Birdwatching safaris in Nairobi National Park

Birdwatching safaris in Nairobi National Park : Nairobi National Park is located in the south of Nairobi in South Central Kenya. It was established in 1946 and is only 7 km from the city of Nairobi. Surprisingly, the park still has a variety of habitats, including rocky gorges, artificial dams and ponds, valley thickets and bush, open, rolling grass plains, and riverine forests. Nairobi National Park has fences on three sides. On the southern border, it is open to animal dispersal along with Embakasi and the Athi rivers. The park is closely connected to the Kitengela and Athi-Kapiti plains, which border it on the south, forming a single ecological unit. Continue reading this article to know more about the birdwatching safaris in Nairobi national park

Over 500 different bird species, both migratory and permanent, may be found in Nairobi National Park, giving Kenya’s capital the longest bird list of any city worldwide. The significant expanse of intact grassland within the park is crucial for the survival of species like the Jackson’s widowbird, which has a limited range and usually breeds there following heavy rainfall. Other grassland birds found in Nairobi National Park include bustards, secretary birds, and ostriches. Nairobi National Park is a well-liked spot for birdwatchers, and it’s simple to reserve a full or half-day guided birding safari in advance.

Nairobi National Park contains a variety of habitats that are home to the park’s bird species as well as the ideal places to spot them, including open grasslands, sparsely forested plains, rocky valleys, seasonal wetlands, dams, rivers and streams lined with forests, and montane forests. While a variety of seed-eating birds inhabit the savannah grasslands, such as the Black-cheeked Waxbill, Orange-breasted Waxbill, Yellow Bishops, and the nearly extinct Jackson’s Widowbird, other birds that might be expected include Shelley’s Francolins, Kori Bustards, Secretary Birds, Black-shouldered Kites, and roughly ten species of Cisticolas.

Birds of Nairobi National Park
Numerous water birds, such as Grey Herons, African Darters, African Water Rail, Saddle-billed, Yellow-billed, and Marabou storks, can be seen in abundance in the dams and seasonal wetlands. The secretive African Finfoot can also be found in rivers and streams, and Paleartic migrants like the Eurasian Bee-eater, Blackcaps, Common Nightingale, Upcher’s, and Willow Warblers love the montane forest.

The Near Endemics (NE), which are found in neighbouring countries, and the Endemics (E), which are found alone in Kenya, are two of the birding specialties found in Nairobi National Park. Nairobi National Park is home to a variety of endemic and near-endemic bird species, including the Abyssinian thrush, Corncake, 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, Sooty falcon, White-bellied bustard, White-headed vulture, and many more. The majority of the bird species found in Nairobi National Park, including the black kite, fish eagle, martial eagle, and Ruppell’s vulture, hunt on fawns and other smaller rodents.

Nairobi National Park has a varied number of bird species; 25 species of the 67 African Highlands biome that are found in Kenya, 27 species of the 94 Somali Masai biome, and one of the eight species of the Kenya Mountains that are Endemic Bird Area have been identified in the park. Large numbers of migrant Lesser Falcons roost at the location (over 5,000 have been documented at a time). The following species have been sighted: the near-endangered Shoebill Stork, Basra Reed Warbler, Madagascar Pond-Heron, Lesser Kestrel, Red-throated Tit, and the globally threatened Corncrake. The Struthio Camelus, Hieraaetus ayresii, Stephanoaetus coronatus, Ephippiorhynchus somalensis, Polemaetus bellicosus, Anhinga rufa, Casmerodius albus, Podica senegalensis, and Buphagus africanus are among the threatened species in the region.

The best time for birdwatching in Nairobi National Park
While there is excellent bird watching at Nairobi National Park all year round, November through April is the best time to visit because this is when the European and North African migration populations are most numerous. This is the time of year when many bird species are nesting here because it is breeding season. April tends to be very wet and is a less productive period for game viewing; nonetheless, the stunning Jackson’s Widowbird displays from March to May are worth visiting.

Nairobi National Park is one of the most distinctive parks in the world because it is the only wildlife park located inside a capital city. With over 500 species of birds and a diverse range of wildlife, the park is the best option for a Kenya birding safari due to its many exciting features.

Other activities to do at Nairobi National Park
Game drive safaris
Game drives are among the most popular and common activities in Nairobi National Park, as well as in all African national parks and reserves. By definition, a game drive involves exploring the park in a 4×4 open safari van or on a land cruiser, where visitors can enjoy up-close views of the animals and spot nearby bird species while adhering to park regulations and making observations.

The Nairobi National Park typically offers two distinct shifts for game drives: an early morning game drive and a late game drive. Nairobi National Park is open from six in the morning till six thirty at night.

Ivory burning site
A historic site where, in 1989, former Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi burned twelve tonnes of ivory. Kenya’s stance on elephant conservation and its zero-tolerance policy towards the ivory trade are demonstrated by the majority of it being intercepted prior to its entry into the market, stored, and thereafter burned. In 2016, 105 tonnes of ivory, 1.35 tonnes of rhino horn, exotic animal skin, and other goods like sandalwood and medicinal bark were burned in one of the facility’s few subsequent uses.

An ivory monument, ivory ashes, and a picnic area with a lawn, benches, and restrooms can all be found at the location in Nairobi National Park today. The place offers breathtaking views of the expansive plains to the east due to its location.

Hippo pool walking trail
On kenya safari tours Pathways for walking One of the few places in Nairobi National Park where trekking is permitted without a guide is the Hippo Pools, a short self-guided nature trail that begins at a picnic spot and follows the banks of the Athi River. Kenya Wildlife Services rangers police the route.

Nairobi safari walk
The Nairobi National Park’s safari walk is a landscape zoo and environment experience that begins at the entrance gate. Here, you can stroll through the forest or cross the river on the boardwalk, where you can see a variety of wild animals, including lions, leopards, rhinos, and other species. Children are welcome to join you on the safari walk.

Nairobi National Park is the best place to go on a tour because it is only seven kilometres from South Kenya’s capital city and offers excellent game viewing and bird watching opportunities with over 500 species of birds. The park is also known as Kifaru Ark, which means the Rhinoceros sanctuary and is one of Kenya’s most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries.

In summary, the above article entails all you need to know about birdwatching safaris in Nairobi National Park