Big 5 Kenya: Where to Go and When on Big 5 Safari in Kenya

For many animal lovers, a Big 5 Kenya safari is a dream holiday!

Kenya’s national parks rank among the world's most revered safari destinations and are prime locations for encountering the Big 5 African animals in the wild: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino.

Drawing safari adventurers and wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world, when it comes to bucket list animal spots, Kenya is hard to beat!

But where in this huge country is the best Big 5 Safari Kenya offers?

While you could opt for a single park to chance your luck at seeing the Kenya Big 5, not all Kenyan parks are Big 5 safari destinations. Many travellers opt for tours that visit multiple reserves hoping to see all Big 5 animals in one trip.

Not only does this increase the likelihood of encountering these iconic creatures, but it also allows you to experience more of Kenya's diverse and spectacular landscapes.

So read on to see what animals you can spot in which parks and how to plan your Kenya Big 5 safari perfectly! 

Southern Kenya Big 5

Masai Mara buffalo, Big 5 Kenya

Masai Mara Big 5 Safari

The Masai Mara is undoubtedly one of Kenya’s most famous national parks and also one of the most popular when it comes to Big 5 safaris.

Located in the southwest of Kenya, the park extends to the border with Tanzania, where it meets the world-famous Serengeti.

Animals can roam freely across these two national parks, which enables the epic migrations of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles seen here, as these animals cross hundreds of miles in search of fresh grazing lands.

The Masai Mara is one of the few national reserves in Africa that is lucky to be home to all the Big Five animals.

However, the animals are often quite spread out, so it may take some patience to see them all.

Rhino sightings here are especially rare, so many travellers looking for a Big 5 safari include another Kenyan park where these elusive creatures are easier to find.

• 3-day Luxury camping safari in the Masai Mara
• 6-day Small group camping safari to the Masai Mara and Great Lakes
• 8-day Kenya budget lodge safari to Masai Mara and best parks

Amboseli elephant, Big 5 safari

Amboseli National Park Big 5 Safari

Second only to the Masai Mara in popularity, Amboseli National Park offers unparalleled opportunities to observe elephants up close, with over 1,200 of these majestic creatures calling this place home!

Amboseli National Park is not a Big 5 destination as there are no rhinos in the park, but is known as one of the best places in Africa for getting up close with these grey giants.

In addition to the elephants, Amboseli does boast a population of over 100 lions which, thanks to the small size of the park and its open savannah grassland scenery, are generally easy to spot!

You’re also sure to see large herds of ambling buffalos here, especially during the dry season, when they usually congregate around waterholes to cool themselves. Leopards, though present are hard to see.

Situated a stone’s throw from Mount Kilimanjaro, this magnificent mountain also forms a jaw-dropping backdrop to your Amboseli safari pictures, making this park very popular with photography enthusiasts too!

• 4-day Amboseli and private game reserve fly-in safari
• 7-day Masai Mara, Tsavo and Amboseli Lodge safari
• 12-day Kenya game parks 4x4 lodge safari

Tsavo leopard, Big 5 Kenya Safari 

Tsavo National Park Big 5 Safari

Tsavo National Park is one of Kenya's oldest national parks.

Sprawling across the southeastern end of the country, near the city of Mombasa, Tsavo encompasses two national parks: Tsavo West National Park and Tsavo East National Park, which are separated by a railway line.

Together they form one of the largest national parks in the world, covering an enormous 40% of Kenya’s entire land mass!

The two reserves are interesting, because they showcase contrasting landscapes and habitats, making them ideal to combine in one diverse trip.

Tsavo West boasts dramatic mountains and wooded grasslands, creating a lush and picturesque landscape that is popular with visitors.

Its scenic beauty makes it a must-visit destination for your Big 5 Safari in Kenya.

In contrast, Tsavo East is characterised by its arid environment dominated by vast savannahs teeming with Kenyan wildlife.

Fondly referred to as the “Theatre of the Wild,” this untamed wilderness is home to all of Africa's Big Five, including both white and black rhinos.

Leopards are the hardest of the Kenya Big 5 to spot here, as these shy, solitary animals spend most of their time in trees. We recommend an experienced guide to help you spot one.

But the parks’ most famous inhabitants are easy to spot and you can’t miss herds of red-dusted elephants - a real spectacle in Tsavo as they roll and play in the vibrant red soil!

• 5-day Tsavo and Amboseli Lodge safari
• 7-day Kenya lodge safari, Masai Mara, Tsavo and Amboseli
• 11-day Kenya bush and beach lodge safari

Northern Kenya Big 5

Rhino Laikipia, Big 5 Safari Kenya

Laikipia Plateau Big 5 Safari

North of Nairobi and in the shadow of Mount Kenya, the Laikipia Plateau is an idyllic and peaceful area made up of several private reserves and wildlife sanctuaries, that champion conservation efforts.

This part of the country is remote and much less visited by tourists.

It’s home to a great deal of wildlife in Kenya, making it a great place for a Big 5 Kenya safari while dodging the crowds!

Most significantly, Laikipia is home to a large portion of Kenya’s black rhino population, making it one of the best places in the country to see the rarest of these Big 5 African animals.

The region’s wild and varied habitats, ranging from arid plains to chilly mountain tops, create a stunning backdrop to an incredible Big 5 safari without hordes of other tourists to spoil it!

Samburu National Reserve / Buffalo Springs National Reserve / Shaba National Big 5 Safaris

Samburu Big 5 Safari Kenya

These three neighbouring reserves, located near the Laikipia Plateau, are often visited together on northern Kenya safari tours.

While they lack rhinos, sightings of leopards and lions are common, particularly in Buffalo Springs.

All three parks are relatively small in comparison to other Kenyan reserves. This benefits a Big 5 Safari Kenya mission as the smaller area means more concentrated game sightings and better game viewing. 

Although, as in other parks, the leopard can prove elusive and a bit of luck (and good binoculars) are usually required to see one!

Another thing that makes this region special is that it is home to what’s known as the ‘Special 5’ – five species of animals in Kenya that are endangered and rare… except in this location!

These are the Gerenuk, the Reticulated Giraffe, the Grevy’s Zebra, the Somali Ostrich and the Beisa Oryx.

• 7-day Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara camping safari in Kenya
• 8-day Northern Kenya National Parks and Masai Mara Lodge safari
• 8-day Lake Turkana, Chalbi Desert & Samburu Camping Safari

Big 5 Kenya Rhinos in Masai Mara

When to Take a Big 5 Kenya Safari

The best time to go on a Big 5 safari in Kenya is during the country’s long dry season, which spans the months of June to October.

During this period safari conditions are excellent because the thick vegetation has died back, making it much easier to spot the wildlife, which is mostly concentrated around the few remaining waterholes.

January to March is also great for a Big 5 Safari Kenya experience.

Known as the ‘Lion season’, this breeding time of year sees the plains brimming with new life and the predator species congregating to hunt the newborn herbivores.

This makes it one of the best times of year to see big cats!

That said, Kenya is brimming with wildlife throughout the year, so if you can’t go at either of these times, fear not - it's pretty hard to go wrong in this epic Big 5 safari country!

African lions, Big 5 Kenya

Ready for a Big 5 Kenya Safari?

African Budget Safaris specialises in affordable safaris to East and Southern Africa - be it camping, lodge, private, bespoke, or small group safaris.

Contact one of our experienced African travel experts and let us take you there!