When you think safari, you think Africa. A Kenya safari adventure comes packed with excitement and lots of new experiences. If you love adventure and like to explore new places, then Kenya should be on your wish list. 

As the wildlife Parks and Game Reserves in Kenya are full of flora and fauna, you will be able to spot the rarest breeds of animals and birds. Most tourists especially book a Kenyan safari, to spot the top 5 animals in Kenya, namely Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, and Buffalo. But wild dogs, giraffes and zebras provide their own additional thrill that should not be missed. Thus, if you have booked a Kenya wildlife tour, you need to be aware of the top 8 Kenyan animals and where to see them. Here’s our ultimate guide.

1. African Lions

Let’s start with the Lion – King of the Jungle – which is the biggest attraction of a Kenya safari. Lions have a brownish yellow colour and are social cats, who live in a pride consisting of males and females. 

They usually prey on creatures like zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, and warthogs. These cats spend almost 20 hours a day resting and are active after dusk. Also, female lions hunt better than males. 

Places to spot Lions: Amboseli National Park, Meru National Park, Samburu National Reserve, and Masai Mara National Park in Kenya.

2. African Leopards 

The African Leopard is a subspecies of the leopard family. Kenya has the largest population of African leopards. The felines usually use trees as an observation platform for protection and are mostly spotted during daylight. 

Leopards are solitary animals with excellent predatory skills and can swim and climb as well. They usually hunt at night for zebras, monkeys, and large birds. Spotting Leopards is difficult in the off-season, as they are both wary of humans and are nocturnal.

Places to spot Leopards: Samburu National Reserve, Masai Mara National Park, Meru National Park, and Tsavo National Park. 

3. Elephants 

If you spot an African Elephant in the wild, consider yourself lucky. They inhabit sub-Saharan habitats and forests. Elephants are not only protective and intelligent but also have excellent memories. 

They can communicate with one another over a very long distance. Due to their size, elephants can eat up to 300 to 400 pounds of vegetation every day. They like to eat grasses, wild bushes, and leaves and feed when they wander around in groups. 

Places to spot Elephants: Himba Hills, Aberdare National Park, and Masai Mara National Park.

4. Rhinos

Spotting a rhino happens to be one of the highlights of a Kenya safari. The African land Rhino is the largest land mammal second only to the Elephant. The Rhinos use their horns during mating and fighting. They are generally herbivores, who also love to eat foliage from bushes and plants. 

What sets the species apart is the shape of their bottom. The bottom portion of the Rhino is square-shaped. They are defensive and often defend themselves from lions by putting up an impressive fight. 

Places to spot African Rhinos: Il Ngwesi Group Ranch, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Solio Game Reserve, and Masai Mara National Park in Kenya. 

5. Buffaloes 

Another famous big five Kenya animal people love to spot on a Kenya safari is the Buffalo. Also known as the Cape Buffalo, it has a cow-like appearance. 

They have different types of horns and colours and like to live in herds that number in hundreds. During the dry season, the males generally split from groups and wander alone. 

Buffaloes can swim across rivers and are found near riverbeds. They feed on green vegetation to survive. They are also known to be temperamental, and at times, can attack without provocation. 

Places to spot Buffaloes: Samburu National Reserve, Meru National Park, Tsavo National Park, and Masai Mara National Park.

6. Wild Dogs 

African Wild Dogs are social creatures that live in packs. There is also a dominant breeding pair that lives among the groups. The best feature is that no two wild dogs have the same marking on them, so this makes them unique.

The white and tan fur can help to recognize wild dogs. They have different vocalizations and movements through which they actively communicate. They are carnivores, and puppies are always given priority for hunting and killing. 

Places to spot the Wild Dogs: Mara North Conservancy, Mpala Center in Kenya, and Samburu National Reserve. 

7. Giraffes

The Giraffe is the tallest animal on earth, and you’ll easily be able to spot it on an African safari. They have distinctive white and brown markings and are known for their long necks, with their legs alone being over 6 feet long. No two giraffes have the same pattern, which sets a difference in appearance. 

They live in large herds, and females travel with their younger ones. Vegetarians by nature, you will often find them in green grasslands and plains. You can also spot three main Kenyan giraffes on a safari. 

The best place to spot Giraffes: Maasai Mara National Park.

8. Zebras 

Zebras have exceptional brown and black patterns that make them look attractive. They have an intriguing way of communicating through their body language, such as widening their eyes or baring their teeth. 

Zebras mostly thrive on grass, leaves, and twigs. They are a favourite prey for Lions and other big cats and can be spotted in large groups in the wildlife parks of Kenya. 

Places to spot Zebras: Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Northern Kenya and Masai Mara National Park.

So spot on,

The adrenaline rush you will get on spotting the above animals is simply unmatched. It will remain a lifelong memory for you.