Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, is the only city in the world with a national park in it. Located about 10KM (6.2 miles) south of the central business district (CBD), the Nairobi National Park is the oldest national park in the country. It has a maximum elevation of 1,760 meters (5774 feet) above sea level and spans 117 square kilometers, offering ample size for up to six hours of game drives. More importantly, a Nairobi National Park safari is never short of thrills and adventure thanks to the wide variety of wildlife, birdlife, and flora that punctuate the park’s grassland savanna.
The park provides stunning views of the city’s skyline. Many Nairobi National Park photos feature a background of breathtaking skyscrapers. The park itself is completely detached from the hustle and bustle of Kenya’s capital city, offering a serene haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Although there are no elephants within the Nairobi National Park, you can spot all the other “Big Five” (lion, leopard, rhino, and buffalo) along with other wildlife like hyena, giraffe, zebra, antelope, hippo, and crocodile.
Nairobi National Park Safari with Gemini Expeditions
Gemini Expeditions offers two group-joining Nairobi National Park tours every Saturday and Sunday. We provide one tour in the morning from 6 AM and one in the afternoon from 12 noon. Each of our half-day game drives last five hours. Book your safari today for a chance to explore one of Kenya’s most unique national reserves.
Our Nairobi National Park safari tours cater for early risers as well as those who prefer a later start. Regardless, both times are ideal for game drives because animals are typically active in the mornings and afternoons when the sun is not scorching hot. You can expect to see a variety of wildlife, including lions, rhinos, giraffes, and numerous bird species, all against the backdrop of the city skyline.
The best part – of course, apart from viewing game? You get to make new friends along the way. Since it’s a group-joining Nairobi National Park tour, you’re likely to meet other thrill-seekers who share the same spirit of adventure and discovery as you. Our driver will let you interact at will in the 4×4 tour Land Cruiser and over safe and leisurely walks along the park’s trails.
Nairobi National Park Activities
Nairobi National Park is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which ensures the gates are open everyday from 6 am to 6 pm (with optional of night safaris). Within this time, the park offers a variety of activities and experiences for couples, families, organized groups, and solo travelers. The main Nairobi National Park activities include:
- Game drives: Wildlife viewing is the most popular activity in this national reserve. Nairobi National Park tours allow you to see a variety of animals, including four of the “Big Five”. Although you have the option to self-drive, a guided Nairobi National Park game drive in a Land Cruiser is generally more fulfilling. Seasoned tour guides know the park like the back of their hands. They know exactly where to take you for the best wildlife viewing.
- Walking safaris: While the KWS allows night safaris, one huge benefit of taking a Nairobi National Park day tour is that you can walk the trails with a tour guide and armed ranger. Walking safaris offer a more immersive experience.
- Bird watching: The park is home to over 400 avian species. You’re bound to see many of them on your Nairobi National Park safari.
- Picnics: One popular Nairobi National Park excursion, particularly for couples and groups, is picnicking. There are designated sites, like the Impala Observation Point, where you can enjoy a meal or snacks over scenic views of the park and Nairobi’s skyline.
- Visits to animal orphanages: There are two animal orphanages within the Nairobi National Park. The two are the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Nairobi Animal Orphanage. The latter is an animal rehabilitation center where rescued lions, leopards, hyenas, and other animals find a home. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust protects endangered and threatened rhinos and elephants.
Book your trip with Gemini Expeditions, where we showcase Nairobi National Park animals in their spectacular setting where urban life meets wild nature. From guided Nairobi National Park tours in a 4×4 Land Cruiser to walking safaris, picnics, and visits to animal orphanages, we curate the best itinerary to suit your preference.
With Gemini Expeditions, you can choose between a morning and afternoon Nairobi National Park safari, depending on which one best fits your weekend plans. For those seeking accommodation, we also partner with some of the best hotels near Nairobi National Park. Book today for a chance to explore wildlife on Nairobi’s doorstep.
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Why Visit the Nairobi National Park?
A Nairobi National Park safari is both thrilling and convenient because it offers wildlife encounters within Kenya’s capital. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or seeking photography and educational opportunities, the park provides an excellent starting point to Africa’s safari adventures. Here are the top eight reasons to visit Nairobi National Park:
- Diverse wildlife: The park is home to a wide variety of animals and birdlife. Some Nairobi National Park animals include lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes, which make four of Africa’s “Big Five”. Elephants are extremely rare but you can view them up close and even adopt one at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Other Nairobi National Park animals include cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, gazelles, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and over 400 species of birds.
- Conservation efforts: The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Nairobi Animal Orphanage provide a safe haven for endangered and orphaned animals. Both of these sanctuaries are located in the Nairobi National Park. The park is also famous for its efforts to conserve the black rhinoceros. It’s home to the famous Ivory Burning Site Monument which commemorates the Kenyan government’s strong stance against poaching.
- Support for local communities: When you take a Nairobi National Park excursion or safari, you contribute to the local economy.
- Educational reasons: Guided Nairobi National Park safari tours offer an excellent opportunity to learn about Kenya’s wildlife, landscape, ecology, and conservation efforts. This educational aspect is important for schools, tourists, and enthusiasts.
- Proximity to Nairobi: Nairobi National Park is a mere 10 km (6.2 miles) from the Nairobi CBD. This close distance makes it easily accessible for both local and international tourists. It’s a great destination if you’re looking for short day trips and game drives. Other parks like the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and Tsavo are further and require at least three days to fully enjoy.
- Photography: The park offers a unique and breathtaking scenery that combines savannah landscapes and the capital’s skyline in the background. This combination gives Nairobi National Park photos an unrivaled aesthetic appeal.
- Year-round opportunity: Nairobi’s climate is great for Nairobi National Park tours all year round. The dry seasons from June to October and January to February are especially ideal for game viewing when there’s less vegetation to obscure animals. The rainy seasons from March to May and November to December see a surge in animal population within the park. Regardless, there’s never a wrong time to book Nairobi National Park tickets.
- Flexibility: Given its close location to the city, you can visit the park in a few hours and not need an overnight stay. Often, five to seven hours are enough to explore the park almost fully. With Gemini Expeditions’ Nairobi National Park day tour, you get to choose between a morning and afternoon game drive, making it even more flexible.
Nairobi National Park Entrance Fee
The Kenyan government, through the KWS, sets the Nairobi National Park entrance fee for residents, non-residents, East African residents, and students. The current cost of entering the park is:
- KSH 430 for adult Kenyan residents
- KSH 215 for Kenyan residents who are children
- KSH 430 for adult East African residents
- KSH 215 for East African residents who are children
- USD 43 for non-resident adults
- USD 22 for non-resident children
Nairobi National Park tickets are valid for 12 hours. However, if you book accommodation inside the park, your ticket will be valid for 24 hours. Nairobi Tented Camp is the only accommodation inside the park. All the other Nairobi National Park hotels, camps, and lodges are located just outside the park.
How to Get to Nairobi National Park
If you book your Nairobi National Park safari with Gemini Expeditions, our tour guide will pick you up in a 4×4 tour Land Cruiser, take you inside the park, and provide a comprehensive game drive all while delivering helpful information about the reserve’s wildlife, birdlife, landscape, and geology. This means you won’t need to worry about getting there and back, or enjoying a thrilling safari.
Should you opt to self-drive, you may need to know Nairobi National Park directions before you set off. By road, head out of Nairobi CBD via Uhuru Highway. When you reach Nyayo Stadium, take Lang’ata road and drive on until you see the Lang’ata Army Barracks (on your left). The Nairobi National Park gate is immediately after the entrance to the Barracks. Please note that there’s a Nairobi National Park entrance fee for vehicles and it ranges from KSH 300 to KSH 5,000 depending on the vehicle’s seating capacity.
Nairobi National Park safari Highlights
- Spot the “Big Four” of lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes on thrilling game drives.
- High chance of encountering the park's proud black rhinos.
- View a variety of other wildlife, including hyenas, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, hippos, and crocodiles.
- Explore the park on foot with walking trails.
- Discover over 400 bird species, a haven for birdwatchers.
- Witness history at the Ivory Burning Monument.
- Share your safari passion with like-minded wildlife lovers in a 4x4 tour Land Cruiser.
