Nairobi national park is the best destination to take a day trip while in Nairobi as it’s just half an hours drive from the city it’s also home to the black rhinos, it’s situated around the Embakasi river it’s set on an area of 117 kilometers squared though it’s small in size and despite being near a city it wildlife is in abundance and rewarding.
Nairobi national park commands spectacular views from the city sky scrappers, the park has recently acquired a nickname known as “ Kifaru ark” a treatment to it’s success of rhinoceros it’s also home to worlds densest concentration of rhinos on vast grassy plains.
Nairobi national park scattered acacia vegetation hosts numerous wildlife and over 400 species of birds. Nairobi national park is also the oldest national park in East Africa, it was established in 1946, the park is guarded with an electric fence separating wildlife from metropolis. The weather ranges from 40 degrees colonialists arrived in this area in the 19 the century during this time, the Athi plains now known as Nairobi had abundant wildlife the kikuyu people in the forested islands while the Masai grazed their cattle on the plains.
Activities at Nairobi national park
Game viewing
Despite being near a city Nairobi national park boats with a variety of wildlife including 100 mammal species such as impalas, gazelles, zebras, lions, leopards, black rhinos, cheetahs, buffalos,warthogs and ostriches.
Bird watching
Nairobi national park boasts with over 450 bird species recorded some of this birds are endemic to this area
Nature guided tourists can take nature guided walks and view numerous wildlife and birds especially at the Athi river.
Hiking
Camping
Tourists can enjoy closeness to the wilderness by going a head to camp at the park.
Turtles and tortoises can also be views
Film production and weddings
Nairobi national park can be enjoyed during your wedding, the ceremonies can be held at the park respectively with added fee and the film production can also be done
Nairobi national park is the best place to take a day tour and get back to the city a picnic launch can be packed and enjoyed at one of the spectacular picnic sites namely; Mokoyiet, kingfisher, impala and historical ivory burning site. The sites are five in number.
Where to stay
There are numerous places providing very comfortable accommodation around the park ranging from camps to five star hotels, where to sleep will always depend on the tourists budget and choice.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Nairobi national park is from June to February when the grass is short and wildlife easily seen, also ensure your game drive is in the morning or late noon as animals might be sleeping during afternoon to avoid the scotching sun.
How to get there
Nairobi national park is very accessible from the city just about 7 kilometers, public transport for the train station pass by the parks gate they are normally taxis known as matatus there are also numerous tour company vehicles that can be hired at any time with a driver guide. Other gates at the park are Magadi gate and Athi gate. There’s normally a big bus that lives the park gate every Sunday at 2 pm to tour the park for about two and half hours.
Visitors from abroad can fly to Jomo Kenyatta international airport or Wilson’s airport.
