National parks and reserves

Nairobi National Park

Altitude: 5,000 Ft
Area: 117 Sq. Kms.
Distance from Nairobi: 7 Kms.
Opened December 1946

Day outing from Nairobi
Leading Rhino sanctuary
Rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, crocodile hippo
Cheetah raised 7 cubs in 1977, 1992, 1994, 1995
Annual wildebeest & zebra migration in July/August
All weather roads good for saloon & 4WD vehicles
Nature Trail & education centre at Main Gate
Historic Ivory Burning Site
6 Picnic sites
Hippo pool nature trail

The only city in the world which neighbors a natural game protection area, harboring over 100 species of mammals. The Park borders the traditional South Kapiti Plains and Kitengela Migration Corridor and attracts a range of exciting game. It is a seasonal park but most of the game like Kenya's indigenous Black Rhino, live in the protection of the Park year round. Herds of plains zebra, wildebeest and eland enter the park during the great migration in July and August to enjoy the rich grazing until the next rains come.
In recent years a unique trend has been recorded: with increasing frequency a cheetah has successfully raised 7 cubs in the Park to the delight of local and international visitors. The Park is an ideal starting point for ornithological safaris, with over 400 species of birdlife.
Nairobi National Park was Kenya's first ever National Park. Its golden anniversary occurs in 1996/97. It is the site of President Daniel Arap Moi's dramatic ivory bonfire, when in 1989 he torched 10 tons of ivory worth Ksh. 60 million, in a bid to eliminate the mass slaughter of Africa's elephants for their tusks. The site is near the main gate of the Park and bears a commemorative plaque with the legendary words "Great objectives often require great sacrifices." Since then, the great fire has been lit twice more to banish confiscated stocks of poached rhino horn and ivory.
There is no accommodation within the Park, but Nairobi offers a wide selection of excellent accommodation to suit all visitor preferences. Many other tourist attractions are located close to the park, making it an ideal day trip venue.