Kenya Wildlife Photography Africa :: Nairobi National Park Safaris
Our travel has been seriously impacted throughout this pandemic, from traveling for destination shoots 2-3 times a month down to only a few times this year.
Exploring magical Kenya during this Covid-19/Coronavirus period lockdown by traveling across the country. Visiting National parks like Nairobi National Park, Amboseli National Park, and Uhuru Park viewpoint where you enjoy Nairobi county the Kenyan capital city beauty. Traversing across the counties, like Kiambu County Kinale or is it Kinare forest along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, Mombasa County, Kilifi County, and the Kwale County where we visited the vanga sea wall.
Nairobi National Park – The Ultimate Guide 2022 : Nairobi national park “The World’s only wildlife capital” is a one of a kind Kenya wildlife safari destination and a national park located within the boundaries of Nairobi city the capital of Kenya, the park’s predominant environment is made up of savannah grasslands, forested gullies, cloud crusted blue skies and backdrop of sky scrapers.
Nairobi national park is the only national park in the whole world hosting most famous animals yet it is located within the boundaries of a capital city, the park is situated adjacent to a motorway, train stations, residential housing and the nearby skyscrapers dominating the Nairobi Skyline.
This article is the Ultimate Guide to Nairobi national park enlightening you on what to expect during your visit to this amazing park
Can I see the Big 5 in Nairobi National Park?
Nairobi national park is listed among the best Kenya wildlife destinations/national parks to see the big Five, however the park is a home to 4 of the big Five– lion, cape buffalo, rhino and leopards. Initially, Nairobi national park hosted all the 5 members of 4 the big Five but because of the frequent human-wildlife conflict, the elephants were moved to other Kenya protected areas.
Nairobi national park is more than just the Big Five, the park is a home to about 80 species of animals including cheetah, hyena, impala, crocodiles, zebra, giraffe, ostrich, hippo, hartebeest among others. The park is also a habitat to over 506 bird species including vultures, Egyptian Goose, Spur-winged goose among others.
Though, Nairobi national park is situated in the capital city – it is not a zoo. The animals are completely in wild which is their natural habitat.
What is special about Nairobi National Park?
Nairobi national park is a special national park in Kenya because it is the only wildlife national park in the world found in the city and is the oldest national park in Kenya, Nairobi national park was established in 1946 by the British Colonists in the period when Nairobi was growing as a city. The growing of Nairobi as a city, disputes between the local people and the animals did arise and the humans started encroaching on the area where the animals lived and the natural migratory routes.
The most interesting and exciting aspect of Nairobi national park is that it lies far away from the city borders in Athi, the park is fenced on the 3 sides but in Athi on the eastern side of park, there are no fences which allows the animals the freedom to roam in and out of the park.
Nairobi national park connects to the Athi-Kapiti plains and traditional animals corridor remain intact, the thrill of this park is that you never know what to find during your visit to the park. Up to date, it is still debated how long the animals continue their ancestral routes.
What to do in Nairobi National Park?
Nairobi national park is a paradise for adventure and a perfect destination for nature and wildlife lovers, the park has a range of activities to make your adventure a thrill.
Game viewing
Game viewing in Nairobi national park offers an exciting retreat of watching several animals, though Nairobi national park is situated amidst the city. It hosts various species of animals which you will enjoy watching such as you drive through the savannah plains, animals to lookout for include lions, rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, gazelles, wildebeests, elands among others.
Birding
Lake Nakuru national park is a great birding destination hosting over 500 bird species making birding safari experience an exciting one, some of the birds you will spot include, Corncrake, Fischer’s lovebird, Grey crowned crane, Hartlaub’s bustard, Jackson’s widowbird, Kori bustard, Lappet-faced vulture, Lesser kestrel, Martial eagle, Pallid harrier and Secretary bird among others.
Picnic
Nairobi national park has several picnic sites where picnic experience is done, Mokoiyet, Kingfisher and Impala are the most popular picnic sites in the park with tables and thatched bomas for shade. All picnic sites in Nairobi national park are open to animals and while on the picnic experience, make sure there is no angry buffalo before opening your food.
There is a Kenya Wildlife Service Clubhouse situated close to the park’s entrance where you can buy food and drink.
Visiting the Ivory Burning Site
The Ivory Burning site is one of the must visit-site in Lake Nakuru national park and one of the most important landmarks in animal conservation in Kenya, the site is where Kenya’s two presidents have burned tusks of poached elephants, rhino horns and pelts. This was done as a way of saying no poaching that has rocked the world, tusks of elephants, rhino horns and exotic animals skins were on high demand at the black market for huge sums of money which skyrocketed poaching,
In 1989, president Moi burned 11 tons of ivory and in 2016 Kenyatta burned 100 tones equivalent of the tusks of 6000 elephants, this move declared war against poaching. The Ivory burning site is erected to remind the world that Kenya continues in the fight to protect its animals and can be visited during your Kenya safari to Nairobi national park.
Nature walks
Nature walks is one of the exciting safari activities in Nairobi national park offering you an opportunity to explore and get close to nature in Nairobi national park, nature walks is an opportunity to leave your car and stretch your legs. This activity is patrolled by armed officers for protection purposes, nature walks is an opportunity to spot hippos, crocodiles and various bird species.
Where is Nairobi National Park?
Nairobi National Park is located in Nairobi city the capital of Kenya just 7 kilometers south of Nairobi Central Business District in the residential area of Langata with the main entrance along Langata.
Climate
Nairobi national park has a temperate climate comprised of 2 seasons that are wet season experienced in April to June and October to November and Dry season experience in to March and July to September. In the wet season, the roads can be hard to navigate and even while using a 4X4 wheel vehicle they can get stunk. Dry season is the best recommended time to visit the park as long as you drive on the main roads.
When to go
The best time to visit Nairobi national park to see animals is early morning and evening (dusk), the best time to hunt big cats is during nights and during the heat of the day you will be able to see them sleeping in the long grasses.
What to take with you
When visiting Nairobi national park, your packing list should include the following items
- Drinking water and snacks
- a good camera
- binoculars
- sunscreen