When you think of Kenya, it’s the world famous Masai Mara that comes to mind, but the country has many other options where safaris and nature parks are concerned. Some of them are privately owned reserves, others are on government land, but all of them offer fabulous wildlife sighting options, great lodges, amazing plant and bird-life, trekking and climbing trails and nature at its best.
Southern and Central Island Parks: Famous for their stunning beauty, amazing bird-life including flamingos, migratory birds, pelicans and water-fowl, the South Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is sparsely inhabited and home to the endangered El Moto tribal people. The Central Island park is really the crater of small living volcano, and has three salt-water lakes. These lakes are famous for flamingos and are also the habitat of the world’s biggest numbers of Nile crocodiles. The lake-shores are filled with zebra, topi, oryx, Grant’s gazelle and reticulated giraffe species besides a huge number of snakes and reptiles. There are many comfortable tented camps and lodges here.
Hell’s Gate: This scenic park on the shores of Lake Naiviasha, is famed for its amazing scenery. The wildlife includes eland, giraffe, lions, buffalo, Thompson’s gazelle, impala, klipspringer and mountain hyrax, besides a huge variety of wild birds. Though there is no accommodation in the park itself, there are plenty of options nearby.
Shimba Hill: One of the oldest national parks in Kenya, this reserve is famous for its rainforest and hilly terrain, wonderful for hiking and climbing. There is a fenced elephant corridor here and plenty of lodges, besides a Kenya Government Wildlife self-catering lodge. Wildlife viewing here includes sable, hyena, warthog, vervet and colobus monkeys, ostriches and giraffes.
Tamar River Primate Reserve: these riverine forests are home to two highly endangered primate species: the red colobus and the mangabeys. This hot, dry park is also home to buffalo, giraffe, kudu, while the river has crocodiles, hippos and water-birds. Only tented accommodation is available here.
Lakipia: now rivals Masai Mara as the location of one of the richest concentrations of wildlife in Kenya, especially endangered species. This region has more than seven protected rhino sanctuaries and the second biggest elephant population in the country. Zebra, hartebeest, wild dogs and bird-life are on view here. Private game lodges, guest-houses and home-stays besides luxury tented sites are the accommodation options.
Malindi Marine Reserve: With a fabulous diversity of marine life here, ranging from delicate corals, to mangroves, amazing fish, mammals and turtle species, rare marine plants and birds, this park is unique. Glass-bottom boat tours, diving, snorkeling, educational tours, water-sports and picnics are on offer here. Accommodation is available at self-catering places outside as there are no overnight stay options for visitors.
Visitors to Kenya can check out some of these wonderful options while on holiday there.
Source by Thomes D Schmitz
