Camping safaris in Kenya offer a unique opportunity for nature lovers to enjoy a close interaction with nature. Nothing is as mesmerizing as enjoying the whispers in the wild, and the roar of lions among others while on a camping experience.
Camp under the open skies, listen to hyenas laugh all night, and birds sing. Generally, you immerse yourself in the magical wilderness full of authentic nature experiences. There are many camping opportunities in Kenya and nighttime is amazingly, a special moment to hold on to.
To have the most of Kenya’s camping safaris, 8 days or more allows you to visit several camping sites. You get a chance to soak yourself in the wilderness of Masai Mara National Reserve, Tsavo National Parks, Amboseli National Park, etc. What is amazing about camping safaris in Kenya is that small and large groups are all accommodated.
What to expect on Kenya camping safari?
A lot awaits you on a camping safari in Kenya. Spend an overnight in the luxurious and quality tents. Set up your tent in the wilderness and have all the required equipment including camping chairs, tables, dishes, cutleries, a sleeping mat/mattress, and more. Expect to spend a good time in the public campsites in the National Parks or Private campsites located at the edge of parks or reserves.
Kenya is found in East Africa and offers a range of experiences from wilderness/national park safaris to coastal experiences. It is one destination with a unique landscape characterized by vast savannas, rift valleys, mountain highlands, and amazingly, a stronghold to the diversity of wildlife including rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes.
It is possible to arrange a 3-day Amboseli camping tour, 3 days Masai Mara camping safari, 5 days combined Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru camping safari, 5 days Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha camping tour, or embark on 6 days Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Samburu camping tour.
Where to go for camping safaris in Kenya
Amboseli National Park
Giraffes in Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is notably a premier destination not only for camping but also for big game safaris. It is located in Loitoktok, Rift Valley Province of Kenya and it is famous as a home to the giants.
Amboseli National Park is 392sq. km and shelters a range of attractions worth exploring on camping safaris in Kenya. The park’s iconic attractions include wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, crocodiles, wild dogs, leopards, dik-dik, zebras, and mongooses plus a diversity of birds. These can be spotted during the dry season from June, July, August, and September to October.
On Amboseli camping safaris, birds are a must to sight and there are endemic and near-endemic species to keep an eye on. The birds that make Amboseli a great birding area include steel blue whydah, lesser flamingo, common redshank, African swamp hen, Taveta golden weaver, spike-heeled lark, dickson’s kestrel, long-toed lapwing, von der decken’s hornbill;
Eurasian thick-knee, Madagascar pond heron, white-backed ducks, knob-billed duck, Egyptian goose, blue-billed teal, Northern shoveler, Southern pochard, crested francolin, moorland francolin, harlequin quail, pigeon, doves, sandgrouse, bustards, bare-faced go-away bird, white-bellied go-away bird, cuckoos, nightjars, swifts, crakes, lapwings, plovers, bee-eaters.
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve prides itself not only on wildebeest migration but also on thrilling camping safari experiences. Founded in 1961, Masai Mara is a stunning nature reserve in Narok County Kenya. It extends to join the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania.
Masai Mara National Reserve is a special camping paradise. The reserve is known for its concentration of wildlife including wildebeests, zebras, Thompson’s gazelles, crocodiles, hippos, lions, buffaloes, leopards, birds such as ostriches, kori bustards, Madagascar squacco heron, great white egrets, yellow-billed storks, jaunty crowned plovers, secretary birds, goliath heron, black-headed heron;
Jackson’s widowbird, grey penduline tit, African wood ow, grey crested helmet shrike, red-throated tit, lazy cisticola, giant kingfishers, ross’s turacos, Denham’s bustards, purple grenadier, giant kingfisher, cinnamon breasted bunting, Hildebrandt’s starling, and others.
Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is a celebrated birding paradise for thousands of pink flamingos. It is one of the popular Kenya safari parks offering excellent game viewing, camping, and birding. The park’s wildlife to see includes white rhinos, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, birds such as flamingoes, Kenya rufous sparrow, crab plover, black-winged lapwing, black-tailed godwit, European roller, lappet-faced vulture, brimstone canary, black-winged lapwing, grey crowned crane;
Grey crested helmet shrike, greater spotted eagle, grey-headed woodpecker, white-headed vulture, white-fronted bee-eater, slender-billed greenbul, Ruppell’s robin chat, rufous throated wryneck, shining sunbirds, and more.
Lake Naivasha
Flamingos on Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is one of the freshwater lakes located outside Naivasha town. It is a spectacular lake and national park known for its extinct volcano- Mt. Longonot, dense forest, and acacia trees. Lake Naivasha National Park best referred to as Sheer Adventure lies along the Rift Valley area and it is 140sq. km.
The attractions in Lake Naivasha National Park include Lake Naivasha a home to plenty of aquatic birds- over 350 bird species all live in this park and they include African spoonbill, flamingoes, Palearctic duck, red knobbed coot, weaver birds, Porzana pusilla; wildlife like buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, leopards, lions and more.
Other attractions in Lake Naivasha include Crater Lake Game Sanctuary home to about 150 bird species. Mount Longonot (2776m) with the last eruption record registered in the 1860s. It is one of the best hiking areas taking hikers 2-4 hours and this may vary depending on your speed of hiking or trek.
Crescent Island is a private island sanctuary located along the Rift Valley area. The island is unfenced and wildlife can be spotted roaming freely. It can be reached using a boat or 4WD vehicle and it is interestingly, one of the best places to undertake a guided nature walk at Lake Naivasha.
When to visit Kenya for camping
Camping in Kenya is an all-year-round experience. However, it is best done from July to August when wildebeest migration can be enjoyed to the fullest. January to February is perfect for birding trips in Lake Nakuru, and Lake Naivasha.
