When people think of a safari, they often think of Kenya. Famous for decades as the place to see big game, Kenya has hosted such famous names as Theodore Roosevelt, Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen), The Prince of Wales, the Queen of England, Ernest Hemingway, Lord Delamere, Beryl Markham, and the Leakey family, just to name a few.

In Kenya, safaris are no problem. Most of its parks and game reserves are small (with a few exceptions like Tsavo East and West), with first class facilities and accommodations. Most trips start out of Nairobi and include visits to the south, central and east of the country. The extreme north and northeast are not places for tourists. Find A Trip

Aberdare National Park

One of the homes of god according to local folklore, the Aberdares are lush, beautiful mountains in central Kenya. The park itself hosts waterfalls, bamboo forests, the rare bongo and lots of other animals including elephant, buffalo, giant forest hog and black rhino. Birding can be fantastic here.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli is most famous for two things-views of Kilimanjaro and elephants. Here, you'll get plenty of both. Additionally, this park is dry and dusty yet has year-round water that attracts a wide range of wildlife. Nearby, there's plenty of Masai culture.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru is famous the world over for its lesser flamingos-sometimes there are so many that the lake looks pink, not blue or green. Nakuru is a great place to see Cape buffalo, waterbuck and other herbivores. In recent years, both black and white rhinoceros have been introduced to the park.

Mt. Kenya National Park

Dominated by its namesake mountain, this park is a trekker's paradise. Scaling the second highest peak in Africa can be very challenging, but rewarding too.

Masai Mara National Reserve

Probably the most famous reserve in Kenya, the Masai Mara is home to a wide range of wildlife including lions, leopards, cheetah, buffalo, giraffes, black rhinos, elephants and many more. During the annual migration, add nearly 1.5 million wildebeest and you've got quite a spectacle. Surrounded by and administered by the local Masai communities, the reserve has something for everyone.

Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba National Reserves

These three reserves, nestled together amongst rolling hills and the Ngare Ndare River, are the gems of north-central Kenya. Shaba is home to a monument to Joy Adamson of "Born Free" fame and the other reserves are rich with game such as Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, oryx, Somali Ostrich, gerenuk, lions, crocodiles, and much more.

Sweetwaters Reserve

This small but interesting reserve is located near Mt. Kenya just a few hours from Nairobi. Highlights include night drives, a "tame" black rhino with warthog companions, and chimpanzees relocated from Burundi as part of the Jane Goodall Institute.

Tsavo East and West

Actually two different parks, Tsavo is famous for spectacular views, wide open spaces and notorious "man eating lions" made famous during the building of the Uganda Railway in 1900. Today, it's a place to lose yourself in nature.