosts many tourists, and cars can be lined up, but you can drive away from it. You can visit a traditional Masai village as well.

Price: 200$ (but you need a car and recommended a driver, which makes the cost way higher)

Tourist occurrence: Very high

How to get here: Masai Mara is 5 hours by car from Nairobi. 

How much time needed: 3-4 days

Have a different experience in Naboisho Conservancy

Naboisho Conservancy is a conservancy close to Masai Mara. There are no fences between these parks and conservancies, so the wildlife is similar. Accommodation options in Naboisho are pricier than in Masai Mara, but it is a more  private experience as it is way less crowded and only 4 cars are allowed at one place. The number of lions is impressive, as it is with many other animals. There are many topis, wildebeests, hyenas, and buffaloes. There are a bit fewer elephants and leopards than in Masai Mara. 

There are also options to volunteer with big cats in Naboisho with African Impact. This way, you can be in here for at least two weeks in a relatively cheap way and even help nature. 

Price: 80$ per day (but you need a car and recommended a driver, which makes the cost way higher)

Tourist occurrence: Low

How to get here: 1 hour drive from Masai Mara and 4 hours from Nairobi

How much time needed: 2 days - 2 weeks (when you go volunteering).

See the Kilimanjaro from Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is also one of the most famous national parks, with very swampy ecosystems. The swamps attract many elephants, buffaloes, and hippos, which are found very easily. Zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, hyenas, and many antilopes are also easily found. For big cats, there are good chances to find lions and cheetahs, but finding leopards is very difficult. Another highlight is that, especially in the morning, you can see the mighty Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. When giraffes or elephants walk in the same direction as the mountain, it gives the best photo opportunities.

Price: 40$ per day (but you need a car and recommended a driver, which makes the cost way higher)

Tourist occurrence: High

How to get here: 4 hour drive from Nairobi.

How much time needed: 2 - 3 days

Find red elephants in Tsavo East

Tsavo East is an accessible park, close to the coast, and good in combination with the beach. The national park has beautiful red sand that elephants throw over themselves, and that makes them red giants. For the rest, you can see wildlife that is more adapted to drier environments, such as oryx, kudu, and gerenuk. Herbivores are pretty easily spotted, but big cats are more difficult, although lions have a good chance of being spotted.

Price: 52$ per day (but you need a car and recommended a driver, which makes the cost way higher)

Tourist occurrence: High

How to get here: 5 hour drive from Nairobi and 3.5 hour from Mombasa.

How much time needed: 2 - 3 days

Understand more about Kenya at the National Museum of Kenya

The National Museum of Kenya is an informative museum about culture and nature. There are rooms that explain the beginning of Homo sapiens, and they show many animals, including every bird species that occurs in Kenya. The entrance is beautiful, and there are more things to see, like a small reptile house (Snake Park). This was a nice stop in Nairobi.

Price: 9$

Tourist occurrence: Low

How to get here: In the middle of Nairobi city centre.

How much time needed: 1.5-2 hours.

Find rhinos and more at Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a conservancy mainly focused on keeping a high number of rhinos. They count every single individual each day, so they make sure they won't be poached. Both white and black rhinos are present, and this is one of the best locations in the world to find them. For the rest, the whole Big Five are present, but leopard are tough to find. You can find zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, and many antilopes in this park. The park feels a bit too much of an attraction, as you can do multiple activities:

• Stop to be at the equator, which goes through the conservancy 
• See the only two Northern white rhinos who are under 24-hour surveillance
• Visit the chimpanzee sanctuary, where you can get a small tour of these species in captivity
• Meet Baraka the rhino (I did not like this, as you can touch the blind black rhino)

Price: 110$ (but you need a car and recommended a driver, which makes the cost way higher)

Tourist occurrence: Medium

How to get here: Ol Pejeta is a 4 hour drive North to Nairobi.

How much time needed: 2-3 days

Observe wildlife with a skyline in Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is just next to the capital of Kenya. The park is smaller than most other national parks, which is a reason that elephants are absent. The rest of the Big Five are present, although leopards are very difficult to find. Giraffes are the highlight to find with the skyline of Nairobi. There are many jackals, eland, and Coke's hartebeests. Lions and cheetahs are possible to find, but pretty difficult. White and black rhinos are pretty easily spotted. Because the park is so close to Nairobi, there is a lack of wilderness appeal. This is a perfect stop when in Nairobi or when you have a long transit, as it is close to the airport.

Price: 43$ (but you need a car and recommended a driver, which makes the cost way higher)

Tourist occurrence: Medium

How to get here: In Nairobi, 15 minutes from Nairobi national park.

How much time needed: Half a day.

Have a relaxed time at Mombasa beach

After a fantastic trip in this beautiful country, a good end can be Mombasa Beach to have a great finish. You can also go snorkeling and swimming on the extreme white beaches of the Kenyan coast. You can also relax and see some local culture.

Tourist occurrence: Medium

How to get here: 7 hours drive from Nairobi. 

How much time needed: 2 days. 

Observe wildlife all by yourself in Meru National Park

Meru National Park is not discovered by big tourism, and that is undeserved because it contains a lot of wildlife. There is a beautiful river going through the park with many palm trees, and crocodiles and hippos are pretty easily found. There are many antilope species, including the species of the Samburu Five (see last park) and giraffes, baboons, zebras, elephants, and buffaloes. There is a certain area in the park where white and black rhinos occur. This part has fences around it, which stop rhinos from getting out, but other animals can pass in and out. Big cats are present but not easily seen.

Price: 52$(but you need a car and recommended a driver, which makes the cost way higher)

Tourist occurrence: Very Low

How to get here: 6.5 hours drive North of Nairobi

How much time needed: 2 days

Find only pink at Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru is a small national park with a soda lake. The lake fills up with flamingoes at least half of the year. It is a fantastic sight. Further, a lot of pelicans will be there as well. Besides the lake, there are many rhinos and buffaloes. There are no elephants, but the rest of the classic animals can be found, although cheetahs are very rare. Leopards are compared to other national parks in Kenya (except Masai Mara and Samburu). This is a classic safari destination on most itineraries.

Price: 60$ (but you need a car and recommended a driver, which makes the cost way higher)

Tourist occurrence: High

How to get here: 3 hour drive from Nairobi.

How much time needed: 2 days

Find the Samburu Five in Samburu/Buffalo Springs

Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Park are right next to each other and are only separated by a small river, so the variety of animals is similar. The most important wildlife to see, which is different than in other reserves, is the Samburu Five. These animals are all here (and some in Meru and Tsavo). There is the Somali ostrich (with a blue neck), the reticulated giraffe (perfect round spots), Grevy's zebra (narrow stripes and white belly), the oryx (see picture above), and the gerenuk. These species are relatively easily found here, which make this parks very special.

For the rest, elephants, multiple antilopes and baboons are abundant in the park. Big cats are difficult to spot, except leopards, which are relatively easy to spot We even saw a couple mating (see picture above). This area of the country is less visited than the South, but when you are here, make sure you visit this park.

Price: Buffalo Springs is 70$ and Samburu 80-120$ (but you need a car and recommended a driver, which makes the cost way higher)

Tourist occurrence: High

How to get here: 6 hour drive from Nairobi heading North of the city.

How much time needed: 2-3 days.

Things I have not done, but can be interesting

• Tsavo West - Similar to Tsavo East
• Aberdare - Try to find bongos
• Lake Naivasha 

Final thoughts

Kenya is a classic safari destination, and you are in for a treat! There is so much wildlife, you cannot imagine. There are so many places to find elephants, lions, warthogs, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, hippos, buffaloes, many antilopes and ostriches, which are all almost guaranteed. Leopards, rhinos, and cheetahs are not guaranteed, but you will have good chances. Besides, the country has an interesting culture and lovely food. If you want to know more about Kenya, check out: