Nairobi national park is one of the leading safari destinations in Kenya known for being the “The World’s only Wildlife Capital”, the park is located in Nairobi city the capital city of Kenya and is situated in a short drive of approximately 7 kilometers from Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
This incredible park covers an area of 117 square kilometers with a magnificent backdrop of sky scrapers of Nairobi city, the park is 3 sides that is the northern, eastern and western are fenced with an electric fencing and the southern boundary / side is open. This open side is used by as a migrating route for animals migrating between Nairobi national park and Kitengela plains which are adjacent to the park.
It is composed of open grass plains, scattered acacia bush and the landscape is crossed by Mbagathi River forming the Southern border of the park. Nairobi national park is the only protected of the of Athi-Kapiti ecosystem.
History of Nairobi national park
Formerly Nairobi City the capital city of Kenya where the park is found was formally known as the Athi plains east and South, the Athi plains were used as grazing plains for the Maasai local people who used to herd among the wildlife inhabiting in the area.
The forested highlands of this area was inhabited and used as farm lands for the Kikuyu people, as the area grew into a city in 1910. It resulted into conflicts between the humans and wildlife , the residents of the area had to carry guns so as to protect themselves from wild animals such as lions, leopards among others.
After 9 years of absence, Mervyn Cowie – a conservationist who was born in Kenya return and on his return he was alarmed by the reducing numbers of wildlife in the Athi plains and the expanding farms and increased numbers of livestock was the cause. Mervyn Cowie reminisced about the paradise which was in this area and on his return it was disappearing at a terrible speed.
Mervyn Cowie started a campaign for the establishment of a national park in this area as to save the disappearing animals and the ecosystem, the British government the then ruling power of Kenya formed a committee to examine the matter.
In 1946, the area was established as a national park thus becoming the first national park to be established in Kenya, the park was put under the administration of Mervyn Cowie as the director a role he held until 1966.
Wildlife in Nairobi national park
Nairobi national park is a home to adverse wildlife species inhabiting in the savannah and forest galleries dominating the park’s landscape, these animals include lion, leopard, African buffalo, black rhinos, giraffes, hippos, spotted hyena, blue wildebeests, plains zebra, grant’s gazelle, common eland, common warthog, hartebeests, olive baboon, black-backed jackal, Nile crocodile, impalas among others.
Birdlife in Nairobi national park
Nairobi national park is one of the Important Birding Areas and a birder’s haven with about 500 recorded bird species including resident and migration bird species, migratory species arrive in the park in November – April from northern Africa and Europe.
Birds in Nairobi national park include Abyssinian thrush, Corncrake, Fischer’s lovebird, Grey crowned crane, Hartlaub’s bustard, Jackson’s widowbird, Kori bustard, Lappet-faced vulture, Lesser kestrel, Martial eagle, Pallid harrier, Secretary bird, Sharpe’s longclaw, Sooty falcon, White-bellied bustard, White-headed vulture among others
Kenya safari activities to do in Nairobi national park
Game drives
Game drives is the highlight Kenya safari activity in Nairobi national park offering visitors an opportunity to explore the plains of the park and get excellent sights of abundant wildlife, game drives are offered as morning and afternoon game drives.
Game drives in the park done on several tracks running through the park and from the comfort of your vehicle you will enjoy watching many animals such as rhinos, giraffes, blue wildebeests, plains zebra, grant’s gazelle, common eland, common warthog, hartebeests, olive baboon, black-backed jackal, Nile crocodile, impalas among others.
Walking safaris
Nairobi national park offers some of the amazing walking safaris in Kenya offering tourists an opportunity to explore the park and reach to regions which cannot be reached by safari vehicles, in the park there are various walking trails running through the park used during this experience.
Walking safaris in Nairobi national park are led by an armed ranger guide and as you walk through the park, expect to watch various animals such as giraffes, hippos, elands and many bird species such as white-bellied bustard, white headed vulture and secretary bird among others.
Bird watching
Nairobi national park is a birder’s haven and listed among the fine bird watching destinations in Kenya with over 500 species of birds, while on bird watching safari expect to spot a number of beautiful and colorful birds including include Abyssinian thrush, Corncrake, Fischer’s lovebird, Grey crowned crane, Hartlaub’s bustard, Jackson’s widowbird, Kori bustard, Lappet-faced vulture, Lesser kestrel, Martial eagle, Pallid harrier, Secretary bird, Sharpe’s longclaw, Sooty falcon, White-bellied bustard, White-headed vulture among others.
Accommodation
There is a wide range of accommodation options (safari lodges, hotels and camps) categorized as luxury, midrange and budget accommodation. Accommodation options include
- Luxury accommodation – Ololo safari lodge, Nairobi tented camp, Ole safari hotel and African Heritage house.
- Midrange accommodation – bush house and camp, Anga Afrika luxury boutique camp Nairobi, Tawala homes and Stardom hotel.
- Budget accommodation – Royal tulip Canaan Nairobi, Town lodge uphill, Fairview hotel, After 40 hotel, Lotos inns and suites Nairobi, Double tree by Hilton Nairobi, Radisson Blu hotel Nairobi, Fairview Hotel among others.
How to get to Nairobi national park
Nairobi national park is found in the center of city about 7 kilometers south of the Central Business District and is accessed using various entry and exit gates such as Maasai gate, Mbagathi gate, Banda gate, Lasngata gate and KWS headquarters. To get to the park is a drive of approximately 7 kilometers from the Nairobi city center and approximately Jomo Kenyatta International Aiport the main entry point in Kenya by air.
