Nairobi National Park / Nairobi Kenya National Park was the first park to be gazetted in Kenya on December 16, 1946. It is located around 7km (4.3 mi) south of Nairobi in Kenya, and it is the only wildlife park in the world that is so near the city. The park has an area of 117 km2 (45 square miles) and is located between 5000 and 6000 feet (1500-1800 meters) above sea level. Nairobi National Park is made up of heavy woodlands on the outskirts of the city, undulating plains and valleys, and a forested confluence of numerous rivers; its flora is of the dry transitional savanna variety.

Acacias and other thorny kinds, muhuhu, Cape chestnut, and Kenya olive are the most significant trees in the park that provide a habitat for animals. Nairobi National Park is a major rhino sanctuary for breeding and restocking other parks. The park is home to over 100 mammal species, including four of the Big five (lion, buffalo, leopard, and rhino). Other animal species in the park include the zebra, black rhinoceroses, giraffe, various species of antelope, as well as numerous reptiles and among others. The park also offers a beautiful wildebeest and zebra migration.

Over 500 bird species have been recorded in Nairobi National Park, at least 20 of which are seasonal European migrants. Some of the bird species in the park include the Secretary bird, Lesser kestrel, Martial eagle, Pallid harrier, Sooty falcon, White-bellied bustard, Grey crowned crane, Corncrake, and many others.

Nairobi National Park contains the Nairobi Animal Orphanage, which was founded in 1963 and serves as a treatment and rehabilitation center for wild animals such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, servals, and others. Bird species such as parrots, guinea fowls, crowned cranes, ostriches, and others can also be seen. The distance between Nairobi and Nairobi National Park is 15.6km through the A104 route, which takes around 28 minutes.

Nairobi National Park is amazing with other attractions such as the Ivory Burning Site Monument, Walking trails at hippo pools, Nairobi Safari Walk and the Orphanage, and Spacious accommodating picnic, which makes Kenya safaris and Kenya Tours to experience a number of tourists visiting Nairobi National Park due to various Nairobi National Park Activities in the park. Despite its close closeness to the city and limited size, it has a diverse animal population and is one of Kenya’s most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries.

Nairobi National Park was the first park to be gazetted in Kenya on December 16, 1946. It is located around 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) south of Nairobi in Kenya, and it is the only wildlife park in the world that is so near to the city. The park has an area of 117 km2 (45 square miles) and is located between 5000 and 6000 feet (1500-1800 meters) above sea level. Nairobi National Park is made up of heavy woodlands on the outskirts of the city, undulating plains and valleys, and a forested confluence of numerous rivers; its flora is of the dry transitional savanna variety. Acacias and other thorny kinds, muhuhu, Cape chestnut, and Kenya olive are the most significant trees in the park that provide a habitat for animals.

Nairobi National Park is a major rhino sanctuary for breeding and restocking other parks. The park is home to over 100 mammal species, including four of the Big Five (lion, buffalo, leopard, and rhino). Other animal species in the park include the zebra, black rhinoceroses, giraffe, various species of antelope, as well as numerous reptiles. Over 500 bird species have been recorded in Nairobi National Park, at least 20 of which are seasonal European migrants. Some of the bird species in the park include the Secretary bird, Lesser kestrel, Martial eagle, Pallid harrier, Sooty falcon, White-bellied bustard, Grey crowned crane, Corncrake, and many others.

Nairobi National Park contains the Nairobi Animal Orphanage, which was founded in 1963 and serves as a treatment and rehabilitation center for wild animals such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, servals, and others. Bird species such as parrots, guinea fowls, crowned cranes, ostriches, and others can also be seen. The distance between Nairobi and Nairobi National Park is 15.6km through the A104 route, which takes around 28 minutes.

Nairobi National Park is amazing at other Kenya wildlife attractions such as the Ivory Burning Site Monument, Walking trails at hippo pools, the Nairobi Safari Walk and the Orphanage, Spacious amenable picnic, which makes Kenya safaris and Kenya Tours experience a number of tourists to visit Nairobi National Park due to the park’s various activities. Despite its close closeness to the city and limited size, it has a diverse animal population and is one of Kenya’s most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries.

Wildlife

Nairobi National Park is home to 100 distinct animal species, including 39 lions and 90 rhinos, as well as 40 different amphibians and reptiles. The park only features four of the big five (buffaloes, lions, leopards, and rhinos), no elephants. Nairobi National Park offers a beautiful wildebeest and zebra migration, as well as huge predators including lions, leopards, hyenas, and cheetahs.

Other animal species in the park include giraffe, hippopotamus, blue wildebeest, plain zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle, common eland, impala, hartebeest, waterbuck, common warthog, olive baboon, black-backed jackal, common ostrich, and many others. Nairobi National Park is the only one in the world that is home to wild animals while being part of a capital city, but Nairobi

 

Bird species

Nairobi National Park is a paradise for birding safaris in Kenya, with over 500 bird species documented, 20 of which are seasonal European migrants. Nairobi National Park has the most bird species of any city in the world, making it the top birding trip in the world.

The park’s large expanse of undisturbed grassland is critical for species like the restricted-range Jackson’s widowbird, which nests here on a regular basis following heavy rains. Other grassland birds include Ostriches, secretary birds, and bustards. Abyssinian thrush, Corncrakes, Fischer’s lovebirds, Grey crowned crane, Hartlaub’s bustard, Jackson’s widowbird, Kori bustard, Lesser kestrel, Martial eagle, Pallid harrier, White-bellied bustard, White-headed vulture, and many other bird species may be found at Nairobi National Park. From November to April, European and North African migrants are prevalent, followed by magnificent Jackson’s widowbird displays from March to May.

 

Vegetation

Nairobi National Park has huge stretches of open grass plains with scattered acacia bush, a severely dry forest on the western part of the park, and a riverine forest with a constant river to the south. The vegetation is of the dry transitional open scenic savanna type, which allows for easy spotting and observation of numerous animal species. Acacias and other thorny kinds, muhuhu, Cape chestnut, and Kenya olive are the most significant trees that serve as the park’s principal habitats.

 

Kifaru Ark

Kifaru Ark, which means Rhinoceros Sanctuary in Swahili, is one of Kenya’s most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries. The purpose of Kifaru Ark is to combat poaching in the park, and it is one of only a few parks in Nairobi National Park where visitors can be certain of seeing a black rhinoceros in its natural habitat.

 

Black Rhinos

In the wild, Nairobi National Park boasts the biggest number of black rhinos, as well as a healthy population of southern white rhinos and the Eastern Browse (Black) Rhino (Diceros bicorne Michael). These clever and affectionate creatures have been on the planet for 60 million years. Nairobi National Park is another excellent location for rhinos in Kenya. The park is home to 50 extremely endangered black rhinoceros, the world’s densest population. Nairobi National Park provides a handy and almost certain opportunity to see eastern black rhinos, of which just 700 remain after poaching destroyed the population.

 

Ivory Burning Site Monument

The ivory burning monument is a landmark signifying wildlife conservation that marks the precise location where Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi burned ivory to send a message to all poachers to cease killing and abducting wildlife and to stop the ivory trade.

 

Walking trails at hippo pools

Walking routes in Nairobi National Park that begin at a picnic spot and follow the banks of the Athi River. The trail is guarded by Kenya Wildlife Service rangers and is one of the few sites in Nairobi National Park where trekking without a permit is permitted.

Nairobi National Park is a major attraction for visitors to Nairobi and also serves a large number of residents. As a successful rhino sanctuary, the park has an excellent track record of supporting the species and nurturing them until they are relocated to their former ranges and other upcoming sanctuaries. Nairobi National Park is home to enormous herbivore herds including as eland, buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest Ivory Burning Site Monument. Nairobi Safari Walk and the Orphanage have walking routes. The picnic area is large and welcoming.

 

Nairobi Animal Orphanage

Nairobi Animal Orphanage is located within Nairobi National Park, which is another major feature in the area that visitors may do and see while there. The Nairobi Animal Orphanage is a care and rehabilitation facility for wild animals including as cheetahs, lions, monkeys, and others who have been injured, for example, by poachers. Unlike a game drive, the Nairobi Wildlife Orphanage is a terrific spot to watch animals up close.

The greatest season to visit the park is from July through October, as well as January and February. July receives the least amount of rain of any month of the year. August, like July, is the driest month in Nairobi.

Wildlife viewing is best during the dry season (when animals may be observed around water sources), which runs from June to September, but you can visit Nairobi National Park at any time. Wildlife viewing is typically more difficult during the long rains (March to May) and the short rains (June to August) (October to November). During these months, rains may limit game drives, and grass growth is common.

 

Weather and Climate of Nairobi National Park

Nairobi’s climate is cold and moderate. Temperatures are very consistent all year, and it cools off significantly at night. The Dry season, which lasts from June to October, has relatively little rain. The Wet season, which lasts from November to May, has two rainy seasons. The short rains’ are most intense in November, and the long rains’ are most intense in April.

June through October is the dry season.

It rains relatively little throughout the Dry season, while the timing of the first showers is variable. The coldest months are July and August, and temperatures rise from September through October before the rain stops.

June, July, August, and September have plenty of sunlight but little rain. Evenings and early mornings are cool, with temperatures around 12°C/54°F.

October – The weather is starting to warm up, with afternoon temperatures about 26°C/79°F. The brief rains might begin near the end of the month or later in November. After the rain, the temperature drops.

November to May is the rainy season.

The Wet season is divided into three different parts: the short rains from November to December, and the ‘long rains’ from March to May, separated by a dry interval.

November and December – ‘Short rains’: The short rains begin in October or November and usually peak in November. Temperatures rise prior to rain, fall immediately afterward, and average 25°C/77°F in the afternoon.

January and February During these months, the rains stop, dividing the two rainy seasons. Summer has arrived, with average afternoon temperatures of 28°C/82°F.

‘Long rains’ in March, April, and May: April is the wettest month, and rain may interfere with your game drives. The road’s condition deteriorates. The rain stops in May, but the roads may still be an issue until the end of the month. The afternoon high temperature is approximately 26°C/79°F.

Nairobi National Park is located near Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city, 7 kilometers south of the city center, and is accessible by a number of entry gates including the Maasai gate, Mbagathi gate, Banda gate, Lasngata gate, and KWS headquarters. Both road and air transportation are utilized to arrive reach Nairobi National Park.

Via car: It’s around 7 kilometers south of the city center and about 10 kilometers from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Foreign tourists travel to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, while tourists on a combination safari can take a local chartered aircraft to Wilson Airport and then drive to the park.