Nairobi National Park – right on the city limits to the capital
The Nairobi National Park is located directly on the city limits of the capital Nairobi and has an area of 117 km². The national park was opened in 1946 and is Kenya’s first national park.
Only a fence separates the animals in the Nairobi National Park from the outskirts of the Kenyan capital. But the proximity to Nairobi has advantages for tourists. Because the national park is only about 7 kilometers away from the city center, the Nairobi Central Business District (Nairobi CBD). Although the Nairobi National Park with its area of only 117 km² is relatively small compared to the other national parks in Kenya, the national park is home to over 500 species of birds and around 80 species of mammals, including giraffes, zebras, rhinos, antelopes, Cape buffalo and others. However, Nairobi National Park is too small for elephants.
The largest part of the national park consists of savannah landscape and is characterized by open grass areas. But there are also extensive forests (in the west of the park) and rivers with alluvial forests in the Nairobi National Park.
The national park at the gates of the capital is one of the most successful Kenyan sanctuaries for rhinos. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is also located here, a rearing station for young elephants and young rhinoceros that is well-known beyond the borders of Kenya.
Tip for visiting the Nairobi National Park: It is best to book a combination package, consisting of a safari lasting several hours in the national park, a visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust breeding station and the Nairobi giraffe center Lang’ata
The railway line of the Madaraka Express, which connects the stations Nairobi Terminus and Mombasa Terminus, also runs right through the national park, i.e. a direct rail connection from the capital to the coastal region with destination Mombasa, the most important port city in Kenya.
Highlights Nairobi National Park
Less than 10km from Nairobi city center
over 500 species of birds and around 80 species of mammals
predominantly wide savannah landscape
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust hatchery in the national park
Impressions Nairobi National Park
