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Nairobi is the only city in the world that is gazed upon by zebra, lion and rhino -- in the wild. Nairobi National Park was established in 1946 long before the city burst its seams. Located just 7km from the city center, it is home to black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, elands, hippo and more than 400 species of birds. The park plays a vital role in education, it's proximity to the city allows easy access to school children who may otherwise never get a chance to go on safari.
Game drives and a "safari walk" are on offer for visitors. The park is open daily and the entrance fee for a non-Kenyan national is $40 per adult.
Where to Stay
?The best place to stay to really make the most of the Park is Nairobi Tented Camp. This is the only accommodation available in the National Park itself. It's a very comfortable luxury tented camp, similar to a mid-range tented camp in the Mara for example. The food is excellent, as are the guides who take you on twice daily game drives (depending on the package you choose). I have stayed here myself and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
If you are flying in from the US, you may want to spend a night in a hotel near the airport as you will usually arrive late at night, and be exhausted after the flight. In that case, it might be a better idea to spend your final night in Nairobi Tented Camp instead, and head to the airport for your flight home after enjoying a final afternoon game drive in the Park.
If you've had enough of the bush and bucket showers, then check out a hotel in Karen, so you can avoid some of the traffic getting to and from the Park and beyond (if you'd like to follow the itinerary outlines below).
Recommended Itinerary Including Nairobi National Park
8:am - 11:00am - Morning Game Drive in Nairobi National Park - Stick your head out of the sun roof, breathe in some fresh air and listen to the incredible birds that call Nairobi National Park home. You are very likely to see rhino, and much more on just a single game drive.
11:00am - 12:00pm -- Visit the Sheldrick Orphanage in Nairobi National Park.
Dame Sheldrick has been raising elephant orphans since the 1950's when she lived and worked in Tsavo National Park. She established an elephant and rhino nursery in Nairobi's National Park in the late 1970's, as part of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
12:00pm - 1:00pm -- Head to Marula Studios for a cup of coffee, a workshop tour and some wonderful shopping. Marula studios is filled with unique gifts, many made at the onsite workshop from recycled flip-flops. You can get a tour of the flip-flop recycling process, purchase a pair of Maasai sandals, and enjoy a good cup of coffee in the next-door cafe.
1:00pm - 3.00pm -- Enjoy a lunch at Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens
Have lunch at the original farm house on the land that Karen Blixen farmed (from Out of Africa fame). If you have time, also check out the Karen Blixen Musuem. The Musuem is housed in the very farmhouse where Danish author (Out of Africa) Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) lived from 1914 to 1931. The house is located at the foot of the Ngong Hills and was built in 1912, and bought by Karen and her husband Baron Bror von Blixen Fincke in 1917. The museum will delight fans of her books and of course the movie starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep.
3:00pm - 4:30pm -- Make your way to the Giraffe Center for an up and close with the Rothschild Giraffe. The Giraffe Center is a successful breeding center for the rare Rothschild Giraffe, found only in East Africa. The center was established in the 1970's by by Jock Leslie-Melville, who successfully raised a baby Rothschild giraffe at what was then his home, in the Langata area of Nairobi. The breeding program has been very successful and several successful giraffe couples are back in the wild. An education center to teach school children about conservation has also done important work to raise local awareness about conservation issues. The center is open daily for tours and visits from 9am - 5.30 pm.
4.30pm - Late -- Return to your hotel for a shower, sundowner and dinner. If you're staying at Nairobi Tented Camp, you will relax by a fire with a cool drink, until dinner is served. If you are staying in Karen, then make reservations for dinner at the Talisman.
Sundays...
If you are in Nairobi on a Sunday, it's worth checking out the Maasai Market and having lunch at the Tribe Hotel - all located at the Village Market area, an upscale section of Nairobi. Great "mall" for shopping too. Also on Sunday's, there's horse racing at the Ngong Racecourse.
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