Lists of Kenya’s parks all read alike; a scale map is what makes the differences click. Tsavo East alone is bigger than every other park on this map combined with room to spare, while famous names like Lake Nakuru and Samburu turn out to be pocket-sized.
Every major park, reserve and conservancy below is drawn to its true boundary and colour-coded by type. Tap any shape for its size and a link to the full guide.
Colours: national parks, national reserves, conservancies, coast and marine. Park boundaries: protected-area data © UNEP-WCMC WDPA and © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Parks, reserves and conservancies are run differently
National parks are managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service; national reserves like the Masai Mara and Samburu are run by county governments; conservancies are private or community land leased for wildlife. In practice this changes who you pay, what the rules allow (night drives and walking are conservancy privileges) and how busy the sightings get. The colour coding above follows exactly that split.
How planners actually use this map
Most first safaris draw from a small cluster: the Mara for cats and the migration, Amboseli for elephants and Kilimanjaro, Lake Nakuru or Bogoria for flamingos and rhino, and Tsavo when the coast is part of the trip. The full map of Kenya guide explains how those regions chain together into routes that make geographic sense.
Quick reference
| Park or reserve | Size | Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Tsavo East | 13,747 km² | Kenya’s largest park |
| Tsavo West | 9,065 km² | Mzima Springs, rhino |
| Maasai Mara | 1,510 km² | Migration, big cats |
| Meru | 870 km² | Rhino sanctuary |
| Aberdare | 767 km² | Tree lodges, bongo |
| Mount Kenya | 715 km² | Trekking |
| Amboseli | 392 km² | Elephants, Kilimanjaro |
| Lake Nakuru | 188 km² | Rhino, flamingo |
| Samburu | 165 km² | Special Five |
| Nairobi NP | 117 km² | Safari beside a capital |
Entry fees are indicative non-resident adult rates. KWS and county tariffs change; confirm current rates before travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many national parks does Kenya have?
More than 20 national parks, a similar number of national reserves, and dozens of private and community conservancies, most overseen by the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Which is the largest national park in Kenya?
Tsavo East, at 13,747 km². Combined with Tsavo West, the Tsavo complex covers around 22,000 km².
What is the difference between a national park and a national reserve?
Parks are run by the national wildlife service; reserves are run by county governments, which set their own fees. The Masai Mara and Samburu are reserves, not parks.
Which park should a first-time visitor choose?
The Masai Mara is the usual anchor, commonly paired with Amboseli or Lake Nakuru. The map makes the road logic between them easy to see.
Related maps and guides
- Map of Kenya: the full safari geography guide
- Masai Mara safari map
- Rift Valley lakes map
- Kenya safari seasons map
If this guide has you ready to travel, a safari specialist can handle the route, camps, and logistics end to end.
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