Are you an animal lover? Do you always enjoy TV channels like Animal Planet and National Geographic Wild, or would you imagine yourself being Pumbaa or Timon traveling with young lion king in vast Kenya fields? If you are nodding your head right now and you ever wonder what the real Lion King world is like, Kenya National Parks, specifically Amboseli National Park and Lake Nakuru National Park, are your destinations. Don’t let the planning part of the travel stop you from indulging yourself in the freedom of Kenya. Take on the trip with Acanela to begin this eye-opening adventure. Here are the reasons why Kenya National Parks should be on the top of your bucket list.

Amboseli National Park

Barely below the equator, located on the border of Kenya and Tanzania, Amboseli National Park has the most typical drought weather of Africa. Temperatures year-round are 81-88°F in the day and 72-75°F at night. The raining season is around April and May as well as November and December. You may want to travel in a less dry season, but the rain can make dusty road muddy and impossible to travel.  It may be hard for a human to live around the equator, but you will still be able to enjoy the trip with bottles of water and sunscreen. Also, the dry weather is perfect for wildlife animals and sightseeing. Because of the drought and sparse of trees, you can enjoy the spacious view and observe animal lives without hindrance. Also, the highest mountain Kilimanjaro (5,895 metres) is just situated in the south of the park. The magnificent mountain serves as a perfect fit for the spacious Kenya field for sightseeing.

What to expect

Elephants, Buffalo, Zebra, wildebeest are some animals you won’t miss while traveling in the national park. Also, Giraffe, Hippo, and Hyena are common, too. However, if you want to see flocks of birds cutting through the skies, you have to visit the park between October and January. With over 900 African elephants in Amboseli, you will easily spot the largest animal walking the Earth. They use their trunks to communicate and handle objects. At high temperatures, they use their massive ears to radiate excess heat. Also, the harmonious scene of herbivorous animals resting around their predators may surprise you. Unlike what you may picture, predators mostly only hunt for food, so they wouldn’t hurt other animals if they are not hungry. Get your telescope ready and enjoy the first-hand observation and interaction with the fascinating Kenyan animals.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Right on the equator, however, Lake Nakuru National Park is not as dry as Amboseli National Park. The temperature is similar, but the Lake moisture in the national park makes it a more green animal reserve. Although, Lake Nakuru national park may not be as famous as Amboseli national park, the beauty and the variety of animals are anything less than. In fact, you may like it better if you are a bird lover, enjoy humidity more than drought.

Flamingo

Lake Nakuru is about three hours drive from Kenya capital city. You can get there through transportation or private vehicle. No matter how you choose to get there, you must spend some time at the lake watching the stunning view of flamingos resting at the lake. They are attracted by the rich amount of algae in the lake. The huge numbers of red and pinkish flamingos are sometimes like fire burning on the water. If you are lucky, it’s possible to see over 100,000 of flamingos at once. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime experience.

Other Birds

As much as you are excited about the flamingos, slow down to observe your surroundings while making the trip to the lake. There are plenty of beautiful animals and birds you don’t want to miss. The crowned crane is one of the most royal bird in the world. It always straightens up its back proclaiming his uniqueness in the world of birds. Also, you can also see ostriches, the largest bird on earth, sprinting in the national park. If you favor small birds, such as Speckled Mousebirds, and Greater Blue-eared starling, etc, you can find them in the park too. Come ready to see how lively these animals can be outside of the zoo.

Makalia Falls

After wandering around in the animal life. Visiting the Makalia Falls will be a good transition for you. Located at the southern end of the Lake Nakuru National Park, this splendid waterfall is a scenic attraction of numerous hiking lovers. Many adventure seekers enjoy staying at the campsite while sleeping with the sound of the falls. Makalia Falls will be another unforgettable part of your trip in Nakuru national park.

Are you ready to make your dream of visiting with lion king’s home come true? Or you can’t wait to be a photographer of National Geographic Wild and Animal Planet. Embark with Acanela to the land of wonder and check off one more item on your bucket list!

Post written by Jack Chiu