Nairobi National Park is located in Nairobi, the country’s capital city. One of the few national parks located inside a city in Africa is this one. Nairobi National Park, Kenya’s oldest protected area, is situated in the country’s southern region, only 7 kilometres from the capital.
The park, branded “the world’s only wildlife capital,” is special because its short, open grass allows even city dwellers to enjoy comfortable, free game viewing. With the exception of elephants, four of the five African big cats call the park’s varied plant types, which are interspersed with acacia trees and some forests, home. Over 400 different bird species, including savannah, aquatic, and forest bird species, can be found in Nairobi National Park, along with about 100 different animal species.
At 117 square kilometres, Nairobi National Park is among the smallest in all of Africa. There are more black rhinos in the park than anywhere else in the world, not just in Africa. The park was also referred to as “Kifaru Ark” because of its effective rhino conservation initiatives. The park, which has a well-known anti-poaching squad, is home to about fifty black rhinos. However, poachers managed to slip through the cracks and murder a rhino in August 2013 and another in January 2014.
Compared to other parks, Nairobi National Park boasts the most successful game drives because visitors can easily spot lions and hyenas, and rangers keep an eye on the big cats’ movements to prevent conflicts between people and animals. This has made it simpler for tourists to see the lions, but it still takes time and good fortune to spot the shy leopards and occasionally the cheetahs.
Attractions of Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is home to a number of attractions, many of which have developed as a result of the park’s general forest cover. Mammals are the main draw. The only animal species absent from the park’s more than 100 species is the elephant, of which four are a part of the African big five. Giraffes, elands, zebras, gazelles, waterbucks, hippos, and many other animals can be seen in the park.
Birds
More than 400 different bird species can be found in the national park, including migratory birds that arrive during the rainy season to breed before departing once more. Furthermore, there are those who make the park their permanent home. Three different habitats within the park are home to a variety of bird species. The majority of the species are found in the first habitat, which is the open savannah. These birds include, among many others, secretary birds, ostriches, long-tailed fiscals, Ruppell’s vulture, and bustards.
Forest birds live in the forest-covered southern portion of the park. The wetlands of Nairobi National Park are home to numerous species of waterbirds. Among the waterfowl are Blacksmith lapwing, Common Moorhen, and Black-headed Heron.
Predators
Predators gather in large groups and are easily visible in Nairobi National Park. During wildlife drives, rangers can easily identify lions because they keep track of and observe the animals’ movements. A few more predators are cheetahs, jackals, leopards, and hyenas.
Activities to do in Nairobi National Park
Numerous attractions within the park have enabled a broad variety of activities. The park’s main activities are listed as follows:
Birding
The Masai Mara National Reserve is the best place in Kenya to go birdwatching, with Nairobi National Park coming in second. While you can go birdwatching throughout the year, the best months to go are the rainy months of March through May and November. This is the time of year when birds, especially those indigenous to Europe, migrate and build their nests.
Game viewing
Nairobi National Park is one of Kenya’s smaller parks, but it has great game viewing. Four of the Big Five African species are visible. These consist of buffalo, lions, leopards, and rhinos. Numerous other large animals, such as cheetahs, jackals, gazelles, zebras, and hyenas, can be found in the park. Depending on the guests’ availability, the game drives—which include a packed lunch—can last anywhere from half to full days.
The park is well-known for being the best national park in the world where black rhinos are safeguarded. In the park, there are over 70 black rhinos. A well-liked activity at Nairobi National Park is rhino trekking.
City Tour
Nairobi National Park, which is in the heart of the town, adapts its lovely surroundings to the Nairobi city tour, allowing visitors to unwind in the town’s suburbs after an exciting day in the outdoors. After taking a wildlife drive in the bush, you can spend the afternoon sightseeing in the city.
One place you could still go straight after a business meeting in Kenya is Nairobi National Park. Nairobi National Park is where all quick but immensely satisfying safari excursions take place. There’s nothing more to search for in Kenya’s capital if you’re looking for activities. Nairobi National Park is the ideal place to visit.
The Nairobi National Park is one location you can go to while in Nairobi on business. With plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, the Nairobi National Park is an enjoyable place to spend a day.
