Nairobi National Park in Kenya, named after the nearby city, is a unique wildlife sanctuary. It offers a remarkable blend of urban life and wild nature, found only in this location.

On a Kenya Safari here, you can see a surreal mix of wildlife and city life. Large animals like buffalo, giraffes, lions, leopards, zebras, wildebeests, and cheetahs roam just steps from the city’s high-rises. A simple steel wire fence separates them, creating an incredible scene. This spectacle challenges the typical view of modern cities, but in Nairobi National Park, animals and humans live in harmony.

Compared to other Kenyan game parks, Nairobi National Park is small, covering only 117 square kilometers (44 square miles). The park’s open plains slope gently from west to east, with rocky ridges and lush vegetation. Seasonal streams flow southeast into the Mbagathi River, lined with yellow fever and acacia trees. Despite urban pressures, the park supports a diverse range of wildlife throughout the year.

The park’s permanent water sources ensure you can see animals even during the dry season. Nairobi National Park hosts four of the Big Five, missing only elephants due to its size. However, its abundant wildlife, stunning landscapes, and unique location make it a great spot for wildlife lovers and city dwellers alike.

What to See

On a safari drive in Nairobi National Park, you will encounter various animals. Zebras, impalas, warthogs, ostriches, Grant’s gazelles, Thomson’s gazelles, lions, and cheetahs thrive in the grasslands. Masai giraffes browse in the woodlands, while black rhinos sometimes appear near the forest. Birdwatchers can delight in over 400 species of permanent and migratory birds in the park.

Besides the wildlife, Nairobi National Park offers many recreational activities and attractions. You can enjoy picnics at charming picnic sites or walk the boardwalk leading to the hippo pool. Here, you can observe hippos in their natural habitat. Additionally, the park features the famous ivory-burning site monument, which honors Kenya’s conservation history.

Getting There and Around

Reaching Nairobi National Park is easy, as it’s only a 20-minute drive from downtown Nairobi (7 km/4 miles). You can navigate the park’s network of paved and dirt roads using regular cars. The junctions are signposted and marked on the official park map, available at the gate. Many local safari outfitters arrange half-day trips, or you can hire a taxi for a few hours.

Park rangers track the movements of larger animals, so ask at the gate for the best spots to see lions or rhinos.