Nairobi National Park
Activities
Go on a game drive to spot a wide range of wildlife, including lions, rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, and zebras. The park is home to over 100 species of mammals, making it a prime location for wildlife viewing, especially in the early mornings or late afternoons.
Adjacent to the park is the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where you can meet orphaned elephants and learn about efforts to rescue and rehabilitate them before their release back into the wild. Daily public feedings offer a chance to interact with the baby elephants.
Located within the park, the Nairobi Animal Orphanage provides care to injured or orphaned animals. Visitors can see a variety of wildlife that is being rehabilitated, including lions, cheetahs, and monkeys.
Nairobi National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 400 species of birds, including ostriches, martial eagles, herons, and Secretary birds. Birdwatching is especially rewarding during the wet season when migratory species are present.
Explore designated areas of the park on a walking safari, where you can enjoy up-close encounters with nature. The Ivory Burning Site and the Nairobi Safari Walk offer guided walks, where visitors can learn about conservation efforts and wildlife.
What To Expect
Animals
- Lions: The park is home to a healthy population of lions, often spotted lazing in the grasslands or hunting prey.
- Rhinos: One of the park’s highlights is its rhino sanctuary, where both black and white rhinos roam freely, making it one of the best places in Kenya to spot these endangered species.
- Giraffes: You’ll often see majestic giraffes wandering across the savannah, silhouetted against the Nairobi skyline.
- Buffaloes: Large herds of Cape buffalo are a common sight, grazing in the open plains.
- Zebras: Striped zebras dot the landscape, often seen in large groups as they migrate through the park.
- Cheetahs and Leopards: Though elusive, cheetahs and leopards are present in the park, with lucky visitors occasionally spotting them during game drives.
- Hyenas: Spotted hyenas are regularly seen, especially during early morning or evening drives.
- Birdlife: With over 400 bird species, you’ll see everything from ostriches and Secretary birds to smaller species like weavers and sunbirds.
- Antelopes: The park is home to different types of antelopes, including impalas, elands, and gazelles.
- Monkeys and Baboons: Vervet monkeys and baboons are often spotted in the trees or along the park’s roadsides.
Views
- Savannah Plains: The vast open grasslands of the park, dotted with acacia trees, provide stunning views of wildlife roaming freely.
- Nairobi Skyline: One of the park’s most unique features is the dramatic contrast between the wilderness and the Nairobi skyline, with towering skyscrapers visible from various points within the park.
- Ngong Hills: On clear days, the distant Ngong Hills form a scenic backdrop to the west, offering a serene contrast to the busy city nearby.
- Seasonal Rivers and Dams: The park has several small rivers and dams that attract animals, particularly during the dry season. These areas provide beautiful, peaceful spots to observe wildlife drinking or cooling off.
- Acacia Woodlands: The woodlands within the park are home to birds and smaller animals, adding variety to the landscape with their sparse yet beautiful tree cover.
- Sunset Views: As the sun sets over Nairobi, the park’s landscape takes on a golden hue, creating magical silhouettes of animals like giraffes, zebras, and lions against the sky.