Kenya's National Parks
Explore 23 premier protected areas representing Kenya's most spectacular wildlife destinations. From the Great Migration in Maasai Mara to the legendary elephants of Amboseli, our national parks preserve Africa's most iconic ecosystems.
32
National Parks
31,742
km² Protected
109+
Species Protected
1946
First Established
Forest
Active
Aberdare National Park
Nyeri, Central
Size:
766 km²
Est.:
Species:
2+
High-altitude biodiversity hotspot
Key Wildlife
Waterfalls
moorlands
forest
Savannah
Active
Amboseli National Park
Kajiado, Rift Valley
Size:
392 km²
Est.:
Species:
2+
Home of the African Elephant
Key Wildlife
Swamps
Mt Kilimanjaro view
Forest
Active
Arabuko Sokoke National Park
Kilifi, Coast
Size:
6 km²
Est.:
Species:
2+
100% endemic bird forest
Key Wildlife
Rare coastal forest
Savannah
Active
Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Isiolo, Eastern
Size:
131 km²
Est.:
Species:
4+
Connected to Samburu with natural springs ecosystem
Key Wildlife
Natural springs
riverine forest
Savannah
Active
Central Island National Park
Turkana, Rift Valley
Size:
5 km²
Est.:
Species:
2+
Breeding nesting site
Key Wildlife
Crater lakes
Forest
Active
Chyulu Hills National Park
Makueni, Coast
Size:
471 km²
Est.:
Species:
2+
Scenic hiking, volcanic features
Key Wildlife
Lava caves
hills
Savannah
Active
Hell's Gate National Park
Nakuru, Rift Valley
Size:
68 km²
Est.:
Species:
5+
Unique walking and cycling park with geothermal features
Key Wildlife
Geothermal activity
rock formations
gorges
Savannah
Active
Kora National Park
Tana River, Eastern
Size:
1,787 km²
Est.:
Species:
4+
Remote wilderness with George Adamson conservation history
Key Wildlife
George Adamson legacy
rocky outcrops
Wetland
Active
Lake Kanyaboli
Siaya
Size:
41 km²
Est.:
Species:
0+
National park in Siaya county protecting Kenya's wildlife and ecosystems
Wetland
Active
Lake Nakuru National Park
Nakuru, Rift Valley
Size:
188 km²
Est.:
Species:
8+
Famous for flamingo spectacle and rhino conservation
Key Wildlife
Rhino sanctuary
Important Bird Area
Alkaline lake
Marine
Active
Malindi Marine National Park
Kilifi, Coast
Size:
6 km²
Est.:
Species:
4+
Complete protection marine area with coral diversity
Key Wildlife
Pristine coral reefs
marine sanctuary
Savannah
Active
Malka Mari National Park
Mandera, Eastern
Size:
876 km²
Est.:
Species:
4+
Cross-border conservation with seasonal migrations
Key Wildlife
Border park
seasonal wildlife movement
Protected Area
Active
Marsabit National Park & Reserve
Kenya
Size:
N/A km²
Est.:
N/A
Species:
0+
Official KWS conservation area: Marsabit National Park & Reserve
Savannah
Active
Meru National Park
Meru, Eastern
Size:
870 km²
Est.:
Species:
5+
Home of Elsa the lioness with strong conservation legacy
Key Wildlife
Rhino sanctuary
Elsa's legacy
riverine forests
Marine
Active
Mombasa Marine National Park
Mombasa, Coast
Size:
10 km²
Est.:
Species:
4+
Urban marine park near Mombasa city
Key Wildlife
Urban marine park
coral reefs
Forest
Active
Mount Elgon National Park
Bungoma, Western
Size:
169 km²
Est.:
Species:
4+
Cross-border park with unique montane biodiversity
Key Wildlife
Mountain ecosystem
caves
hot springs
Forest
Active
Mount Kenya National Park
Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Central
Size:
2,124 km²
Est.:
Species:
6+
UNESCO World Heritage Site with alpine biodiversity
Key Wildlife
glaciers
UNESCO World Heritage
Water tower
Forest
Active
Mount Longonot National Park
Nakuru, Rift Valley
Size:
52 km²
Est.:
Species:
4+
Dormant volcano perfect for hiking and crater exploration
Key Wildlife
Dormant volcano
crater lake
hiking trails
Forest
Active
Mt. Kenya National Park
Meru
Size:
715 km²
Est.:
Species:
0+
National park in Meru county protecting Kenya's wildlife and ecosystems
Savannah
Active
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi, Nairobi
Size:
117 km²
Est.:
Species:
6+
World's only wildlife capital with city skyline backdrop
Key Wildlife
City skyline backdrop
rhino sanctuary
Wetland
Active
Ndere Island National Park
Kisumu
Size:
4 km²
Est.:
Species:
0+
Official KWS conservation area: Ndere Island National Park
Savannah
Active
Oldonyo Sabuk National Park
Machakos
Size:
18 km²
Est.:
Species:
0+
National park in Machakos county protecting Kenya's wildlife and ecosystems
Savannah
Active
Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park
Machakos, Eastern
Size:
21 km²
Est.:
Species:
4+
Small montane park with historical significance
Key Wildlife
Kilima Kiu mountain
forest ecosystem
Forest
Active
Proposed Marsabit National Park
Marsabit
Size:
N/A km²
Est.:
Species:
0+
National park in Marsabit county protecting Kenya's wildlife and ecosystems
Savannah
Active
Ruma National Park
Homa Bay, Nyanza
Size:
120 km²
Est.:
Species:
3+
Last refuge for roan antelope in Kenya
Key Wildlife
Grassland ecosystem
rare antelope species
Wetland
Active
Saiwa Swamp National Park
Trans-Nzoia, Rift Valley
Size:
3 km²
Est.:
Species:
3+
Kenya's smallest park specializing in sitatunga antelope
Key Wildlife
Swamp ecosystem
elevated walkways
Savannah
Active
Shaba National Reserve
Isiolo, Eastern
Size:
239 km²
Est.:
Species:
5+
Dramatic landscapes with rock formations and river
Key Wildlife
Rocky outcrops
Ewaso Ng'iro River
Savannah
Active
Sibiloi National Park
Marsabit, Rift Valley
Size:
1,570 km²
Est.:
Species:
4+
Important paleontological site with fossil hominid discoveries
Key Wildlife
Fossil sites
paleontological discoveries
Lake Turkana
Savannah
Active
South Island National Park
Marsabit, Rift Valley
Size:
150 km²
Est.:
Species:
3+
Important paleontological site with fossil discoveries
Key Wildlife
Volcanic island
fossils
paleontological sites
Savannah
Active
Tsavo East National Park
Taita Taveta, Coast
Size:
11,747 km²
Est.:
Species:
7+
Vast wilderness with iconic red-dusted elephants
Key Wildlife
Largest park in Kenya
Lugard Falls
Red elephants
Savannah
Active
Tsavo West National Park
Taita Taveta, Coast
Size:
9,065 km²
Est.:
Species:
8+
Diverse landscapes from plains to mountains
Key Wildlife
lava flows
Rhino sanctuary
Mzima Springs
Marine
Active
Watamu Marine National Park
Kilifi, Coast
Size:
10 km²
Est.:
Species:
4+
Critical turtle nesting site with diverse marine life
Key Wildlife
Turtle nesting beaches
coral gardens
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National Parks Map
Explore the locations of Kenya's national parks and plan your conservation journey.
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Map Legend
Conservation Area Types
National Parks
National Reserves
Conservancies
Marine Protected Areas
Ecosystem Types
Savannah Grasslands
Montane Forests
Coastal & Marine
Arid & Semi-Arid
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Parks at a Glance
Ecosystem Distribution
Distribution of Kenya's ecosystem types across conservation areas
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Ecosystem Types
Savannah Grasslands
80%
Montane Forests
12%
Coastal & Marine
5%
Arid & Semi-Arid
3%
Key Statistics
Total Coverage
600,000 km²
Largest Ecosystem
Savannah Grasslands
80% of total area
Protected Areas
217
Across all ecosystem types
Biodiversity Hotspots
4
Critical conservation areas
About This Data
Ecosystem distribution is calculated based on the primary ecosystem type of each conservation area, weighted by area coverage.
Last updated: January 2024
Conservation Insights
92%
Conservation Effectiveness
National parks maintain the highest conservation standards with strict protection protocols.
1.2M
Annual Visitors
Supporting local economies through sustainable tourism while funding conservation.
23
Research Centers
Active research facilities advancing wildlife science and conservation knowledge.
Support Park Conservation
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