Wild Kenya: Nature-Lovers’ Sanctuaries

Nature Parks and Sanctuaries: A Complete Guide

Kenya is renowned for its breathtaking nature parks and reserves that are home to diverse wildlife, spectacular landscapes, and rich ecosystems. These parks attract visitors from around the world, offering a chance to experience nature in its purest form. On a smaller and more intimate scale, nature parks and sanctuaries, usually small, confined and privately owned, offer wider access without too much advance planning to explore many aspects of safari notably of the iconic wildlife.

Located just outside Kenya’s bustling capital, Nairobi National Park is unique in offering a safari experience with the city skyline in the background. The park is a rhino sanctuary and is home to lions, giraffes, zebras, and more. Also found at the entrance of the park are the Nairobi Animal Orphanage and Nairobi Safari Walk that are collectively among the much-like and most accessible nature sanctuaries. Less-visited but beautiful, known for their scenic and rolling plains are the hatful of sanctuaries in Northern Kenya dedicated to the conservation of giraffes.

By the same token, nearly all nature parks and sanctuaries in Kenya are dedicated to the conservation of endangered species, wildlife rehabilitation, and protecting unique ecosystems. These sanctuaries play an important role in Kenya’s efforts to preserve its rich biodiversity and providing a controlled and safe environment for patrons. Indeed, the provide an unfiltered lens to understand wildest Kenya. At David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, one of Kenya’s most renowned nature sanctuaries, visitors can witness the feeding and mud-bathing sessions of the baby elephants.

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Around Kenya are to be found a hatful of delightful nature parks and sanctuaries, many of these being community initiatives to protect wildlife in their natural habitats. Fairly small in comparison to the national parks and reserves, they offer a more intimate exposure to the wild, to fully appreciate the local flora and fauna.

Index of Nature Parks & Sanctuaries in Kenya



Bomet County - Kipsegon Ecosystem, Masese Nyangores Ecotourism Site, Bungoma County - Buteyo Miti Park, Garissa County - Garissa Giraffe Centre, Bour Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Homa Bay County - Ondago Swamp Nature Sanctuary, Kakamega County - Isecheno Nature Reserve, Yala Nature Sanctuary, Kericho County - Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary, Chebown Nature Sanctuary, Kilifi County - Mnarani Snake Park, Mazingira Park, A Rocha Ecolodge & Conservation Centre, Mida Creek Sanctuary, Local Ocean Conservation, Bio-Ken Snake Farm, Mida Creek Nature Camp, The Kipepeo Butterfly Farm, Kisumu County - Dunga Beach Wetland Boardwalk, Kitui County - Mutomo Reptile Park, Kwale County - Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, Colobus Conservation, Kaya Kinondo, Bora Bora Wildlife Park, Diani Reptile Park, Wasini Boardwalk, Gazi Boardwalk, Lamu County - Amu Ranch, Makueni County - Kivungoni Springs, Meru County - Thaaru Springs, Mombasa County - Mombasa Butterfly House, Haller Park, The Butterfly Pavillion, Nguuni Nature Sanctuary, Nairobi County - Nairobi Arboretum, Nairobi Animal Orphanage, Safari Walk, Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nyandarua County - Sharpe's Longclaw Reserve, Samburu County - Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Maralal Game Sanctuary, Taita Taveta County - Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Njoro Springs, Ithumba Elephant Nursery, Tana River County - Ozi Conservation, Trans Nzoia County - Kitale Nature Conservancy, Treasure of Africa, Uasin Gishu County - River Sosiani Park, Eldoret Nature & Cultural Centre Park, Wajir County - Wajir Giraffe Sanctuary

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