The picnic sites in Nairobi National Park
The picnic sites in Nairobi National Park : Nairobi national park is the only National park in the world which is within a City. After a short drive out of Nairobi Central Business District, you arrive at Nairobi National park, with open plain grasses, few scattered acacia trees, plenty of wild animals and the backdrop of the city’s skyscrapers gives Nairobi its unique and unmatched identity.
It’s proximity to the city makes it a perfect destination for both day and half a day safari experience while still within a City. A close up view of lions ,cheetahs, buffaloes, Leopards, Rhinos, Giraffes among other animals gives the visitors to the park a taste of what Kenya has to offer in terms of its rich wildlife. Nairobi National Park is the perfect place to visit for out of city relaxation and game viewing and it will guarantee you unforgettable experience and a glimpse of what Kenya wildlife has in store for you in the wild. Within Nairobi National park visitors can enjoy three campsites, a walking trail for hikers and several picnic sites.
The picnic sites in Nairobi National Park include:
1: The Impala Viewpoint and picnic site.
Impala observation point and picnic site is located on a hill just a few minutes drive from the main Gate. It is made up of a stone which is built in circular just like the traditional African houses with panoramic views and a restrooms. This point offers the best view of the Nairobi National park and Nairobi city from its highest point. It is one of the best places where the locals visitors especially Kenyans and other Africans bring their favourite foods drinks and host their parties for family and friends, it is very ideal place for surprise parties and a best place for family and group safaris.
2: Kingfisher picnic site
Kingfisher picnic site is located on the south-western part of the Nairobi National park. It is within the park’s vast plains, its lawn are very green during the rainy season. It has wide open space equipped with seating, two bandas and a bonfire pits, these features makes the place ideal for birthday cake cuttings ,camping ,outdoor events ,corporate functions and team building sessions. It is also good for barbecues and outdoor photography.
There are several established facilities to ensure ,guest comfort such as a small roadside parking lot, two toilets, a sink and a running water tap. The Kingfisher picnic area is very popular for its early morning breakfasts and close up game viewing of animals coming to the nearby river to drink water.
3: Ivory Burning site and picnic area
Ivory Burning Site and picnic area is located in the park’s main Lang’ata Road gate. The Ivory Burning Site inside Nairobi National Park signifies one of the greatest conservation milestones in Kenya and the world. There are three piles of Ivory Ash which are found at the Ivory Memorial Burning Site. It is here where the second president of Kenya Daniel Toroitich arap moi in 1989 made a statement by burning 11 tonnes of seized Ivory. This greatly improved the conservation effort in Kenya as poaching greatly reduced and the action is greatly accredited to this efforts. It is at this site that the Kenya’s subsequent presidents burnt the Ivory too at the site, in 2011 president Mwai kibaki burned five tonnes of Ivory and in 2016 president Uhuru Kenyatta burnt 100 tonnes of Ivory at the same site. This is the highest ever burnt tusks ,this was equal to 6,000 elephants and 5% of global Ivory stocks. This site is perfect to learn of the importance and conservation of the wildlife especially the endangered species of Elephants and Rhinos which are vulnerable to poachers .
4:Mokoiyet Picnic Site
Mokoiyet picnic site is a large cliff which is adjacent to Nairobi National park’s Mbagathi river Gorge. It is one of the best picnic sites inside the Nairobi National park, it has been properly arranged with tables, benches, shaded huts, restrooms and a large parking area. Mokoiyet Picnic Site offers its visitors stunning view of the Mbagathi river and its Gorges, the river is also home to the Rock Hyrax. It is the best place in the park to go for the picnic ,camping, birthday parties ,team building activities, Barbecues, outdoor events and holding corporate functions. You can come with your own cooking equipment and cook your food or bring your own food . From Mokoiyet picnic site, you can go game viewing and bird watching.
5:Hippo pool picnic site
Hippo pool picnic site at Nairobi National park is a beautiful site near Maasai Gate and the Rongai River. Visitors visiting the site can hike along Mbagathi River, a trekking trail that is about 2.5 kilometres long. The hippo pool trekking trail at Hippo pool, is one of the highlights of the trek at this site. It is here where the visitors can enjoy the sightings of crocodiles, hippos and variety of common birds. There is also a curio shop from which the visitors can buy sculptures of wildlife and bracelets bangles ,necklaces among other body accessories made of beads.
NOTE: It is important to note that in order to access all these picnic sites at Nairobi National Park, You are required to pay the entrance fee to the Nairobi National park at the park’s entry points.
Nairobi National Park Entry fees
There are two season at Nairobi National Park; The high season and the low season. The park receives many tourists during the High season and few tourists in the low season and hence different rates between the season.
High Season
This is the period between July – February
Citizen/Resident | Charges |
Adult | Ksh 500 |
Child/ Student | Ksh 215 |
Non- Resident | Charges |
Adult | 60 USD |
Child/Student | 20 USD |
Low season
This is the period between March to June.
Citizen/Resident | Charges |
Adult | Ksh 400 |
Child/Student | Ksh 215 |
Non-resident | Charges |
Adult | 40 USD |
Child/Student | 20 USD |
Nairobi National park Opening Hours.
Nairobi National park is open daily from 6.00 am to 6.30 pm . Some tour companies offer night game drives in the park beginning at 7.00pm. The vehicles used during the night game drives are fitted with powerful lights to allow proper night-time sightseeing and easy vision to see wild animals.