Wildlife in Kenya

Kenya is a world-renowned wildlife destination. 

While animal populations are high, the large land areas and migratory patterns means certain times of year are better than others.

Many parks and conservancies focus on specific species through their conservation efforts, so talk to our specialists if there are certain species you are hoping to see. 

We've never seen anyone travel to Kenya and come back disappointed. The country has a tendency to promise a lot, and still find a way to over-deliver. 

Where are the best places to see lions in Kenya?

Mara Naibosho Conservancy is one of the best places to see lions in Kenya. Around 100 lions live in the conservancy, making it one of the most densely populated areas for lions in the world. The largest pride of lions in the Greater Mara region are found here. 

Meru National Park and Loisaba Conservancy are also great spots for lions. Loisaba has three lion prides, and the prides at Meru are some of the largest in the country. 

Other places to see lions in Kenya

Lions are also found in Nairobi National Park, Amboseli National Park, the Maasai Mara and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Where are the best places to see leopards in Kenya?

Leopards are the most elusive of the Big Five.

Nairobi National Park and Amboseli National Park are the best places to find leopards as the parks are smaller. 

The Maasai Mara, Loisaba Conservancy, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Meru National Park also have leopard populations, but chances of sightings are lower. 

Where are the best places to see elephants in Kenya?

Elephants are one of the easiest animals to find in Kenya, and certainly the easiest of the Big Five.

The best places to find elephants are at Amboseli National Park, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (home to 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

Mara Naboisho Conservancy, the Maasai Mara, Loisaba Conservancy and Meru National Park all have elephant populations. 

Rhinos are one of the most endangered species on our planet, and there is some extraordinary conservation work going on in Kenya to protect these animals. 

Where are the best places to see rhinos in Kenya?

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is the best place to see rhinos in Kenya. The conservancy is home to the last two remaining northern white rhinos in the world (both females). The conservancy also 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, 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. The conservancy now has a total of 169 black rhinos. 

Other places to see rhinos in Kenya

Amboseli National Park, the Maasai Mara, and Lake Nakuru all have rhino populations. 

Where are the best places to see buffaloes in Kenya?

Unlike most of the other Big Five, buffalo can be found at Lake Nakuru along with rhinos. Buffaloes are the only member of the Big Five found in Hell’s Gate National Park.

Buffalo can also be found in the Loisaba Conservancy, where the buffalo traverse the savannah in large migratory corridors. 

Other places to see buffaloes in Kenya

Buffalo are also found in the Maasai Mara, Meru National Park, Nairobi National Park and Amboseli National Park.

There is a large flamingo population in Kenya, and the best places to find huge flocks of these birds is Lake Naivasha.

Both Lake Naivasha and the neighbouring Lake Oloiden have lesser and greater flamingos amidst other bird and marine life.

Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria also have impressive numbers of flamingos. 

Where are the best places to see giraffes in Kenya?

The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Giraffe Centre is one of the best places to see giraffes in Kenya. Home to the famous Giraffe Manor, the centre has done amazing work to preserve and repopulate the Rothschild giraffe species in Kenya. 

Lake Naivasha, specifically Crescent Island, is another great place to see giraffes. 

Other places to see giraffes in Kenya 

The Maasai Mara, Hell’s Gate National Park and Mara Naboisho Conservancy all have good giraffe populations. 

Where are the best places to see hippos in Kenya?

Nairobi National Park has amazing hippo pools, meaning they are easily spotted on safari walks or game drives. 

Lake Naivasha is the best place in Kenya to see hippos. Home to about 1,500 hippos, sightings are almost guaranteed in this area. 

Other places to see hippos in Kenya

The hippos of Kenya can be found in Meru National Park, and also the Maasai Mara. 

Where are the best places to see zebras in Kenya?

The best place to see zebras in Kenya is the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Lewa is home to 12% of the entire Grevy's zebra species, and 90% of the species population lives in northern Kenya. 

Lewa has been crucial to the protection of the species. 

Other places to see zebras in Kenya

Zebras are also found in Amboseli National Park, Nairobi National Park, Hell’s Gate National Park, the Maasai Mara and Meru National Park.

You can often spot zebras cautiously approaching the waterways at Lake Naivasha and Lake Bogoria.