National park · Kenya
Nairobi National Park
Enter Nairobi National Park for Ksh 4,300 (≈ $40) and drive the main loop in 2 h; go early morning in dry months Jun–Oct or Jan–Feb; avoid weekends.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
117 km² (45 sq mi)45 sq mi (117 km²)
approximate
Established
1946
Best months
Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Kenya ↗Apply for the Kenya eTA only on the official portal (etakenya.go.ke) at least 3 working days before you fly; lookalike sites charge double. Most African passports have been exempt since 2025.
- Kenya ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and check whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route, including transits.
- Kenya ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you fly in.
- Kenya ↗Light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator and leave a hard case in Nairobi.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Kenya eTA is required before arrival; file it at least a week ahead.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Drive on the left. The A104 Nairobi–Nakuru road is the main artery; matatus on it are fast and frequently unroadworthy.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Kenya Wildlife Service park fees are paid per person per day and are higher for non-residents; check the current payment method on the KWS site before you travel.
At a glance
- Country
- Kenya
- Area
- 117 km² (45 sq mi)45 sq mi (117 km²)
- Official park size varies by source; 117 km² is the commonly quoted figure (check).
- Established
- 1946
- Best months
- Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Nairobi
Nairobi National Park, just 10 minutes north of Kenya’s capital, offers a quick savanna safari with lions, rhinos and the famous railway viaduct where giraffes stroll beneath trains. Open since 1946, it’s ideal for a day trip or a brief wildlife intro before heading to larger reserves.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1946.
Size and age
117 km² (45 sq mi)45 sq mi (117 km²) · national park since 1946
Official park size varies by source; 117 km² is the commonly quoted figure (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Nairobi.
Why go
- See classic savanna wildlife – lions, rhinos, giraffes – just outside a capital city.
- Spot the iconic railway viaduct where giraffes walk beneath the tracks.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool mornings.
- FebDry, good visibility.
- MarShort rains begin.
- AprLong rains, road may be muddy.
- MayRainy, fewer animals visible.
- JunStart of dry season, wildlife active.
- JulDry, cool evenings.
- AugDry, good game viewing.
- SepDry, stable weather.
- OctEnd of dry season, still good.
- NovShort rains start.
- DecShort rains, cooler.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African lion, black‑rhino, giraffe, zebra, buffaloAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Over 400 bird speciesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate & visitor centre | Ticket office, map, restrooms. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Game drive loop | Primary 2‑hour drive covering grassland, waterhole, railway viaduct. | Self‑drive or guided vehicle only. |
| Ivory Burning Site | Historical spot where 12 tons of ivory were burned in 1989. | View from vehicle. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are from official park website; positions are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | KES 4,300 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Park entry (child 2‑12 y) | KES 2,150 | person | 2026 estimate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- KES 4,300
- KES 2,150
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Kenya Wildlife Service – Nairobi National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Vehicle stay
- All visitors must remain inside a vehicle; walking is prohibited except at designated areas.
- Pets
- Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the park.
- Fire
- Open fires are banned; use designated BBQ pits only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Nairobi city hotels
Wide range from budget hostels to 5‑star hotels; 10‑20 min drive to the park.
Safety
Heat medium
Road conditions low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main road to gate is paved; vehicle access suitable for most cars.
- Walking trails are not open to the public.
Visiting lightly
- Support community projects by buying souvenirs at the park shop.
- Stay in Nairobi hotels that practice water‑saving measures.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Nairobi National Park?
Adult entry is Ksh 4,300; children (2‑12 y) pay Ksh 2,150. Tickets are bought at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Nairobi National Park?
Walking is not allowed; the park’s experience is a vehicle drive on the main loop and a stop at the railway viaduct.
When is the best time to visit Nairobi National Park?
The dry months June‑October and January‑February give the best wildlife viewing and road conditions.
Can I bring my own car into Nairobi National Park?
Yes, but the vehicle must stay on the paved roads; a 4WD is recommended for comfort.
Is there accommodation inside the park?
No. Stay in Nairobi; the park is only a day‑trip destination.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Nairobi National Park
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