Nairobi National Park

Nairobi Overview

Nairobi National Park, a unique conservation area located just a stone’s throw away from Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital city, stands as a testament to the country’s commitment to wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism. Established in 1946, it was Kenya’s first national park and is one of the most iconic wildlife parks in Africa. Covering an area of approximately 117 square kilometers (45 square miles), the park is relatively small compared to Kenya’s more expansive wildlife reserves, yet it boasts a remarkable diversity of animals and habitats.

Situated about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from Nairobi’s city center, Nairobi National Park offers a surreal juxtaposition of urban and natural landscapes. It is the only wildlife park in the world that borders a capital city, presenting a backdrop where visitors can observe free-roaming wildlife with the city skyline in the distance. The park’s landscape is predominantly open grass plains with scattered acacia bushes, creating an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife.

Nairobi National Park is home to a wide array of animals, including four of the “Big Five” — lions, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos. The park is particularly known for its successful rhinoceros sanctuary, which protects one of Kenya’s most successful populations of black rhinoceros, a species critically endangered due to poaching and habitat loss. In addition to these, visitors can expect to see giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas, and a multitude of bird species, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.

Despite its proximity to urban development, Nairobi National Park offers an authentic safari experience, with activities including game drives, guided walks, picnics, and bird watching. The park also features the Ivory Burning Site Monument, a symbol of Kenya’s dedication to combating poaching and the illegal ivory trade.

Nairobi National Park is not just a wildlife sanctuary; it’s a vital green space that provides educational and recreational opportunities for locals and tourists alike, highlighting the balance between conservation and urban living. Its existence demonstrates the possibility of coexistence between humans and wildlife, serving as a model for conservation efforts worldwide.

Park Map

Nairobi National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Nairobi National Park boasts a diverse avian population with over 400 bird species, making it a haven for birdwatchers and ornithologists alike.

African Fish Eagle: Majestic and iconic, African fish eagles soar over the park’s waterways, their distinctive call echoing across the savannah as they hunt for fish.

Secretary Bird: Striking and unique, secretary birds stalk the grasslands, their long legs and powerful kicks making them formidable hunters of snakes and small mammals.

Superb Starling: Vibrant and gregarious, superb starlings flit through the acacia trees, their iridescent plumage adding a splash of color to Nairobi’s landscape.

Lilac-breasted Roller: Stunning and agile, lilac-breasted rollers perch on branches, their aerial acrobatics and vibrant plumage making them a delight to observe for visitors.

Yellow-billed Oxpecker: Symbiotic and vigilant, yellow-billed oxpeckers ride atop large mammals, picking off ticks and insects while providing an additional set of eyes for potential threats.

African Hoopoe: Elegant and distinctive, African hoopoes probe the ground for insects, their unique crown of feathers and distinctive calls making them easy to spot in the park.

Marabou Stork: Towering and scavenging, marabou storks patrol the park’s grasslands, their massive size and bald heads earning them a reputation as efficient scavengers.

Hadada Ibis: Noisy and adaptable, hadada ibises forage in the park’s wetlands, their loud calls and distinctive silhouette adding to the park’s vibrant birdlife.

Pied Kingfisher: Agile and precise, pied kingfishers hover over water bodies, diving with lightning speed to catch fish, their distinctive black-and-white plumage making them easy to identify.

Red-billed Hornbill: Charismatic and resourceful, red-billed hornbills search for insects and fruits, their striking bills and distinctive calls adding to the park’s avian diversity.

Predators

Nairobi National Park, nestled on the outskirts of Kenya’s capital, harbors a diverse array of predators crucial for ecosystem balance.

Lion: Majestic and revered, lions roam the savannah, their commanding presence and powerful roars echoing across the plains as they hunt cooperatively in prides.

Leopard: Stealthy and elusive, leopards prowl the park’s woodlands, their spotted coats providing perfect camouflage as they stalk prey with unparalleled precision and agility.

Cheetah: Graceful and swift, cheetahs sprint across the grasslands, their slender bodies and distinctive tear-streak markings making them iconic symbols of speed and grace in Nairobi National Park.