Nairobi National Park - Natural World Safaris

highlights and main attractions of nairobi national park

Kenya’s capital city in the central highlands has rapidly evolved from an undiscovered and unpopulated swampland, at the turn of the 20th Century, to a sprawling metropolis that is one of Africa’s largest and best known. When railway workers set up a camp here in 1899 it was named ‘Mile 327’, whilst the local Maasai had called it Ewaso Nai’beri or ‘place of cold water’. Modern day Nairobi is a place of skyscrapers and hustle and bustle, its elevated position of 1,800 metres above sea level gives it an air of cool. It can be a great place to acclimatise to Africa either before or after venturing on a safari of Kenya’s wildlife and beaches.

Whilst you are unlikely to stay here long, it does offer some interesting attractions.

Nairobi National Park Quick Facts

Where: the park is just 7km away from Nairobi; it is the closest area of protected land to a city in the world.

Unique for: being one of the smallest national parks in Africa, measuring just 117km squared.

Wildlife spotting opportunities: great for spotting black rhino.

Birdlife: over 400 migratory and endemic species of bird have been found here.

where is nairobi national park?

nairobi and surrounds

There are always question marks over the security of Nairobi, and whilst it is true that walking around the city at night should be avoided, the daytime is not so restrictive, with security patrols making it easier to explore, sightsee and shop in the city, whilst exercising usual caution. The area of Karen is more upmarket and generally very safe, with larger houses and tree-lined, wide streets with country house hotels.

The Karen Blixen Museum is often a point of interest and a well-run homage to the author of ‘Out of Africa’ and Karen herself lived here between 1914 and 1931. The museum contains artefacts like the original gramophone Blixen used to play Mozart and the estate grounds, which replicate an early 20th Century coffee plantation.

The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife’s Giraffe Centre offers yet more wildlife appeal, and was established to protect the Rothschild Giraffes and to educate people on the conservation of these popular animals.

Nairobi National Park is Kenya’s first national park, and whilst most people will be venturing to some of Kenya’s world-renowned parks, this is still home to herds of zebra, giraffe and Big Five animals and is largely overlooked.

Nairobi National Park Accommodation Options

Giraffe Manor

A unique experience at this luxury lodge as our long legged friends end up joining you for breakfast at the sumptuous Giraffe Manor.

Hemingways Nairobi

On the outskirts of Nairobi, this is a sleek luxury hotel with excellent access to the Ngong Hills Nature Reserve in Kenya.

House of Waine

Just 30 minutes from the centre of Nairobi, House of Waine is an excellent spot to stay before or after your Kenya wildlife safari.

Ngong House

20 minutes from the centre of Nairobi, Ngong House is a rustic and intimate lodge with a range of accommodation.

We prefer to base our clients in the private retreat of Giraffe Manor, situated just 20 kilometres from the centre of Nairobi. This exclusive hotel with just 6 rooms is set in 12 acres of private land where Rothschild Giraffes roam freely and even poke their heads through your windows sniffing out food and saying hello to new guests! Excursions to Nairobi’s attractions can be arranged from here.

BOOK YOUR KENYA SAFARI

Contact one of our Destination Specialists to start planning your journey.