Nairobi National Park- Nairobi National Park Kenya

Nairobi National Park Kenya is the country’s most accessible national park. Among the national parks in Kenya, Nairobi park is the smallest yet with amazing and abundant wildlife that can be viewed against a backdrop of city skyscrapers and planes coming to land.

Kenya Nairobi National Park is the one and ever national parks on earth bordering a capital city! Also, Nairobi Game Park is the first park to be established in Kenya 1946. The park is set approximately 7km on the southern outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya`s capital. It’s fenced with an electric fence which separates the park`s fauna from the city.

Nairobi National Park in Kenya is nicknamed ‘Kifaru Ark’, a statement of the park`s success as a Rhinoceros sanctuary (Kifaru in Swahili). It’s home to the world`s densest concentration of Black Rhinos (over 50 Rhinos).

Likewise, this park boasts a large and diverse wildlife population in Kenya. Migrating herbivores gather in the park during the dry season including Zebras, Giraffes, Warthogs, Buffaloes, Gazelles, plus many bird species. Lions and Hyenas are also commonly sighted within this park. The mentioned fauna in Nairobi park are spotted within scattered acacia trees, open grasslands, and even along the beautiful thick forests riverine forest.

Guests on Kenya safaris in Nairobi National Park can participate in several activities for instance; game viewing, game walks, birding, or touring the Nairobi Animal Orphanage Center.

Continue below and we explore this stunning national park in Nairobi.

Facts About Nairobi National Park in Kenya

1. Nearest city: Nairobi City
2. GPS coordinates: 1°22′24′′S 36°51′32′′E
3. Size: Nairobi park is around 117.21km2 land area and is enclosed with an electric fence around its west, east, and north sides.
4. National park established: This park was officially opened for tourism in 1946 by Kenya Wildlife Service making it the first national park in this country.
5. Altitude: Nairobi park’s altitude varies from 1,533 and 1,760 meters above sea level
6. Weather in the park: Experiences a dry climate
7. Nairobi Park covers; 117km2 land area
8. Ken Beaten was the first anti poaching warden in this park

Where is Nairobi National Park Located in Kenya?

Nairobi NP is about 7km from Nairobi, which is Kenya’s main city, and 10km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

This park is in the south of Nairobi city.

Attractions in Nairobi National Park in Kenya

There are many things to see in Nairobi Park, but guests can’t miss the Ivory Burning Site Monument, the Kifaru Ark, the Nairobi Animal Orphanage, plus wild animals & bird species.

The notable tourist attractions in Nairobi National Park are discussed below;

1. Game Animals in Nairobi Park

Over 39 Lions and 50 Black Rhinoceros are just a few of the many animal species in Nairobi park- the only wildlife park in the capital city. Other wild animals in Nairobi park include; Cheetahs, Common Eland, Warthogs, spectacular Wildebeest, Olive Baboons, Hippos, Hartebeests, Thomson’s Gazelles, Impalas, Hyenas, Grant’s Gazelles as well as other large species.

The best way to see the varied wildlife population in Nairobi Game Park is on a game drive.

2. Diverse Birdlife in Nairobi Park

With about 520 species of birds listed, Nairobi Park is a great place for birding safaris in Kenya. During the winter, European migratory species come to live within this park.

Visitors on Nairobi Park Kenya tours interested in bird watching will spot numerous bird species during safari drives & game walks in some areas. While birding, expect to spot Ostriches, Secretary birds, Kori bustard, Vultures, Lesser kestrels, Grey-crowned crane, and many other bird species.

From November to April, the seasonal European migrants visit Nairobi Game Park and from March to May, the beautiful Jackson’s widow bird shows off.

3. Black Rhinoceros in Kenya Nairobi Park

Nairobi Game Park is the best place among Kenya’s national parks to see the endangered Black Rhino in their natural environment while on a safari trip. This first park in Kenya is one of the best places in East Africa known to protect Rhinoceroses.

Black Rhinos can be found in only a few parks of Kenya.

4. Ivory Burning Site Monument in Nairobi Park

The Ivory Burning Monument shows where Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi burnt ivory to tell poachers to stop taking animals and killing them and to stop trading ivory.

5. Nairobi Animal Orphanage in Nairobi Park

Nairobi Animal Orphanage is a place where animals hurt by rangers are treated from. It’s a rehabilitation centre for game animals. Some of the notable fauna in Nairobi animal orphanage include; Giraffes, Leopards, Warthogs, Olive Baboons, the rare Sokoke cats, Giraffes, Lions, African Buffalos, Jackals, Cheetahs, Hyenas, and Serval cats. It’s possible to see the lovely Black Rhinoceros calves.

The diverse birdlife to spot includes; Parrots, ostriches, crowned cranes, and even Guinea fowls.

On your wildlife watching tour in the Nairobi animal orphanage, you can get a better look at a lot of different kinds of wildlife than on a game drive.

6. The Walking Trails at Hippo Pools

The picnic spot is where the trails to the Hippo Pools begin. This trail goes along the banks of the River Athi. An armed Kenya Wildlife Service ranger will offer security for travelers on this beautiful hiking trail.

Walking trails at Hippo Pools is one of the few areas in Nairobi park to go for walking safaris.

Nairobi National Park Activities- What to Do in Nairobi National Park in Kenya?

Below, let’s look at the best things to do in Nairobi park- a stunning park within Kenya’s Nairobi city.

1. Game Drives in Nairobi Park

It had to miss safari drives on most  Nairobi park tour packages! From Nairobi city, visitors can come for either full-day drives or a half-day adventure. This adventure is one of the best ways to encounter a high diversity of game animals in their natural environments- beautiful African wilderness.

A lot of the time, these drives are done with a guide who knows a lot about the fauna in the park. You’ll drive through beautiful open savannah fields and forests, keeping an eye out for the park’s “big five”: Lions, Buffalo, endangered Black Rhino, and Leopards.

There are also, Zebras, Hippos, Gazelles, Giraffes, spectacular Wildebeest, Olive Baboons, Hartebeest, Elands, and Spotted Hyenas, etc.

On early morning drives, it’s easy to see Lions, sometimes lying down next to the road or hunting.

2. Bird watching in Nairobi Park

More than 520 different kinds of birds dwell in Kenya’s Nairobi Park. There are 67 species that live in the African highlands, 8 species that are only found in the Kenya Mountains, and 27 species that only live in the Maasai biome in Somalia. Seasonal European migrants are present in November-April.

The notable bird species in this protected area of Kenya include; Lesser Kestrel, Jackson’s Widowbird, Red-throated Tit, Malagasy pond heron, the Shoebill, and the rare Corncrake.

3. Undertaking Nairobi Safari Walk

In Nairobi NP, the Nairobi safari walk is about 2.5km long. You can see animals while walking along this beautiful wooden path that goes through savannah fields, wetlands, and dry highland forests.

You might see rare faunas like the Albino Zebra Bongo, White Rhino, big cats, Antelopes, plus amazing monkeys like Baboons on this game-viewing tour. There are also more than 150 kinds of trees in the area.

It’s a fun thing for kids to do and even good for taking pictures. People who are going on family safaris in Kenya should never miss it!

Other interesting Things to do in Nairobi Park of Kenya for Travelers;

• Visiting the Nairobi Animal Orphanage. In this area, you can spot various fauna in its natural habitat easily.
• Exploring the Ivory Burning Site Monument
• Explore the Mbagathi River which flows through the park. It’s a beautiful permanent river.
• Exploring the walking trails at Hippo Pools

 

When Is The Best Time to Visit Nairobi National Park in Kenya? Which Month Is Best for Nairobi Park Tours?

The best time to see wildlife in Nairobi NP is during the dry season, which lasts from June to September. However, Kenya safari tours in this park are still possible all year. Likewise, December, January, and February are also ideal months for game viewing tours in Nairobi NP- the only wildlife park in the city center

It’s great to watch faunae during the dry months because most of them gather near water poles, making them easy to spot.

During the rainy months (March through May and October through November), safari drives may not go as planned because the grass is generally tall, making it hard to see faunas.

How to Get to Nairobi National Park in Kenya?

There are seven gates in Nairobi Park, but only two are used by KWS staff. These gates to KWS headquarters include; Langata Gate, Mbagathi Gate (service gate), Maasai Gate, Langata Road, and Banda Gate (service gate).

Nairobi NP main gate is about 7 km from the city center of Nairobi and 10 kilometers from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

You can fly to John F. Kennedy International Airport or Wilson Airport using a domestic chartered flight. Then you’ll take a shuttle to the park’s main entrance.

Note: You can get to Nairobi Game Park with a 2WD car during the dry season, but we recommend a 4WD safari car during the wet season.

Best Accommodation in Nairobi National Park in Kenya for Tourists

Nairobi park has a lot of high-quality choices for accommodation facilities. These are found both inside and outside the park and all offer services that fit travelers’ budgets.

If you wish to sleep inside the park, you can use Nairobi Tented Camp. Outside of Nairobi Park, there are also the African Heritage House, Ole Sereni Hotel, Eka Hotel, Panari Hotel, Swara Acacia Lodge, and Emakoko Lodge.

FAQs About the Nairobi National Park in Kenya

1. What Makes Nairobi National Park Unique? : Why Is Nairobi National Park Famous in Africa?

People know Nairobi Park as the only protected area for game viewing on earth that is close to the city center. In Nairobi Park, you can see four of the African “Big Five,” but not the Elephant. From this park area, it’s easy to take safari trips to other parks and national reserves in Kenya. Amboseli park and Lake Nakuru park are the other parks.

2. Is It Worth Visiting Nairobi National Park?

A Nairobi park safari tour is worth taking because there are so many fun things to do in the park, like watching wildlife and looking for the “big five”: Lions, Leopards, Buffalo, and Rhinoceroses. Zebras, Cheetahs, Hippos, Wildebeests, Hyenas, Masai Giraffes, and other many kinds of birds.

3. What Is the Big Five in Nairobi National Park of Kenya?

Buffalo, Rhinos, Leopards, and Lions are four of the “big five” that live in this park. Nairobi Park in Kenya is home to many other types of mammals, such as Common Eland, Zebras, Gazelles, Cheetahs, Blue Wildebeests, and more.

Those who want to see the baby elephant can go to the David Sheldrick Trust Orphanage, which is located close to the main gate of this park.

4. How Much Does It Cost to Get Into Nairobi National Park?

Foreigners who don’t live in Nairobi pay $43 to enter Nairobi Park and $22 for kids under 12 years old.

5. Are There Trails in Nairobi National Park That I Can Take?

Walking safaris are possible in Nairobi NP because it has many walking tracks. The walking trails at Hippo Pools are among the popular walking trails in this lovely park, one of the successful Rhinoceros sanctuaries in East Africa.

6. How Far is Nairobi from National Park?

Nairobi NP in Kenya is approximately 7km in the south of Nairobi city. It can take about half an hour’s drive to be there from the city.

7. What Is the Cheapest Way to Visit Nairobi National Park of Kenya?

If you have your car, self-drives may be the cheapest way to see the world’s only Wildlife Capital- Nairobi park. Also, choose group tours so that you can split the costs, and always book through local tour operators instead of foreign ones.

8. Can I Self drive in Nairobi National Park of Kenya?

It’s possible to have self-drives in Nairobi park. However, make sure that you follow all the park’s rules and the people who work there to keep wildlife and the surroundings safe. Note that park officials restrict game drives to start at 6 am and go up to 6 pm within this park- one of the best secure sanctuaries for Rhinos in Africa.

Nairobi Park is a great place for tourists who want to go on a Kenya wildlife watching safari but don’t have a lot of time. This is the only wildlife capital in the world, where you can watch animals and visit interesting tourist spots like the Ivory Burning Site Monument.

For a combined safari, Kenya’s Nairobi park can easily be added to other parks in the country for tourists who want to do more than one safari.

If you have any questions about Kenya safari tours, please get in touch with our travel expert.