Kenya’s Wild Treasure: Wildlife Theatres

National Parks and Reserves: A Complete Guide

In many respects, Kenya makes the perfect safari destination both for locals and for the ever growing number who visit Kenya. It certainly has enormous touring resources. There are no less than sixty National Parks, Reserves and Game Sanctuaries which cover approximately 11% of the total surface area of Kenya.

Kenya is a theater to experience the wild in whichever direction you take; in the vast savannah plains that spread over 40% of Kenya, in the semi-arid desert environments which cover 30% of Kenya, in the highlands which cover 20% of Kenya, or at the coastal strip which covers 10% of Kenya.  The sharp contrast in environments is responsible for variety in range of Kenya’s spectacular reserves.

Protected areas in Kenya are administered by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) while Forest Reserves are managed by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). The KWS areas are protected for wildlife conservation and comprise 8% of the country. Forest Reserves comprise another 3% of Kenya. In spite of this allotment of protected land, about 70% of the wildlife resources are found outside of National Parks and Reserves and remain at risk. Kenya is endowed with tremendous biodiversity.

It total Kenya has about 2,500 species of animals that include: 1,133 birds, 315 mammals, 191 reptiles, 180 freshwater fish, 692 marine and brackish fish, and 88 amphibians. It has 7,000 vascular plants species and more than 2,000 fungi and bacteria. Of these rich biodiversity of fauna and flora 1,100 vascular plant species, 14 mammals and 8 bird species are endemic to Kenya. 113 bird, 51 mammals, 8 amphibians and reptiles, and 26 fish types are either endangered or threatened.

Kenya certainly has enormous touring resources. There are no less than sixty national narks, reserves and game sanctuaries, covering approximately 11% of the land surface. Each of these diverse and stunning national parks and reserves offers unique wildlife experiences and unique, breathtaking landscapes.

Index of National Parks & Reserves in Kenya

Baringo County - Lake Baringo National Reserve , Lake Bogoria National Reserve , Kerio Valley National Reserve, Lake Kamnarok National Reserve , Bomet County - The South Western Mau National Reserve , Busia County - Malaba Sanctuary , Elgeyo Marakwet County - Rimoi National Reserve , Embu County - Mount Kenya National Park; Irangi Forest Station , Mwea National Reserve , Garissa County - Bour-Algi Giraffe Sanctuary , Rahole National Reserve , Arawale National Reserve , Boni National Reserve , Homa Bay County - Ruma National Park , Isiolo County - The Bisanadi National Reserve , Buffalo Springs National Reserve , Shaba National Reserve , Kajiado County - Amboseli National Park, Kakamega County - Kakamega National Reserve , Kilifi County - Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve , Watamu Marine National Park , Malindi Marine Reserve , Kisumu County - Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Ndere Island National Park, Kitui County - Mwingi National Reserve , South Kitui National Reserve , Kwale County - Shimba Hills National Reserve , Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve , Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park & Reserve , Lamu County - Dodori National Reserve , Kiunga Marine National Reserve , Machakos County - Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park , Makueni County - Chyulu Hills National Park , Ngai Ndethya National Reserve , Mandera County - Malka Mari National Park , Marsabit County - Losai National Reserve, South Island National Park, Marsabit National Park & Reserve, Sibiloi National Park, Meru County - Meru National Park , Mombasa County - Mombasa Marine National Reserve & Park , Nairobi County - The Nairobi National Park, Nakuru County - Mount Longonot National Park, Crescent Island Sanctuary, Hell's Gate National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park , Nandi County - Bonjoge National Reserve , Narok County - Masai Mara National Reserve, Nyeri County - The Aberdare National Park, Samburu County - Samburu National Reserve , Maralal National Reserve, Siaya County - Lake Kanyaboli Reserve, Tana River County - Kora National Park , The Tana Primate National Reserve , Taita Taveta County - Tsavo East National Park , Tsavo West National Park , Tharaka Nithi County - Mutejwa National Reserve , Trans Nzoia County - Mount Elgon National Park , Saiwa Swamp National Park , Turkana County - Central Island Reserve, South Turkana Reserve, West Pokot County - Nasolot National Reserve

History of Parks and Reserves in Kenya

The interest in official protection of Kenya’s wilder places and its prolific wildlife was commensurate with the emergence of the British imperial rule in the 1890s. Hitherto, the native communities of the 1800s and in recent history had in few areas respectfully used wildlife for food, with hardly any evidence of monetary benefits, favouring the coexistence between early humans and wildlife. Big game hunting safaris, however high-sounding, and the subjugation of game to poaching and ivory hunting influenced trading in wildlife resources, nudging closer the importance to safeguard Kenya’s great interests and inlay laws and regulations.

In 1945, the Government passed the National Parks Ordinance that paved way for officially launching novel protected areas. This was followed by the establishment of Nairobi Royal Park in 1945, the first in Kenta. By 1956, there were two bodies responsible for fauna conservation in Kenya – the Game Department and the Trustees of the National Parks – under the national reserve law proclaimed to protect the areas of particular faunal interest. Forest Reserves were under the control of the Forest Department. The Wildlife Management Act of 1976 sought to bring all these institutions, other than those under Forest Department, under one.

The difference between a National Park and National Reserve is historical and somewhat irrelevant today, with these differences in mind: A National Park is fenced off and no other form of land use is permitted in such areas while in a National Reserve the land is used by the public and is unfenced, where limited grazing is usually permitted. Also, a National Park is managed by the National Government, while a National Reserve is managed by the County Governments.

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