My top five game viewing areas in Kenya

Over the years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to many game parks, game reserves and conservancies across Kenya. Well, the truth is I am a sucker for wildlife and have this crazy obsession, especially with the Big cats. I even feel like I should do a series about the wild cats! (Idea bulb just popped up my head...hahaha) So recently, I stared to rate my top places that I felt I loved the most and this is what I came up with......

5. Samburu Game Reserve 

Situated in the hot and arid fringes of Kenya's vast Northern Frontier District and covers an area of 104 square kms on the northern bank of Ewaso Nyiro river. The area is home to the Samburu tribe, pastoral relatives of the Masai. The landscape is rugged and dramatic - against a backdrop of volcanic mountains, gaunt hills and withered scrub tree punctuate the sparse and dry terrain with clusters of the incredibly hardy desert rose providing the occasional flash of vivid colour.
  
Wow factor: The Ewaso Nyiro river! The river is the lifeline of the area, runs along the southern boundary dividing Samburu from Buffalo Springs Reserve. What makes it amazing is the number of Crocodile and hippo in it and how they share the river with the many small herds of elephant which bathe and frolic in the muddy brown waters during the heat of the day before returning later to graze on the lush vegetation of the riverine forest! Buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and plains game may also be seen but a special feature of this reserve are the various species of game unique to these northern parks - Beisa oryx, the long necked gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and the blue shanked Somali ostrich.

Places to stay: I recommend Elephant Bedroom, the views from this camp are to die for! Other camps would be Samburu Intrepids and Samburu Lodge. 

4. Amboseli National Park  

Amboseli is famous for its big game and its great scenic beauty - the landscape is dominated by Mt Kilimanjaro, marking the border of nearby Tanzania. The national park embodies five main wildlife habitats (open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland) and a generally dry lake bed - Lake Amboseli.

Wow factor: The elephants! There are so many, mostly in herds, its just breath taking!

Places to stay: I would recommend Tawi Lodge, rooms very well spaced, run by owner and she is hands on, excellent service! Other places would be Tortilis Camp, Serena Amboseli and Ol Tukai Lodge.

3. Masai Mara National Reserve 

Considered by many to be one of Kenya's finest game reserves, the rolling grasslands offer ideal game viewing and photographic opportunities and the grassy plains are broken by rocky outcrops which are a favourite midday resting places for lion, for which the Mara is famous.The Mara is also famous for the wildebeest  migration.

Wow factor: Though a bit obvious, the migration is just spectacular! Watching hundreds of these animals move across the Mara river is amazing!

Places to stay: The list is enormous, but Entim camp or Karen Blixen Camp (though located outside the park) are good.

2. Ol pejeta Conservancy

Morani - The Rhino; Image credited to http://www.theserenaexperience.com

Ol Pejeta is East Africa’s Largest Black Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees and holds some of the highest predator densities in Kenya.

Wow factor: The black Rhino's - being an endangered species, it is good to interact with places where they care so much about the animals.

Places to stay: Though not very many, Ol Pejeta bush camp, Porini Rhino and Sweetwaters camp are grate. 

1. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Lewa conservancy, once a cattle ranch owned by the Craig/Douglas family, who first came to Lewa Downs in 1922, and managed it as a cattle ranch for over 50 years. As the plight of the black rhino became desperate in Africa, the ranch was converted into the Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary. Lewa has rich wildlife and has an assurance of grate game viewing! In late June 2013, the World Heritage Committee extended the boundaries of the Mount Kenya World Heritage Site to include Lewa and Ngare Ndare Forest.

Wow factor: Besides playing host to Royals and celebrities such as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge -Kate Middleton and her husband Duke of Cambridge -Prince William,  Lewa gives an array of luxury holiday, combined with  a lot of wildlife, with a twist of sophistication and class. Its just a big WOW!!

Places to stay: Honestly I have not come across a place to stay in Lewa that was not above average, however Lewa House is breathtaking and so is Lewa Camp! 

This is my simple take on Kenya's finest game viewing places in Kenya, Do you agree? What is your number one? Tell me more!