Sibiloi National Park / Cradle of mankind, Garden of Eden Access: 800 km north of Nairobi. There are also two all-weather strips. Size/Location: 1,570 sq km/Lake Turkana, Marsabit District, Eastern Province. Climate: Hot and arid. Activities: Game viewing, camping, archaeological safaris and bird watching.
Wildlife: Zebra, Grant’s gazelle, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, topi, greater kudu, hippo, lion, cheetah, leopard, striped hyena and silver-backed jackal. The world’s largest population of Nile crocodile breeds on Lake Turkana Central Island. Where to stay: Oasis Lodge, Lobolo Tented Camp, self-catering accommodation, two public campsites.
Tsavo East National Park / Theatre of the wild Access: 233 km south of Nairobi and 250 km north of Mombasa on the main NairobiMombasa road. There are three airstrips in the park. Size/Location: 13, 747 sq km/South East Kenya, inland from the coast. Climate: Warm and dry. Safaricard required: Yes
Activities: Game viewing, camping, trekking and birdwatching. Wildlife: Elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, hippo, crocodile, waterbuck, kudu, gerenuk and hirola. Where to stay: Voi Safari Lodge, Kingfisher Tented Camp, Ndololo Tented Camp, Satao Camp, Epiya Chapeya Tented Camp, Patterson’s Safari Camp, Aruba Ashnil and public campsite, Ndololo.
Tsavo West National Park / Land of lava, springs and man-eaters Access: 240 km south of Nairobi/250 km north of Mombasa on the main NairobiMombasa road. There also are three airstrips. Size/Location: 9065 sq km/South Eastern Kenya, inland from Mombasa. Climate: Warm and dry. Safaricard required: Yes Activities: Game viewing, camping, cave
exploration, underwater hippo watching. Wildlife: Elephant, rhino, hippo, lion, cheetah, leopard, buffalo, diverse plant and bird species including the threatened corncrake and Basra reed warbler. Where to stay: Ngulia Safari Lodge, Kilaguni Safari Serena Lodge, Kitani Severin Safari Camp/ Lodge, Finch Hatton’s Tented Lodge, Voyager Safari Camp, KWS selfcatering and three public campsites.
Watamu Marine National Reserve / Haven for turtle, coral gardens and Mida Creek Access: By road Watamu is 120 km north of Mombasa and 28 km south of Malindi.
Activities: Windsurfing, snorkelling, waterskiing, diving and glass bottom boat.
Size/Location: 10 sq km/ North Coast, Malindi.
Marine life: Fish, turtles, dugongs, crabs and over 100 species of birds.
Climate: Humid.
Where to stay: There is currently no accommodation in the reserve, a wide range of options exist in nearby Malindi town.
Major attractions: Green turtle, unique coral gardens, Mida Creek, the Kipepeo Butterfly Project and the Gede ruins.