Places to See and Stay: Parks and Reserves of Southern Kenya - Kenya

The national parks and reserves found in Southern Kenya include some of Africa’s most famous parks as well as some of the least known.

Amboseli is the best known and famous for the iconic images of great bull elephants with the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro behind. It is a park of dramatic scenery and prolific game, particularly in the dry season. However Amboseli is a park that is best visited out of peak season. In July and August it is firmly on the tourist trail and clusters of game viewing vehicles appear around the animals. Out of season, particularly in the rains, the park is beautiful. Lush grass covers the plains, it is a time of plenty for the game, but a time when other game viewing vehicles are sparse.

Tsavo National Park is split into Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Tsavo East, north of the Nairobi to Mombasa road has thick acacia woodland few places to stay. Tsavo West however has grassy plains, riverine forest and numerous waterholes. Like Amboseli, Tsavo is a park that we recommend visiting only out of the peak season. In July and August a number of the coastal hotels run day trips to the park and game viewing trails can become congested. However, in the rains the park is beautiful and much more peaceful.

In total contrast to Amboseli and Tsavo the Chyulu Hills are remote and receive only a handful of visitors, even in peak season. Rolling hills with views towards Kilimanjaro are home to pockets of wild game. It is a wonderful area to enjoy nature drives and spectacular walking and horse-riding. Sundowners on the tops of kopjes are magical with views of endless wilderness and Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance.

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