The main tourist attraction in Nairobi, the Nairobi National Park is unique as the only national park within a city boundary. From the edge of the city, you can even see giraffes in the distance. The wide open grasslands of the national park are backed by the city’s buildings and you can find a wide variety of iconic wildlife living here, such as lions, giraffes, cheetah, hyenas, buffalo, and a diversity of birdlife.

Nairobi National Park is a unique gem in Kenya’s array of wildlife destinations. Located just 7 kilometers (4 miles) south of Nairobi’s city center, it’s the only wildlife park in the world located so close to a capital city. Established in 1946, it was Kenya’s first national park and remains a symbol of the country’s commitment to wildlife conservation.

The park is also home to one of Kenya’s healthiest rhino populations. The park joins to a conservation corridor for the Athi-Kapiti plains towards the south of the park making is such a draw for wildlife. In addition to the iconic larger animals, there are a number of others to be found here including ostriches, baboons, gazelles, eland, impala, and a very high diversity of birds.

The Park is a paradise for bird lovers, especially during the wet season when migratory birds join the resident species. The park also has  designated picnic areas where visitors can relax and enjoy the serene surroundings.

The David Sheldrick Trust runs a sanctuary in the park that hand-rears orphaned elephant and rhinoceros calves, and later releases them back into secure sanctuaries. Orphaned and sick animals are brought to the sanctuary from all over Kenya. The sanctuary is located close to the park’s main entrance.