10 Reasons and More to Visit Nairobi National Game Park

by Sheri_Oz

I saw a lion, water buffalo, giraffes, zebras, black rhinos, secretary birds, ostriches, and more in a 100 square kilometer game park in Nairobi, Kenya. Come see my photos.

Nowhere else in the world is there a natural game park and sanctuary for wild animals in a nation's capital city. Bounded on three sides by the city and one side open to migratory routes, African wildlife roam free alongside human enterprise. The Masai tribe is helping protect both their own pastoral livelihood as well as Kikuyu farmland and the animals native to Kenya in a remarkable venture to balance nature with development.

How to Visit the Park

You can enter the park in your own vehicle. However, unless you have an open-top van, you will miss much of the beauty of the park and certainly sightings of animals. It is better to spend the extra money and take a guided tour of the park - there are numerous safari companies going into the park and any hotel can recommend one for you. You do not have to arrange this before you arrive in Kenya.

Ours cost $100 per person. Our driver was courteous and really did want us to see a lion. Everybody wants to see a lion.

Our Van and Driver

Setting up the Open Roof So We Could Stand and Look Out for Wildlife
Preparing the Van for Safari
Preparing the Van for Safari
Photographer, Sheri Oz

Here Are Ten Reasons to Visit Nairobi National Game Park

Here are some of the photos I took of wildlife we saw when on safari in the park in the order in which we saw them. We had multiple sightings of many of these animals. For example, we saw several herds of buffalo and impalas, many giraffes at different times over the course of the morning, and innumerable birds, and more.

First Reason: Buffalo Herds

Buffalo Herd
Buffalo Herd
Photographer, Sheri Oz

Second Reason: Ostriches

Ostriche in the Light of the Rising Sun
Ostriche in the Light of the Rising Sun
Photographer, Sheri Oz

Third Reason: Giraffes

Curious Giraffe
Curious Giraffe
Photographer, Sheri Oz
Proud Giraffe
Proud Giraffe
Photographer, Sheri Oz

Fourth Reason: Secretary Birds

These birds eat snakes so they are good to have around the yard in Africa.
Secretary Birds
Secretary Birds
Photographer, Sheri Oz

Fifth Reason: Impalas

Impala Herd
Impala Herd
Photographer, Sheri Oz
Impala Pair
Impala Pair
Photographer, Sheri Oz

Sixth Reason: Hartebeest

Hartebeest
Hartebeest
Photographer, Sheri Oz

Seventh Reason: Guineafowl

Helmeted Guineafowl
Helmeted Guineafowl
Photographer, Sheri Oz
Male Baboon Surveying the Valley
Male Baboon Surveying the Valley
Photographer, Sheri Oz

Eighth Reason: Baboons

Baboon Family
Baboon Family
Photographer, Sheri Oz

Ninth Reason: Black Rhinos

Endangered Black Rhino Population Grows Here
Endangered Black Rhino Population Grows Here
Photographer, Sheri Oz

Tenth Reason: The Breathtaking Landscapes

Nairobi National Park Landscape
Nairobi National Park Landscape
Photographer, Sheri Oz

Bonus Reason

You Might Even Get to See a Lion

Everyone wants to see a lion. Very few actually do.  Our driver wanted us to be among those lucky few. But we had no luck. We were on our way out of the park.

Suddenly, our driver turned into an open field, driving crazily fast along a path that was not really meant for a vehicle such as his. A tractor perhaps, but not a van. There were some places where the van tipped over as if it was a sailboat heeling and I was afraid we would actually capsize.

We came to the other side of the field, joining another van with one person with a professional camera with a huge lens. Our driver had heard over the radio that there had been a lion sighting here and the photographer informed us that there was, indeed, a lion and lioness.  All we could see was the lioness slinking away into the bush.

I was not able to take her picture, but I did see her!

Enjoy Cuddly African Safari Animals

Plush 12" Full Body Stuffed Tiger Puppet w/ Roar

12" Plush Full Body Tiger Puppet & Interactive Roar Sound made by Beverly Hills Teddy Bear CompanyPuppets are like magical dolls and plush toys, they come to life when played wi...

View on Amazon

Webkinz Endangered Signature Black African Rhinoceros

Webkinz Signature pets are carefully crafted from the highest quality, ultra soft plush. Each design has realistic details and subtle colorations.

View on Amazon

Webkinz Endangered Signature Cape Mountain Zebra

Webkinz Signature pets are carefully crafted from the highest quality, ultra soft plush. Each design has realistic details and subtle colorations. All Webkinz and LilKinz sold a...

View on Amazon

Webkinz Plush Signature Series Giraffe

The adorable plush animals-some spiky, some fluffy, come complete with their own universe known as Webkinz World. And just like toy crazes of the past kids go nuts for them.

View on Amazon

Webkinz Signature Asian Elephant

Webkinz pets are very special plush animals. Codes allow you to join Webkinz World. Add to your collection to build up your Webkinz virtual plush family. Great gifts for kids of...

View on Amazon

Ostrich Cuddlekin 12" by Wild Republic

12 inch Ostrich stuffed toy animal

View on Amazon

Other Animals That are in the Park

Cheetahs, hyenas and leopards populate the park. However, they are even more hidden than the lions so do not count on seeing any of these.

We did not see hippos, and the zebras were visible only from a great distance away. Interestingly, later in the week, I saw zebras grazing alongside cattle and goats in the Rift Valley about 30 minutes drive outside of Nairobi.

The park is a bird-watchers' paradise. There are over 500 species of birds and we saw a number of them. My camera is not good enough to photograph therm but it was certainly exciting to see red-faced birds with long tails that seem to hang in the air.

Guides to Wildlife and Birds in East Africa

Frommer's Kenya and Tanzania (Frommer's Complete Guides)

Frommer's Kenya & Tanzania will be the only major guidebook to cover both of these countries in detail. Fully 50% of international tourists arriving in Tanzania come from Kenya,...

Wildlife of East Africa (Princeton Pocket Guides)

Those looking for a concise yet informative, visually breathtaking yet affordable East African safari need look no further than this spectacular field guide. Featuring full-colo...

A Guide to the Birds of East Africa

For the past three years, Mr. Malik has been secretly in love with Rose Mbikwa, a woman who leads the weekly bird walks sponsored by the East African Ornithological Society. Jus...

Ad

Want to Make a Safari Theme Party?

Jungle Safari Cake Pans
Great selection of products to help you make the best safari themed party ever!

Updated: 03/26/2014, Sheri_Oz
 
Thank you! Would you like to post a comment now?
8

Roar to Let Us Know You were Here!

Only logged-in users are allowed to comment. Login
Vacation Planner by JoGuru on 04/01/2014

I have gone here thrice with JoGuru..Very amazing place here you can feel the natural beauty of nature and earth..You can feel the presence of animals.

Sheri_Oz on 03/04/2014

Thanks, Deanie. What I was hoping to see were lions. But no lion! Maybe next time.

deaniewrites on 03/04/2014

Gorgeous pictures. I'm jealous that you got to see the rhinos so close up. I saw a ton of animals when I was in Kenya (in Masai Mara) but the rhinos were hidden... I actually asked our guide to wait... it took me 20 minutes to get a picture that was recognizable as a rhino and not a blob of grey.

Sheri_Oz on 09/30/2012

You are very welcome, Sam. That was a long long time ago.

Sam on 08/26/2012

I visited Nairobi National Park, and its wildlife Orphanage back in 1999, thanks for bringing all these memories back! SY

Ralpapajan on 08/25/2012

Thanks ~ I plane to explore the region.

Sheri_Oz on 08/25/2012

If the last time you were there was 1958, then you will not recognize it anymore. Perhaps you should visit South Sudan which is probably more like the Africa you left.

Ralpapajan on 08/25/2012

This makes me want, more than ever, to return to Africa. Last in Kenya and Tanganyika in 1958. Lived in Central and Southern Africa for more than 50 years. You have reinforced the Traveller in me. Thank You.

Sheri_Oz on 08/25/2012

Have a great trip. Can't have too much of safari in my opinion.

janices7 on 08/24/2012

Your trip looks amazing! My husband and I went to Botswana and South Africa on Safari last year and saw most of the same animals. Fortunately, we saw several prides of lions and leopards as well. A trip to Kenya and Tanzania is next on our African travel list. You just made me look forward to it even more (and brought back some great memories). Thanks for sharing!


You might also like

Kazuri Handmade Beads From Kenya

Come see how beads are made by hand from purification of the clay to stringin...

Juba, South Sudan, for the Intrepid Traveller

Juba is definitely off the beaten path. Be among the very first tourists in t...


Disclosure: This page generates income for authors based on affiliate relationships with our partners, including Amazon, Google and others.
Loading ...
Error!