Attractions in Nairobi National Park

Wildlife

Nairobi national park boasts 100 species of mammals, including 39 lions and 90 rhinos, 40 different amphibians and reptiles. The park has only four of the big five namely (buffalos, lions, leopards, rhinos) minus elephants. Nairobi National Park has a spectacular wildebeest and zebra migration, the large predators in the park includes the lion, leopard, hyena and cheetah. Other animal species in the park includes; giraffe, hippopotamus, blue wildebeest, plain zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle, common eland, impala, hartebeest, waterbuck, common warthog, olive baboon, black-backed jackal, common ostrich and many others, Nairobi National Park is the only one in the world to be a home to wild animals while being part of a capital city, but Nairobi is one of the fastest growing metropolises in Africa, increasingly endangering the park in its midst.

Bird species

Nairobi National Park is a haven birding safari destination in Kenya, where the park has over 500 bird species recorded, of which 20 are seasonal European migrants. Nairobi National park probably Kenya’s capital the longest bird list of all cities in the word making the best birding tour ever. The park’s substantial area of undisturbed grassland is of great importance for species such as the restricted-range Jackson’s widowbird, which breeds here regularly after good rains, other grassland birds include the Ostriches, secretary birds and bustards. Many bird species in Nairobi National Park includes Abyssinian thrush, Corncrakes, Fischer’s lovebirds, Grey crowned crane, Hartlaub’s bustard, Jackson’s widowbird, Kori bustard, Lesser kestrel, Martial eagle, Pallid harrier, White-bellied bustard, White-headed vulture and many others. November to April is when the migrants from Europe and North Africa are present then spectacular Jackson’s widowbird displays from March to May.

Vegetation

Nairobi National Park has a vast tracts of open grass plains with scattered acacia bush, there is a highly dry forest on the western side of the park and to the south there is riverine forest and a permanent river. The vegetation is of the dry transitional open scenic savanna type, which enables east spotting and observation of various animal species, again the acacias and other thorny varieties, muhuhu, Cape chestnut, and Kenya olive are the most important trees which are the main habitats of the park.

Kifaru Ark

Kifaru Ark which means Rhinoceros Sanctuary for its successful role in rhino conservation; Kifaru means Rhino in Swahili, it is the one of the Kenya’s most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries, the purpose of Kifaru Ark is for the anti-poaching in the park, and it is one of the only a few parks that is Nairobi national park with where visitors can be certain of seeing a black rhinoceros in its natural habitat.

Black Rhinos

Nairobi national Park has the highest population of black rhinos, and a good population of the southern white rhinos and the Eastern Browse (Black) Rhino (Diceros bicorni micheali) in the wild these intelligent and affectionate creatures have inhabited the earth for 60 million years. Nairobi National Park is another great spot for the rhinos in Kenya. The park has 50 critically endangered black rhinos, the densest population in the world. Nairobi National Park is the convenient and virtually guaranteed chance to observe eastern black rhinos, of which only 700 remain after poaching decimated the

Ivory Burning Site monument

The ivory burning monument is a landmark symbolizing the conservation of the wildlife marking the exact site that the Kenya President Daniel Arap Moi burnt ivory as a way of sending a message to all the poachers to stop killing and abducting the wildlife, and stop ivory trade.

Walking trails at hippo pools

Walking trails in Nairobi National Park that starts from a picnic area, following the Athi river banks. The route is patrolled by the Kenya Wildlife Service rangers, and is one of a few areas in the Nairobi National Park where hiking is allowed without one.

Nairobi National Park is a principal attraction for visitors to Nairobi and also serves many residents, as well as a successful rhino sanctuary, the park has an excellent record for supporting the species and nurturing them until they are re-located to their former range and to other upcoming sanctuaries. Nairobi National Park has the aggregations of large herbivores eland, buffalo, zebra, and Wildebeest Ivory Burning Site Monument Walking trails at hippo poos Nairobi Safari Walk and the Orphanage. Spacious accommodating picnic.

Nairobi Animal Orphanage

Nairobi Animal Orphanage is found inside Nairobi National Park which is another big attraction in the park that travelers can do and visit while in the park. The Nairobi Animal Orphanage is a treatment and rehabilitation center for wild animals like the cheetahs, lions, monkeys, and others once they are hurt say by poachers. The Nairobi Animal Orphanage is a great place to see wildlife upfront, unlike when on a game drive.

The best time to visit the park is during the dry moths, from July to October, and also January and February. July has the lowest rainfall among all the months of the year. Along with July, August is the driest month in Nairobi.

Nairobi has a cool and temperate climate. Temperatures are reasonably constant year-round, and it cools off considerably at night. There is very little rain in the Dry season between June and October. November to May, the Wet season, has two periods of rain. The ‘short rains’ are heaviest in November, and the ‘long rains’ are at their peak in April.

Dry season –June to October

It rains very little in the Dry season, although when the first rains fall is changeable. July and August are the coolest months, and temperatures increase in September through October before the rain breaks.

June, July, August & September – Lots of sunshine with very little rain. Afternoons are pleasant with temperatures around 24°C/75°F, but evenings and early mornings are cold with temperatures of around 12°C/54°F.

October – It is warming up a bit with afternoon temperatures of about 26°C/79°F. The short rains might start towards the end of the month, or it might be later in November. Temperatures drop after the rains.

Wet season –November to May

The Wet season is comprised of three distinct parts: the ‘short rains’ from November to December and the ‘long rains’ from March to May, with a dry period separating them.

November & December – ‘Short rains’: October or November sees the start of the short rains, which normally peak in November. Temperatures increase before it rains, drop immediately after, and average at 25°C/77°F in the afternoon.

January & February – The rains dry up in these months, separating the two rainy seasons. It’s the hottest time of year with average afternoon temperatures of 28°C/82°F.

March, April & May – ‘Long rains’: April is the wettest month and rain might interfere with your game drives. Road conditions deteriorate. The rain diminishes in May, but the roads may still be problematic until later that month. Afternoon temperatures are around 26°C/79°F.

 Where to Camp in Nairobi national park

For travelers looking for a camping experience  while on a Kenya safari in Nairobi national park, in the park there are 3 public campsites with electricity, hot water showers and communal kitchens and tent hire services bat the main gate for those who don’t have their own tents.

For travelers who want a more camping experience other than pitching your own tent, this experience can be got from Nairobi Tented camp located within the boundaries of the park on the west side. Nairobi Tented camp is a luxury tented camp with 9 luxurious permanent tents with en-suite bathrooms and solar lighting, the camp serves gourmet meals in the bush under the stars or in the dining tent.

Accommodations in  Nairobi National Park

Accommodation in Nairobi national park is got a wide range of safari lodges, safari hotels and camps which are categorized as luxury accommodation, midrange accommodation and budget accommodation. The park has three public campsites. They all provide electricity, hot water showers and kitchens. You can hire your own tent, if you don’t have one already.

Nairobi Tented Camp is the only Official accommodation in Nairobi National Park. It is located in the west of the park, including nine luxurious permanent tents. Meals are served in the bush, under the stars, or in the dining tent. Water is heated over log fires. It is an experience you will never forget.

The park is also close to the suburbs of Langata and Karen. They both offer a wide range of accommodation options, that vary from comfortable guesthouses to five-star hotels.

For nature lovers, Giraffe Manor is recommended. It is located on the grounds of the Giraffe Centre in Langata. Besides 12 double rooms of grand colonial style, this option is extra special by the Rothschild’s giraffes that walk freely around the grounds. Accommodating here also puts you within easy reach of other top Nairobi attractions.

How to get to Nairobi national park

Nairobi national park is situated in Nairobi the capital city of Nairobi, 7 kilometers south of the city center and is accessed using numerous entry gate such as Maasai gate, Mbagathi gate, Banda gate, Lasngata gate and KWS headquarters. To get to Nairobi national park both road and air means of transport are used,

By road: by road it is approximately 7 kilometers south of the city center and about 10 kilometers from Jomo Kenyatta International airport.

By air: by air international tourists fly to Jomo Kenyatta International airport and tourists on a combined safari can use domestic chartered flight to Wilson airport then drive to the park.