It’s the only city in the world with a National park and therefore boasts of natural wilderness with wildlife and bird species-only few minutes (8km) away from the City centre. Covering 117sq km it is covered with forest at the western end, river line forest to south and grassy plains over much of the park and creates an unexpected beauty of lion gold plains and cool valleys.
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.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 park too has a waterhole. Minutes from the city centre, easily accessed, and offering a well maintained and clearly signposted road network, the Park makes an ideal day trip wildlife safari venue and abounds in specially created picnic spots such as the The Ivory Burning Site, Kingfisher Picnic Site and others. Nairobi Safari Walk and the Animal Orphanage: A rare opportunity to see animals in captivity trained to live and behave as in their natural habitat, through the Safari Walk (immediately to the right of the main gate).
Raised timbered boardwalks have been constructed to make a family outing as informative and thrilling.
