Nairobi National Park
Introducing
Nairobi National Park
Situated just 7 miles from the center of Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi National Park is a pretty special phenomenon. Where else can you view critically endangered rhinos against a backdrop of downtown skyscrapers, or spot giraffes from your window seat as you land at the city’s international airport? For those about to embark on a tour of Kenya’s more famous safari destinations (think Amboseli, Tsavo, Samburu, and the mighty Maasai Mara), Nairobi National Park offers a worthwhile introduction to the country’s animal and birdlife. For those passing through the capital, the park is an opportunity to get a taste of the wild without ever leaving the city limits.
This iconic park is the only national park within the limits of a capital city. It is home to a diverse array of wildlife including lions, leopards, buffalos, zebra, antelopes, giraffe and over 400 species of birds. Once inside the park, it really does feel like you have left the city behind. Sunset over the Ngong Hills and vast vistas stretching down over acacia-dotted plains are evocative of the spirit of Africa.
Highlights
Nairobi National Park is the only national park within the limits of a capital city in the world!
Diverse array of wildlife including lions, leopards, buffalos, zebra, antelopes, giraffe and over 400 species of birds.
Nairobi National Park is home to four of the Big Five animals (with elephants being the notable exception), including black and white rhino
It is one of the most successful rhino sanctuaries in Kenya and one of only a few places left in the world where visitors are virtually guaranteed a sighting of the critically endangered eastern black rhino
Wildlife Viewing:
Nairobi National Park
Head out on a game drive early in the morning, and you can spot some of 100 different mammal species that call this park home, including rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, zebra, gazelle and giraffe. If you are a keen birder, Nairobi National Park has over 400 recorded migratory and endemic bird species. The park has a number of designated picnic spots, and the savannah and wildlife juxtaposed by the city skyline in the background is a surreal sight.
The Nairobi Safari Walk - a 2.5 km circuit - follows a raised wooden platform taking you over a simulated forest, wetland and savannah habitats. You'll pass plenty of wildlife en-route, and it's a great opportunity to stretch your legs and learn more about Kenya's ecosystems from the local guides. Along the trail, you may spot the rare forest-dwelling bongo, albino zebra, primates and big cats. This is an excellent half-day excursion, which you can do after a game drive or visit to the animal orphanage.
Best time to visit:
Nairobi National Park
June to October is the long dry season in Kenya and is the best time to visit Nairobi National Park. As a general rule, the further into the dry season you go, the better the game viewing gets. In November and December, there is a short rainy season, and the park is especially beautiful at this time of year as the vegetation is lush and there are many migratory birds present. From January to March, the dry conditions return, and it is a good window to visit as you can enjoy the stunning post-rain scenery, whilst keeping mostly dry!
How to get to:
Nairobi National Park
Aside from the main gate, which is situated 7 km from the city centre, there are two other gates on Magadi Road and the Athi River gate; the latter is great if you plan to continue to Mombasa, Amboseli, or south to Tanzania. Unless you have a car, the most affordable way to see the park is on the shuttle, a large Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) bus that leaves the main gate at 2 pm on Sunday for a 3-hour tour.
