Going on an African wildlife safari is a dream for many, and Kenya offers sensational experiences for both first-time visitors and seasoned safari enthusiasts. Thanks to a moderate climate and a huge variety of wildlife, Kenya is a fantastic destination to see animals year-round.
The diversity of Kenya's wildlife has garnered international fame, especially for its populations of large mammals. From the elephants herds of Amboseli to the big cats of the Mara to unique northern species of the Samburu, there is a fantastic range of wildlife one can come across while on safari, including Kenya's national animal, the well-known Big Five, and avian beauties, which have made Kenya a dream safari destination for bird watchers.
But what wildlife can you expect to see in Kenya? And where can you see lions in Kenya? Let's delve into the iconic and unique animals that make a Kenyan safari an unforgettable experience.
Going on a safari in Kenya is an exciting adventure where you get to see some of the most famous wild animals in the world.
The Big Five: Icons of the African Savannah
The Big Five animals are the standouts of any Africa safari, the wildlife that for many define what a journey to the savannah is all about. We’re talking about the iconic wild animals - the lion, leopard, African buffalo, elephant, and rhinoceros - which you can see on the best safaris in East Africa. These were: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and cape buffalo.
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The term “Big Five” goes back to the colonial days of game hunters and the difficulty of pursuing on foot and ultimately killing these beautiful animals. At one time the "Big Five" were at the top of hunters lists as they were considered the most difficult of Africa's big game to shoot while on foot. Accordingly, the number of places in Africa where you'll have the opportunity to see the Big Five has fallen considerably.
1. Lion (Panthera leo)
It would be difficult to go on safari without expectations of seeing the ‘king of the jungle’. The impressive lion, Kenya's national animal, represents power, bravery, and the country's abundant natural legacy. Seeing majestic prides ruling over the rolling plains and savannas, learning about their dramatic territorial battles and remarkable collaborative hunting strategies, this is life on safari.
Fortunately, several of Kenya’s parks feature multiple prides of lions. But for sheer number of prides and therefore individual lions, a visit to the Masai Mara is essential. Largest of Africa's big cats, the roar of a male lion can be heard from miles away. Lions live in prides of 15 - 20 and there are about 900 of them living in the Masai Mara region, making it one of the best places to spot them in the wild.
2. Leopard (Panthera pardus)
Sleek and mysterious, the leopard is a night hunter, on the prowl between sunset and sunrise. From its natural perch high on a tree branch, this graceful predator scans the horizon for its usual prey of grazers - antelope, gazelle, zebra, or wildebeest. Ah, the elusive spotted feline we'd all love to see! With the help of your local guide, you can look for these solitary hunters in places like Samburu National Reserve, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara.
Leopards are found in the Masai Mara, Amboseli, the Tsavo Parks but also in smaller reserves like Nakuru National Park and Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Shy and solitary, spotting Panthera pardus on a Kenya wildlife safari will transform your game drive into a lifelong memory. The leopard's mastery of camouflage and stealth makes it extremely elusive, thus being such a sought-after sighting. This predator's regal beauty is mesmerising; its magnificent coat has beguiled humans for millennia.
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Samburu is an area of arid woodland studded with rocky outcrops and thick riverine bush; it lays claim to the title of the best place in Kenya to see leopards.
3. African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
Perhaps the most beloved of the “Big Five” and maybe all of Africa’s wildlife, the mighty elephant marches through most of Kenya’s wildlife parks. You’ll see the towering pachyderm, often in family groups parading to and from their watering holes. Endlessly intelligent and iconic, African elephants continue to capture the hearts of travellers to Kenya.
Samburu Park boasts an elephant population of almost 1000 of the great creatures. Elephants are abundant throughout Kenya's wildlife parks (except Lake Nakuru) but if you want to see some of the biggest herds (and tusks!) in East Africa, head to Amboseli National Park. On a cloudless day, Amboseli also delivers some of the most outstanding views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the world’s largest land mammal. African savannah elephants are found in 23 countries across Africa. They have large populations in Kenya, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
4. African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)
This fierce animal is the only one of the “Big Five” that isn’t endangered or considered vulnerable. Known for their size, strength and deadly horns, anyone that messes with an African buffalo comes to regret it. They are unpredictable and feisty, and (like all animals) its best to give them plenty of space.
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The Cape buffalo is the Big 5's most irascible member and is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Although the buffalo is one of the most voracious grazers in Africa, it's not particularly demanding with regard to preferred habitat.
5. Rhinoceros
With its huge hulking body and unique set of horns rising from its nasal bridge, the big rhino is a special treat to witness. With their majestic horns, rhinos are at risk from poachers and fiercely protected by conservation groups. Most black and white species are being relocated to safe places because of their endangerment, but there are still many wild rhinos roaming Kenya.
While you can see the Big 5 in Kenya's Masai Mara, rhinos are increasingly difficult to find. By the 1980s, poaching reduced the black rhino population in Kenya to less than 300. In places like Lake Nakuru National Park, you can drive along the salty shores looking for both white and black rhinoceros. Although there are few places to see them, they can be found at Nairobi National Park, Tsavo National Park, Masaai Mara and Aberdares National Park.
Beyond the Big Five: Other Kenya Wildlife Animals
The Big Five-lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros-are popular for every safari-goer. However, note that Kenya also has many other fascinating wildlife species.
1. Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
Kenya remains the greatest stronghold for the fastest land animal in the world. Cheetahs can reach speeds of 110 km / 70 miles per hour. Cheetahs can be seen in the Masai Mara because this area provides a good hunting ground given its open plains, which offer little cover for their prey, making it easy for these big cats to spot and chase down what they need for food.
When you are the fastest land mammal on the planet (capable of exceeding 100 km/h or 60 mph), you want flat and wide-open spaces in which to chase down your prey. Cheetahs stand out because of their fast speed, which helps them catch other animals quickly, often reaching up to 60 miles per hour when sprinting. The slim body shape, along with black tear marks from the eye down towards the mouth, gives the cheetah a graceful and fierce look in a wild environment.
In places like the Masai Mara, you can watch these slim cats sprint for their next meal. Just don't expect them to roar as their vocalizations are mostly purring, growling, chirping and hissing.
2. African Wild Dog
An interesting species to watch for is the African wild dog, a predator that's highly endangered on this continent. These creatures are very social and form packs; they are recognized for their cooperative behavior when it comes to hunting. Extremely rare, a pack of wild dogs (a.k.a. painted wolves) is one of the most thrilling sights on any safari. These canids embody all the characteristics of the perfect predator: acute intelligence, exceptional cooperation, superb hearing, great physical strength, outstanding vision, and sheer speed.
The wild dogs of Kenya can be spotted in Laikipia and the southern areas. Wild dog numbers are on the increase in Samburu and the Laikipia region - the chances of seeing them here on your Kenya wildlife safari are good.
3. Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
Another one of the Kenya animals you'll see in abundance throughout the country, giraffes is often a very popular sighting for most safari travellers. Not to be outdone by zebras, there are three kinds of giraffe roaming around Kenya: Masai, Reticulated, and Rothschild. Whether you're watching them saunter by your vehicle or from above in a hot air balloon (hey, it's an option!), they are all mesmerizing to watch.
Rothschild's giraffe (one of the most endangered) - visit The Giraffe Centre or stay at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi for close-up encounters.
4. Hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius)
With its name derived from the ancient Greek for ‘river horse', it's not a surprise that you're most likely to see huge pods of these animals in Kenya's rivers, lakes and swamps. Despite the hippo's physical resemblance to a pig, its closest living relatives are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises, etc.).
In the Great Rift Valley, you can head to Lake Naivasha to get your fill of hippo sightings. Fair warning though, these aquatic heavyweights are notoriously aggressive and kill more humans a year than any other animal. You can cruise the freshwater lake by boat to spot wading hippos, zebras, giraffes, flamingos and crocodiles along the shore.
5. Zebra (Equus quagga & Equus grevyi)
If you like zebras (and who doesn't?) then you're in luck in Kenya. The country is home to two distinct species, Plains and Grevy's, the latter of which is endangered. You can see both at Samburu National Reserve along with four animals found only in this northern region, the long-necked gerenuk, beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and reticulated giraffe.
6. Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus)
Speaking of wildebeests, millions of these horned antelopes herd together as they search for grass and water. Along with zebras, gazelles and impalas they form the Great Migration (one of the greatest natural spectacles in the world) and risk it all against crocodiles as they cross the Mara River en masse.
Although you will find wildebeest in abundance throughout most of Kenya's wildlife parks, it's between July and November that you can see about a million of them in one place. This is when the Great Wildebeest Migration arrives in the Masai Mara, one of the last mass terrestrial wildlife movements left on the planet. August is considered the best time to witness the action-packed river crossings from the Serengeti into the Mara, and the most popular time for a wildlife safari in Kenya.
7. Hyena
The perpetual opportunists, hyenas are never far from a kill made by predators like lions and cheetahs. When spotting the right moment, these giggling scavengers will steal just about any piece of meat from just about any predator. While on a wildlife safari in Kenya, you're likely to fall asleep to a distant, whooping serenade of spotted hyenas.
8. Nile Crocodile
The Nile crocodile is widely distributed throughout Kenya, living mostly in aquatic environments like lakes, rivers, swamps and marshlands. It is Africa's biggest freshwater predator, capable of taking down almost any animal within its range. They are generalists, eating mostly fish, reptiles, birds and mammals.
The Samburu Special Five
If you are looking for a new wildlife adventure, the Samburu National Reserve might be perfect for your journey. It is different from the Masai Mara because here there exists what is known as the "Samburu Special Five", which includes: Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk (a type of antelope), and beisa oryx, which all live in this area only due to their adaptation to its dry climate.
Samburu National Park lies in the north of Kenya, where the flat greenness of the rest of the country gives way to arid scrubland and immense rocky outcrops. This extraordinary landscape supports animals uniquely adapted to the drier, rockier conditions.
- The Grevy's Zebra, different from the common zebra with its thinner stripes and more prominent ears, is a unique zebra. It's also the least common species of zebra and an exciting sight for anyone on safari.
- The Reticulated Giraffe is known for its unusual coat pattern, which looks like a net or web, and is strikingly different from the giraffes one sees in other parts of Kenya or Africa.
Birds of Kenya: A Paradise for Birdwatchers
Kenya is a bird lover's dream, with more than 1,100 species of birds found throughout the country. The different types of habitats available-from wetlands and lakes to forests and savannahs-make it an ideal place for many kinds of birds. The famous flamingos in Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria are known worldwide. Their pink feathers form a beautiful contrast against the blue waters of these lakes, creating a fantastic sight.
Birds in Kenya are a combination of those that live there throughout the year and others that come for migration, making it suitable for bird watching throughout the year. You can often see an African fish eagle around Kenya's lakes and rivers; it has a unique sound and an impressive appearance. The lilac-breasted roller is another one seen here, recognized by its vibrant feathers and unique “rolling" style of flight. The grey-crowned crane, Uganda's national bird, can also be found in Kenya.
Other Notable Kenyan Animals
Kenya's diverse ecosystems are home to a wide array of fascinating creatures. Here are a few more to keep an eye out for:
- Black-backed jackals: These opportunistic omnivores play an important role in their ecosystems, feeding on small antelopes, reptiles, insects, fruits, and carcasses.
- Bat-eared foxes: Distinguished by their large ears, these foxes primarily feed on insects like termites and are found in savannahs and arid scrublands.
- Dik-diks: These dwarf antelopes are well-adapted to arid regions, obtaining water from vegetation and seeking shelter in undergrowth.
- White-bellied go-away birds: Named for their distinctive call, these birds inhabit the arid savannahs and woodlands of Kenya.
- Rufous sengis: Also known as elephant shrews, these small mammals use their long, flexible snouts to search for insects and earthworms.
- Dugongs: These marine mammals graze on underwater grasses off the coast of East Africa and are closely related to manatees.
- Desert warthogs: Found in savannah and shrubland habitats, these warthogs have a large, warty head and two pairs of tusks.
- African jacanas: These water birds are known for their long claws and toes, which allow them to walk across water lilies and other aquatic vegetation.
- Thomson’s gazelles: These small to medium-sized antelopes are exclusively found in East Africa and are known for their speed and agility.
- Grant’s gazelles: Larger than Thomson’s gazelles, these antelopes are also found in the savannahs and grasslands of East Africa.
- Gerenuks: These antelopes have the longest neck of any gazelle, allowing them to reach leaves that are out of the reach of other herbivores.
- Green keel-bellied lizards: These striking lizards are found in small pockets of forest and woodland in Kenya and Tanzania.
- Kenya coast galagos: Also known as bush babies, these nocturnal primates spend most of their lives in trees, feeding on fruit and insects.
- Mount Kenya dwarf chameleons: These chameleons are only found on Mount Kenya and are assumed to have a stable population due to the lack of threats at high altitudes.
Planning Your Kenyan Safari
At Africa Kenya Safaris we are always flexible with your options, we will offer our thoughts on seasons, budgets, lifestyle, accommodations, first-hand experience of the parks, and all the possible activities to fill out your safari story. These itineraries are simply suggestions for how you could enjoy some of the same experiences as our specialists. Start thinking about your experience.
Thanks to a moderate climate and a huge variety of wildlife, Kenya is a fantastic destination to see animals year-round:
- April to May (the ‘long rains') - heavy downpours that flood rivers and turn dirt roads to sticky mud.
- November to December (the ‘short rains') - generally short-lived thundershowers in the afternoons. Game viewing is still great, photography conditions are sensational, and you won't see many tourists around.
Conservation Efforts
Kenya faces significant challenges in wildlife conservation, including poaching and habitat loss. Organizations like IFAW are working to combat the illegal trade of live cheetah cubs and create wildlife corridors for elephants. They also support local organizations like the Grevy's Zebra Trust and work with communities to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
IFAW is working to protect African savannah elephants and conserve their remaining habitat through our Room to Roam initiative. We’re creating new wildlife corridors that allow elephants to roam freely throughout East and Southern Africa, making populations more resilient to climate change and helping to protect the species from further decline.
At IFAW, we support Grevy’s Zebra Trust (GZT), the only organization in the world focused entirely on conserving this species in Kenya. We’ve also supported zebra populations elsewhere in Africa, reintroducing zebras and other animals into Kasungu National Park, which was decimated by decades of severe poaching.
15 Animals to Look for on Safari in Kenya!
Investigating wild animals in Kenya is an adventurous activity. It gives you a unique opportunity to experience nature and see the splendor of animal life as it exists naturally in their environment. To start organizing your customized Kenyan safari and get close to these amazing animals, contact Next Adventure today. Often referred to as the birthplace of safari, Kenya offers sensational experiences for first-time visitors and safari veterans alike.
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