Kenya vs South Africa: Terrestrial protected areas

Kenya
68,231 sq. km
in 2010
South Africa
84,129 sq. km
in 2010
Kenya rank
18th
South Africa rank
16th

Terrestrial protected areas over time

  • Kenya
  • South Africa
020.0k40.0k60.0k80.0k199020002010

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 84,129 sq. km against 68,231 sq. km in Kenya, a difference of 15,898 sq. km.

That makes South Africa's figure about 1.2 times Kenya's.

Across all 21 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.

Kenya ranks 18th and South Africa ranks 16th of 50 countries.

South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Kenya South Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 68,046 sq. km 82,929 sq. km 14,883 sq. km South Africa
2000s 68,230 sq. km 84,119 sq. km 15,889 sq. km South Africa
2010s 68,231 sq. km 84,129 sq. km 15,898 sq. km South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher terrestrial protected areas, Kenya or South Africa?
South Africa, at 84,129 sq. km against 68,231 sq. km in Kenya as of 2010.
What is the difference in terrestrial protected areas between Kenya and South Africa?
15,898 sq. km, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Kenya and South Africa?
21 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2010.
How do Kenya and South Africa rank globally for terrestrial protected areas?
Kenya ranks 18th and South Africa ranks 16th of 50 countries.
Where does this data come from?
United Nations Environmental Program and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, as compiled by the World Resources Institute, based on data from national authorities, national legislation and inter, published as Terrestrial protected areas (sq. km). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Kenya vs South Africa: Terrestrial protected areas. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Environmental Program and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, as compiled by the World Resources Institute, based on data from national authorities, national legislation and inter. Retrieved 20 August 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/terrestrial-protected-areas-sq-km/kenya/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Terrestrial protected areas (sq. km)
Unit
sq. km
Source
United Nations Environmental Program and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, as compiled by the World Resources Institute, based on data from national authorities, national legislation and inter
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
56 places, 1,170 data points, 1990–2010
Last refreshed

Nationally protected areas are totally or partially protected areas of at least 1,000 hectares that are designated as scientific reserves with limited public access, national parks, natural monuments, nature reserves or wildlife sanctuaries, protected landscapes, and areas managed mainly for sustainable use. Marine areas, unclassified areas, and litoral (intertidal) areas are not included. The data also do not include sites protected under local or provincial law.