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The national parks and game reserves of Northern Kenya tend to be large, wild and visited by far fewer visitors than those of Southern Kenya. There are three main parks — Samburu National Park, Shaba National Reserve and Meru National Park.
Samburu National Park
Samburu National Park is located on the beautiful Ewaso Ng’iro River and known for its large elephant populations. There are a couple of larger lodges, however they stick to rigid game viewing hours and if you explore out of these times you have the park to yourself. The muddy waters of the river are home to numerous hippo and crocodiles and birds flit about the riverine forest. Away from the river, plains are home to Kenya’s rarer northern species including the gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Grévy's zebra as well as big game including buffalo, lion, leopard and more.
Shaba National Reserve
Shaba National Reserve lies to the east of Samburu and remains a relatively wild and unexplored area. Most easily accessible on a fly-in safari there are just two camps in opposite ends of the park, the one to stay in being Joy’s Camp, on the site of George & Joy Adamson’s original camp. Like Samburu, Shaba is home to lots of Kenya’s rarer northern species as well as big game. However, as the game is still unaccustomed to vehicles this is not a park for people to come and tick off big numbers, rather it is for those looking to enjoy wild game in a wilderness area.
Meru National Park
Finally Meru is well off the mainstream tourist circuit. With only two tiny camps and a couple of research stations this is a park to explore in open 4x4’s and on foot. Scenery in Meru is dramatic with towering kopjes covered in acacia woodland, grassy plains and small rivers and streams flanked by dense riverine vegetation. For many years the game was sparse and skittish in Meru, however in recent years numbers have increased strongly and game is more relaxed around vehicles. Elephant, black rhino, reticulated giraffe, Grévy's and common zebra, Grant's gazelle, lesser kudu and gerenuk are all present as well as black-maned lion, leopard and cheetah.
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Places to visit in the Parks & Reserves of Northern Kenya
Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting the Parks & Reserves of Northern Kenya, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travellers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.
Suggested itineraries featuring the Parks & Reserves of Northern Kenya
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in the Parks & Reserves of Northern Kenya, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places in and around the Parks & Reserves of Northern Kenya
- Meru National Park The Parks & Reserves of Northern Kenya
- Samburu National Reserve The Parks & Reserves of Northern Kenya
- Shaba National Reserve The Parks & Reserves of Northern Kenya
- Borana Ranch 53 miles away
- Lewa Wilderness Conservancy 55 miles away
- Il Ngwesi Group Ranch 63 miles away
- Ol Lentille Conservancy 83 miles away
- Matthews Mountain Range 93 miles away
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy 93 miles away
- Loisaba Wilderness Conservancy 101 miles away
- Sosian Lodge 106 miles away
- Karisia Hills 116 miles away
- Nairobi 138 miles away
- Lake Naivasha 143 miles away
- The Laikipia Plateau 149 miles away
- Lake Nakuru 152 miles away
- Lakes of the Great Rift Valley 152 miles away
- The Chyulu Hills 189 miles away
- The Parks & Reserves of Southern Kenya 202 miles away
- Amboseli National Park 205 miles away
- Loita Hills 207 miles away
- Tsavo East National Park 207 miles away
- Shompole Magadi 208 miles away
- Mara Naboisho Conservancy 227 miles away
- Mara North Conservancy 235 miles away
- The Tana Delta 236 miles away
- Tsavo West National Park 245 miles away
- Lamu Archipelago 250 miles away
- Masai Mara National Reserve 250 miles away
- Watamu 271 miles away
- Kenya's Coastline 282 miles away
- Lake Victoria 287 miles away
Photos of the Parks & Reserves of Northern Kenya
Accommodation choices for the Parks & Reserves of Northern Kenya
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit the Parks & Reserves of Northern Kenya. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Samburu Intrepids
Samburu National Reserve -
Elephant Bedroom Camp
Samburu National Reserve -
Saruni Samburu
Samburu National Reserve -
Elsa's Kopje
Meru National Park