Wildlife
Nairobi National Park is one of Kenya’s most successful black rhino sanctuaries, and sightings are frequent. White rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hartebeest, eland and many gazelles live here too, along with hippos and crocodiles in the river and more than 500 bird species. Read Nairobi National Park.
The Ivory Burning Site
In 1989, Kenya burned 12 tonnes of ivory in the park in a powerful statement against the ivory trade. The site is marked by a monument and is a moving stop on a drive.
Things to do
- Game drives for rhinos, lions and giraffes.
- The Ivory Burning Site monument.
- The walking trail near the main gate, along the river.
- The Sheldrick elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre nearby.
A sample half day
Enter the park at dawn, when lions and rhinos are most active, and drive across the plains towards the dams. Stop at the Ivory Burning Site, then leave for the Sheldrick orphanage’s morning visiting hour. In the afternoon, feed giraffes at the Giraffe Centre in Karen before your flight or an early night.
What to expect
Nairobi is high, so mornings are cool. Traffic can be heavy, so we plan routes around rush hours. The park is quieter on weekdays than at weekends.
Where to stay
Ole Sereni Hotel overlooks the park and is close to the airport, while Giraffe Manor in Karen offers breakfast with giraffes.
Combining Nairobi National Park with your trip
Add a half day on arrival or departure, or before flying to the Masai Mara. See our 1-day Nairobi National Park safari, Kenya visa and entry requirements and is Kenya safe for tourists.
Practical tips
- Enter at opening time for the best wildlife and light.
- Book the elephant orphanage visit in advance.
- Bring snacks and water; facilities inside the park are limited.
Who it suits
Nairobi National Park suits travellers with a few spare hours in the city, families with younger children who prefer short drives, and anyone starting or ending a Kenya safari. It is also a good introduction to safari for first-time visitors, with rhinos and big game less than an hour from most hotels.
The Sheldrick elephant orphanage
On the edge of the park, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust cares for orphaned elephants and rhinos, many rescued after their mothers were killed by poachers or drought. During the morning visiting hour, keepers bring the young elephants out to feed and play in a mud bath while explaining each one’s story. Fostering an orphan is a popular way for visitors to keep supporting the Trust after they leave.
The Giraffe Centre
In Karen, the Giraffe Centre lets you feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes from a raised platform, and its work supports conservation education for Kenyan schoolchildren. Both visits fit easily into the same morning as a game drive, leaving the afternoon free before an evening flight.
