Best Places to see Rhinos in Wild Kenya : Rhinos are one of the most sought for animals in the wild on Africa safaris and Kenya is one of the top best safari destinations to see then, Kenya is a home to both black and white rhinos including the only two remaining northern white rhinos.
In the whole of Kenya, there is about 600 black rhinos currently, which is less when compared to the large population of rhinos of about 20,000 black rhinos which once lived in Kenya in the previous 2 decades. Due to increasing conservation efforts, the population of black rhinos is recovering at a rapid speed.
Like stated, Kenya is one of the best places in Africa to see rhinos and below are the best sites to see them in Kenya
OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY
Ol Pejeta Coservancy is the greatest spot in Kenya to see the rhino upclose, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy is located in the foothills of Aberdares national park and the snowcapped Mount Kenya – the tallest mountain in Kenya. The conservancy is a home to the last two Northern White Rhinos, black rhinos and Southern White Rhinos.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy offers thrilling safari activities to enjoy during Kenya safari including game drives, lion trekking, horseback riding, cycling, Mountain biking and Community visits among others.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy runs a community development initiative and also finances several community projects such as education, water and infrastructure.
LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Lake Nakuru national park is not only a birder’s haven but one of the best places to see rhinos in Kenya, Lake Nakuru national park is Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary. The park is surrounded by woody and bushy meadows and the magnificent grey-green forest of euphorbia candelabrum which provided a sanctuary to some of the world’s most endangered wildlife including both white and black rhinos.
Lake Nakuru national park is also a home to a huge population of pink flamingoes which are live on the shores of the alkaline lake – Lake Nakuru, the park hosts a rich animal fauna including some of the most endangered species of Kenya such as the rare Rothschild’s giraffe and the endangered black and white rhinos.
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Masai Mara national reserve is one of the best world’s ecosystem a home to a huge population of wildlife including rhinos and hosts The Annual Wildebeest migration with over 1.5 million wildebeests migrating from Serengeti national park in Tanzania in search for water and fresh pasture. The migration occurs every year in July/August – October, during the migration you have an opportunity to watch lions and cheetahs seen hunting, Best Places to see Rhinos in Wild Kenya
There are between 35 and 50 black rhinos in Masai Mara national reserve with some of them traversing into the Serengeti national park, these rhinos are best sighted while at Sala’s Camp along the Sand River.
Sala’s Camp is situated on the outskirts of a dedicated black rhino sanctuary in the remote southern Masai Mara. Chances of encountering black rhinos in Masai Mara national reserve during game drives are roughly 30%.
Tsavo National Park (Tsavo West and Tsavo East)
Tsavo national park is the largest conservation Area in Kenya covering an area of 21,812 square kilometers, the park comprises of 2 protected areas that is Tsavo East national park and Tsavo West national park which are separated by only a road (Nairobi – Mombasa Route).
These parks host a significant population of wildlife including the Big Five that is rhinos, cape buffaloes, leopards, lions and elephants.
Tsavo West and Tsavo East national park is famed for their man eating lions, wild dogs, elephants, cape buffaloes, rhinos, leopards among others.
Tsavo national park being the best place to see rhinos, there is approximately 70 black rhinos living in its Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. The sanctuary was established in 1986 purposely to conserve the last rhino population in Tsavo West national park, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary is surrounded by a tall electric fence and is monitored by a dedicated anti-poaching team.
Earlier before, Tsavo national park hosted approximately 20,000 rhinos in 1940, due poaching the park had less than 20 rhinos by 1989 which prompted the construction of Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Best Places to see Rhinos in Wild Kenya
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary has 5 waterholes and currently sustains 70 black rhinos and offers excellent opportunities to see the elusive black rhinos.
LEWA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY
The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is another best place to see rhinos in Kenya, the conservancy is located in northern Kenya in Meru County – South of Isiolo and north of Mount Kenya.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy was established in 1995 and includes the Ngare Ndare Forest which spans over 62,000 acres, the conservancy is a home to a diverse range of animals including rare and endangered black rhinos, sitatungas and Grevy’s zebras.
The conservancy is also a home to all the big Five, lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, elephants and lions. Lewa is a home to 10% of Kenya’s black rhino population and 15% of the southern white rhino population in Kenya. Lewa Conservancy only comes second to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy when it comes to rating the best greatest places to see rhinos in Kenya.
Lewa Conservancy also houses the Northern Rangelands Trust an innovative collaboration with several northern communities that have donated land for wildlife preservation. The Conservancy also has an educated program that assists in the development of schools and students.
Get your bags ready to come to Kenya for an Africa safari.
