Nairobi National Park is best described as ‘The World’s Only Wildlife Capital’ and indeed it is. Boasting of its vast grass plains and backdrop of the city scrapers, dotted acacia bush, Nairobi National Park is remarkably one unique destination and interestingly, the only park in the world where holidaymakers can visit to see diversity of wildlife and birds just close to the capital city.
Nairobi National Park Kenya is incredibly the iconic attraction for holidaymakers on Kenya safari holiday to explore while on a trip in Nairobi. It is one of the places in Kenya where successful rhino sanctuaries have already generated a stock for re-introduction making it one of the few parks where holidaymakers can see the black rhinos while in the wild.
Gazetted in 1946, Nairobi National Park is undoubtedly Kenya’s oldest park. Its creation was purposely to protect diversity of wildlife species that thrived in it. This magical Kenya safari park is compact making it easier to explore since it only occupies 117sq.kms of land area. The park boasts of its unique landscape with the Western part largely characterized by dry forest and features a permanent river consisting of a riverine forest; rugged valleys plus gorges.
While on Kenya safari, it is possible for holidaymakers to also explore the man-made dams. These dams protect enormous avifaunal and aquatic species. The Southern side of Nairobi National Park comprises of Athi Kapiti Plains and Kitengela migrants. It is one area that is popular for its enormous herbivores’ dispersal making it a famous dispersal site.
Location.
Nairobi National Park is a splendid safari park lying suitably along River Embakasi and it is undoubtedly the most compact compared to most parks in African continent. It is the only protected area of the Athi-Kapiti Eco-system and features a range of habitats where diversity of its species thrives.
Nairobi National Park is found 7kms away from Nairobi city centre and to the North, East and West, there is electric fence. To the south, it is bordered by the Mbagathi River in Kenya. This is one area which isn’t fenced and it is also open to the Kitengela Conservation Area and Athi-Kapiti Plains. Nairobi National Park sits on altitudinal range of 1533 to 1760m.
History of Nairobi National Park.
The history of Nairobi National Park Kenya can be traced back to the 19th century. This was a period when the colonists settled in the present Nairobi Park area. The Athi Plains East and South of the now Nairobi National Park were credited for their enormous wildlife species. It was largely inhabited by the Nomadic Masai who mainly kept livestock and Kikuyu who cultivated in the forest.
On the other hand, Nairobi being the capital city, it kept on expanding and by 1910, the rate of human-wildlife conflict increased. This led to creation of a game reserve that later turned into Nairobi National Park in 1946. The park currently occupies 117sq.kms of land area.
Wildlife.
Nairobi National Park is compact but endowed with a huge concentration of wildlife species. The park boasts of incredible species of wildlife including genets, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, lions, black rhinos, plain zebras, Grant’s gazelles, Thomson gazelles, common elands, hartebeests, impalas, Nile crocodiles, olive baboons, warthogs, waterbucks, black backed jackals. The park also hosts Klipspringer, leopards, Maasai giraffes, hippos.
Bird species.
Nairobi National Park is one of Kenya’s birder’s haven. The park shelters an estimated population of 450 bird species. These include among others Fischer’s lovebird, Walberg’s honey bird, white headed vultures, Jackson’s widowbird, pallid harrier, martial eagle, ostriches, Kori buzzard, crowned eagle, Sharpe’s long claw.
It also prides itself as a home to several secretary birds, hartlaub’s bustards, red collared widowbird, corncrake, lapped faced vultures, and helmeted guinea.
Floral species.
Nairobi National Park Kenya boasts of its distinct floral species. Its floral range is defined by unique vegetation consisting of open grass plains, dotted acacia bushes. On the western upland part of the park, there exists highland dry forest with Olea Africana, cypress, Cynodon species. You will be come across the scattered yellow-barked acacia xanthophloea.
The park also consists of riverine forest on its permanent river to the south. The valley area comprises of acacia and euphorbia candelabrum. Other floral species include Apodytes dimidiata, Newtonia, Ficus eriocarpa species and many plant species that range along the rocky hillsides including euphorbia brevitorta, Murdannia clarkeana and others.
Other attractions to expect to explore in Nairobi National Park include Nairobi Animal Orphanage. This is located within the park and it is one of the best treatment and rehabilitation centres in Kenya for wildlife. It hosts several species of wildlife especially leopards, buffaloes, jackals, cheetahs, lions, warthogs, rare Sokoke cats. There are some injured bird species including the guinea fowl, parrots, ostriches. The Nairobi Animal Orphanage is essential site for school children, Kenyans and holidaymakers on educational tour.
Impala observation point; this is one of Nairobi National Park’s highest points that offer excellent view of impalas in the park’s vast plains. It is interesting point as it lets visitors to enjoy clear view of impalas plus other species of wildlife while dining.
The Ivory burning site monument: This is a landmark of wildlife conservation in which the former Kenyan President “Daniel Arap Moi” burnt ivory as a way to send a message against poaching practice and to ensure zero tolerance to ivory trade. The Ivory burning site is located in the Northwest.
David and Daphne Sheldrick elephant orphanage: This is the elephant rescue center plus other species of wildlife including rhinos. Most of the elephants that have been taken care of in the orphanage were later transferred to the Tsavo National Parks. It is an exceptional place to have in depth learning about elephant conservation while on Kenya safari holiday in Nairobi National Park.
ACTIVITIES IN NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK.
Game viewing/game drives.
Game drives in Nairobi National Park are carried out in the morning or evening. The morning game drives offer excellent view of morning risers in the wild and other species while the evening game drives are perfect for you to have clear sight of wildlife in their hidden areas that try to protect themselves from predators.
The park’s significant species of wildlife to enjoy great sight include lions, cheetahs, Klipspringers, hyenas, Maasai giraffes, common elands, black rhinos, hartebeest, Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles, jackal civet. As you get to Embakasi River, expect to enjoy amazing view of hippos and crocodiles.
Bird watching.
If birding is your dream activity you expect to enjoy safari in Kenya then Nairobi National Park safari should be a must-do. The park is blessed with all the 450 bird species with interesting species to expect to sight including among others flightless ostriches, martial eagles, Jackson’s widowbird, pallid harrier, Sharpe’s long claw, Walberg’s honey birds, lapped faced vultures, red collared widowbird, Kori buzzards, secretary bird, white bellied bustards, helmeted guinea, lesser Kestrel.
Nature walks/Walking tours.
Nature walks/walking tours are among the leading activities Nairobi National Park has to offer its holidaymakers on Kenya safari. These usher visitors into the park’s distinct walking trails with opportunity to enjoy excellent view of wildlife. Some of the interesting sites to expect to explore on nature walk include the Ivory burning site monument, orphanage site and hippo pools.
On Nairobi National Park safari, there is also possibility for you to engage in turtle and tortoise viewing, scenic viewing, film production to mention but a few.
When to visit?
Nairobi National Park safaris can be done at any time of the year. But the most favorite/the best time to visit this magical park is during the dry season; this is recorded each year from July, August to September. These offer the best of game viewing experience in Nairobi National Park. Birding is enjoyable from March, April, May till June or October to December. These are also best known as the low/wet/rainy months of the year.
Accommodation.
There are many accommodation options in and around Nairobi National Park and they are classified as budget, mid-range and luxury. Budget comprise of Saab Royale Hotel, Royal Tulip Canaan Nairobi, Fairview Hotel, Town Lodge Uphill, Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi, Lotos Inns and Suites Nairobi.
Mid-range options include Stardom Hotel, Anga Afrika Luxury Boutique, Bush House and Camp while Luxury options comprise of Nairobi Tented Camp, African Heritage House, Ololo Safari Lodge and Ole Sereni Hotel.
Getting to Nairobi National Park.
Nairobi National Park Kenya is about 10kms from Nairobi capital city. There are 6 gates for holidaymakers to have access to this beautiful Kenya safari park; the East Gate, Maasai Gate, Banda Gate, Mbagathi Gate, Langata Gate and Cheetah Gate. By air, holidaymakers can take a flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Wilson Airport.
Entry fees to Nairobi National Park.
The entry fees to Nairobi National Park Kenya are payable in Kenya shillings and US Dollars. The Kenyans / East African citizens are charged Kshs. 430 per day, foreign non-residents US Dollars 43 and foreign residents pay Kshs. 1030. These rates apply to adults visiting Nairobi National Park.