Nairobi national park is Kenya’s first national park that was established in 1946 on 16th December. The park is located 15.6 kilometers away from Nairobi the capital city of Kenya and it covers an area of about 117 kilometers squared. It is located south of the city and it is the only national park in the world that is adjacent to the city. It is about 28minutes drive from the city center to the park. Nairobi national park is composed of thick woodlands, open savanna plains and valleys. The most dominant tree species in the park are Acacia, muhuhu, cape chestnut and Kenya Olive which provide accommodation to the wildlife in the park. The park is a home to over 100 mammals, a home to big four of the Africa’s big five except elephants. Nairobi national park has a recorded number of birds of about 500 bird species with 20 bird species being migratory birds. Some of the bird species in the park are; secretary birds, lesser kestrel, martial eagles, sooty falcons, and White-bellied bustards to mention but a few.
The park is a rhino breeding sanctuary and this worked as a restoration center for the rhinos especially the black rhinos. Some of the wildlife that live in the park include; lions, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos and these are Africa’s big four, other wildlife in the park include; zebras, giraffes, common elands, Coke’s hartebeests, gazelles, cheetahs, hyenas to mention but a few.
Attractions in Nairobi National Park
Wildlife in Nairobi National Park
Nairobi national park is a home to over 100 mammals, 500 recorded number of bird species, 40 different types of amphibians, the park is a home to Africa’s big four animals which are; leopards, lions, buffaloes and rhinos. Other animals on your bucket list in the park include; giraffes, cheetahs, elands, impalas, blue wildebeests, hartebeests, olive baboons, jackals, ostriches, zebras, hippopotami, among others.
Birdlife in Nairobi National Park
The park is a home to over 500 bird species of which 20 of the bird species are migratory birds from Europe. And being adjacent to the city center, this makes Nairobi national park the only city in the world with the highest number of bird species, wildlife and beautiful sceneries. Some of the bird species that dwell in the park include; Jackson’s widowbird, Hartlaub’s bustard, martial eagles, lesser kestrel, Abyssinian thrush, pallid harriers, White-headed vultures, Kori bustards, Corncrakes, Fischer’s lovebirds to mention but a few.
The Kifaru Ark
Kifaru is a Swahili dialect meaning rhino. The Kifaru ark is a rhino sanctuary in Nairobi national park and the ark was established to fight against poaching in the park and the sanctuary is one of the successful rhinoceros sanctuaries and the travelers are assured of encountering rhinos in the park.
Black Rhinos in Nairobi National Park
The park has the highest number of black rhinos and white rhinos in the wilderness. These rhinos have been endemics to Nairobi national park since time immemorial and you can find them in the park with ease.
Ivory Burning Site Monument
This is a landmark in Nairobi national park and it was set by the former Kenya President Daniel Arap Moi and it was a symbol of conserving the wildlife and a sign to poachers that they should stop their hunting tendencies and also to stop trading animal products like ivory.
Walking Trails at the Hippos Pools in Nairobi National Park
The walking to the hippo pools start from the picnic point with the help of the park ranger following Athi River banks. You ought to see beautiful sceneries, hippo pools, and amazing rivers with wildlife roaming in the wilderness. You will come close to zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, elands, buffaloes, among others.
Nairobi Animal Orphanage
This is a healing center which is found inside the park and it was established to help nursing animals which would be hurt by poachers, trapped in the snares, those have attained severe injuries through fighting, those that lost their mothers when they are still very vulnerable. This place has attracted travelers from all walks of life to have an encounter with such wildlife. Some of the animals which can be found in the orphanage center are; cheetahs, lions, buffalo cubs, elands, monkeys among others.
What is the best time to visit Nairobi National Park?
You can visit Nairobi national park throughout the year however the best month would be during dry season in the months of July to October and January to February. This is when the trails, pathways and roads in the park are dry, vegetation is short and you can clearly see wildlife from a distance. During dry season, wildlife normally gathers at the water sources and you can easily view them from a close range. For wet season between March and May this is the best time for birders to thrive in the park since this is the nesting time for birds and also it is the time when the migratory birds from Europe fly in the park during this time, there is a lot of food and you will spot a good number of birds.
How to get to Nairobi National Park?
The park is located in the south of Nairobi the capital city of Kenya. You can access the park through different gates for example; Masai gate, Mbagathi gate, Banda gate, Langata gate and Kenya Wildlife Safari Headquarters. The park can be accessed both by road and by air.
By Road
You can access the park by road and it is about 7 kilometers from the city center and 10 kilometers from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
By Air
For tourists who want to fly to Nairobi national park, they will and at Jomo Kenyatta international airport, get a chartered flight to Wilson Airport which is about 15minutes drive to the park.
Can I combine Nairobi National Park Safari with Uganda Gorillas?
Most travelers ask themselves this question and the answer is YES. You can visit Nairobi national park for about 1 day, fly to Entebbe international airport in Uganda and here you can use a domestic flight to Bwindi impenetrable national park which can take you about 1hour and 15minutes to Kisoro and your driver guide will be waiting to transfer you to the booked lodge in Bwindi impenetrable national park, on the other hand, you can use road transport which is about 9hours but with stopovers, enjoying beautiful sceneries, and many more. This trip can be done in only 5 days, however we can tailor your trip to wherever you want to travel to in East Africa, whether you want to visit national parks in Rwanda or Tanzania’s Serengeti national park. We shall curate you an itinerary that really best fits in your travel desire.
