Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya that was established in 1946 about 7km (4.3mi) south of Nairobi. Despite of its proximately to the city and its relative small size, it boasts a large and varied wildlife population, and is one of the Kenya’s most successful rhinoceros’ sanctuaries and it is one of the only a few parks in Kenya where the visitors can be certain of seeking a black rhinoceros in its natural habitat.

The Nairobi national park is fenced on three sides, where as 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. Nairobi national park is negatively affected by increasing human and livestock populations, changing land use and poaching of wildlife, despite its proximity to the city and its relatively small size, it boasts a large and varied wildlife population, and is one of the Kenya’s most successful rhinoceros’ sanctuaries. Kenya Wildlife Service runs the park and regulates, manages and promotes conservation of flora and fauna in Nairobi National park.

Attractions of Nairobi National Park.

Wildlife and Bird species.

Nairobi National park contains various animal’s species including the buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, baboon, zebra, wildebeest, cheetah, black rhino, impala, water bucks and among others, the park has well has over 100 mammal species, and as well as over 400 migratory and endemic bird species like the Black- headed heron, ostrich, common moorhen, long- tailed fiscal, secretary bird and among more.

Impala observation point.

The Impala observation is the highest point in Nairobi national park offering a view of the impalas in the open plains in Nairobi national park filled with the impalas. Impala observation point is also a picnic or event that allows tourists to dine while watching Kenya wildlife around Nairobi National Park.

The ivory burning site.                                                          

This a landmark for the conservation of wildlife marking the place where the former president of Kenya President Daniel Arap Moi burnt ivory as a way of sending a message to poachers to stop their acts and to show Kenya’s commitments to conservation and zero tolerance to the ivory trade. This site is found in the northwest and of Nairobi National park.

David Sheldrick Elephant orphanage.

This is a rescue center for elephants as well as other wildlife species such as the rhinos. The elephants are taken care of from this orphanage and later taken back to the Tsavo National park, The Sheldrick elephant orphanage is the best place to learn about elephants and their conservation.

Bomas of Kenya.

About 10 kilometres from Nairobi, Bomas of Kenya is a living museum celebrating the colourful tribes of Kenya. This is a great place to learn about the lifestyle, art, music, crafts, and culture of each tribe. The complex encompasses a recreated traditional village with homesteads or bomas, each one reflecting the culture of a major ethnic group. Every afternoon, a team performs traditional dances and songs in the larger theatre. Audience participation makes the performances even more enjoyable.

Karura Forest Reserve.

Karura Forest is the lush green space is actually one of the largest urban forests in the world, and you can be able to discover all kinds of things to see and do, hike to a multi- tiered 15 – meter waterfall, enjoy a picnic in the gardens, watching monkeys clamber through the trees, or just sit quietly by Lily Lake and soak up the tranquillity. Bike riding is also popular along the well – marked red –clay rails.

Giraffe center.

At the Giraffe centre, on the edge of Nairobi National Park, visitors can come face to face with endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. This non- profit center lies on the grounds of the plush guesthouse and its main mission is to provide conservation education for children.

Nairobi National Museum.

The museum aims to interpret Kenya’s rich heritage and offers a one stop for visitors to sample the country’s rich heritage both for education and leisure.

Activities done in Nairobi National Park.

Horse Riding.

Malo stables offer fantastic forest rides with the views of the Ngong Hills, the horses are highly trained and the hosts extremely professional. There are variety of riding options available that could include an alfresco lunch after a lovely ride through the forest at an extra cost.

Breakfast with the giraffes.

Waking up to breakfast with a giraffe must be one of the most incredible and unique experiences anyone can have. This activity is reserved exclusively for overnight guests of Giraffe Manor and he is one not to be missed.

Game Drives

This takes place at different times of a day in the park that is in the morning and in the evening. During the morning game drives chances of viewing the wildlife is bigger compared since the wildlife species are more active at this time of the day compared to evening game drives where the wildlife species take shelter in the hidden locations to avoid heat form the suns and to avoid predators.

Walking Safaris.

This takes place along the raised wooden walkway with a good view of the wildlife species in the park. This activity allows the guests to see what they expect when in the wild also providing an experience with wildlife species as close as the visitors as they can get to them during the waking safaris.

Bird watching.

The park comprises variety of the bird species both the endemic and migratory species such as ostriches, secretary birds, corncrake, white –headed vulture and among others. This helps the guests to spot various bird species in the park while on Wildlife Kenya Safaris.

Camping and Picnicking.

At night under the cover of the countless stars and the feeling of morning dew on your feet as you take in the crisp clean air in the morning as a reality that awaits you in the park, the beauty of camping is that you are in charge, sleeping times, meal times, even bath times if your operating limited time, picnicking works excellently.

Fishing.

Fishing activity also done during your visit to Nairobi National park this is supported by the Indian ocean, which aids in fishing.

Nairobi National park entrance fee.

Best time to visit Nairobi National Park.

The best time to visit the park is during the dry moths, from July to October, and also January and February. July has the lowest rainfall among all the months of the year. Along with July, August is the driest month in Nairobi.

Where to stay in Nairobi National park.

Accommodations in Nairobi National park are grouped into budget, mid –range and luxury as indicated below,

Budget accommodation. Radisson Blue hotel Nairobi, Double tree by Hilton Hotel, Royal tulip Canaan Nairobi, Town Lodge uphill, Fairview hotel, The Monarch hotel and among others.

Mid – range accommodation. Stardom hotel, Tawala homes, Bush house and camp and among others.

Luxury accommodation. Ole sereni hotel, African heritage house, Ololo safari lodge.

How to get to Nairobi National Park.

Nairobi national park can be accessed by both road and flight transport.

By Road Transport. Accessing Nairobi national park  10 km from Nairobi. Entry gates to Nairobi national park includes KWS headquarters, Langate gate, Maasai Gate, Mbagathi gate and Banda gate. It’s (21.1 km) through Southern Bypass 39 minutes and (17.2 km) through Mombasa Road/ A104 which takes 42 minutes.

By Air/ Flight Transport. Here from Jomo Kenyatta international airport and Wilson airport.

Nairobi National Park is the world’s only wildlife capital, wide open grass plains and backdrop of the city scrapers, scattered acacia bush play host to a variety of wildlife including the endangered black rhino, leopards, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes and diverse birdlife with over 400 species recorded which makes the park unique with various activities like game viewing, bird watching and among more which makes it to be the best capital safari destination.