What animals can you observe in Kenya?
The lands of East Africa are an ideal destination for a wildlife journey. Mammals, reptiles, primates or birds, many species thrive in the national parks
The lands of East Africa are an ideal destination for a wildlife journey. Mammals, reptiles, primates or birds, many species thrive in the national parks and national reserves! Follow us and discover where and when to observe animals in Kenya…
Where to observe animals in Kenya?
Land mammals
The Big Five: the buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhinoceros form the majestic Big Five. While it's rare to spot all of them during the same safari, this feat is possible in the Great Rift Valley! Dream of seeing the famous red elephants? Head to Tsavo Park…
Coke's hartebeest: located in southern Kenya, Coke's hartebeest is an African antelope that can measure up to 2.45 m long!
The waterbuck: also named Waterbuck, this antelope is recognizable by the lovely copper color of its coat and its two beautiful rounded horns.
The rock hyrax: this small herbivore with rodent-like features thrives among rocks… Keep your eyes peeled!
Kirk's dik-dik: this adorable little creature belongs to a subfamily of antelope. It measures less than 80 cm as an adult.
Grant's gazelle: known for its pronking (jumps similar to leapfrog!), this endemic antelope can be observed in several parks, including the Masai Mara National Reserve.
The reticulated giraffe (or Somali giraffe): a crossbreed, this one sports a coat covered with white curves. If you're lucky, you might witness a spectacular fight between males?
The gerenuk: this « giraffe-gazelle » owes its nickname to the extraordinary length of its neck. Beautiful and atypical, this animal is becoming increasingly rare... To have a chance of spotting it, head to Samburu National Reserve!
The wildebeest: despite its impressive size, the wildebeest is known for its great running speed (up to 100 km/h) and for being one of the flagship animals of the great migration in Kenya…
The greater kudu: this very large antelope is also becoming increasingly rare… Disappeared from neighboring lands, it can be observed in Kenya's national parks (and also on private land).
The African wild dog: this « African wild dog » is endowed with large round ears and is very sociable… with its fellow creatures!
The beisa oryx: this large antelope has two beautiful horns curved backwards from the head. Quite rare, it can be admired in Samburu National Reserve.
Other mammals: cheetah, hippopotamus, spotted hyena, impala, striped mongoose, warthog, topi, zebra, etc.
Reptiles
The crocodile: this reptile is also one of the main actors in the great migration. And for good reason! As thousands of animals cross the Talek and Mara rivers each year, this one emerges as a formidable obstacle…
The monitor lizard: this lizard, which can reach more than 2 m long, has a bifid tongue (split in two at the tip) identical to that of snakes!
Snakes: safaris in Kenya are also an opportunity to spot legendary snakes, such as the cobra or the famous black mamba (known as the most dangerous in the world)!
Other animals: land and aquatic turtles.
Primates
The baboon: the Great Rift Valley is appreciated by baboons (recognizable by their very elongated snouts, similar to those of dogs)! You'll spot them notably in Lake Nakuru National Park.
The vervet monkey: this small primate with a round head possesses an incredible range. It is capable of emitting 36 different sounds – including 3 alarm calls dedicated to spotting predators! To hear it? Explore Amboseli National Park.
The black and white colobus: this is a very rare species that thrives around watercourses. In Kenya, it lives notably in the Masai Mara National Reserve…
Other monkeys: red colobus, gorillas, etc.
Birds
The African jabiru: this is one of the largest storks in the world. Females can reach 1.50 m and males, 2.70 m!
The spoonbill: named for the shape of its beak, this large white wader loves humid regions, such as marshes, reed beds and lakes.
The pink flamingo: this migratory bird returns to Kenya each year after the rainy season. It particularly enjoys the Lake Nakuru National Park.
Other birds to observe: crowned crane, sacred ibis, etc.
When to go to Kenya for a wildlife journey?
To take a safari in Kenya, certain periods are to be favored. If you plan to explore the parks of the Great Rift Valley, avoid the rainy season (from March to May and October to December).
To witness the great migration, the period between mid-July and late August is recommended (when the spectacular migration of zebras and wildebeest takes place)!
Frequently asked questions
Kenya is famous for its Big Five: the lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhinoceros. You can also observe reticulated giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, cheetahs and an incredible diversity of birds like the pink flamingo.
The great migration ideally takes place between mid-July and late August, when thousands of wildebeest and zebras cross the Talek and Mara rivers before the eyes of crocodiles. It is the most impressive natural spectacle in Africa.
It is possible to observe the Big Five together in the Great Rift Valley. For red elephants, Tsavo Park is essential. Masai Mara National Reserve is also renowned for the diversity of its wildlife.
Yes! Kenya is home to several rare species such as the gerenuk (the giraffe-gazelle) visible in Samburu Reserve, the greater kudu in national parks, or the black and white colobus in the Masai Mara Reserve.
It is advisable to avoid the rainy season when exploring the parks of the Great Rift Valley: from March to May and October to December. The tracks can become difficult to access and dense vegetation makes observing animals more challenging.
