Kenya safari destination

Nairobi National Park

Rhinos, lions and giraffes with the city skyline behind them, just 7 km from the centre. Kenya’s easiest safari, run by a team based in Nairobi.

Location

Nairobi, Kenya

Size

About 117 sq km

Ideal stay

Half or full day

Best time

All year, best June to October

Famous for

Rhinos and the city skyline

A real safari on the edge of the city

Nairobi National Park was established in 1946 as Kenya’s first national park, and it is the only one in the world that sits beside a capital city. Its 117 square kilometres of open grassland, acacia bush and riverine forest lie about 7 km from the city centre, with skyscrapers rising beyond the zebra and giraffe.

Fences run along three sides, but the southern boundary stays open to the Kitengela plains, so herds can move in and out with the seasons. The park is also one of Kenya’s most important rhino sanctuaries, giving visitors a strong chance of seeing rhino, along with lion, buffalo, cheetah, hippo and more than 400 species of birds.

Because it is so close, a Nairobi National Park game drive fits into an arrival day, a layover or the morning before an evening flight. Many visitors add the elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre on a single group joining tour.

Why a Nairobi National Park tour is worth your time

Six reasons this small park surprises first-time visitors.

Wildlife with a skyline

Few places let you photograph lions or rhinos with skyscrapers in the background.

Rhino sanctuary

One of Kenya’s most successful rhino sanctuaries, protecting both black and white rhino.

Fits any schedule

A half day game drive is enough for a rewarding visit, ideal on arrival or before a flight.

Big cats

Resident lion prides, plus cheetah and the occasional leopard on early morning drives.

Elephant orphanage nearby

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery sits on the park’s edge, with a public visiting hour in the late morning.

Over 400 bird species

Ostrich, secretary birds and migrant species make the park a favourite with birders.

When to visit Nairobi National Park

The park is open every day from 6 am to 6 pm. Early morning brings the softest light and the most active animals.

June to October

Dry season

Short grass and fewer water sources make animals easy to find, especially around the dams.

January to February

Short dry season

Warm, clear days and good visibility across the plains.

March to May

Long rains

Green landscapes and fewer visitors. Some tracks can be muddy after heavy rain.

November to December

Short rains

Brief showers, fresh grass and migrant birds arriving from Europe.

Wildlife you can expect to see in Nairobi National Park

There are no wild elephants in the park, but almost every other classic safari animal lives here. Hyena, eland, impala and warthog are common too.

Rhino

Black and white rhino both live in the park, often grazing in open grassland close to the tracks.

Lion

Several prides roam the park, and guides often find them resting near the roads in the early morning.

Maasai giraffe

Giraffes browse the acacia woodland and often cross the tracks in front of vehicles.

Cape buffalo

Herds graze the plains and wallow near the dams, especially in the dry season.

Plains zebra

Zebra herds gather at the dams and waterholes, sometimes with the city skyline behind them.

Ostrich

The world’s largest bird struts across the southern plains, often with a line of chicks behind it.

Things to do in and around Nairobi National Park

A game drive is the main event, but the park’s location makes it easy to add a few of Nairobi’s best wildlife experiences.

Guided game drives

Head out at 6 am when the gates open, in a pop-up roof vehicle with a guide who tracks the rhino and lion every day.

Giraffe Centre

Feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes from a raised platform at this conservation centre close to the park.

Rhino tracking

Spend time with rhinos grazing in the open, one of the most reliable rhino sightings in East Africa.

Sheldrick elephant orphanage

Watch orphaned baby elephants being fed and hear how they are raised for release back into the wild.

Ivory Burning Site

Visit the monument where Kenya burned 12 tonnes of seized ivory in 1989, a landmark moment for conservation.

Planning your Nairobi National Park tour

Practical details to help you choose a tour and make the most of a short visit.

Getting there

From the city: the main gate on Langata Road is about 30 minutes from the centre, traffic permitting.
From the airport: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is close to the park’s East Gate, which suits layovers.
Pick-up: tours usually include pick-up and drop-off from Nairobi hotels or the airport.

Choosing a tour

Half day: a 4 to 5 hour game drive, in the morning or afternoon.
Full day: a game drive plus the elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre.
Shared or private: group joining tours in a van or jeep keep costs low, while private tours let you set the pace.

Good to know

Park fees: paid electronically to Kenya Wildlife Service. Check whether fees are included in your tour price.
What to bring: a warm layer for early mornings and a camera with a good zoom.
Park rules: stay in the vehicle except at the marked picnic sites and walking trails.