Tours & Travel in Kenya
Nairobi National Park: Entry Fees, Animals, Activities and How to Visit
The world's only national park in a capital city — what to see, what it costs, when to go and how to plan a half-day safari without leaving Nairobi.
Nairobi National Park sits about 7 km from the city centre — 117 square kilometres of savannah where lions and rhinos roam with the skyline on the horizon. It is the easiest safari in Kenya and one of the best-value outings in Nairobi.
The animals
The park is a stronghold for black rhino — you have a realistic chance of seeing them on a single drive. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, eland, hartebeest, crocodiles and over 400 bird species are resident. There are no elephants (the park is too small and fenced on the city side), which is precisely why it works as a half-day trip.
Entry fees
Fees differ by residency: Kenyan citizens and East African residents pay a modest rate in shillings, while non-residents pay in USD (Nairobi is one of KWS's premium parks). Children pay reduced rates. Fees change periodically — check kws.go.ke for the current tariff before you go, and carry your national ID or passport to get citizen/resident rates. Payment is cashless: card or mobile money at the gate, or via the eCitizen portal.
How to visit
- Self-drive: enter at the main gate on Langata Road. A normal car manages the main circuits in dry weather; a 4x4 helps after rain. Start at 6 am when gates open — predators are active early and the light is best.
- Hire a tour van or land cruiser: operators around the city offer half-day drives with a driver-guide; splitting the cost across a group is economical.
- Best time: early morning (6–10 am) or late afternoon. The dry seasons (January–March, July–October) concentrate animals at water sources.
Activities beyond the game drive
- Nairobi Safari Walk: a raised boardwalk through enclosed habitats near the main gate — excellent for children.
- Nairobi Animal Orphanage: at the park entrance, housing rescued animals.
- David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage: nearby and very popular; public visiting is at set times and requires advance booking.
- Giraffe Centre: in Langata, pairs well with a park morning for a full wildlife day.
Practical tips
- Arrive at opening time; by 11 am animals retreat to shade.
- Bring water and snacks — there are picnic sites but limited shops.
- Do not exit your vehicle except at designated points.
- Combine with a Naivasha weekend if you want a bigger trip — see our weekend getaways guide.
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