Wildlife in Kenya
Wildlife in Kenya : Kenya is one of the world’s most exciting wildlife destinations with an incredible bio-diversity.
Kenya is a world – renowned wildlife destination with high populations of wildlife including some of the most sought after such as The Big Five and the grand wildlife migration – The Wildebeest Migration.
Kenya has many parks, reserve and conservancies where these animals peacefully thrive and is where you can see them during a Kenya Safari.
The Big Five
Lions
Best Places to see Lions in Kenya
Mara Naboisho Conservancy is one of the best places to see lions in Kenya, the conservancy hosts around 100 lions making it one of the most densely populated areas for lions in the world. The largest pride of lions in Kenya is found in the Greater Mara region.
Meru National Park and Loisaba Conservancy are also great spots for lions. Loisaba Conservancy has three lion prides and prides at Meru are some of the largest in the country.
Other places to see lions in Kenya include Amboseli National Park, Nairobi National Park and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
Leopards
Leopards are the most elusive of the Big Five
Best Places to see leopards in Kenya
Amboseli National Park and Nairobi National Park are the best places to find leopards in Kenya. Masai Mara National Reserve, Loisaba Conservancy, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Meru National Park also host leopard populations but chances of sightings are lower.
Elephants
Elephants – the largest mammal on land are one of the easiest animals to find on Kenya on an Africa safari and is certainly the easiest of the Big Five.
Best places to see elephants in Kenya?
The best places to find elephants on a Kenya Safari include Amboseli National Park, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (Home to about 400 migratory elephants that can be viewed from the elephant underpass) and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant and Rhino Sanctuary.
Other places to see elephants in Kenya include Mara Naboisho Conservancy, the Maasai Mara, Loisaba Conservancy and Meru National Park. All thaese Kenya protected areas have elephant populations.
Rhinos
Rhinos are one of the most endangered species on the planet and one of the Big Five, thanks to the extraordinary conservation work going on in Kenya to protect these animals. There is a reasonable number of rhinos you can see in Kenya.
Best places to see rhinos in Kenya?
The best place to see rhinos in Kenya is Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the conservancy is home to the last two remaining northern white rhinos in the world (both females). Also the conservancy has the highest population of black rhinos and a good population of southern white rhinos.
Nairobi National Park is another great spot for rhinos in Kenya, the park has 50 critically endangered black rhinos which is the densest population in the world.
The Meru Rhino Sanctuary in Meru National Park has a good rhino population and the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy has done incredible work to protect and grow the black rhino population in Kenya. Currently, the conservation has a total of 169 black rhinos.
Other places to see rhinos in Kenya include Amboseli National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park.
Cape Buffalo
Best Places to see cape buffaloes in Kenya?
Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the best places to see cape buffaloes in Kenya, they can also be found in Hell’s Gate National Park, Loisaba Conservancy where they traverse the savannah in large migratory corridors.
Buffaloes are also found in Amboseli National Park, Nairobi National Park, Meru National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve in large populations.
Other Notable Animals in Kenya
Wildebeests
Giraffes
Best Places to see Giraffes in Kenya
The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Giraffe Center is one of the best places to see giraffes in Kenya, home to the famous Giraffe Manor, the center has done tremendous work to preserve and repopulation the Rothschild giraffe species in Kenya.
Lake Naivasha’s Crescent Island is another great place to see giraffes in Kenya.
Other places to see giraffes in Kenya include Masai Mara National Reserve, Hell’s Gate National Park and Mara Naboisho Conservancy all have a good giraffe population.
Hippos
Best Places to see Hippos in Kenya
Nairobi National Park has amazing hippo pools meaning they are easily spotted on guided safari walks or game drives. Lake Naivasha is another best place in Kenya to see Hippos, the lake is home to about 1,500 hippos and sightings are almost guaranteed.
Other places to see hippos in Kenya include Meru National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Zebras
Best Places to see Zebras in Kenya
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is the best place to see zebras in Kenya, the conservancy is home to 12% of the entire Grevy’s Zebra species and 90% of the species population lives in northern Kenya.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy has been crucial to the protection of these species.
Other places to see zebras in Kenya include Amboseli National Park, Nairobi National Park, Hell’s Gate National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve and Meru National Park. You can also see Zebras approaching the waterways of Lake Naivasha and Lake Bogoria.
