Kenya Central Highlands Safari

Get to Know Kenya Central Highlands

Mount Kenya looms large near some of Kenya’s best national parks, where you might spot unusual animal species

The central highlands, dominated by the Aberdare mountains and Mount Kenya, are often visited because it’s so easy to get there from Nairobi. The highlands are drained by rivers towards the east into semi-arid areas. They were traditional ranch land and are mostly privately owned. Recently, private owners have combined areas to create space for wildlife to return. There are wonderful conservation areas that have well-managed safari experiences. The central highlands include some species not found in the southern parts of Kenya. The chance of spotting Grevy’s zebra, beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich and gerenuk make visiting the northern parts of the central highlands floodplains worthwhile. It’s a secluded area that’s well managed and, recently, well conserved. Old elephant routes and trails have been reopened and it’s a sanctuary for endangered species like rhino.