What You Need to Know: Nairobi National Park is about 4 miles (7 km) from the city center, so a game drive fits on your arrival or departure day. It has black and white rhinos, lions, giraffes, buffaloes and zebras, but no elephants. Entry costs US$80 per adult per 24 hours. Half a day is enough; we often include it on day 1 of a Kenya safari.
Why Visit Nairobi National Park?
The park covers about 117 km² of open grassland, acacia bush and river forest, fenced on the city side and open to the south, so animals can move to the Athi-Kapiti plains. It is one of Kenya's best places for black rhinos, and lions, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and many antelopes live here too.
It is the perfect first or last game drive of a trip: you can be watching rhinos within an hour of landing, or fit a morning drive in before an evening flight.
Things to Do at Nairobi National Park
- An early-morning game drive, the best time for lions and rhinos
- The Ivory Burning Site monument, where Kenya burned seized ivory
- The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's orphaned elephants, at the park's edge (late-morning visiting hour)
- The Giraffe Centre in Karen nearby
How to Get to Nairobi National Park
The main gate is on Langata Road, about 20–30 minutes from the city center and close to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, traffic allowing.
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi city center | By road | 20–30 minutes |
| Jomo Kenyatta International Airport | By road | 20–40 minutes |
| Karen | By road | About 15 minutes |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Nairobi National Park?
Any time of year. Early mornings are best for predators; the dry months (June–October, January–February) make game easier to find.
Nairobi National Park Entry Fees
| Fee | 2026 rate (non-resident adult) |
|---|---|
| Nairobi National Park (Kenya Wildlife Service) | US$80 per 24 hours |
| Children | About half the adult rate |
Fees are paid through Kenya's eCitizen system or at the gate and are included in our quotations. Every visitor to Kenya needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), about US$30–35, applied for at etakenya.go.ke at least 3 days before you fly. Kenya is on the yellow fever list, so carry your certificate if you continue to Tanzania, Uganda or Rwanda.
How Many Days Do You Need for Nairobi National Park?
A half-day game drive is enough, usually combined with the Sheldrick Trust and the Giraffe Centre on your arrival day.
Itineraries That Include Nairobi National Park
The 14-day Kenya and Rwanda safari includes a Nairobi National Park game drive on day 13. On every other Kenya itinerary we can add one to your arrival or departure day, as our partners do on many quotes.
| Itinerary | From (per person, 2 travelers) |
|---|---|
| 14-day Kenya and Rwanda gorilla safari | US$8,348 |
Our Kenya trips are planned by us and run on the ground by trusted local partner operators: you get one written quotation and one point of contact, and a private vehicle with a driver-guide for your group only. In Kenya that is a 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, sliding windows, a fridge and binoculars.
What to Combine with Nairobi National Park
- Nairobi's city sights: see our Nairobi city guide
- The Maasai Mara: the usual next stop; see our Maasai Mara guide
- Amboseli: four to five hours south; see our Amboseli guide
Wildlife You Can See
| Animal | Chance |
|---|---|
| Black and white rhinos | Good: one of Kenya's most reliable rhino parks |
| Lions | Good, especially early morning |
| Giraffes, zebras, buffaloes | Very good |
| Cheetahs and leopards | Possible |
| Elephants | None in the park |
A Half-Day Plan
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 6:00 | Enter at the main gate at opening time |
| 6:00 – 10:00 | Game drive across the plains for lions and rhinos |
| 11:00 | Sheldrick Trust visiting hour |
| 12:30 | Lunch in Karen, then the Giraffe Centre |
A Park on the City's Edge
Nairobi National Park was Kenya's first national park, established in 1946. Its fence runs along the city's southern suburbs, but the south side is open, so animals can move to and from the Athi-Kapiti plains. That openness keeps the park wild, with seasonal movements of zebras and wildebeest in the dry season.
The park is also important for rhino conservation: it has been a sanctuary for black rhinos for decades, and animals from Nairobi have been moved to restock other parks. Seeing a rhino here, with the Nairobi skyline in the background, is one of Africa's most unusual safari sights.
Because it is so close to the airport and city hotels, the park fits easily into an arrival or departure day, before heading to the Maasai Mara or Amboseli.
Common Questions About Nairobi National Park
Are there elephants in Nairobi National Park?
No. You see elephants at the Sheldrick Trust's orphanage next to the park, and in Amboseli, Tsavo and the Mara.
Can I visit on a layover?
Yes, if you have at least 5–6 hours outside the airport and the right entry papers; a short morning drive is possible.
How much is the entry fee?
US$80 per adult per 24 hours for non-residents in 2026.
How long do you need in Nairobi National Park?
A morning game drive of about four hours is enough.
When is Nairobi National Park open?
From early morning to evening every day; early morning is best for game.
Can I combine Nairobi National Park with the Giraffe Centre?
Yes, they are close together, and many guests visit both on the same day.
Do I need to book Nairobi National Park in advance?
We book it for you as part of your trip; fees are paid electronically through Kenya's eCitizen system.
Is Nairobi National Park worth it if I'm going to the Mara?
Yes, for its rhinos and the unique city backdrop, especially on arrival or departure day.
The Bottom Line
Nairobi National Park is the easiest safari in Africa: rhinos and lions minutes from the airport. Add it to your first or last day.
Tell us your dates, the number of travelers and what you want to see, through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will send a written quotation and itinerary.