Discover the delights of The Nairobi National Park

Established in 1946 The Nairobi National Reserve located only 10km from the city centre, is the only park in the world close to a capital city. The park is truly fascinating in the sense that one could be in a meeting in town and a few kilometers later you are taking photos of lions at the reserve. On Sundays a public KWS Shuttle Bus departs from the city centre at 10am / 2pm for a tour of the park.

WILDLIFE

The 117km² park is made up of open grass plains with scattered acacia bush. The highest point Impala Hill is a good place to watchout for animals with your binoculars and it also has a picnic site; while the Mbaghathi River forms the southern boarder of the park.

Ensure your camera is fully charged ready to immortalize a variety of wild animals including the black rhino, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, elands, wildebeests and diverse bird species.

An Elephant roaming about in the Nairobi Park

ATTRACTIONS

The Ivory burning site monument, Walking trails at hippo pools and the Rhino sanctuary for breeding then restocking other parks are some of the hotspots within the park.

Other attractions include:

1. Nairobi Animal Orphanage – The oldest animal orphanage in Kenya established as a refuge and rehabilitation centre for wild animals. Set in the Nairobi National Park the animal orphanage offers a ‘one on one’ up close animal experience. The wildlife on show includes lions, cheetahs, monkeys, baboons, buffaloes among others. Non-resident rates: Adult US $ 8, Children US $ 5.

2. Nairobi Safari Walk – Accessible through the park’s main gate, it is a winding walking trail which provides an opportunity to watch animals enclosed in their natural habitats. The safari walk has information boards along the trail to educate visitors on the wild animals on show including the ostrich, hyenas, hippos, lions, zebras, cheetahs, wildebeest, albino zebra, and the leopard. Non-resident rates: Adult US $ 8, Children US $ 5.

Hippos fight it out at The Safari Walk

3. Rangers Restaurant (Tel: +254 (20) 2357470) – Rangers is a three star eatery accessible through the park’s main gate and it is the ideal destination for a meal after an adventure in the park. The rustic restaurant has a viewing deck overlooking an animal watering hole which is floodlit at night. My experience at rangers was one of good food, and the quantity was thankfully sufficient due to the fact that I had a huge appetite that evening. The downside is that the service was slow and very few animals could be spotted at the watering hole when I visited.

Nairobi National Park Additional Information:

• Location: 10km south of Nairobi. Main gate Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Headquarters accessible through Langata road.
• Non-Resident rates – Adult US $ 40, Children US $ 20 (Kindly note that rates are subject to change without prior notice).
• Public gates: The public can access the park using the following gates: Main gate, Cheetah gate, Maasai gate and Langata gate.
• No available accommodation in the park.
• The park has six picnic sites.