Travel information
Planning your trip to Nairobi National Park
Everything practical you need before you travel — from visas and vaccinations to packing, connectivity and the questions we are asked most often.
Visas and entry
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online before departure and usually approved within three days. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond arrival with two blank pages.
Health
Yellow fever certificates are required if arriving from an endemic country. Malaria risk in Nairobi is low thanks to the 1,700m altitude, so prophylaxis is not usually advised for the city and park alone — take advice if you are continuing to lower-lying parks. Bring insect repellent, high-factor sunscreen and any personal medication; pharmacies and world-class hospitals are close at hand in Nairobi. Comprehensive travel insurance including emergency evacuation is still essential.
Money
The Kenyan shilling is the local currency, with US dollars widely accepted at camps. Cards are accepted at lodges and at park gates, but carry some cash for tips, cultural visits and curios. Guide tipping guidance is roughly USD 10 to 20 per guest per day, plus a camp staff box.
Connectivity and power
Mobile coverage is patchy but present in much of the park; Safaricom has the best network. Most camps offer Wi-Fi in public areas, sometimes in rooms. Power is 240V with UK-style three-pin plugs, generally solar with inverters, so bring a power bank.
What to pack
- Neutral shades of khaki, olive and stone; avoid bright white and dark blue
- A fleece or jacket for dawn drives, plus a light scarf against dust
- Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and SPF50 sunscreen
- Binoculars, camera with a long lens and spare batteries
- Closed shoes for walking, sandals for camp
- Refillable water bottle — most camps filter and refill
Safety and etiquette
Camps in unfenced areas escort guests to their tents after dark; always follow that advice. Stay in your vehicle in the park except at designated points, keep noise down at sightings and never feed wildlife. Ask permission before photographing people, and buy beadwork directly from community groups where you can.
Responsible travel
Park fees and conservancy bed-night levies fund rangers, schools and clinics. Choose camps with genuine community partnerships, minimise single-use plastic and respect grazing agreements you may see in the conservancies — livestock and wildlife share this landscape.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
The questions travellers ask us most often about planning a safari to Nairobi National Park.
Where exactly is Nairobi National Park?+
On the southern edge of Nairobi city, roughly 7km from the central business district. The Main Gate is on Langata Road, about 20 minutes from Wilson Airport and 30 to 45 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
How big is the park?+
Nairobi National Park covers 117 square kilometres. It is fenced on three sides, with the southern boundary open to the Kitengela and Athi–Kapiti plains so that wildlife can still migrate.
How long do I need in the park?+
A half-day game drive of four to five hours covers the main circuits. A full day lets you reach the Athi Basin and Hippo Pools properly, and one or two nights at a lodge on the boundary gives you sunrise drives, which are by far the best.
What is the best time of year to visit?+
The dry seasons, from late June to October and January to February, concentrate game around water and give the easiest viewing. The green seasons of March to May and November bring superb birding, dramatic skies and lower rates.
Can I see the Big Five in Nairobi National Park?+
You can see four of them: black and white rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo. There are no elephants in the park because of its size, which is why the local phrase is the 'Big Four'. For elephants, visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery just outside the fence.
Is Nairobi National Park good for rhino?+
It is one of the best rhino sanctuaries in Africa and holds one of Kenya's densest black rhino populations, alongside white rhino. Sightings are common on a morning drive.
Is the park suitable for children?+
Very much so. Drives are short, the roads are good, and the Nairobi Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage at the Main Gate work well for younger children who tire of vehicles.
How much does it cost to enter?+
KWS charges non-resident adults about USD 43 per day and non-resident children about USD 22, with lower rates for residents and citizens. Vehicle fees are charged separately and payment is cashless, by card or mobile money.
Where is the best place to stay?+
Ololo Safari Lodge and Farm, on the southern boundary with its own private park gate, is the standout choice. The Emakoko, built into the Mbagathi River gorge, is the other outstanding option, and Nairobi Tented Camp is the only camp actually inside the park.
Can I walk in the park?+
Only at Hippo Pools, where a ranger-escorted riverine walk is permitted, and on the boardwalks of the Nairobi Safari Walk. Elsewhere you must remain in your vehicle.
Is self-drive possible?+
Yes, and it is popular. The main tracks are fine in a saloon car in the dry season, though a high-clearance vehicle is much better after rain. Download an offline map, as junction signage is sparse.
Do I need malaria tablets?+
Nairobi sits at 1,700m and is considered a low-risk area, so prophylaxis is not usually recommended for the city and park alone. Take advice from a travel clinic if you are continuing to lower-altitude parks.
What should I wear on safari?+
Neutral lightweight clothing with a warm layer for early mornings, which can be genuinely cold at Nairobi's altitude, plus a hat, sunglasses and closed shoes.
Is there mobile signal and Wi-Fi?+
Mobile coverage is excellent throughout the park, and all the lodges listed here have Wi-Fi.
Can the park be combined with the Masai Mara?+
Perfectly. Most travellers spend a night on the park before or after a flight from Wilson Airport to the Mara, Amboseli or the coast.
How do I book?+
Send an enquiry through any accommodation page or our contact form. Our safari team will confirm availability and rates within 24 hours.
Still have a question?
Send it to us and we will answer honestly, whether or not you end up booking.