Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is located just south of central Kenya right next to and within the Nairobi city region. Travelers landing at the Nairobi airport can literally see the park and potential wildlife as the flyover and land at the airport.
There is nowhere else in the world where such a collection of wilderness and wildlife sits so adjacently to a major city. Only 4-miles (6.4 km) separate the center of the city from the wildlife in the reserve.
The national park encompasses an area of 45.26 square miles (117.2 sq km) and was the first national park established in Kenya. The park is smaller than most Kenyan and other Africa national parks. Although it is so small, it is quite diverse in habitats. The majority of the habitats are dominated by open plains, grasslands and scattered acacia trees.
Other parts of the park include a highland forest, rocky gorges, broken bush company, and riverine forest. The varied habitats bring a variety of mammals and bird species.
Almost everyone traveling to Africa sits in hope of seeing the predator species. Nairobi National Park does not disappoint with predators including lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena. Other large mammal species include buffalo, black rhino, baboon, eland, gazelle, hartebeest, hippopotamus, impala, giraffe, wildebeest, and waterbuck. One of the missing species that most people hope to see is elephant.
Weather & Climate
The weather is predictable at Nairobi National Park as it adheres to longstanding climatic patterns. The Dry season (June to October) is marked by an absence of rain and loads of sunshine. The Wet season (November to May) has two periods of rain (November to December, and March to May), with an intervening period of drier weather. The park’s high altitude means cool air is the norm at night.
Scenery
Most of Nairobi National Park consists of open grassland. The city’s high-rise buildings are visible and, from a wilderness point of view, are quite disturbing – although it does create opportunities for unusual pictures. The Athi river track in the south of the park offers views over the scenic waterway, ridge and cliffs. The safari walk at the entrance of the park meanders through a beautiful patch of indigenous forest.