Safari on the Edge of the City
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is Kenya’s oldest national park, established in 1946 just 7 km from the city centre. It covers 117 km² of open plains, rocky ridges, and riverine forest — home to four of the Big Five, black rhino, lion, cheetah, and over 400 bird species. It is the only national park in the world where you can photograph wildlife against a capital city skyline.
Nairobi National Park offers something no other safari destination in Africa can: wild animals in their natural habitat with a city skyline as the backdrop. It is not a zoo or a sanctuary — it is a functioning national park managed by Kenya Wildlife Service, where lions, black rhino, and cheetah move freely across open grassland a 20-minute drive from downtown Nairobi.
Wildlife present:
- Four of the Big Five — lion, leopard, buffalo, and black rhino (no elephant due to park size)
- Cheetah — regularly seen on the open plains
- Masai giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala, ostrich, warthog
- 400+ bird species — including migratory and permanent residents
Beyond the game drive, the park area offers:
- David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust — baby elephant orphanage near the main gate; world-famous
- Giraffe Centre — Rothschild’s giraffe hand-feeding in Langata; 20 minutes from the gate
- KWS Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage — at the main gate, good for children
- Hippo Pool boardwalk — short walk to observe hippos in the Mbagathi River
- Ivory burning site monument — Kenya’s conservation history landmark
It suits travellers with a Nairobi layover, Kenya first-timers wanting an accessible introduction to wildlife, photographers after the unique city-and-wildlife shot, and families with children.
Nairobi National Park is open and rewarding year-round. Its permanent water sources along the Mbagathi River mean wildlife is present in every season — unlike larger parks where animals disperse widely in the wet season.
The dry seasons give the best visibility and most concentrated wildlife around water. The wet seasons bring greener scenery and excellent birding but can make some dirt tracks within the park softer underfoot.
The main dry season. Vegetation is lower, game viewing is easiest, and wildlife concentrates around the permanent water sources. Lion and rhino are most reliably located by rangers during this window. The city backdrop photography is clearest in the dry air.
Short dry season. Excellent conditions with clear skies and good predator sightings. Visitor numbers are moderate. A strong window for the iconic city skyline wildlife photography.
Wet seasons. The park is lush and vivid green — good for birding and landscape photography. Some dirt tracks become muddy. The park is quieter and rates at surrounding lodges are lower. Wildlife remains present year-round due to permanent water.
Getting here: Nairobi National Park is 7 km from the city centre — approximately 20 minutes by road from downtown Nairobi. The main gate is on Langata Road. The road network inside the park includes both paved and all-weather dirt roads manageable by a standard car. Safari outfitters can arrange half-day trips; rangers at the gate can advise on current animal locations.
Entry fees: Kenya Wildlife Service entry fees apply for the park, Safari Walk, and Animal Orphanage (separate fees). Confirm current KWS rates before visiting as fees are subject to revision. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage charges a separate entry fee and operates on a timed morning visit basis — book in advance at sheldrickwildlifetrust.org.
Accommodation: Key options adjacent to or near the park:
- Nairobi Tented Camp (~$120/night) — inside the park in a secluded glade; very affordable; park and camping fees extra
- Karen Gables (~$178/night) — Cape Dutch-style guesthouse in Langata, 7 rooms, good access to elephant sanctuary
- Ololo Safari Lodge (~$250/night) — former farmhouse on the park boundary with private footbridge access to the park
- Hemingways Nairobi (~$385/night) — luxury hotel in Karen, Michelin-trained chef, Ngong Hills views
- The Emakoko Lodge (~$815/night) — boutique lodge in a hidden valley on the park’s southern boundary
- Giraffe Manor (~$965/night) — iconic Langata property; resident Rothschild’s giraffes visit at meals; books out months in advance
All rates are approximate starting prices — confirm current pricing at booking.
Health and practical: Standard Nairobi urban health precautions apply. Malaria risk is very low in Nairobi itself. Kenya e-visas are available at evisa.go.ke. Nairobi is a large city — standard urban precautions (valuables, transport after dark) apply outside the park and lodge areas.
Some of Our
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the only national park in the world where you can photograph wild animals against a capital city skyline. Lions, black rhino, cheetah, and giraffe move freely on open grassland just 7 km from downtown Nairobi. It is a genuine national park managed by Kenya Wildlife Service — not a zoo or enclosure — and four of the Big Five are present.
Yes, particularly for travellers with a Nairobi layover or an early or late flight. A half-day game drive takes 3–4 hours and is easily arranged. The David Sheldrick elephant orphanage and Giraffe Centre are both within 20 minutes of the park and combine naturally with a park visit into a full day of wildlife experiences without leaving the Nairobi area.
The main gate is on Langata Road, approximately 7 km from the city centre and 20 minutes by road from downtown Nairobi. A standard car is adequate for most of the park’s roads. Safari outfitters can arrange half-day trips including transport and a guide. Rangers at the gate track large animal movements and can advise on where to find lions and rhino on the day.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a baby elephant orphanage near the park’s main gate — one of the world’s most celebrated elephant conservation organisations, rescuing and hand-raising orphaned elephants before releasing them into the wild. Public visiting hours are 11:00am daily and entry must be booked in advance at sheldrickwildlifetrust.org. It is one of the most moving wildlife experiences available in Nairobi.
Giraffe Manor is an iconic boutique hotel in the Langata suburb of Nairobi, famous for its resident herd of endangered Rothschild’s giraffes that visit the property at meal times — famously appearing at the breakfast windows. It is approximately 10 minutes from the park’s main gate. The property books out months in advance; confirm availability well ahead of your Kenya visit. Rates from approximately $965/night.
Yes — self-drive is possible and the road network is clearly signposted with an official KWS park map available at the gate. A standard car is adequate outside the wet season. Hiring a guide — either from a safari operator or at the gate — significantly improves wildlife location, particularly for rhino and big cats, as rangers track their movements daily.
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