Nairobi National Park: An Overview
Location
Nairobi National Park is located south of Nairobi, a 4.5-mile drive from the Capital’s CBD and along the A104 road. The park is situated around 5,500 miles above sea level and comprises open savanna, wooded regions, and river valleys.
Size
The size of Nairobi National Park is around 45 square miles.
History
Gazetted as a National Park in 1946, Nairobi National Park is one of the few national parks to be located so close to a capital city. In 1963 the Nairobi Animal Orphanage was established in the park and serves as a rehabilitation centre for a variety of wild animals. A key attraction in the park is the site of the Ivory Burning Monument, erected to commemorate the burning of 12 tonnes of ivory in 1989 by then President Daniel Arap Moi.
Entrance Fees & Permits
Entrance fees during low, shoulder, and peak seasons is USD 43 per adult per day and USD 20 per child per day for visitors under 12 years old.
Hours of Operation
The park’s gates open at 6 am and close at 6 pm. Visitors, planning to visit the Animal Orphanage or embark on a walking safari, can do so between 9 am and 5 pm.
By Road
There are five main entry gates at the Nairobi National Park, namely Main Gate (KWS Headquarters), Langata Gate, Masai Gate, Cheetah Gate and East Gate. The Main Entrance is approximately 4.3 miles from Nairobi and 6.2 miles from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
By Air
Visitors can fly into either Wilson Airport, usually as part of a connection from other national parks in Kenya, or the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Guests will then be transferred by road to the park.
Weather & Climate
The dry, winter months of June through to the end of August make up the ideal time to visit the Nairobi National Park. The days are mild (around 55F) and the lack of rain means there is an abundance of sunshine and clear skies. The short rains start at the end of October into November with temperatures rising into the high 70’sF, with the long rains falling heavily from mid-March to the end of April, temperatures around the 80F mark. The hottest time of the year falls in January and February, 84F a usual temperature.
Avoiding Crowds
Visiting the Nairobi National Park in the Spring month of May or the fall months of October and November, can offer more space and fewer crowds in the park.
Value for Money
The proximity to Nairobi makes enjoying a safari in Nairobi National Park an affordable experience, as transfer costs truly minimal. The accommodation options range from comfortable to wonderful, with the price-range around the lead-in pricing of other major national parks.
Popular Wildlife Sightings in Nairobi National Park
The park boasts four of the “Big Five” animals, notably elephants missing from the list. Other plains game that can be seen often include hyena, giraffe, blue wildebeest, impala and Grant’s gazelle. The park is fenced on three sides, allowing wildlife to move between the park and the Kitengela Plains.
The Terrain
Vast plains cover most of the park with wooded areas opening up to rivers and valleys. Acacia trees are prominent and the vegetation is mostly dry, offering ideal game viewing.
Game Drives
Most game drives take place as day safaris initiating in Nairobi and are between four and six hours long. The drives are conducted in 4×4 closed safari vehicles with a pop-up roof, offering great viewing opportunities. Accommodation located in the park will offer either early morning and late afternoon game drives half-day or a full-day experience.
Guided Walking Safaris
Nairobi National Parks offers walking trails that follow the Athi River and are guided by qualified Kenya Wildlife Guides. Visitors have a chance to view wildlife in proximity while enjoying the nature surrounding them.
Nairobi Animal Orphanage
Visitors can get up close and personal with many animals from monkeys to cheetahs at this rehabilitation centre near the park.
Giraffe Centre
Here at the Giraffe Centre, you can climb up the feeding tower and hand feed a food pellet to an inquisitive giraffe. Some lucky visitors have been known to get a giraffe kiss! The Centre is a refuge for the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Here we’ll learn about this beautiful species at the special Information Centre. You may also find yourself surrounded by dozens of schoolchildren, as this is a favorite outing for Kenya’s youngsters.
Karen Blixen Museum
Made famous by the hit movie “Out of Africa” starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, this plantation homestead is where that story began. We’ll start our tour visiting this expansive farmhouse and grounds where Karen Blixen established a coffee plantation and spent time with her lover, the English hunter, Denys Finch-Hatton. Set at the foot of the Ngong Hills, the plantation was where Blixen chronicled her time in colonial Africa in her renowned literary works. We’ll visit the rooms where she lived and worked. On display – relics from her life as well as props from the legendary movie. We’ll also learn more about Kenya’s colonial history.
Kazuri Beads
Kazuri Beads safari is a testament to self-determination, creativity and the Kenyan spirit. Kazuri means “small and beautiful” in Swahili and the many beads and other ornamentation produced here are indeed very beautiful. This handiwork is the creation of hundreds of determined and skilled women who craft these ceramic beads, making artistic jewelry that’s seen and sold all over the world.
Kifaru Ark
This Rhino Sanctuary has been acknowledged for their amazing work in Rhinoceros rehabilitation. Visitors can see black rhino on their visit, not often seen on safaris.
Ivory Burning Site
A significant monument in Kenya’s history, marking the exact site where President Daniel Arap Moi burned ivory in protest to rhino poaching. The event took place in 1989.
Hippo Pools
Guests can enjoy trail walks near the Hippo Pools where there is a chance of seeing a myriad of animals from wildebeest to zebra, amazing birdlife and of course hippos and crocodiles.