The Ultimate City Safari; Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park

Jambo! Jambo! Welcome to the world’s only national park near the city, The Nairobi National Park.

Established on 16^th December 1946, 7 km south of Nairobi, the metropolitan park is a must-visit destination. There is no other place in the world with a huge collection of wildlife adjacent to a capital city. It is fenced on 3 sides, where the open southern boundary allows migrating wildlife to move between the park and the adjacent Kitengela Plains. Although considered the smallest park in Kenya compared to most national parks and reserves, this 117.2 sq. km of protected area is home to a vast amount of wildlife, teaming with abundant and diversified fauna, all highly protected by the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS).

This popular safari destination consists of wide open grass plains and a backdrop of the city scrapers. Across the scattered acacia bush is a wide variety of wildlife, including the endangered black rhino, lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, giraffes, buffaloes, and varied birdlife with over 400 species recorded. Visitors can enjoy picnic facilities viable for corporate events such as bush dinners, team building sessions, weddings, and video and film production. Campsites and hiking trails for hikers are also among this magnificent park’s natural gifts.

The climate here varies with the months of the year. January to March is hot and dry, April to June is hot and wet, and July to October is very warm and wet. Visiting all year is viable, but the dry season is mostly recommended as animals gather around various water points, making spotting easier. The rainy season is difficult as the vegetation is usually high, which hides the wildlife and the muddy murram roads during long rains make game drives seem challenging.

Location: How to get to Nairobi National Park

Set just 7kms south of the city outskirts along Langata road, Nairobi National Park is easily accessible. It opens between 6.00 am to 7.00 pm to all tourists, residents, and non-residents.

By road, you could use matatus, buses, bodabodas taxis, and/or Ubers. You can use car hire services with charges ranging from 150 Ksh – 3000 Ksh. Transport by matatu, bodabodas, and Ubers is easily accessible and much cheaper. You might be charged from 100 Ksh to 500 Ksh from Nairobi city center alias CBD.

For tourists traveling from outside the country, flights are the best option. With flight, you get the bonus of watching large herds of wild moving freely in their natural habitat. The airports recommended are Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) or the Wilson Airport for smooth flights.

The park has 7 gates, two of which are solely used by KWS officials and guards. The main gate is along Lang’ata Road, which houses the KWS headquarters. Other gates are Maasai Gate, Mbagathi Gate, and Banda Gate. The last two are service gates.

Entry fees

The following are updated July to December 2023 Park entry fees;

Citizens: Adult citizens – 500 Ksh and 215 Ksh for children.

Non-residents- Adults pay 60 USD and 20 USD for children

Modes of payment allowed include; MPESA, VISA Card, and Direct Deposits to KWS Bank Accounts at any gate. Cash is NOT ALLOWED

Tour prices: Nairobi National Park Tour Prices

Like any other safari, adventure, or exploration, you must consider all the costs involved. The cost may include transport, lunch, drinks, entry fees, and personal items.

If you wish to go for a luxury game safari, drive inside the park. You can opt to hire a safari van/ land cruiser to take you around the park.

If you own a vehicle, Vehicle charges range from; Ksh. 350 for less than 6 seats, Ksh.1200 for 6-12 seats, Ksh 3000 for 13-24 seats, Ksh 4700 for 25-44 seats, and Ksh 5800 for 45 seats and above. Hiring a land cruiser with a maximum seat of 6 is charged USD 150 for approximately 5 hours.

Alternatively, the cheapest way to see the park is by shuttle. You could travel in a (KWS) bus which leaves the main gate on Sundays at 2 pm for a 2 ½-hour tour. You need to secure a seat ahead of time by booking in person by 1:30 pm. Either, you can call earlier if you would like to do the tour, as times vary depending on the number of tourists interested.

Among other personal items, you are allowed to carry binoculars, a camera, safari hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, picnic items, and water for an enjoyable day-safari experience.

Nairobi National Park Highlights

Nairobi National Park boasts to be the most accessible game reserve in the world inside a city. When you visit the birthplace of the safari, Kenya, it is ideal to tour this iconic Nairobi safari to get a feel of what Kenya offers. You will be most comfortable traveling in a four-wheel drive van, jeep, or truck, as its terrain is rough and natural throughout the park.

Besides the fantastic game viewing on the backdrop of the city skyscrapers, the park is also home to diverse birdlife, with over 400 species recorded. Some of the common birds birdwatchers can enjoy are crowned cranes, guinea fowls, vultures, ostriches, ground hornbills, and parrots. Though the elephant is not found here, it has four of the Big Five. The most populous species are the ungulates. They include elands, hartebeests, impalas, wildebeests, and Thomson and Grant’s gazelles.

The park is nicknamed ‘Kifaru Ark’ as it is a successful sanctuary of the rhinoceros (kifaru in Kiswahili) in the whole of Africa. The park is home to the rare, endangered black rhinoceros, with a concentration of more than 50 black rhinos.

Additionally, if you wish to have a quick tour within this park, you can choose to visit Nairobi Safari Walk, Nairobi Animal Orphanage, or The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT), which are located within the park.

Among the best quick safaris in Kenya, Nairobi Safari Walk tops the list. With its raised wooden boardwalk that allows exclusive views of the animals, the Safari Walk is a perfect showcase for parks and reserves in Kenya, giving you a taste of what to expect across the country. There are tour guides to fill your eager minds with interesting facts and discoveries about the animals.

Nairobi Animal Orphanage

Nairobi Animal Orphanage offers any animal and nature lover a touching and soul-fulfilling experience. You get to see first-hand wildlife care by experienced carers and veterinary doctors as they feed and care for the endangered, fragile, and sick wild animals. The wild animals, which are caged in secure, electric-fenced cages, are beautiful to watch and monitor their normal behavior in the wild. Through its animal adoption program, the orphanage offers a safe nest for fragile wild animals.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) elephant nursery is the other fascinating exquisite stop within Nairobi National Park. While the elephant is the missing big five animals at Nairobi National Park, DSWT offers an opportunity to see baby elephants! This nursery is a safe haven for orphaned calves (baby elephants) that DSWT rescues. Here, you get to watch first-hand as wildlife caretakers feed, water, and bathe the baby elephants. DSWT nursery provides the first stage in hand rearing and developing milk-dependent calves. Once they reach 2-3 years and are mature enough to graduate from the nursery. They are then transferred to Tsavo East National Park, where they ultimately return to the wild.

Other major attractions in Nairobi National Park include trekking to the historic Ivory Burning Site Monument and the walking trails of hippos found within the park.

Tips to note:

• You can shop for gifts and souvenirs and see park maps at the Kifaru shop next to Nairobi National Park’s main gate.
• Two facilities offer palatable African dishes and cuisines at affordable prices for meals and drinks. You can opt for The Club House or Sebastian Café, which are only 1km from the main park entrance.
• Nairobi city offers an abundance of accommodation options. Make sure you consult your travel agent for more information on this.
• Among the general and common-courtesy rules of the park, kindly
  • 1. Do not litter
    2. Do not feed the animals
    3. Do not harass the animals in any way
    4. Do not leave your vehicle
    5. Never drive off the designated roads
    6. Avoid getting out of the vehicle while close to the animals.

PROS AND CONS

+Good wildlife viewing with most safari animals present

+Easy day or half day from Nairobi

+Interesting photos possibility with animals against the city backdrop

+Safari board work with unusual animals, including bongo antelope

+Animal orphanage

+High density of Black Rhino

-The proximity to the city makes the park lack wilderness appeal

-No elephants

-Only one lodge inside the park

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