Nairobi National Park Itineraries: Half Day, Full Day and 3 Day Sample Plans

Where else can you watch lions and rhinos with city skyscrapers on the horizon? Nairobi National Park is small compared with Kenya's great reserves, but it holds a surprising range of wildlife and is perfect for layovers and short stays.

The plans below show how to use a few hours or a few days well, and how to link the park to the rest of Kenya.

This guide is part of our Uganda road routes and driving guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

What to Expect

The park combines grassland, acacia woodland and river valleys, and its wildlife includes lions, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, hippos and many birds, along with black rhinos. Elephants are not a feature of the park. Sightings vary, so treat the visit as a pleasant introduction rather than a replacement for a full safari. See things to do in Nairobi for other options.

Half-Day Safari

• Morning. Enter at dawn when animals are active and the light is soft. Drive the main loops with a guide, searching for lions, rhinos and giraffes.
• Late morning. Exit the park and return to your hotel or airport.

Full-Day Nairobi Wildlife Circuit

• Morning. Early game drive in Nairobi National Park.
• Late morning. Visit the elephant orphanage for the feeding session, booking ahead if required. See David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage.
• Afternoon. Visit a giraffe centre or a cultural site, then enjoy lunch in the suburbs.
• Evening. Optionally return to the park or relax before dinner.

Three-Day Nairobi and Rift Valley Trip

• Day 1. Morning game drive in the park, afternoon city sights.
• Day 2. Drive to Lake Nakuru, with an afternoon game drive. See Lake Nakuru itineraries.
• Day 3. Optional stop at Lake Naivasha on the way back. See Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate itineraries.

Pacing, Timing and Tips

Traffic in Nairobi can be heavy, so allow generous time to reach the park and to return for flights. Early starts avoid congestion and give better viewing. Carry binoculars and a camera, and keep to marked roads. For a longer holiday, add the Mara, Amboseli or the coast. See Masai Mara itineraries and Amboseli itineraries.

Making the Most of the Park

Pick a guide who knows the park well and who can interpret animal behaviour, because short visits benefit from expert eyes. Cheetahs and lions often rest in shade at midday, so early and late hours are best, while the picnic sites and hippo pools offer relaxed pauses between drives. Bring binoculars for birds, which include secretary birds, crowned cranes and many raptors, and keep windows and roofs as your guide advises. Families will find that the short distances suit children well, and photographers will enjoy the unusual chance to frame wildlife against the city skyline.

Planning Notes

The park can be visited all year, though the drier months make animals easier to follow. See the best time to visit Kenya and the Kenya travel guide.

Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.

Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team