Attraction
Giraffe Centre
Conservation centre in Lang'ata where visitors hand-feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform and learn about AFEW Kenya's breeding and education work.
Nairobi National Park
Kenya's first national park, created in 1946, where lions, black rhinos and giraffes roam open grassland within sight of the Nairobi skyline.
At a glance
- Type
- National park and wildlife reserve
- Area
- Lang'ata, Nairobi, Kenya
- Opening
- Open daily · 06:00–18:00
- Official site
- kws.go.ke
Good to know
- Game drives
- Rhino sanctuary
- Ivory Burning Site
- Picnic sites
- Nature walks
- Birdwatching
Why we recommend it
Nairobi National Park is the reason the city can claim to be the only capital with a full savannah reserve on its doorstep. Established in 1946 as Kenya's first national park, it covers about 117 square kilometres just south of the centre. Electric fencing runs along the northern, eastern and western edges, while the southern boundary follows the Mbagathi River and stays open to the Kitengela plains, so animals can still move in and out.
The wildlife list is longer than many first-time visitors expect. Lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena, buffalo, giraffe, plains zebra, wildebeest and hippo all live here, and the park is one of Kenya's most important black rhino sanctuaries. It was also designated a Lion Conservation Unit in 2005. Birders should bring binoculars, as Kenya Wildlife Service counts more than 400 species. The mix of open grassland, rocky valleys and riverine forest gives each drive a different character, and photographs of giraffes against office towers are a Nairobi classic.
Inside the park you will also find the Ivory Burning Site, where President Daniel arap Moi set fire to twelve tons of ivory in 1989, an act that became a symbol of Kenya's stand against poaching. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant nursery sits within the park boundary too, although it is visited separately at a fixed time each day and needs its own booking.
Gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00. Early morning is the best time for predators and softer light, and a half-day game drive covers the main circuits comfortably. You need a vehicle: most visitors come with a tour operator or a hired driver, as visitors must stay in their vehicles except at designated areas. Keep to the 40 km/h speed limit, stay on the established roads and keep at least 20 metres from wildlife. Park fees are paid through Kenya's eCitizen system, so set this up before you arrive rather than at the gate.
The main gate is on Lang'ata Road, close to the Nairobi Safari Walk run by Kenya Wildlife Service. It is a good option for travellers with a long layover or a spare morning before a flight, and it pairs well with an afternoon at the Giraffe Centre or the Karen Blixen Museum in the leafy south-western suburbs.
Nairobi National Park FAQs
What are the opening hours?
The gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00, unless you are staying overnight inside the park.
Can I walk in the park?
Not on the game-drive circuits. Visitors must stay in their vehicles except in designated areas such as picnic sites.
How do I pay the entry fee?
Kenya Wildlife Service park fees are paid through the eCitizen online system, so it is worth paying before you arrive.
Which animals can I see?
Lion, leopard, cheetah, black rhino, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo and hundreds of bird species.
What is the best time to visit?
Early morning, when predators are more active and the light is softer. A half-day drive covers the main areas.
Do I need my own car?
You need a vehicle. Most visitors join a tour or hire a driver, and the park road rules include a 40 km/h speed limit.
Is the elephant orphanage in the park?
Yes. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery is inside the park but runs its own daily visit that must be booked in advance.
How far is the park from the city centre?
It begins only about 7 km south of central Nairobi, with the main gate on Lang'ata Road.