Nairobi National Park

The only park in the world next to a city!

Nairobi National Park:
Destination Overview

 

This exceptional adventure allows you to explore the unique ecosystems of the Nairobi National Park, the only protected area in the world situated just outside the business district of a capital city. On your morning game drive, you might view a wonderful assortment of wildlife, including black rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo, cheetah, hyena and a variety of plains game.

Experience the oldest national park in Kenya, a sweeping landscape consisting of marshy wetlands, lush forests, rugged valleys and green grasslands. Offering an abundance of fascinating mammals and beautiful bird species, this magnificent terrain is set against the gleaming high-rises of Nairobi as a backdrop.

Drive through the lush riverine forest and delight in cheeky monkeys swinging through leafy branches and colourful birds letting out a variety of fascinating calls. The Athi River forms the natural southern boundary of Nairobi National Park and adds to beauty of the lush and tranquil setting.

Submerged in pristine river pools, hippos and crocodiles surreptitiously survey the scenery. One of the most beautiful places in the park is at the southwestern boundary, where little streams have furrowed steep valleys lined with lush vegetation. Inquisitive hyraxes, or dassies, play and sun themselves on the warm rocks and you may even come across an elegant klipspringer or mountain reedbuck.

Spotlight On:

Wild animals can be seen against a backdrop of high-rise buildings. The park’s proximity to a large urban center is unique in Africa and wildlife viewing is surprisingly good.

Best time to Visit

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Visit Nairobi National Park; What to see and do.

Nairobi NP has a decent variety of wildlife. Aside from elephants, all of the Big Five are present. There is a good population of both black and white rhino and the latter are often seen grazing on the open plains. Leopards are shy, but lion, cheetah and hyena are regularly spotted. In July and August, a mini migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle crosses into the park from the surrounding areas. Most of Nairobi National Park consists of open grassland. The city’s high-rise buildings are visible and, from a wilderness point of view, are quite disturbing – although it does create opportunities for unusual pictures. The Athi river track in the south of the park offers views over the scenic waterway, ridge and cliffs. The safari walk at the entrance of the park meanders through a beautiful patch of indigenous forest.

Birdlife

With over 500 bird species recorded, Nairobi NP probably gives Kenya’s capital the longest bird list of all cities in the world. The park’s substantial area of undisturbed grassland is of great importance for species such as the restricted-range Jackson’s widowbird, which breeds here regularly after good rains. Other grassland birds include ostriches, secretary birds and bustards. Nairobi NP is a popular birding destination and it’s easy to book a full or half day guided birding trip at short notice.

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