“The World’s only Wildlife Capital” Nairobi National Park is unique by being the only protected area in the world with a variety of animals and birds close to a capital city.

The park is a principal attraction for visitors to Nairobi.

Nairobi National Park is one of the most successful of Kenya’s rhino sanctuaries that is already generating a stock for reintroduction in the species’ former range and other upcoming sanctuaries.

Due to this success, it is one of the few parks where a visitor can be certain of seeing a black rhino in its natural habitat.

Birds of Nairobi national park include Maasai Ostrich, African Darter, African Finfoot, Dwarf Bittern, Goliath Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Spur-winged Goose Secretary bird, African Fish Eagle, Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Gabar Goshawk, Tawny Eagle, Bateleur, Shelly’s Francolin, Grey-crowned Crane, Kori Bustard, White-bellied Bustard, Bronze-winged Courser

Nairobi National Park. Wide-open grass plains and backdrop of the city scrapers scattered acacia bush play host to a wide variety of wildlife including the endangered black rhino, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes, and a diverse birdlife with over 400 species recorded. Visitors can enjoy the park’s picnic sites, three campsites, and the walking trails for hikers.

Size of Nairobi national park

Nairobi National Park, national park, in south-central Kenya, 5 miles (8 km) south of Nairobi. It was the first national park established in Kenya (1946), has an area of 45 square miles (117 square km), and lies about 5,000–6,000 feet (1,500–1,800 meters) above sea level.

Location of Nairobi national park

Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya that was established in 1946 about 7 km south of Nairobi. It is fenced on three sides, whereas the open southern boundary allows migrating wildlife to move between the park and the adjacent Kitengela plains. Herbivores gather in the park during the dry season.

How to Get to Nairobi national park

Nairobi national park within the main capital of Nairobi so you will be picked up from the hotel and drive for 30 minutes to the park gate before you start your game drive. The roads in Nairobi National Park are excellently maintained, although 4 x 4 vehicles recommended during the rainy season. Being gravel or Maram surfaced, all major circuits in the park are passable year-round except in some small tracks with black cotton soil which become waterlogged after the rains. There are several designated picnic sites within the park; where you are entitled to get out of your vehicle, in the Nairobi National Park Bird watching tour.

Things to do in Nairobi national park

Impala Observation Point: where you have a panoramic view of the park, a swamp below it has a lot of activity

The Ivory Burning Site: wherein 1989 former President Moi set fire to 12 tons of Elephant Ivory in a bid to eradicate the mass massacre of Africa’s Elephants.

Kingfisher Picnic Site: A green shaded area with huge acacia trees that host an array of birds in feeding parties, ideal for early morning bird watching, the picnic site is named after a resident Striped Kingfisher that has made the campsite it’s home. Lions are often encountered napping on the picnic chairs during the day

Mokoyeti Picnic Site: An open clifftop site with shaded tables. This is where two rivers meet Kiserian and Mbagathi, the best place to see the shy and elusive African Finfoot

Hippo Pools and Nature Trail: A short self-guided nature trail (guided by Kenya Wildlife Service rangers) leads out of a shaded picnic area along the Athi River and offers the opportunity of viewing a variety of birds such as nesting Vultures, Kingfisher, Wood hoops, Hornbills, Barbets, Lovebirds in tree holes.

Birding in these areas tend to be fruitful and gratifying because you alight from the vehicle and get a chance of walking and interacting closer with nature

Nairobi animal orphanage

Established in Nov 1963 as a refuge for wild animals found abandoned orphaned or injured in the wild

Nairobi safari walk

Opened in the year 2000; you view animals from vantage points on a circuit of raised wooden boardwalks and gravel pathways

Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage

Founded in 1987 for abandoned, injured baby elephants/rhinos

Open to the public for one hour starting from 11:00- 12:00 hrs

When to visit Nairobi national park

Nairobi national park is open all year round for safaris there is no best time when you should visit the park except the grass is high at the end of the rainy season but still, wildlife can be seen.

Where to stay in Nairobi national park

Most people stay in hotels in the heart of Nairobi, some of the hotels include Hemingways Nairobi, villa Losa-Kempinski, Eka hotel, Sankara hotel Nairobi, Masai Lodge but those who wish to stay in the national park can stay at the Nairobi Tented Camp.