Nairobi National Park

Amazing wildlife experience right on the edge of the big city

My wife and I went on a ten-day safari to Kenya and northern Tanzania in September 2019. We visited the Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Tanagire and Amboseli National Parks. The adventure involved a lot of sitting in safari vehicles, but the trip was amazing overall. Upon returning, I realized that perhaps the smartest thing we did in planning the journey was to start by visiting Nairobi National Park, just outside Nairobi itself. This is a small but amazing preserve in which we saw an impressive variety of wildlife and birds in just a few hours. It was the only place we saw a rhinoceros during the entire trip, and we also saw lions, zebras, impalas, hartebeest, vervet monkeys, baboons, giraffes, buffalo, warthogs, Ostriches, Little bee-eaters, White- bellied bustards, and a huge variety of other birds. There are no elephants in this park, but that is hardly a major issue in light of how many animals do live within the reserve. There was a "hippo pond" that comprised perhaps the highlight of the park. There we saw birds galore, including Malechite kingfisher, Sacred ibis, Blacksmith lapwing, Black-winged stilt, and African fish eagle, as well as a large monitor lizard and of course, hippos. The park is relatively small, and our driver gave us what seemed like a complete tour within a couple of hours.

The entrance to the park is a little intimidating, as there are armed guards and, as is typical of Nairobi generally, a high degree of security. Since we were with a professional guide, however, we were able to just hang back and let him take care of the payment, paperwork, and direction. Overall, the Nairobi National Park proved an amazing place to spend an afternoon, and I recommend it to anyone visiting Nairobi or beginning a safari in that city.

A perfect end to a life changing experience

My visit to Nairobi National Park came at the end of an 11 day photo safari. The regular tour didn't have this park as one of its stops. I had several hours before leaving Nairobi so I booked a tour. To my surprise, it ended up to be a private tour as no one else signed up.

I found the park to be amazing. My favorite part was when we had a reasonably close encounter with a Black Rhino. That experience took my breath away. All the other animals and birds on this Nairobi National Park tour were very special. I asked my guide if locals visit the park and he said no. He told me most of the visitors were tourists. I was saddened to hear that the locals did not take advantage of such a national treasure.

All together, I found the Nairobi National Park to be very special. It was fascinating that such a park with such beautiful wildlife so close to a large city was available to me any anyone else who wanted to see nature, especially endangered animals before they disappear. It is also wonderful for people who travel on business to Nairobi to have such a beautiful place to experience nature in the wild so close that they can take a few hours between meetings to feast their eyes on real nature.

A must do while in Nairobi

Well if you are in Nairobi, then a trip to the Nairobi National PArk must be on the Itinerary. It is preety much the only National park in a city anywhere in the world.
Wild, untouched and well populated, one will always get to see great game from the herbivores, to the big cats and even rhino. Bird lovers will also not go wrong.

An excellent trip for an early morning trip or in the evening. Its easily accessible from the city through the many entrance gates and one can even do it in the standard family car.

when in Nairobi its a must visit park.

We visited the Shelbourne Elephant Sanctuary. A wonderful addition to our trip and commitment to animal conservation.

I saw leopard there but no other places.

We could see giraffe and zebra from our hotel when we’d just arrived. That was special!

Hard to believe that this amount of wildlife is with in the city limits. It was amazing to see so many different species of animals grazing together on hillsides. A very easy day trip.

So much to see right in Nairobi!!!

A must to visit when in Nairobi - wildlife at the doorstep of a metropole

We visited the part on a Sunday morning, where traffic through town is light. It is a fantastic experience to be on the Savanna in wild Africa in just 30 minutes from your hotel downtown. There was lots of wildlife, and the part was not too crowded (off season). Paying with credit card at gate was easy and fast. The drivers were polite and competent. And the booking from the agency smooth.

This is a must do when in Nairobi.