Nairobi is the world’s only Wildlife Capital. The spectacular Nairobi National Park is found within sight of Nairobi City and wildlife species can be spotted against the backdrop of city’s sky scrapers. This park’s proximity to the large urban center is outstanding in the African continent and game viewing is surprisingly amazing.
Location.
Nairobi National Park is found within Nairobi city, about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) south of the City Center and sits on an area of 1533 and 1760 meters above sea level. This stunning National Park is the only protected part of Athi-Kapiti ecosystem, thus comprising less than 10% of this magnificent ecosystem.
History.
Nairobi National Park was gazetted in 1946 and is governed by the Kenya Wildlife Services. History of this Park is connected to the arrival of British Colonialists in the area occupied by the Park in the late 19th Century. At this time, the Eastern and southern plains of Athi (present day Nairobi) had abundant species of wildlife. This area was also occupied by Masai pastoralists who harmoniously herded their cattle along with the wildlife while Kikuyu farmed the lush and fertile forested highlands overlooking Nairobi. As the population of Nairobi grew (there were only 14,000 people by 1910), human-wildlife conflicts also intensified to the point of residents carrying guns and other weapons for protection against lions and leopards.
Wildlife species were slowly restricted to the vast plains in the west and south of Nairobi, forcing Colonial Government to gazette this area as a Game Reserve. Settlers were able to ride horses among giraffes, impalas, gazelles and zebras within the Game Reserve. Mervyn Cowie, a conservationist born in Nairobi returned in Kenya after 9 years of being away. He was disappointed by the declining number of wildlife in Athi Plains and worked tooth and nail to make sure the area doesn’t completely lose its beauty and diversity. Restrictions such as “no hunting” were implemented in the Game Reserve while other activities such as bombing by the Royal Air Force, cattle grazing and dumping were literally permitted.
Being officially gazetted in 1946, Nairobi National Park became the first National Park in Kenya and this came with eviction of Masai pastoralists from the area where the Park was established. Cowie was appointed the “Director” of Nairobi National Park, a position he held for 20 years. Twenty three years later, then Kenyan President-Daniel Arap Moi burned over 12 tons of Ivory on a site within the National Park, as a commitment to wildlife conservation in addition to improving the country’s conservation and wildlife protection image.
Size.
The spectacular Nairobi National Park covers an area of 117 square kilometers (11700 hectares). The Park is fenced on three sides and is open on the southern part formed by the Mbagathi River, allowing wildlife species to migrate between this Park and the vast Plains of the nearby Kitengela Conservation Area. Regardless of the park’s location within a City and relatively small size, it is endowed with species of small and large wildlife species.
Vegetation.
Nairobi National Park is partly comprised of dense woodlands close to the City outskirts, partly rolling plains and valleys as well as wooded confluence of the numerous Rivers. The vegetation of the area is of the dry-transitional savannah type with acacia, different thorny varieties, Cape chestnut and Kenya Olives being the commonest tree species. There are also stretches of broken bush and deep rocky valleys as well as gorges with long grass and scrubs.
ATTRACTIONS WITHIN NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK.
Nairobi National Park shelters a diversity of large and small wildlife population. Some of the species in the Wildlife Capital are Hippopotamus, common warthogs, spotted hyenas, Olive baboons, Blue wildebeests, impalas, leopards, Coke’s hartebeests, the black-backed jackals, Thomson’s gazelles, Black rhinoceros, plains zebras, Defassa waterbucks, African buffaloes, Grant’s gazelles, Masai giraffes, common elands, Grant’s gazelles, leopards, cheetahs, Nile crocodiles and leopards among others. There are no elephants here, hence making it the only Park in Kenya without elephants.
Large herds of herbivores especially wildebeests, gazelles, impalas and zebras use the Kitengela Conservation Area as well as the migration corridor to the southern part of the Park to get to the verdant and breathtaking Athi-Kapiti plains. They roam over these plains in the rainy season and return to Nairobi National Park in the dry season, when areas outside the park have finally dried up.
Elephants and Rhinos Sanctuary.
This national park is one of the country’s most successful elephants and Rhino Sanctuaries. Established in 1963, the Sheldrick Rhino Sanctuary is run by the David Sheldrick Trust, taking care of orphaned elephant and rhinoceros Calves then releases them into the wild or other Sanctuaries. Orphaned and sick animals are rescued and brought to the Sanctuary from all over the country. This Sanctuary was established by Daphne Sheldrick after the death of her husband David Sheldrick, a committed anti-poaching warden of Tsavo National Park. The Elephant Orphanage was set up in 1977 and is home to many sick and injured elephant calves, brought in for care, surgery and rehabilitation.
Nairobi National Park is also a bird watcher’s Paradise with over 500 species of permanent and migratory birds. The man-made dams in this Park attract several wetlands and aquatic bird species and several northern migrants usually pass through the Park during the wet season from late March to May. Some of the birds in this Park are common moorhen, Ruppell’s vultures, grey-crowned cranes, yellow-throated Sand grouse, black-headed herons, Yellow-necked francolin, Saddle-billed storks, Blacksmith lapwing, long-tailed fiscal, Emerald-spotted wood dove, ostriches, Martial eagles, white-bellied bustard, Shelley’s francolin, Jackson’s widowbird, Abyssinian thrush, Kori bustard, Yellow-billed storks, lesser kestrel, Lappet-faced vultures, Helmeted Guinea fowls, Egyptian goose, red-billed ducks, Secretary birds, Eurasian nightjar, Pallid harrier, marabou storks, Tambourine doves, white-headed vultures, Hammerkop, Black-winged lapwing, sooty falcon, Little Grebe, Corncrakes and many others.
Ivory Burning Site Monument.
In 1989, Kenyan President – Daniel Arap Moi burned over 12 tons of Ivory on a site within the National Park. The Ivory Burning Site Monument was set up to show commitment to wildlife conservation in addition to improving the country’s conservation and wildlife protection image.
TOURIST ACTIVITIES IN NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK.
Game drives.
Game drives in Nairobi National Park are conducted in the morning, afternoon or evening / night. For the morning game drives, you are likely to spot the nocturnal life such as leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas and lions before returning to their hideouts and at this time, other animals such as buffaloes, giraffes and Defassa waterbucks among others become active as well. For the night game drives, you will only see nocturnal animals on hunting mission while the others are hidden from predators.
Bird watching.
With a plethora of over 500 species of endemic and migratory birds, birders will never be disappointed in Nairobi National Park. The grey-crowned cranes, secretary birds, ostriches, corncrakes, Pallid harrier, Martial eagles, white-bellied bustard, Shelley’s francolin, Jackson’s widowbird, Abyssinian thrush, Kori bustard are some of the species you expect to see.
Walking safaris.
Walking safaris allow visitors to experience the hidden treasures of Nairobi National Park and get up-close to nature’s beauty.
WEATHER AND IDEAL TIME TO VISIT NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK.
Nairobi National Park boasts of a beautiful weather with both dry and wet seasons. The dry season (from June to October as well as late December to February) is marked by total absence of rainfall but loads of sunshine. The wet season (from November to mid-December and March to May) are marked by increased temperature before it rains and immediately drop. The Park can be visited throughout the year but the dry season is most tourists’ choice. Wonderful animal spotting is guaranteed during the dry season when animals converge around water points.
Visitors are rewarded with views of dust-free skies as well as abundant baby animals and migratory birds during the wet season. However, the wet season also comes with a number of challenges such as difficulty in tracking and finding animals as well as unfavorable driving conditions.
NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK ENTRY FEES.
Park entry fees for visitors to Nairobi National Park include $43 for adult foreign non-residents and $22 for children per person per day. Kshs. 1030 for resident adults and Kshs. 515 for children. Citizens pay Kshs. 430 for adults and Kshs. 215 for children.
ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES IN NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK.
Nairobi Tented Camp.
This is the only Camp within this Park and is the first eco-luxury accommodation facility here. It is made up of 9 guest tents, each with the capacity of accommodating two guests. Each of the tents features a private toilet and bathroom with hot water. They also have bedside tables, luggage racks, twin or double beds, writing desk with lamp, chairs and tables on the verandas for relaxation and wardrobe for your clothes.
Ololo Safari Lodge.
This beautiful Safari Lodge is set on 20 acres of verdant gardens on the edge of Nairobi National Park. This Australian-owned Safari Lodge was constructed as a traditional family farmhouse but converted into a Lodge to showcase typical African way of life. If features stunning guest rooms with a mixture of original house suites and tents under thatched and refurbished horse stables.
Visitors are treated to jaw-dropping views of the park from the comfort of your spacious verandas, mouth-watering meals prepared from fresh ingredients from the lodge’s Shambas.
Other accommodation facilities for visitors exploring Nairobi National Park include Emakoko, Masai Lodge, Ole Sereni Hotel, the Boma Nairobi and Masai Guesthouse among others.
HOW TO GET TO NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK?
Nairobi National Park’s main entrance is only 7 kilometers south of the city center. On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta or Wilson Airports, visitors can connect to this park by road. Other gates in this Park are Athi River Gate and the Magadi road gate, with the former being perfect for visitors proceeding to Amboseli, Mombasa or Tanzanian border. Private 2WD and 4WD Vehicles are the commonest means of getting to Nairobi National Park.
