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Did you know that Nairobi National Park is the only protected park in the whole world that borders a national city? The park is found about 7km from the city center and is maintained by the Kenya Wildlife Services. The size of the park is 117km2 and has a total of 7 gates though which people can access it. This park is very ideal for those people who are on a brief stop over within the city and want to sample the animals within the gates. Interestingly, the city skyscrapers can be seen within the park.

The park was established in 1946 by gentleman by the name of Mervyn Cowie. The park is home to over 400 bird species and close to 100 different types of animals. Of the “Big Five”, its only the endangered Elephant that is missing here. Visitors to this park can enjoy watching elands, warthogs, hyenas, baboons, wildebeests among other wild animals. The park is characterized by open grass plains plus other flora and fauna.

On the southern side of the park, we have the Athi-Kapiti plains and the Kitengela that is normally the wildlife migratory route during the rainy seasons. We also have the Mbagathi river which demarcates the Southern Boundary. On the Western side of the park we have the highland dry forest featuring a river that runs through it. The presence of man made dams has increased the number of bird and aquatic life within the park. We also have a walking trail that visitors can use to watch hippos lounge lazily in the sun.

We have the Dave Sheldrick trust sanctuary that was launched in 1963 home to orphaned baby elephants and rhinos. This sanctuary is a huge attractions to many visitors who get to interact with the young rhinos and bottle feed them. The place is used as a restocking hub for replenishing the diminishing numbers of black as well as white rhinos.

For those that love taking a walk on the outdoors, they will find Nairobi Safari walk one the best places to be to observe the flora and fauna of Kenya. Here one is able to interact with 3 different ecosystems; the Savannah, the wetlands and the forest. Visitors get to enjoy this scenery through a raised wooden platform that meanders through 27 acres of land.

The park gained international attention in 1989 when the then President Moi burnt 12 tonnes of ivory to sensitize the world on the importance of halting ivory trade that encouraged poaching. Poaching had decimated Kenya’s elephant population to 17,000 from the initial 65,000 recorded in the seventies. To this day, there is an ivory burning site monument that commemorates that event.

Visitors to the park can indulge in team building exercises, picnicking, bush dinners weddings and TV and Film productions. The rustic 3 star Rangers Restaurant overlooking the park, allows the visitors to enjoying the Park’s spectacular view while wining and dining.

There is a Wildlife Conservation Education Center within the park that is equipped with video facilities where lectures can be conducted. The park charges an entry fee at the entrance and guided tours within the park can be conducted. Visitors can also visit the orphanage. We do not have any lodge or camp within the lodge so visitors need to plan before hand where they will accommodate themselves within the city. Transportation to the park is not a problem as there are taxis and public means of transport that they can use to reach here.

Get more information on Kenyan lodges, hotels and camps including Maralal Safari Lodge and Ol Malo. Enjoy your stay in Kenya.