By Expedia Team, on July 10, 2018

The Top Places for a Safari in Kenya

“When you think of the classic safari, it’s often Kenya that comes to mind, with epic landscapes and the opportunity to see some of the most amazing animals on the African continent.

With numerous national parks and reserves to choose from, a holiday to Kenya is the safari destination that dreams are made of and there is no shortage of options for those who are looking to take a walk on the wild side.

Here are some of the best places to safari in Kenya:

### The Masai Mara

Forming part of the same ecosystem as the Serengeti in Tanzania, the Masai Mara is one of the best safari destinations in the world to see the ‘Big 5’: the lion, the rhino, the cape buffalo, the leopard, and the elephant.

Each year, usually around August and September, the annual wildebeest migration passes through the Masai Mara as the herds make the treacherous journey in search for fresh water and food. It’s a spectacular sight with some calling it the greatest show on earth.

This time of year is always an exciting time to visit the Masai Mara as the predators are ready and waiting for the feast. If you’re lucky you may even see the wildebeest crossing the Mara River.

For different perspective, why not take a hot air balloon over the plains and enjoy a champagne breakfast by the river?

### Samburu National Reserve

Up in the north of Kenya you’ll find Samburu National Park.

Due to the remote location, this park is a lot less frequented than the Masai Mara, so if you’re looking to get away from it all, then this is a great place to do it.

Here you’ll find a good number of animal species, including elephants, cheetahs, lions, giraffes, and even the occasional leopard.

Samburu National reserve is also home to the Samburu tribe who are closely related to the Masai tribe and definitely worth a visit to learn about their traditions and unique way of life.

### Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru is one of the soda lakes in the Great Rift Valley, famous for the flamingoes that nest along the shore, creating an amazing spectacle of colour and movement.

It’s one of the best places in Kenya to get up close with both black and white rhino, lions, leopards, and the endangered Rothschild giraffe. Be sure to head up to Baboon Cliff for spectacular views over the park!

### Hells Gate National Park

Whilst the name might sound ominous, Hell’s Gate is actually a beautiful place with incredible dramatic scenery, only a few hours drive from the capital of Kenya, Nairobi.

The park was the inspiration for the Lion King and the cool thing about Hell’s Gate National Park is that you can cycle through the park, providing you with a very unique safari experience.

### Amboseli National Park

One of the most iconic, yet less well-known parks, is Amboseli National Park, found between Nairobi and Mombasa on the coast of Kenya.

Amboseli is famous for having large herds of elephants; however the real draw here is the scenery, as Amboseli lies right on the border with Tanzania and at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s an incredible sight to behold, and it creates the perfect backdrop for your safari!

Have you been to Kenya?