KENYA NATIONAL PARKS/ RESERVES & ACCOMMODATIONS

Kenya's National Parks and Reserves rate among the best in Africa. Kenya's landscape ranks among the most captivating and diverse the world; over ranging from the low-lying coastlands to the snow capped Mt. Kenya that rises to 17,058ft. above sea level to the tree dotted plains to the jaggered escarpment that marks the sudden drop into the floor of the eastern arm of the Great Rift Valley with its alkaline lakes.

1. Aberdares National Park
The Aberdares are an isolated volcanic range that forms the eastern wall of the Rift Valley, where topography is diverse with deep ravines that cut through the forested eastern and western slopes and there are many clear streams and waterfalls.

• Altitude: 7,000 - 14,000 Ft
• Area: 767 Sq. Kms.
• Distance from Nairobi: 180 Kms.
• Mweiga & Nyeri Airstrips
• Opened May 1950

Attractions

• Game to view includes Giant Forest Hog, Bongo, Leopard, Elephant
• Second largest population of indigenous Black Rhino
• Diverse Eco-System - Rainforest, Waterfalls, Table Mountains
• Night game viewing at the Ark & Treetops Lodges
• Kimathi Hideout - used by legendary Mau-Mau General Kimathi
• Trout fishing, Moorland walks

Accommodation

• Aberdare Country Club - The Club is a haven set in gardens bursting with a profusion of color, with peacocks stalking the lush lawns.
• The Ark - Opened in November 1969. The Ark overlooks the Yasabara waterhole, perhaps the largest salt-lick in the Aberdare Mountains and the haunt of a variety of forest game unequalled in Africa.
• Outspan Golf and Country Club- The Outspan offers guests a range of accommodations - twin rooms, garden suites, or cottages. Since the hotel's inception in 1927, the atmosphere has changed little.
• Treetops Hotel - Treetops overlooks a water hole and salt lick in the Aberdares National Park. Treetops is also famous for its historical significance where Queen Elizabeth learnt that she had been crowned the Queen of England after her father’s sad demise.

2. Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is at the foot of Africa 's largest mountain, 250 kms southeast of Nairobi and lies immediately North West of Mt. Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania.

• Altitude: 3,900-4,500 Ft
• Area: 392 Sq. Kms.
• Distance from Nairobi: 135 Kms.
• Opened as a reserve in 1968 and gazetted as a National Park in 1974.
• International bio-sphere reserve

Attractions

• Unrivalled views of Mounts Kilimanjaro & Meru
• Contemporary Maasai culture
• Excellent elephant & bird viewing
• Dry season herds of plains game
• Year round springs and waterholes

Accommodation

• Amboseli Serena Lodge- Constructed from ecologically friendly materials, its design reflects the true essence of the African bush.
• Amboseli Sopa Lodge- The Amboseli Sopa Lodge makes it the perfect tryst for the adventurer wishing to surmount the snowcapped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro or for the seasoned traveler indulging in the thrilling safari experience.
• Ol Tukai Lodge - Lies at the heart of Amboseli in Kenya. The main attraction of the National Park is the large elephant population and the prolific bird life
• Amboseli Porini Camp- An exclusive bush camp of 9 guest tents in the Selenkay Conservancy, a private reserve beside Amboseli National Park in unspoilt wilderness and well off the beaten track.
• Tortillis Camp – It is named after the Tortillis Acacia (the Umbrella Thorn Tree); a charming rural lodge built into the side of a hill facing the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro
• Sentrim Amboseli- Located inside the reserve you are guaranteed a close encounter with nature and the magnificent view of Mt. Kilimanjaro
• Ol Donyo Wuas (Chyulu Hills) - Situated on a private Maasai land between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks. The lodge has some 7 individual thatched cottages with a central mess/dining room.

3. Kakamega Forest National Reserve
Located on the western part of Kenya and is rich bird habitat. It is a "Forest Island", which is excellent for bird watching. Its West African affinities are unique in Kenya and the forest contains many species found nowhere else in the country.

• Area:

Attractions

• A remnant and eastern limit of rainforests of Zaire and West Africa
• An excellent bird watching destination
• Specialized species of birds like the: gray parrot, great blue turaco, blue headed bee-eater and many other species of illadopsis and yellow-bellied wattle-eyes.

Accommodation

• Rondo Retreat –
•  

4. Lake Nakuru National Park
Nakuru means "Dust or Dusty Place" in Maasai language .It is set in a scenic landscape of surrounding woodland and grassland next to Nakuru town providing a beautiful view of the thousands of flamingoes that nestle here and it  has recently been enlarged partly to provide a sanctuary for the black rhino.

• Altitude: 1,756 meters above sea level
• Area: 188 Sq. Kms.
• Distance from Nairobi: 160 Km northwest of Nairobi near Nakuru town of the Rift Valley Province
• Naishi Airstrip
• Opened June 1968

Attractions

• A pulsating pink carpet of around 1.5 million flamingos
• An ornithologist’s paradise with over 500 species of birds recorded
• Two of the five last surviving species of Black Rhinoceros
• The largest Euphorbia candelabrum forest in East Africa
•  Home of the rare Rothschild’s giraffe
• Greatest ornithological spectacle show on earth

Accommodation

• Lake Nakuru Lodge - Situated in the south east ecological niche of the park is the Lake Nakuru Lodge, an oasis of comfort and excellent service, with commanding views of the
  flamingoes for which Lake Nakuru is justly famous.
• MbwehaCamp - Tucked away on a private acre game conservancy nestled up against the Southern Boundary of Lake Nakuru National Park with views of Eburu & Mau ranges
• Sarova Lion Hill Lodge- Situated in the heart of Kenya's Rift Valley is Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, located on the banks of one of East Africa's most famous soda lakes, Lake Nakuru. Avid bird watchers can feast on the spectacular display of its famous flamingoes.
• Maili Saba Camp – Situated in a sanctuary of tranquility and conviviality that rejects the rigidity of modern life. Tucked away on the edge of the magnificent, dormant, Menengai Crater.

5. Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is a fresh water lake in Kenya. The name derives from the local Maasai name Nai'posha, meaning "rough water" because of the sudden storms which can arise.

• Area: Has a surface area of 139 km, and is surrounded by a swamp which covers an area of 64 square km, but this can vary largely depending on rainfall. It is situated at an altitude of 1,884 meters

• Distance from Nairobi: 100 kilometers

Attractions

• Over 450 species of Birds and Hot Springs

Accommodation

• Chui Lodge - The lodge is set in the privately owned Oserian Wildlife Game Sanctuary, is an exquisite paradise, situated in a grove of Euphorbia trees, overlooking a waterhole with the Mau Escarpment as a background.
• Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort – The Lodge is set on the side of the Eburru Escarpment, overlooking the sparkling waters of Lake Naivasha and the extensive floor of the world's largest valley.
• Lake Naivasha Country Club -Became famous in the 1930's for the flying boat service.
  The Old Colonial architecture is solid and comfortable with accommodation in rooms and cottages set in 12 hectares of green lawns shaded by mature acacias and spreading fever trees
• Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge - This is the safari traveler's place of relaxation and transformation; a blend of luxury and safari spirit. Here the passionate birdwatcher is in bird paradise
• Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge –Located 90 minutes from Nairobi, Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge is situated on the banks of Lake Naivasha making it an ideal place for comfort and relaxation.