The wildlife of Nairobi national park : The Nairobi national park was established in 1946 is in Kenyas capital Nairobi in Nairobi county.The park is one  is located just south of central Kenya right next to and within the Nairobi city region. It has an estimated area of 117km²,three sides of the park are fully fenced with the wildlife moving frely in the unfenced side which  stretches all the way into Kitengela plain.The Nairobi national park was officially opened in December 16,1946 and is now one of the most visited tourist sites in kenya.Only 7 km from the heart of City centre, Nairobi National Park is a wonder of wildlife in a grassland setting but framed by the skyscrapers of bustling Nairobi in the background.

2 Days Nairobi National Park safari 

It’s Kenya’s first national park and so accessible that you can take a 1 day or even ½ day trip there, see more wildlife than most places in the world, and be back in town for dinner.There is nowhere else in the world where such a collection of wilderness and wildlife sits so adjacently to a major city. Nairobi National Park is committed to protecting the endangered rhino and their efforts are one of the most successful in Africa.Although the park has been increasingly affected human and livestock population, it remains one of the Tembea kenya fascinating sites.It is one of the most known natural attractions of kenya or Nairobi Kenya attractions and a biggest contributor to Tourism sector in kenya.

 Nairobi National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Africa and yet it supports an astonishing variety of wildlife. It is home to four of the Big Five animals  including black and white rhino with Elephants being the missing one.It is also one of the most affordable kenya safari tours for everyone because of its proximity to the city.It is also one of the most visited tourist destinations in Kenya.

Burning of ivory at Nairobi national park

It is here at  the Nairobi national park is the Ivory Burning Site Monument.In July 1989 Kenya’s then-President Daniel arap Moi together with Dr Richard Leakey the the Director of kenya wildlife service ignited a pile of 12 tonnes of elephant tusks and helped change global policy on ivory exports.It was also followed by former president Mwai kibaki and the largest every burn of ivory in kenya was in 2016 where 120-tonne were  incinerated at once by  Former President Uhuru kenya.Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta maintained that the burning will serve as proof of Kenya’s zero tolerance approach to poaching and dealing in ivory.

The wildlife of Nairobi national park

Nairobi national park does not disappoint with animals including lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena,buffalo, black rhino, baboon, eland, gazelle, hartebeest, hippopotamus, impala, giraffe, wildebeest, and waterbuck.  One of the missing species that most people hope to see is elephant and that is being attributed to the small size of the park and its closeness to the city may result to wildlife human conflict.

Things to do in Nairobi National Park
Game viewing in Nairobi National park

There are also a good number of Impala, wildebeest, Hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelle, Grant’s Gazelle, and Eland.  It is fair to expect to see each of these species during a visit.  The abundance of ungulates also makes the predator species happy knowing that their hunt is very easy.There is also over 400  bird species with the vulture and ostrich being two of the larger. The ostrich is commonly seen along the plains.  Other large species include Crowned Crane, Kori Bustard, Ground Hornbill, Egyptian Goose, and the Black-necked Heron.  There are several songbirds which serve as a complementary experience for the birdwatchers

When is the best time to visit Nairobi national park

Nairobi national park is accessible throughout the year because of its modernised road network,but also most tour kenya safaris/ tour guides of Kenya advises that the best time to plan your Nairobi tour activities is during the dry months of July through October and also January and February. July welcomes the lowest rainfall month of the year with the driest and coolest months in Nairobi are July and August.

It can be reached by  self driven drives or a tour safari drives 10 km south of Nairobi City centre or by Air from flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the Wilson Airport.

Entry fee of Nairobi national park

Just like other parks of kenya managed by the Kenya wildlife service the park charges entry fees valid for 12 hours for day visitors and 24 hours for those camping inside the park.

Entry fee are charged as follows

               Adult              Child

Citizen  ksh 500          ksh 125

Residents  kshs 500      kshs 125

Non residents   60USD      20USD

Major attractions of Nairobi national park

  • It is a major breeding centre for Rhinoceros and restocking to other parks
  • Home to the four of the African Big five
  • It hosts large predators, the lion ,leopard, hyenas and cheetahs
  • Herbivores, the Eland ,Buffaloes, Zebras,Impalas among others
  • It has the Ivory Burning Site Monument
  • Walking trails at hippo pools
  • Nairobi safari walk and Orphanage
  • Spacious accommodations and picnic sites

Activities to be done at Nairobi national park

Game drive

Get up-close with nature during the game drive with encounters of spectacular varied animal species including the endangered black rhinos, herds of buffaloes, towers of giraffes, pride of lions among others.

Bird-viewing

The park offers birding opportunities and holds up to 400 different migratory and endemic bird species. Migratory bird species enter the reserve between November and April making bird viewing possible all year round. Notable bird species are the black-headed heron, Somali ostriches, blacksmith lapwing, and Somali bee-eater among others.

Walking safaris

This safari is done along a raised wooden walkway allowing visitors to have an aerial view of the spectacular landscapes and animals of the park. This activity also prepares the mind of the visitors on what to expect in the reserve when they move closer to the animals during the game drives.

Things to carry along during your visit to Nairobi national park.

  • Clothes in khaki, green, beige and neutral colours
  • Long-sleeved shirts that offer protection from the sun and mosquitoes

T-shirts

  • Shorts or a light skirt
  • Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
  • Jackets and sweaters for early morning and late afternoon game drives
  • A lightweight waterproof jacket in case of rain

Swim and beachwear

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, insect repellent, moisturiser and lip balm

Accommodations available around Nairobi national park

Nairobi national park being at the capital has wide options in terms of accommodation facilities from the most luxurious, Midrange to Budget.

Some of the most luxurious are: The Emakoko,Ololo safari Lodge and farm among others.Leleshwa getaway, Game view hotel – ongata rongai and Furnished apartment Nairobi are some of the midrange accommodations.

The masai Lodge,Olsupat Lodge ,the curve by the park  among others being examples of Budget accommodations.

Nairobi National Park is one of the best places to visit in Kenya. It contributes alot to the Kenyans tourism industry and it is one of the National heritages of kenya.It is also one of the most affordable kenya safari for its proximity to the city, especially to the city dwellers and travellers in transit.

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