Conservation of the environment has long been a priority in Kenya, and it has over 60 national parks and reserves, each with something special to offer.Here we’ve selected the most popular of the lot and highlighted what it is that makes them so.

Aberdare National Park

Distance from Nairobi: 100km
Highlights: The Aberdares are steeped in history; it was here that Queen Elizabeth was crowned, in 1952, while on holiday at the Treetops- a quaint lodge built on stilts. It is also here that Kenyan freedom fighters, known as the Mau-Mau launched their rebellion against the colonialists.

History aside, this is a fabulous place to visit. The rolling hills are separated by clearest streams, some of which hold trout. Because of its high altitude, the place is pleasantly cool and enjoys high rainfall so it is always green.

Accomodation: Hotels and lodges here are very quaint and mostly follow a colonial-style of living. Great game viewing of the Big Five, plus, if you’re extremely fortunate you can see the rare Bongo Antelope.

The Ark, is built with specialized hides and a watering hole that attract animals at all hours while most lodges have golf courses and all the mod-cons you desire.

Amboseli National Park

Distance from Nairobi: 240km

Highlights: Amboseli was a prehistoric lake and to today it still feels like a giant bowl. Two amazing things about this park are the great view you get of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and the large elephant herds.

On a game drive, especially in the early morning you are likely to encounter lion also.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Distance from Nairobi: 170km
Highlights: Lake Nakuru is a wetland area and one of the best places in the world to sight flamingoes. Thousands upon thousands come to the water’s edge to feed and there’s really nothing like it to behold.

The park is a good place to sight leopards- and you’ll be surprised that they’re usually up a tree eating lunch.

Their powerful jaws allow them to carry even a whole cow up a tree! There are both Black and While Rhino in the park and you’ll see eating the tops off the acacia are graceful Rothschild’s Giraffes.

While you’re taking all of it in you can hardly help but notice that the place has amazing birdlife- 450 species at last count.
Accommodation: The Sarova Lion Hill Hotel (mid-range budget travelers).

Masai Mara National Reserve

Distance from Nairobi: 275km
Highlights: if you could choose only one place to visit- it should be the Masai Mara. Everything here happens on a grand and glorious scale: the Wildebeest Migration, one of the wonders of the world happens between July and September every year; a highly orchestrated movement of millions of wildebeests and other herbivores through the plains and across the Mara River to reach grassy fields where they will calve.

But that’s not all, the Masai Mara has one of the largest resident populations of lion and is home to the award winning Big Cat Diary on the BBC.Game drives here are always a treat for the senses, regardless of time of day- but if you really want to see the Mara in style, we suggest that you book a hot air balloon ride through us.

Accommodation: you really are spoiled for choice; there’s a place for everyone: high-end eco-resorts, camping sites, large hotels.
NB: the one draw back that the Mara has is that roads leading to it are in a state. You are probably better of flying, despite the additional costs.

Meru National Park

Distance from Nairobi: 370km
Highlights: great game viewing includes Beisa’s Oryx, Grevy’s Zebra, lion, the endangered White Rhino and cheetah. This is where Joy Adamson released her adopted lioness Elsa.

The landscape is varied with rocky outcrops (kopjes), three main rivers and the Nyambeni hills. Birders will find this an exceptional haunt-especially for raptors.

Accommodation: mostly high-end eco-resorts including Elsa’s Kopje. There are also KWS managed bandas and a campsite.