Nairobi National Park Safari Activities

Published on:
4th June 2025
2
Minutes Read

8 Thrilling Fun Activities to Do in Nairobi National Park

Suppose you plan to visit Kenya’s savannah and spend a few days exploring East Africa’s wilderness in the most well-known locations such as Masai Mara National Park and Samburu National Reserve. In that case, Nairobi National Park is a good place to start. With that short introduction, let’s take a look at the eight fun activities to enjoy in Nairobi National Park depending on your interests and budget.

8 Thrilling Fun Activities to Do in Nairobi National Park

1. Game Drive Safari

A game drive under an experienced guide or driver is one of the most exciting things you can do during a safari. Nairobi National Park’s game drive often takes place in an open-roof van or Safari Jeep and involves driving into the wild in search of game.

The expert guides know the ideal places to look for different kinds of animals, hence you are guaranteed sightings of lions, leopards, monkeys, and buffalo in their natural habitat.

Let me fill you in a secret; ensure you stand in the open-roof van for the best views. Also, remember to take a few pictures for the memories.

2. Nairobi Safari Walk

Next up on the best activities to enjoy in Nairobi National Park is Nairobi’s Safari Walk. This amazing activity, which is done on Langata Road next to the main entrance of the park, allows tourists to get up close with wild animals while walking around, making it an ideal way to spend your day.

Apart from the usual game, some of the species you are likely to spot include the rare Bongo, giraffes, and white rhino.

The walking safari not only shows the park’s diversity of wildlife but also lets tourists explore Nairobi’s vast natural ecosystem, such as forests, wetlands, and woodlands. There are viewpoints on strategic positions of the park, allowing tourists to spot locals from a distance doing their daily routine.

Although Nairobi National Park can be visited at any time of the year, the best time to do a safari walk is during the dry season. The months best for the exploration are January, February, July, August, September, and October.

3. Bird Watching

Nairobi is ranked among the best birding destinations, and Nairobi National Park is well known for being home to hundreds of bird species.

Birding in the park is usually done when accompanied by a guide who knows exactly where to find the birds at any given time of the day. Your ornithologist (bird guide) will also explain the details of the birds. Apart from the local species, there are also migratory birds that can be spotted in a group.

Some of the birds you will spot at Nairobi National Park are Stephanoaetus coronatus, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis, Madagascar Pond-Heron, Corncrake, Jackson’s Widowbird, and the endangered Shoebill Stork.

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4. Photography Safari

If taking pictures is your thing then Nairobi National Park is an ideal choice for the weekend. Photography tours take place daily, mostly in the early morning and late evening, accompanied by a seasoned wildlife photographer. As a result, this safari is still ideal for amateur photographers passionate about improving their skills capturing wild animals.

You will be offered a safari car with an open hatch roof at your request to ensure you have the best time experience in the wild. The rates per car are as indicated below:

  • List item icon
     Safari Park Photography Experience Open Jeep Tour – $ USD 300
  • Checked Radio Button Icon
     Safari jeep with a photographic tour guide - $ USD 250
  • Checked Radio Button Icon
     Safari van with photography guide - $ USD 200

The best time for wildlife photography is during the early morning (6:30 AM – 9:00 AM) or late afternoon (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM). During these times, the animals are more active, and the soft natural light is ideal for capturing sharp and vibrant images.

5. Combination Safari

It’s not every day you’ll encounter a tour company offering a safari to nearby parks. Well, Nairobi National Park offers a combination safari which includes visits to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Giraffe Centre. This option lets you explore more while minimizing cost. Contact Roamroar Safaris Kenya to plan this for you. 

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is best known for protecting elephants and has successfully rescued over 200 elephants. Interestingly, rescued elephants can be adopted, and there are a few available for adoption at the moment, as indicated on the organization’s website.

When it comes to feeding giraffes, the Giraffe Centre should be your ideal destination. Relax with a cup of tea as you drop molasses pallets onto the outstretched tongue of a giraffe.

6. Visit the Nairobi Black Rhino Sanctuary

The Nairobi Black Rhino Sanctuary is one of East Africa’s most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries. The sanctuary is home to the intelligent Eastern Browse (Black) Rhino (Diceros bicorni micheali) which has inhabited the continent for more than 60 million years.

These species of rhino are considered to be the second largest land mammals after elephants but are at risk of going extinct. As of now, only 700 Eastern Browse (Black) Rhino are left due to poaching. The Nairobi Black Rhino Sanctuary offers you the opportunity to observe these animals in their natural setting.

7. Explore the Ivory Burning Site Monument

A historic landmark in Nairobi National Park, the Ivory Burning Site Monument is credited with turning the tide against poaching. The popular picnic site, located just inside the main Langata Rd gate is where former President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi oversaw the burning of 12 tons of elephant tusks as an act of solidarity for wildlife conservation in 1989.

8. Night Safari 

Although Nairobi National Park does not regularly offer night safari, it is one of the best experiences you don’t want to miss. From experiencing the serenity of the bush to spotting nocturnal animals such as the big cats hunt, the night safari will give you an unforgettable experience.

The night safari, which is usually conducted in a safari min-van, starts at 1800 hrs and once it’s dark, exploration starts using the spotlight. Apart from the big cats, you will also see other species such as rhinos, buffaloes, zebras, and wildebeest.  The experience ends at 2300 hrs when you will be dropped off at your hotel for dinner.

Conclusion

Nairobi National Park is ideally situated seven miles outside the capital, making it a fantastic spot for those seeking an unforgettable safari experience close to the city.Interestingly, there are plenty of activities to enjoy here, which might take days to complete. Whether you want a game drive or an up-close encounter with wild animals, Nairobi National Park got you covered with its bunch of activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to see in Nairobi National Park?

Nairobi National Park offers a unique, accessible safari experience just minutes from the city center, featuring4-5,000 feet elevation plains with stunning,, skyscraper backdrops.
Key highlights include:
- The Big Five: Spot four of the Big Five (lions, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos), with a special reputation as a premier, protected sanctuary for endangered black rhinos.
- Wildlife Diversity: Observe giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas, impalas, elands, and hippos (near the Hippo Pool).
- Unique Sights: Visit the Ivory Burning Site Monument, where 12 tons of ivory were burned to signal a commitment to poaching prevention.
- Activities: Take a 4x4 game drive, visit the Nairobi Safari Walk, or enjoy picnics at the Impala Observation Point or Kingfisher site.

What are the big 5 animals in Nairobi?

The Big 5 animals within Nairobi National Park are the lion, leopard, rhinoceros (primarily black rhino), cape buffalo, and elephant. They are iconic, dangerous, and often-photographed species that define a Kenya safari. While rarely seen all together, the park is a premier location for spotting black rhinos, often called the "Kifaru Ark"

Fun couple activities to do in Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park offers couples a unique blend of wildlife, nature, and city skyline views, featuring romantic early-morning or evening game drives, picnics at scenic spots like Impala Point, guided walking tours along the Hippo Pool trails, and visits to the animal orphanage

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