Nairobi National Park is an amazingly beautiful Kenya wildlife destination found in Nairobi the capital of Kenya. It has an estimated area of 117 square kilometers encompassing wide open grasslands, scattered acacia bush, and the backdrop of the city scrapers.
This park was established in the year 1946 and now it became one of the most visited tourist sites in Kenya. You’ll be in for a treat whenever you visit this park. You surely spot plenty of wildlife along with other natural creatures during your safari to Kenya in Nairobi National Park.
Why visit Nairobi National Park?
The list is long and you will be surprised to know about the richness of the Nairobi National Park. There are plenty of great things to do in Kenya and as Kenya’s first national park, it has been a wild haven for African wildlife.
- At 45 square miles, the park offers some great experiences with its small size.
- However, this park provides shelters to thousands of wild animals in various ecosystems.
- The park also coincides with open grasslands dotted with scrub and upland forest making it an ideal habitat for many native species.
The Wildlife of Nairobi National Park
The Nairobi National Park does not disappoint with its wildlife treasure. There are found fascinating numbers of wildlife while on your Kenya Safari.
- Animals include lion, cheetah, hyena, baboon, eland, gazelle, hartebeest, impala, giraffe, waterbuck, and many on the list that can be seen in this Park.
- You will also see one of the missing species, the elephant which is being allotted to the small area of the park. It can be caused to wildlife-human conflict if they stay close to the city.
- The ample number of ungulates also makes the predators pleased knowing that they are easy to hunt.
- It is home to around 111 black rhinos which are now found endangered and 24 white rhinos.
Bird Life of Nairobi National Park
Apart from the rich wildlife, Nairobi National Park is also home to over 400 bird species. Vultures and Ostrich are the two largest among them while ostrich is commonly seen along the savannah plains.
Besides these, there are some other large birds, you can also see in the park such as Crowned Crane, Kori Bustard, Ground Hornbill, and more. Nairobi NP is a popular birding destination and it’s easy to book a full or half-day guided birding safari trip within short notice.
Things To Do In Nairobi National Park
While Safari to Kenya, you will be amazed by its rewarding wildlife. So, never forget to see them through various safari activities in the Nairobi National Park. Let’s have a look at them:
- Game Drives in Nairobi NP: Gam Drives are breathtaking while visiting Nairobi National Park. Whether you are a self-drive or choose to join an organized safari tour, the park never leaves you disappointed. You will see animals moving to your safari vehicle, giving a unique feeling of the natural world.
- David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Elephant and Rhino Nursery of David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is situated inside the Nairobi National Park. It is a must-visited attraction and gives you the opportunity to get close to the elephants. You can see baby elephants and rhinos getting cared for while visiting this place.
- Go for a Walk: Walking trail throughout the park is an extraordinary way to get close sightings of the animals. So, get out of your safari vehicle and dive into the sounds of the animals and smells of the bush.
You will see animals walking along with your footprints and can get a unique wildlife safari experience. One of the best walking trails will take you to hippo pools where you will find the largest concentration of aquatic herbivores.
When is the Best time to Visit ?
Kenya’s Nairobi National Park is well-fitted to visit throughout the year. Yet, it’s advisable to visit during the peak winters or dry summers to enjoy the park to its fullest.
The best time to visit this park is during the dry months, from July to October, and also January and February. July has the lowest rainfall among all months of the year. Along with July, August is the driest month in Nairobi. Due to being located at an elevation of 5450 feet, Nairobi NP tends to be mild throughout the year.
How to get to Nairobi National Park?
By plane- Generally, travellers flying from Europe or North America to Kenya usually land at Nairobi. It’s the largest hub for most transportation in the region. The main airport is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) which is located southeast of Nairobi.
There is another second famous airport available to get to Nairobi -Moi International Airport (MBA) which is located in the west of Mombasa.
By Road- It is located 9km south of Nairobi. The park is usually visited as a half-day or full-day trip from a hotel in the city.
Getting to the city of Nairobi is easy – it’s one of the biggest and busiest transport hubs in the entire Africa.
Entrance Fees of Nairobi National Park
Many factors impact Kenya Safari Costs which also include the park entrance fees. So, to get a rough idea look at the information below:
- For adult non-residents, the entrance fees are USD $43 per day.
- For children under the age of 12 years old, the entrance fees are USD $25 per day.
Timings: The park timing is - Mon-Sun 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Some Important Facts about the Nairobi National Park
There are some major facts that you should know before visiting Nairobi National Park in your Kenya Safari.
- It is also known as “The World’s only Wildlife Capital” and is a unique national park in Kenya.
- This Park is the oldest park in Kenya
- It is home to a variety of wildlife and bird species.
- This is home to an Elephant Orphanage-
- This park is home to the highest destiny of black rhinos in Kenya.
- It hosts a historic ivory-burning monument which is one of the tourist attractions in the park.