Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park: Background Info
Situated just 7 miles from the center of Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi National Park is a pretty special phenomenon. Where else can you view critically endangered rhinos against a backdrop of downtown skyscrapers, or spot giraffes from your window seat as you land at the city’s international airport? For those about to embark on a tour of Kenya’s more famous safari destinations (think Amboseli, Tsavo, Samburu, and the mighty Maasai Mara), Nairobi National Park offers a worthwhile introduction to the country’s animal and birdlife. For those passing through the capital, the park is an opportunity to get a taste of the wild without ever leaving the city limits.
Nairobi National Park: Destination Preview
Wildlife
Nairobi National Park has a decent variety of wildlife. Aside from elephants, all of the Big Five are present. There is a good population of both black and white rhino and the latter are often seen grazing on the open plains. Leopards are shy, but lion, cheetah and hyena are regularly spotted. In July and August, a mini migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle crosses into the park from the surrounding areas.
Lion, cheetah, Masai giraffe and buffalo are just some of the animals you can encounter on a half-day trip in Nairobi NP. It is also a good place to see some of the more unusual antelope species, including oribi, a grassland special. Coke's hartebeest is quite common, and if you are lucky, a herd of shy eland will come into view. Pairs of little Kirk's dik-dik can be spotted as well.
Birdlife
With nearly 500 bird species recorded, Nairobi National Park probably gives Kenya’s capital the longest bird list of all cities in the world. The park’s substantial area of undisturbed grassland is of great importance for species such as the restricted-range Jackson’s widowbird, which breeds here regularly after good rains. Other grassland birds include ostriches, secretary birds and bustards. Nairobi NP is a popular birding destination and it’s easy to book a full- or half-day guided birding trip at short notice.
Nairobi NP offers good bird watching throughout the year, but the best time is from November to April when the migrants from Europe and North Africa are present. Many species are nesting at this time as it coincides with breeding season. The spectacular Jackson’s widowbird displays from March to May. Although good for birding, April tends to be very wet and is a less productive time for general wildlife viewing.
Nairobi National Park: Location
Must Visit Top Destinations Kenya
Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Maasai Mara Game Reserve is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Kenya regarded as the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife viewing areas
Amboseli National Park
The "Open Plains" and "Place of Dust". Amboseli comes from the word Empusel, meaning “open plain” in the language of the local Maasai people.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Famous for the vast numbers of flamingos that feed off its algae. Home to a large rhino population. These beasts can often be spotted lazing under the shade of the luscious acacia trees that surround the lake.
Meru National Park
Made famous by conservationist Joy Adamson and the film based on her book “Born Free”, Meru National Park is home to 13 rivers, as well as a wide range of diverse habitats.
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a unique ecosystem by being the only protected area in the world close to a capital city. Open grass plains with scattered acacia bush are predominant.
Samburu National Reserve
Samburu's savannahs and forests make for diverse big game country. Home to all the big cats, it's especially good for leopard as well as providing a haven for super-rare wild dogs and large numbers of elephants.
Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo East National Park is not a reserve to come and tick off large numbers of big game. Rather, it is about relaxing and enjoying the animals and birds in a true wilderness.
Tsavo West National Park
Tsavo West National Park is known as “ Land of Lava, Springs, Man-eaters and Magical Sunsets”. Habitat includes open plains and savannah bush, semi-desert scrub, acacia woodlands, numerous rocky ridges & outcrops.
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