Nairobi National Park is ‘The World’s only wildlife capital’ because of its location close to Kenya’s capital – Nairobi city. Whether you are heading to the Park from your hotel in the central business district, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Wilson Airport, it will only take you a few minutes to drive to get to the park and get started on the Nairobi National Park tour. At the park, you can experience some of the best wildlife sightings that mark the highlight of Kenya Safari. Wildlife enthusiasts have much to look out for in a visit to the park and learn about wildlife conservation efforts in Nairobi National Park.
As popular as a wildlife destination close to Kenya’s Capital City, here are some highlights that make this renowned National Park worth a visit.
1. Nairobi National Park is a Rhino sanctuary
The park is one of the top destinations where you can watch rhinos as they feed quietly in the expansive grasslands. Being a rhino sanctuary means that enough resources are invested to ensure that Rhinos in the park have a safe space to live and breed. The success of the rhino protection and breeding program in Nairobi National Park is evident as it helps to restock other destinations in the country. During your Nairobi National Park tour, you will have a guarantee of spotting black rhinos in their natural habitat. Look out for unique features that differentiate black rhinos from White rhinos.
2. The Park is a Bird Watchers’ Paradise
Over 400 species of resident and migratory bird species can be found in the Nairobi National Park, making this one of the best safari destinations to see many resident and migratory bird species. Over 20 migratory species are from Europe, adding to the diversity of avifauna in the park. Nairobi National Park’s proximity to the city means you can spend less time on the road and more time observing the unique species on this side of Nairobi. Our experienced guide will share details with you on the importance of the different bird species in the ecosystem.
3. Home to the Big Five Animals
Lions, buffalos, rhinos and leopards can be found in the Nairobi National Park and only elephants are missing to make this list of the big five animals complete. But a visit to the Sheldrick elephant orphanage presents the opportunity to see rehabilitated elephants later released into the wild. During an early morning or afternoon Nairobi National Park tour, you can easily spot a pride of lions taking a stroll across the grasslands while preparing for their next meal. Meanwhile, a pair of giraffes browse or graze in nearby shrubs, while a troop of baboons aggregate in the scattered acacia trees. You can also spot a large herd of Zebras that come to drink from any of the several water holes in the park. Look out for gazelles, including the Eland – the world’s largest antelope and more wildlife sightings that create a memorable Kenya safari.
4. Large Herds of Migrating Herbivores
Before the establishment of Nairobi City, the area now bordering the park was part of a larger corridor that allowed the free movement of migrating herbivore herds across the country. After the city was founded, it set a boundary and marked the northern border for the migrating herds, which are currently restricted to migrating between the Nairobi National Park and the Athi-Kapiti Plains. Similar to the Masai Mara-Serengeti Wildebeest migration, the migration that happens in the Nairobi National Park is fueled by changes in weather patterns and the availability of pasture. Man-made dams that serve as watering holes in the Nairobi National Park attract herbivores and other animals resident in the park during the dry seasons, making wildlife views in the park a unique spectacle. Booking a game drive in Nairobi National Park allows you to come into contact with some of the zebra herds that are part of the migration.
5. Ivory Burning Site, Picnic Sites, Elephant Orphanage and Nairobi Safari Walk
The Ivory Burning stands as a testimony to the country’s dedication to dealing with poaching and promoting wildlife conservation measures. The monument was set up in 1989 following the seizure and consequent burning of 11 tonnes of Ivory by the then-president of Kenya, Daniel Moi. Since then, presidents Mwai Kibaki, the third president of Kenya, and Uhuru Kenyatta, the fourth president of Kenya also burned ivory to signify the country’s continuing commitment to wildlife conservation efforts. A visit to the ivory burning site shows the positive outcomes of conservation activities linked to collaborative efforts.
Picnic sites in the park include the ivory burning site, Impala observation point and picnic site, Kingfisher Picnic Site and Mokoiyet Picnic site. The picnic sites offer a conducive space to take a break and relax, or hold pre-planned events such as picnics, weddings, corporate events, bush dinners, team-building activities as well as film production. In addition to the ivory-burning site that doubles up as a picnic site, a visit to the Nairobi National Park gives you the option of visiting the Nairobi safari walk, which offers a unique experience of wildlife watching from an elevated platform. The Nairobi safari walk gives a close encounter with the wildlife that you can see as you head out for a game drive in the park.
A visit to the Sheldrick elephant orphanage will give you a first-hand experience of how the rehabilitation of endangered species, including elephants and rhinos, helps with their survival. The hour spent at the orphanage is an opportunity to learn more about the care and support given to rehabilitated animals before being released to different locations in Kenya.
Book A guided Nairobi National Park Tour
To experience the best of all that the Nairobi National Park has to offer, contact us to book a game drive in Nairobi National Park. We are here to help and we’ll create a suitable itinerary for you. This includes choosing the time you prefer to go for the game drive and making sure you experience the highlights that make a Nairobi National Park game drive a unique experience.