Kenya is home to a wealth of natural and wildlife resources, which are protected by various conservation areas. The three most common types of conservation areas in Kenya are national parks, national reserves, and conservancies. In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between them, the pros and cons of each, the activities that can be done in each, and why visitors should stay in one or the other.

National Parks

National parks in Kenya are protected areas that are managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). They are areas of land set aside by the government for the conservation of wildlife and the natural environment. Kenya has 23 national parks, which cover a total area of 20,803 km². The most famous of these parks are the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, and Samburu.

Pros:

• National parks are well protected, and visitors can be assured of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat.

• National parks have good infrastructure, including well-maintained roads, campsites, lodges, and other facilities.

• National parks are typically less crowded than other conservation areas, which means that visitors can enjoy a more serene and peaceful experience.

Cons:

• National parks are generally more expensive to visit than other conservation areas.

• National parks can be quite restrictive in terms of the activities that visitors can undertake. For example, visitors are not allowed to walk around without a guide.

Activities:

• Game drives

• Bird watching

• Nature walks (with a guide)

• Camping

• Hot air balloon safaris

Visitors should stay in national parks if they are looking for a high-quality, well-protected wildlife experience, with good facilities and infrastructure.

National Reserves

National reserves in Kenya are also protected areas managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service. They are similar to national parks in that they are set aside for wildlife conservation, but they are generally larger and less developed. Kenya has 13 national reserves, which cover a total area of 42,000 km². The most famous of these reserves are the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Meru.

Pros:

• National reserves are generally less expensive to visit than national parks.

• National reserves offer visitors a more rugged and natural experience, with fewer developed facilities.

• National reserves are generally less crowded than national parks.

Cons:

• National reserves may not have the same level of protection as national parks.

• National reserves may not have the same level of infrastructure as national parks.

Activities:

• Game drives

• Bird watching

• Nature walks (with a guide)

• Camping

Visitors should stay in national reserves if they are looking for a more rugged and natural experience, with fewer developed facilities.

Conservancies

Conservancies in Kenya are privately owned wildlife reserves that are managed for conservation and tourism. There are over 160 conservancies in Kenya, covering a total area of over 6,000 km². The most famous of these conservancies are the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Mara Naboisho Conservancy, and the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Pros:

• Conservancies offer visitors a more exclusive and personalized experience, with fewer people and vehicles.

• Conservancies may offer a wider range of activities than national parks and reserves.

• Conservancies may have more luxurious and high-end accommodation options.

Cons:

• Conservancies may be more expensive to visit than national parks and reserves.

• Conservancies may not have the same level of protection as national parks and reserves.

Activities:

• Game drives

• Night drives

• Guided bush walks

• Horse riding safaris

• Balloon safaris

• Cultural visits to local communities

Visitors should stay in conservancies if they are looking for an exclusive and personalized experience, with a wider range of activities and