Guide to Nairobi National Park : Nairobi national park is an iconic national park in Kenya and beautiful safari destination located in Nairobi city the capital of Kenya and approximately 7 miles from the city center.
Nairobi national park is a special protected area where visitors get a chance to view the critically endangered rhinos, the majestic giraffes against a magnificent back drop of downtown skyscrapers.
Nairobi national park is one of the safari destinations in Kenya hosting a huge population of wildlife and bird life, this destination is a great spot for a one day safari in Kenya.
This article lists and details what to do in Nairobi, where to stay, how to get there and tips for your safari in the park.
Things to do in Nairobi national park
Nairobi national park is a fine destination for a range Kenya safari activities that can be done on either a self – drive or an organized safari/tour, the park offers the most authentic safari experience in Kenya offering tourists an opportunity of seeing wild animals in the urban setting of Nairobi city and this is done on game drives – the major Kenya safari activity in the park.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is another highlight in Nairobi national park, this sanctuary was founded by Dane Daphne Sheldrick in 1977 as an orphanage for rescued elephants and rhinos and it is found inside the park. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust welcomes tourists for a visit of one hour everyday in the morning, tourists get a chance to watch the babies as they are being bathed and fed.
While on a Kenya safari experience and inside the park, tourists are prohibited from exiting their vehicles as there could be a lion hanging in the nearby, however there are several marked spots in the park where tourists can take a walk around. The best walking trails in Nairobi national park takes tourists to hippo pools where you can enjoy sights of the largest concentrations of hippos and other aquatic herbivores.
There is also a scenic picnic area at the Impala Observation Point where picnic lunch is enjoyed.
Another attraction in Nairobi national park is the Ivory Burning Site Monument which is a must – see spot for conservationists during a Kenya safari, this site was erected as a commemoration for the burning of 12 tons of confiscated elephant ivory. The burning of the ivory was ordered by the former president of Kenya, Daniel Arap Moi in 1989, the burning of ivory inside the park was done as a symbol of Kenya’s zero – tolerance policy on ivory tracking.
Nairobi national park covering an area of approximately 45 square miles is one of the smallest national parks in Africa, regardless of its small size, the park supports abundant wildlife including 4 of the Big Five (elephants, eastern black rhino and white rhinos, leopard and lions). Other animals inhabiting in Nairobi national park include cheetahs, hyenas, Maasai giraffe, Coke’s hartebeests, elands, waterbuck and impalas, Guide to Nairobi National Park .
Nairobi national park is one of the most successful rhino sanctuaries in Kenya and is one of the few places in the world left where tourists / visitors are guaranteed sighting of the critically endangered eastern black rhino.
Where to camp in Nairobi national park
In Nairobi national park, there are 3 public campsites set aside for camping experience, these campsites have electricity, hot water showers and communal kitchens. In case you do not have tents, you can rent them from the main gate.
In case you do not what to pitch a tent but still wish to do camping experience in Nairobi national park, staying at Nairobi Tented Camp is a perfect place to stay at. Nairobi Tented Camp offers a glamorous camping experience, the facility is situated on the west side of the park and offers 9 luxurious permanent tents. Each of these tents has en-suite bathrooms and solar lighting, serves Gourmet meals in the bush under the stars or in a dining tent and the water is heated over long fires.
Where to stay during a Kenya safari to Nairobi national park
Nairobi national park is conveniently located closed the suburbs of Langata and Karen, both of these neighborhoods offer a wide range of accommodation options ranging from guest houses to 5 star-hotels . These accommodations include
- The Giraffe Manor
- Palacina Residential Hotel
- Emakoko
How to Get There
Nairobi national park is situated within the limits of Nairobi City and approximately 6 miles from the city center, if you are going to the park for a Kenya safari experience. It is a drive of approximately 30 minutes to get to the park, if you are going for a self drive, Land cruiser you can hire a 6-seater Land cruiser from Focus East Africa Tours.
If you do not wish to use private transport, you can use public means of transport using the Kenya Wildlife Service Shuttle which departs on a daily from the Development House in the city center or from the main gate of the park.
You can also hop on the bus or matatu from Nairobi Railway Station, this journey is around 35 minutes, Guide to Nairobi National Park .
Tips for visiting Nairobi national park for a Kenya safari
As a tourist on a Kenya safari to Nairobi national park, here are the tips
- Having a tour guide is recommended when entering Nairobi national park, guides help you know where to go and also communicate with each other about where to find the animals giving you the best chance to see animals.
- On a game drive, use an open roof vehicle for the best unobstructed views of the park and its wildlife, Guide to Nairobi National Park .
- Though the main focus for most travelers to Nairobi national park is solely on spotting lions, other animals to lookout for in Nairobi national park include buffaloes, rhinos, leopards, over 100 other animals and 400 bird species.
- Animals in Nairobi national park are most active in the early morning and in the evening most the big cats, when visiting Nairobi national park for a game viewing experience aim to visit early in the day or late in the day for the best chances of seeing exciting animals.
- Nairobi national park’s wet season is from April to June and October to November, in this period the roads can get difficult to navigate that is why it is important hire a safari guide and use a 4×4 wheel vehicle.
