Destination guide
About Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park Safaris: Private 4x4 Game Drives from Nairobi
Enjoy Nairobi National Park safaris in a wildlife park just minutes from Nairobi city centre. On this private 4x4 safari, an expert guide collects you from your hotel or the airport and takes you through the park in a safari jeep with a pop-up roof. You can see lions, giraffe, zebra, buffalo and black rhino, with the Nairobi skyline behind them.
Few capital cities in the world have a wildlife park so close to their centre. It is the easiest safari in Kenya to fit into a short stay, a layover or the start of a longer trip.
Last updated October 2026. Prices, fees and times can change, so confirm when you book.
Ready to book? Request your private Nairobi National Park safari today.
Nairobi National Park safari at a glance
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Tour type | Private 4x4 game drive |
Location | Nairobi National Park, about 7 to 10 km from the city centre |
Duration | About 4 to 5 hours (half day). Full-day option available on request |
Start times | Early morning (about 6:00 to 6:30) or mid-afternoon. Park gates open 6:00 to 18:00 |
Pick-up | Nairobi hotels, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport |
Vehicle | 4x4 safari jeep with a pop-up roof and window seats for everyone |
Guests | Private, for your group only |
Guide | Experienced English-speaking driver-guide. Other languages on request |
Price from | Request a quote (see price guide below) |
Best for | Short stays, layovers, families, first-time safari guests |
Wildlife | Lion, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, black rhino, hippo, antelope and more than 400 bird species |
About this private Nairobi National Park safari
This is a private game drive. You travel in your own 4x4 jeep with your own guide, so you set the pace. Want to stay longer with the lions? Ask. Want more time for photos? Your guide will stop.
Your guide knows the park's roads, the favourite spots of the animals and the best light for photographs. They also explain the plants, birds, tracks and history of the park as you go.
The safari suits:
- Travellers on a layover. Fit a real safari between flights.
- Families. Short drives and plenty of stops make it easy for children.
- First-time visitors. A gentle introduction before the Masai Mara or Amboseli.
- Business travellers. A half day away from meetings.
- Photographers. Early light, open plains and the city skyline in one frame.
No long road journey is needed. You are back in your hotel in time for lunch or dinner.
What you can see in Nairobi National Park
The park is home to more than 100 mammal species and more than 400 bird species. Wildlife is free to roam, so no sighting is guaranteed. Here is an honest guide.
Animal | How likely | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Giraffe | Very likely | Often seen in the open grassland |
Zebra | Very likely | Herds on the plains |
Impala, Thomson's gazelle, eland, hartebeest | Very likely | Easy to find all year |
Buffalo | Likely | Often near water and thickets |
Hippo and crocodile | Likely | At the hippo pools |
Lion | Good chance | Several prides live in the park. Sightings vary by day |
Black rhino | Fair chance | The park is a rhino sanctuary, but rhinos are shy and often in thick bush |
Leopard and cheetah | Rare | A lucky sighting |
Elephant | Not resident | Elephants are not part of the park's wildlife |
Birds | Very likely | Ostrich, secretary bird, crowned crane, kingfishers and many more |
The view alone is unusual. Aeroplanes pass overhead and the skyscrapers of Nairobi rise behind grazing giraffe.
If you want to meet elephants, add a visit to the elephant orphanage next to the park. See the add-ons below.
Sample itinerary: morning game drive
Time | What happens |
|---|---|
5:30 am | Your guide collects you from your hotel in Nairobi |
6:00 to 6:30 am | Enter the park as the gates open. Wildlife is most active now |
6:30 to 10:30 am | Game drive across the plains, forest and river areas. Stops for photos and sightings |
10:30 am | Picnic breakfast stop or a visit to the Ivory Burning Site Monument (on request) |
12pm | Leave the park |
11:00 am to 12:00 pm | Back at your hotel, or a transfer to the airport or a next activity |
An afternoon drive follows the same pattern, starting around 2:30 to 3:00 pm. You get warm light and often more animals at the water.
Times are a guide. Your driver-guide may adjust the route to follow wildlife.
About Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a wildlife park on the southern edge of Nairobi, Kenya's capital. It covers about 117 square kilometres and lies roughly 7 to 10 kilometres from the city centre. It is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service.
The park is a mix of open grassland, scattered acacia, rocky valleys, river forest and dams. This variety supports lions, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, hippo, black rhino and over 400 bird species.
It is also a rare place where wildlife and a modern capital sit side by side. Electric fences protect the northern, eastern and western edges, which border the city. The southern edge is open along the Mbagathi River. This lets zebra, wildebeest and other grazers move in and out of the park to the Athi-Kapiti plains and the Kitengela area.
Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
Established | 1946, Kenya's first national park |
Size | About 117 square kilometres |
Distance from city centre | About 7 to 10 km |
Managed by | |
Gates | Open 6:00 am to 6:00 pm |
Famous for | Black rhino, lions, the city skyline backdrop, birdlife |
Nearby | Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant nursery, Giraffe Centre, Safari Walk, Ivory Burning Site Monument |
The park also has a Safari Walk, where visitors can walk on raised boardwalks past animals in enclosures, and a famous monument. Both can be added to your safari.
History of Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is the oldest national park in Kenya and East Africa. Its story is tied to the birth of Kenya's conservation movement.
Year | What happened |
|---|---|
Before 1946 | The land south of Nairobi was set aside as a game reserve by the colonial government |
1945 | A letter signed "Old Settler" in a Nairobi newspaper proposed wiping out wildlife. The public backlash led the government to create a national parks board |
1946 | Nairobi National Park is opened, the first national park in Kenya |
1946 to 1966 | Conservationist Mervyn Cowie leads Kenya's national parks and helps shape the park's early years |
1963 | Kenya gains independence. The park continues under Kenyan management |
1989 | President Daniel arap Moi burns about twelve tonnes of ivory in the park, a landmark protest against the ivory trade |
2016 | Kenya burns a record stockpile of ivory and rhino horn at the same site in the park |
Today | Managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service as a black rhino sanctuary and city wildlife refuge |
Mervyn Cowie and the early years
Mervyn Cowie was a Kenyan-born conservationist who campaigned for national parks. He became the first director of the Royal National Parks of Kenya and led the service from 1946 to 1966. His work helped create parks across East Africa, and Nairobi National Park was the first.
Rhino conservation
Black rhinos were hunted heavily across Africa in the 20th century. Nairobi National Park became an important refuge for them. Today it is one of the best places in Kenya to see black rhino, thanks to protection and careful management.
The ivory burns
The park holds a monument to the fight against elephant poaching. In 1989, President Moi set fire to a stack of ivory tusks here to show that Kenya would not trade in ivory. A larger burn followed in 2016. The monument can be visited as part of your safari.
The park today
The park now faces pressure from the growing city, roads, railways and farmland. Conservation groups and the Kenya Wildlife Service work to protect its wildlife corridor to the south. Visiting responsibly supports that work.
What is included and not included
Included | Not included |
|---|---|
Private 4x4 safari jeep with a pop-up roof | Park entrance fees, unless your quote includes them |
Experienced driver-guide | Tips for your guide |
Pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi | Lunch or dinner |
Bottled drinking water | Visits to the Giraffe Centre or Sheldrick nursery, unless added |
Binoculars to share | Travel insurance |
Fuel and vehicle costs | Personal items and souvenirs |
Always check your written quote. It should state clearly whether park fees are in or out of the price.
Nairobi National Park fees and safari price guide
Park entrance fees
The published 2026 daily fees per person are:
Visitor type | Adult | Child (3 to 17) |
|---|---|---|
Non-resident | US$80 | US$40 |
African citizen (non-East African) | US$40 | US$20 |
Kenya resident | KES 1,350 | KES 675 |
East African citizen | KES 1,000 | KES 500 |
A vehicle fee is charged on top. It is about KES 600 for a small car and KES 1,500 for a minibus. Entry is valid for 24 hours. Fees can change, so confirm with the Kenya Wildlife Service before you travel.
Safari price
The price of a private game drive depends on:
- the number of guests
- the length of the drive
- the season and day
- pick-up location
- whether park fees and extras are included
Private safaris cost more per person for one or two guests and less per person for families and groups. Contact us for a quote with all fees clearly listed.
Best time to go, what to bring and safety
Best time to visit
Nairobi National Park is open all year. The best time of day is early morning or late afternoon, when animals are most active and the light is soft.
Months | Conditions |
|---|---|
January to March | Dry and warm. Wildlife gathers near water |
April to May | Long rains. Green, quiet and sometimes muddy |
June to October | Dry and cool. Excellent game viewing |
November to December | Short rains. Fresh scenery and good birding |
What to bring
- Neutral clothes in khaki, green or beige
- A light jacket for early mornings
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- A camera with a zoom lens
- Binoculars (we can share ours)
- Insect repellent
- Your passport or ID
Safety and park rules
- Stay inside the vehicle except at designated stops.
- Do not feed or touch wildlife.
- Keep to the park speed limit, about 40 km/h.
- Keep at least 20 metres from animals.
- Keep voices low so you do not disturb them.
- Follow your guide's instructions at all times.
Nairobi is a big city, so keep valuables out of sight and use a trusted driver. Your guide handles all of this.
Add-ons and related tours
Add-on or tour | What you get |
|---|---|
Meet orphaned baby elephants at feeding time. Needs advance booking | |
Giraffe Centre | Feed Rothschild's giraffe from a raised platform |
Nairobi National Park, Sheldrick and Giraffe Centre day tour | The three highlights in one day |
Nairobi layover safari | A timed game drive designed around your flight |
Ivory Burning Site Monument | A short stop on your drive |
Karura Forest | Forest walks and waterfalls inside the city |
Amboseli or Masai Mara safari | A longer safari after your city drive |
Ask us to add any of these to your private safari.
Why book your Nairobi National Park safari with Olengugih Safaris
Olengugih Safaris is a Kenya-based safari operator. We plan private safaris across Kenya, from short city drives to longer trips in Laikipia, Amboseli and the Masai Mara.
- Private and flexible. Your own vehicle, guide and pace.
- Local knowledge. Guides who know where the animals are and how to get the best photos.
- Easy pick-up. From your hotel, the airport or a meeting point.
- Clear pricing. A written quote that shows what is and is not included.
- Room to grow. Add the elephant nursery, Giraffe Centre or a longer safari.
Guest reviews: Want to hear from other travellers before you book? You can read reviews from our past guests on GetYourGuide, SafariBookings and Tripadvisor.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Nairobi National Park safari?
It is a game drive inside Nairobi National Park, a wildlife park on the edge of Nairobi city. You travel in a 4x4 jeep with a guide and look for lions, giraffe, rhino, zebra and other wildlife.
How long is a Nairobi National Park safari?
A half-day game drive takes about 4 to 5 hours, including pick-up and drop-off. A full day is possible on request.
How far is Nairobi National Park from the city centre?
About 7 to 10 kilometres. The drive from most Nairobi hotels takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Can you see lions in Nairobi National Park?
Yes, often. Several prides live in the park, but sightings are not guaranteed.
Can you see rhino in Nairobi National Park?
Yes. It is a sanctuary for black rhino. Sightings are fairly common, but rhinos can hide in thick bush.
Are there elephants in Nairobi National Park?
No, elephants are not part of the park's wildlife. You can meet orphaned elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery nearby.
What is the best time of day for a game drive?
Early morning from 6:00 am, or late afternoon. Animals are most active and the light is best.
How much does it cost?
The cost depends on your group size and the length of the drive. Park fees are charged per person per day on top of the safari price, unless they are included in your quote.
Do I need to book in advance?
We recommend booking at least a few days ahead, and earlier in July to March. Last-minute bookings can sometimes be arranged.
Is Nairobi National Park safe?
Yes, with a licensed guide and a proper safari vehicle. Follow park rules and stay in the vehicle.
Can I visit Nairobi National Park on a layover?
Yes. A morning or afternoon drive fits most layovers of six hours or more. Allow time for traffic and airport check-in.
Is Nairobi National Park worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you have limited time. It is close to the city, easy to book and offers real wildlife in a unique setting.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. Drives are short and the vehicle has window seats, so children can see easily.
Book your private Nairobi National Park safari
Tell us your dates, pick-up point and group size. We will confirm times, add any extras and send a clear quote. Whether you have a free morning, a long layover or the start of a longer safari, we will make it simple.
Contact Olengugih Safaris to book your Nairobi National Park safari today.
Sources and further reading
- Nairobi National Park, Wikipedia
- Nairobi National Park, Kenya Wildlife Service
- Mervyn Cowie, Wikipedia
- Kenya Wildlife Service, official park fee schedule (confirm the latest rates on its website)
What stands out
Highlights
- Wildlife viewing only a short drive from central Nairobi
- Strong opportunities to see both black and white rhinos
- Lions, buffalo, giraffe and a wide range of antelope
- Excellent birding and varied savannah and riverine habitats
- Unusual photography with wildlife and Nairobi skyline views
- Ideal for half day, full day and stopover safari itineraries
Where it is
Nairobi National Park map
Explore the location of Nairobi National Park and see how it fits into your Kenya safari journey.
