Meru

Until the 80s, one of Kenyas prime destinations and a park abundant with both wildlife and tourists. Since then it has suffered badly through Somali poaching and, only now with the appointment of ranger Mark Jenkins in 1999, has it at last begun to recover. Dominated by savannah, with sporadic riverine forest and monolithic rocky outcrops, the park is visually outstanding. Through a process of re-introduction the park now also has steadily improving numbers of elephant, greater and lesser Kudu, black/white rhino, buffalo, leopard and lion.

Samburu

The park lies at the boundaries of the Laikipia Plateau and is about as far north as most visitors to the country venture. This remote region of the country is, like Meru, a wonder of raw visual beauty that typifies this land. Whilst it is so vast and remote, the park does, none the less, boast a wide diversity of species such as the Somali ostrich, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and good lion, elephant and leopard in the drier months. Typified by thorn scrub and sandy, arid terrain, the Ewaso Ng’iro River provides the chance to glimpse crocodile and hippo in this remote wilderness.

The Matthews Range

Like Samburu, very much an untouched wilderness and is a mountainous alternative for those seeking utter seclusion and stunning views. A series of steep gullies and winding paths, walking safaris amongst the peaks are a real treat and give a real sense of being in touch with nature. The region has good populations of leopard and elephant in particular.