Plan Your Safari Trip

The Main Parks and Reserves of Kenya

Kenya has 55 parks, reserves, and sanctuaries throughout the country, as well as 10 protected marine areas. Here are some of the main parks, reserves, and places of interest to discover during your trip to Kenya:

• Aberdare National Park with its forests and waterfalls
• Amboseli National Park known for its large herds of elephants
• Baringo and Bogoria Lakes and their exceptional birdlife
• Diani and its white sandy beaches
• Lewa Downs, a true model of wildlife conservation
• Masai Mara Reserve, the must-see destination
• Meru National Park, where Elsa the lioness met George Adamson
• Mount Kenya, the country's highest peak (5199 meters)
• Nairobi National Park
• Lake Nakuru National Park and its rhinos, leopards, and baboons
• Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island, with its hippos, zebras, and exotic birds
• Samburu & Buffalo Springs Reserve and its endemic species (Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, etc.)
• Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks
• Laikipia with its incredible landscapes that are perfect for hiking
• Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to rhinos and the only chimpanzees in Kenya

But there are also less frequented and less well-known places like the Kakamega Forest, the last remaining primary tropical forest in the country, the hot springs of Maji Moto, or the Fourteen Falls... and many more! You have an infinite possibility to experience the Magic of Kenya!

When to Go?

Kenya is a very pleasant destination all year round and offers many temperature and brightness contrasts. The climate in Kenya is essentially equatorial, and several factors must be taken into account when choosing the right time to visit, including tourism, altitude, rainfall seasons, animal watching, temperatures, etc. On the coast, it is hot and humid, with a true equatorial climate! Inland, the relief and altitude allow for a milder climate.

There are two rainy seasons: the "long rainy season" extends from April to June, and the "short" occurs in November. These are not continuous rains, but rather showers that contrast with the rays of the sun and the colors of the savannah. These rains allow photography enthusiasts to create magnificent lighting effects!

The great migration of herbivores takes place from mid-July to mid-September in Kenya.

July and August are high season, so not only are accommodation and flight rates higher, but there may also be a lot of people on the tracks. Besides, it is quite hot, so the animals preserve themselves from the sun and stay in the shade.

In my opinion, the best periods, both for taking the time to observe the fauna and for the climate, are from mid-August to mid-November (fewer people, the tracks are dry, the savannah is adorned with its golden color, and the watering holes where many animals come to drink are replenished) and May-June (the "green season") because everything is reborn, everything turns green again, and rates are at their lowest.

But it all depends on your expectations and objectives for this trip.

Formalities

French nationals must hold a visa to enter Kenya. The passport must have a validity of at least six months from the date of entry into the territory. Since January 1st, 2021, it is mandatory to obtain an electronic visa online prior to arrival in Kenya, from the website http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html (English website). This visa must be presented at check-in and it will no longer be possible to obtain a visa on arrival at international airports.

Children under the age of 16 accompanying their parents for a tourist visit to Kenya are exempt from a visa. An entry stamp is affixed by the immigration services on their passport.