Nairobi National Park is a wildlife park on the southern side of Kenya's capital, about 7 km from the city centre. It covers 117 square kilometres of open grassland, acacia bush and woodland, and it is Kenya's first national park, opened in 1946. Lions, giraffes, zebras, black rhinos and hippos live here, and more than 400 bird species have been recorded. The rhino sanctuary and the orphan care run by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust are the main draws. Plan a game drive early in the day.
Where the park is and how big it is
Nairobi National Park lies along Langata Road, about 7 km from the city centre, on the southern side of the capital. It covers 117 square kilometres. Its northern edges run alongside some of Nairobi's busiest roads, and the runway of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is less than five kilometres from the fence, so planes coming in to land can be seen above the plains.
An electrified fence separates the wildlife from the city. Inside, the land is a mix of open grass plains, valleys, acacia bush and woodland where several rivers meet.
A park with a long history
Opened in 1946, Nairobi National Park was the first national park in Kenya. It was set aside to protect wildlife from hunters and poachers, a job that still shapes how the park is run.
The city has grown up around the park. Housing, schools and busy roads now line parts of its edge, yet the animals have persisted on land their ancestors used for generations.
Wildlife on the plains and in the woodland
Lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, eland, gazelles, warthogs, hippos and baboons all live in the park. Around 100 mammal species and more than 400 bird species have been recorded here. Among the birds are ostriches, martial eagles, secretary birds and grey crowned cranes.
Sightings are never certain. Some animals are harder to find on a given day, and lions and rhinos do not always appear on a drive. Early starts give you the best odds.
The rhino sanctuary and the 1989 tusk burning
The park has a rhino sanctuary that protects more than 50 rhinos. The black rhino is critically endangered, and the sanctuary is one of the places in Kenya where it is protected.
In 1989, President Moi set fire to 12 tons of elephant and rhino tusks to fight poaching and to strengthen Kenya's standing in conservation. A monument marks the ivory burning site inside the park, and visitors can stop there to read about the event.
Orphaned elephants and rhinos at the Sheldrick Trust
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust runs an orphanage inside the park. Keepers raise orphaned baby elephants and rhinos, many of which arrive orphaned because of poaching or other human activity.
Visitors can watch the daily feeding sessions and the mud baths. Animals that are rehabilitated here are moved to Tsavo East National Park, where they are released into the wild.
How a visit works
Visitors can take game drives, walk on safari, or stop for a picnic. The park also has walking trails, including one that runs to the hippo pools, hiking trails and three campsites.
The park opens early and closes in the evening. If you are visiting between flights, a driver can take you in from the city and bring you back, which keeps the trip short.
Entry fees and access
Entry fees depend on nationality and age, so check the Kenya Wildlife Service site for current rates before you go.
The entrance and parking lot are wheelchair accessible. The park has public toilets and picnic tables.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee?
Yes. Fees depend on nationality and age, so check the Kenya Wildlife Service site for current rates before you go.
How long do you need?
Half a day covers a game drive or a walk and a picnic. A few hours is enough for a short visit.
When is the best time to go?
Go early in the morning for better chances of seeing animals and cooler temperatures.
Can you see lions and elephants?
Lions live in the park, but sightings are not guaranteed. The elephants you can see at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust are orphans cared for there.
Is the park wheelchair accessible?
The entrance and parking lot are listed as wheelchair accessible.
