Nairobi County
Kenya's first national park — a wild, rhino-rich landscape seven kilometres from the city centre, with the skyline as a backdrop. Compare every place to stay, then enquire in a single step.
Introduction
Nairobi National Park covers 117 square kilometres of open grassland, riverine forest and rocky valleys, just 7km from Nairobi's city centre. Gazetted in 1946, it was Kenya's first national park and remains one of the only national parks in the world found within a capital city.
The park is fenced along its northern, eastern and western boundaries, but open to the south towards the Kitengela plains, forming a wildlife corridor that lets zebra, wildebeest and other grazers move between the park and the wider Athi-Kaputiei ecosystem with the seasons.
Despite its small size, the park supports a remarkable density of wildlife, including one of Kenya's most important black and white rhino sanctuaries. It also holds the Ivory Burning Site Monument, where Kenya's historic ivory burns took place.
Why visit
Gazetted in 1946, Nairobi National Park is one of the world's only national parks found within a capital city, just 7km from the centre.
Close enough to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for a half-day game drive on arrival or departure — no other Kenyan park offers this.
A dense, well-protected population of black and white rhino makes this one of the most reliable places in Africa to see them.
Unfenced to the south, the park connects to the Kitengela plains, allowing wildlife to migrate seasonally between the park and the wider Athi-Kaputiei ecosystem.
Few images capture Africa's contrasts like a lion or giraffe grazing with Nairobi's skyscrapers rising behind them.
A morning or afternoon in the park pairs neatly with the Nairobi Safari Walk, the Animal Orphanage or the Sheldrick Elephant Trust nearby.
The Big Four
Nairobi National Park has no elephants, but lion, leopard, buffalo and a dense black rhino population more than make up for it.
Wildlife highlights
Beyond the Big Four, Nairobi National Park holds a remarkable range of East African wildlife packed into an easily explored area.
Birdlife
Nairobi National Park is one of Kenya's most accessible birding destinations, with grassland, forest and dam habitats all within easy reach.
Look for secretary bird, grey crowned crane, ostrich, martial eagle and a wealth of waterbirds around the Athi Basin dams and Hippo Pools. The riverine forest, open grassland and dam edges each hold different communities, so a morning's birding can easily produce well over a hundred species.
Birdlife guideWhen to go
Nairobi National Park is a year-round destination. The dry months give the most concentrated game viewing, while the green season rewards photographers and value seekers.
Jan – Mar
Dry season. Excellent, concentrated game viewing and clear skies.
Apr – May
Long rains. Lush and green, quieter, wildlife more dispersed.
Jun – Oct
Dry season. Peak game viewing with wildlife drawn to permanent water.
Nov
Short rains. Brief afternoon showers, dramatic light, fewer visitors.
Where to stay
From bush lodges within the park boundary to city hotels a short drive away, every property is listed and compared.
On the southern boundary of Nairobi National Park, along the Mbagathi River, with its own private park gate
A converted 1930s farmstead on the Mbagathi River with a private gate into Nairobi National Park, a working organic farm and some of the best food in Kenya.
From approximately USD 300 – 550 per person per night, full board excluding park fees and game drives.
View & enquire
Built into the Mbagathi River gorge on the northern boundary of Nairobi National Park, with private park access
Ten rooms terraced into a river gorge inside the park boundary, owner-run, with a boat crossing and private gate straight onto the plains.
From approximately USD 500 – 850 per person per night, full board including drives, drinks and park fees.
View & enquireIn riverine forest deep inside Nairobi National Park
The only camp actually inside the park — nine classic canvas tents in forest, with no fences, no mains power and a proper bush feel.
From approximately USD 220 – 350 per person per night, full board excluding park fees.
View & enquireSafari activities
Game drives are the mainstay, but the park and its surrounds offer far more, from walking with orphaned elephants to picnicking beside the Athi dams.
Park map
An interactive map of Nairobi National Park — filter by places to stay, price level, or park features such as gates, dams and landmarks.
Main gates: Main (Langata) Gate, East Gate and Mbagathi Gate.
Landmarks: Ivory Burning Site Monument, Hippo Pools and the Athi Basin dams.
From Nairobi CBD: Around 20–30 minutes by road, traffic depending.
FAQs
Nairobi National Park lies just 7km south of Nairobi city centre, making it one of the only national parks in the world found within a capital city.
The park covers 117 square kilometres. It is fenced on three sides, with the southern boundary open to the Kitengela dispersal area, allowing wildlife to move seasonally between the park and the surrounding plains.
No. The park is too small to support elephant herds, but it compensates with an exceptional density of black and white rhino, alongside lion, leopard, cheetah and buffalo.
A half-day game drive of three to four hours is enough to see the park's highlights, making it ideal for a stopover before or after a flight. A full day allows time for the Ivory Burning Site Monument, Hippo Pools and the Nairobi Safari Walk.
Entry fees are approximately USD 43 per non-resident adult per day (2026 rates), payable via the Kenya Wildlife Service e-citizen system or Safaricard.
Yes. It is one of the few safaris in the world you can fit around a flight, being roughly 30 to 45 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport depending on traffic.
Traveller reviews
Verified Tripadvisor reviews for Ololo Safaris, the safari team behind NairobiNationalPark.com — every review below is published on Tripadvisor.
66 reviews · #122 of 2,867 outdoor activities in Nairobi
“Jim planned absolutely everything to perfection. Every detail was so well thought out, and it made our entire trip completely stress-free and unforgettable. From start to finish, everything ran seamlessly, and it was clear how much care and attention he put into creating the perfect experience for us. He was incredibly available throughout the entire process, always quick to answer questions and happy to help with anything we needed. I couldn't recommend Jim & Ololo Safaris more highly.”
Macarena F
July 2026
“Our trip was absolutely perfect. Everything went smoothly and we got to relax and enjoy every single day because of Jim’s flawless planning! I would book another trip with Ololo Safaris in a heartbeat, no doubt! He was also always responsive and helpful (both before and during the trip), which we appreciated so much. Jim and his team put so much care and heart into what they do and it shows! Best experience out there.”
Compass674795
July 2026
“From the very beginning of planning right to the end of our trip, Jim has been absolutely fantastic. Nothing has been too much trouble. He has great suggestions born from the wealth of knowledge he has of Africa. He was receptive to discussing different options and when I decided to alter a major part of the trip just 2 weeks prior to departure, he didn’t fluster, and made the necessary alterations without any hesitation. Jim was contactable throughout our 23 night trip, and responded straight away to my messages, which gave us complete peace of mind.”
Helen R
June 2026
“Jim let us know that he could arrange whatever kind of trip we wanted to do in Kenya. Jim arranged the entire trip for us, booking our accommodations, the balloon ride and the visit to Sheldrick. He also arranged for our flights between Nairobi and Masai Mara, made sure our accommodations could handle our vegan diets and stayed in touch with us beautifully throughout the process. We can highly recommend Jim for assisting you with your adventure in Kenya. He did a terrific job and was a pleasure to work with.”
cmarkson · Santa Barbara, California
June 2026
“We’ve always thought about visiting Kenya and booking through Ololo Safaris made this not only possible but exceptionally easy to do. The variety and close proximity of the animals was wonderful. The guides knowledge of the animals, flora and terrain was exceptional. Our lives will be forever changed having visited Ololo and we are so grateful for the experience.”
tanya jones
June 2026
“Our two-week trip to Kenya with SingUp Adventures and Ololo Safaris was a wonderful lifetime experience. The trip was a very well organised adventure of truly awesome encounters with the amazing animals of Kenya. Thanks particularly to Charley and Jim for keeping us all (a group of 30!) informed, organised and on track through the trip, and the expert Ololo driver-guides who consistently seemed to know the best places to see the amazing animals and birds, while always keeping us safe.”
TomECarroll
January 2026
Enquire
Tell us when you would like to travel and what you are looking for. Your enquiry goes straight to our safari team, who will reply with tailored recommendations.
Complete the form and we will be in touch within 24 hours with honest, first-hand advice on where to stay.
Tell us your dates, budget and travel style and we will recommend the camps and lodges that fit — with no obligation.
