Things to do in  Central Kenya

The inspiration for animators of Disney’sThe Lion King, Hell’s Gate National Park covers roughly 26 square miles (68.25 square kilometers). Named for a gap in the red-tinged cliffs carved by the flowing waters of a prehistoric lake, it’s the only park in East Africa in which you can get out of your safari vehicle and hike freely.

Nestled along Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru National Park offers a diverse landscape of rocky caves, brushy grasslands, and, of course, Lake Nakuru. The national park is populated with an abundance of wildlife, including more than 400 different bird species, but its huge draw is the gathering of greater and lesser flamingos that wade across the lake.

Though technically all one nature reserve, Tsavo National Park is split between Tsavo East and Tsavo West, and separated by the Nairobi-Mombasa Road that cuts through the site. Tsavo National Park is one of Kenya’s oldest and largest national parks, and is the country’s largest protected area. It’s home to larger African mammals and a prolific bird population.

Majestic peaks shrouded in mist, vast open moorlands, and dense tropical forests characterize the varied landscapes of Aberdare National Park in Kenya. Marked by steep ravines and waterfalls, this protected area is a part of the Aberdare Mountain Range—boasting heights of more than 10,000 feet (3,050 meters)—and is populated by a remarkable variety of African animals.

Despite being one of Kenya’s smallest national parks, Hell’s Gate National Park has plenty of wildlife-watching opportunities and gives you the rare chance to explore on foot. Situated in the Rift Valley, it’s named for the soaring volcanic cliffs of the Ol Jorowa Gorge, where part of Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was filmed.

Flamingos, zebras, giraffes, and buffalos are among the many animals that roam freely within Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, along with more than 150 bird species. On the west shore of Lake Naivasha in Kenya’s Rift Valley, this small reserve is renowned for its striking emerald-green crater lake and its tranquil setting, surrounded by acacia trees.

Wild animals roam lush gardens surrounding this Lake Naivasha lodge, the former home of conservationists Joy and George Adamson. Flame trees bloom in brilliant colors, while troops of colobus monkeys can often be spotted on the lawn. Elsamere is also a popular stop on day trips from Nairobi, and overnight stays are an option.