Kenya short safaris ranges from an overnight safari to 6 days safari made possible due to proximity of the parks to airports, Nairobi and Mombasa. Home to more than its fair share of wildlife, cultural tours, parks and reserves to do short safaris. It’s everyone’s dream to do safaris though sometimes time and budget factors not on ones side.
However, Kenya has among the best places in the world to experience a great safari is guaranteed. From within Kenya’s’ capital city (Nairobi) there is Nairobi National park with a lot of wildlife. However, in every city, there is a national park or national reserve in a radius of few hours drive.
Ultimately, this create a chance and proximity to do a safari but still have the best Africa safaris experience. Nevertheless, below are Kenya short safaris destination that never disappoints from wildlife, nature, national parks, sightseeing and cultural activities. It’s important to note, combining two to three places would increase chances of seeing more.
Top destinations for Kenya short safaris
Amboseli National Park
Known for its large herds of elephants and views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is place to be where time factor is an issue. In two days, chances of seeing big 5 among others are very high. Among of wildlife to see include elephant, buffalos, lion, leopard, giraffe, zebra, different type of gazelles. This make Amboseli a must tour in Kenya when one has limited time and still want to experience a great safari in Kenya.
While on safari of more than two days, combining Amboseli with a visit to Tsavo, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Aberdare, Samburu is very much in order; however, it depends on number of days. Choose the best guided with your interests and expectations. Amboseli is place to be if you wish to do Kenya and Tanzania safari visiting Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire and Lake Manyara.
Masai Mara National Reserve
Synonymous with both wildlife and the Maasai tribes, which sees some two million wildebeest and zebras during the Great Migration happening every year between July – October, is a must visit. Masai Mara is the most famous destination in Kenya and the best place to see a lot due to largest population of wildlife. This does not only make it a great destination for Kenya short safaris but also the most toured tourist destination in Africa after Kruger in South Africa.
Here, 95% of wildlife found in Africa are found here and easily spotted in the vast open savanna. This is a place not to skip and best for any short safari with zero chances of any disappointment. It’s located 5hrs drive from Nairobi and 45 minutes flight from Nairobi with daily scheduled flights. Beach holiday makers at the coast can take advantage of daily scheduled flights from Mombasa, Diani, Malindi and Lamu to fly to Masai Mara for 2 nights Kenya short safaris itinerary or more. Masai Mara combines very well with other destinations like Amboseli, lake Nakuru, Aberdare national parks.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Located in the heart of the Great Rift Valley, this is home to millions of flamingos, rhino among many others. Lake Nakuru serves as connecting destination as its central located in Kenya tourist circuits. Combining it with Masai Mara when on 4 days safari adds more value and feeling of satisfying safari experience. Even so, other places to combine with include Amboseli, Aberdare, Samburu, Mt. Kenya among others. lake Nakuru serves also as connecting destination for long and Kenya short safaris due its central location in the main tourist circuits.
Mt. Kenya National Park
Located on the slopes of Mt. Kenya and 2hrs drive from Nairobi makes it the best place for game viewing. Serena mountain lodge offers the best accommodation, game viewing from the lodge and nature walks and day hiking around Mt. Kenya. Elephants and buffalos and antelopes and gazelles are permanent residence at the lodge borehole. However, with extra days, combining with Samburu, Aberdare and Masai Mara is a great idea. Why is Mt. Kenya in the list of Kenya short safaris destination? It’s just 2 hours drive from Nairobi, mountain climbers hub and cool climate as a result of snow-capped Mt. Kenya.
Samburu National Reserve
Like Masai Mara and Amboseli, Samburu has a large population of mail and rare wildlife found in Kenya nd Africa at large. Located on the northern part of Kenya and 4hrs drive from Nairobi, Samburu would be a great place to be on Kenya short safaris.
Oryx, gerenuk, reticulated giraffes are rare wildlife that you might not see in other parks in Kenya, hence adding Samburu will add more value to your Kenya short safaris. Similarly, combining with Mt. Kenya, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara and Amboseli time allowing would be great.
Tsavo
Tsavo is the largest national Park in Kenya in landmass which is divided to Tsavo East and Tsavo West National parks. For beach holiday makers at the coast who want to combine beach stay and safari, Tsavo is the place to visit. Tsavo east is famous among the two as its more of savanna making it easy to spot wildlife during game drives unlike Tsavo west which is more forested and hilly.
Both parks are situated 2-3hrs hours drive depending from which part of Kenyan coast one is from; Diani beach, Mombasa, Malindi and Watamu beaches. This makes it the best beach break for day trip safari to overnight safaris from the beach. Elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, buffalos, cheetah, zebra, hippos, antelopes and gazelles are found here in large populations. With more days to spend, adding Amboseli will add more value and great safari experience. Beach holiday makers at the coast will be interested to visit Tsavo and in fact it’s from where most Kenya short safaris start when using Moi airport in Mombasa.
Shimba Hills National reserve
Situated 30 minutes and 45 minutes drive from Diani and Mombasa beaches respectively, Shimba hills is the place to visit for Kenya short safaris. Here, elephant, buffalos, giraffe, endangered sable antelopes, leopards, impala, ostrich make to the list among many more that are found here.
Therefore, day trip or overnight at only tree lodge (Shimba hills Lodge) will give one safari experience from Kenya coast. Likewise, time allowing, combining with Tsavo east is a must.
List of the best Kenya short safaris:
- 2 days Lake Nakuru
- Two days Tsavo East National park
- 3 days Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park
- Three days Masai Mara road safari
- 3 days Masai mara flying safari or air safari
- 4 days Masai mara and Lake Nakuru National Park
- Four days Nairobi to Mombasa safari
- 6 days Aberdare, Mt. Kenya, Lake Nakuru and masai mara safari