Nairobi National Park is the oldest of all Kenya’s national parks. It is known for its Black Rhino Sanctuary and, despite bordering the city, it is home to lions, leopards and hyenas as well as many other Kenyan animals. Its closeness to Nairobi also means it is very accessible to Kenyans and tourists alike who want to experience a safari without having to travel and stay overnight elsewhere.
Nairobi National Park is a unique ecosystem by being the only protected area in the world close to a capital city. The park is located only 7 km from Nairobi city centre. The savannah ecosystem comprise of different vegetation types. Open grass plains with scattered acacia bush are predominant. The western side has a highland dry forest and a permanent river with a riverine forest. To the south are the Athi-Kapiti Plains and Kitengela migration corridor which are important wildlife dispersal areas during the rain season.
Man-made dams within the park have added a further habitat, favourable to certain species of birds and other aquatic biome.The park has a diverse birdlife with 400 species recorded. However, all species are not always present and some are seasonal. Northern migrants pass through the park primarily in late March and April.
Nairobi National Park is one of the most successful of Kenya's rhino sanctuaries. It is already generating stock for reintroduction in the former range and in other sanctuaries. Owing to this success, it is one of the few parks where a visitor can be certain of seeing a black rhino in its natural habitat.
Major wildlife attractions are the Black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, buffaloes, Giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, elands and diverse birdlife with over 400 species recorded. Other attractions include the Ivory burning site Monument, Nairobi Safari Walk, the Orphanage and the walking trails at hippo pools.
The endangered black rhinoceros is protected here and the park supplies black rhinos to other national parks. Take a game drive to see four of the “Big Five”- lions, leopards, buffalo and rhinos, but no elephants. Walking trails can be enjoyed, along with five picnic sites. Bird watching is popular here, with 400 species recorded. Turtle and tortoise watching can also be enjoyed.
The best season for visitors to Nairobi is from July through March when the climate is mainly dry and sunny. The rainy season is from April through June. During this time, transport is difficult and it is nearly impossible to view the animals on safari. There may also be some rain from October to December.
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