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Article

10 Reasons and More to Visit Nairobi National Game Park

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

Preparing the Van for Safari

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

Second Reason: Ostriches

Ostriche in the Light of the Rising Sun

Third Reason: Giraffes

Curious Giraffe
Proud Giraffe

Fourth Reason: Secretary Birds

Secretary Birds

Fifth Reason: Impalas

Impala Herd
Impala Pair

Sixth Reason: Hartebeest

Hartebeest

Seventh Reason: Guineafowl

Helmeted Guineafowl
Male Baboon Surveying the Valley

Eighth Reason: Baboons

Baboon Family

Ninth Reason: Black Rhinos

Endangered Black Rhino Population Grows Here

Tenth Reason: The Breathtaking Landscapes

Nairobi National Park Landscape

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

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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...

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Updated March 26, 2014

Roar to Let Us Know You were Here!

Vacation Planner by JoGuruApr 1, 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_OzMar 5, 2014

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

deaniewritesMar 4, 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_OzOct 1, 2012

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

SamAug 26, 2012

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

RalpapajanAug 25, 2012

Thanks ~ I plane to explore the region.

Sheri_OzAug 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.

RalpapajanAug 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_OzAug 25, 2012

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

janices7Aug 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!

TolovajJul 7, 2012

Your trip was amazing. I can only image the excitement to be there and see real animals, not the poor prisoners in our zoo. It is good to know about guided tours and especially open top vans. We really don't want to miss the wildlife. Now I want to see a lion too:)

Sheri_OzJun 1, 2012

Wow! Your friend saw a whole pride of lions!!! I'm so jealous. Gotta go back and try again. Hope you get there, sheilamarie. We'll compare photos when you get back.

GuestJun 1, 2012

What an amazing trip! Lucky you! A friend of mine was there recently and did get to see a pride of lions and was able to take a few photos. Such beautiful creatures! But then, Africa is full of beautiful creatures! It would be great to go there someday.

TerriRexsonMay 31, 2012

My five year old is fascinated by Africa and its animals. He has been asking to visit and see the animals since he was three. We probably will go when he's a bit older. Meanwhile I can show him your lovely photos.

dustytoesMay 30, 2012

Wow, thanks for sharing. I think your animal photos are fantastic. And you must have been riding along on a bumpy road while photographing... ? So glad you got to see a glimpse of the lion too. What a great trip to share here with us.
Sheri_Oz
Sheri_Oz
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