Despite being a mere seven kilometres from the centre of Nairobi, this uniquely accessible national park offers a quality quick-fix safari experience.
Nairobi National Park is a true paradox. Despite being situated on the southeastern outskirts of East Africa’s most populous, cosmopolitan and industrialised city, it is a genuinely worthwhile and uncontrived safari destination. Unfenced on two sides, it allows free movement of wildlife from the nearby Athi Plains (though not in and out of the city, for obvious reasons). The absence of elephants means it is not a true Big Five park, but still, it is one of the best places in East Africa for spotting black rhinos and witnessing lion kills. In addition, the 117-square-kilometre sanctuary is home to most other plains wildlife species associated with southern Kenya, including large seasonal herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle, as well as lower densities of eland, giraffe and impala.