Nairobi National Park

This is the only city in the world, which neighbors a natural game protection area, harboring more than 100 species of mammals. The park borders the traditional South Kapiti Plains and Kitengela Migration Corridor and attracts a range of exciting game.

It is a seasonal park but most of the game, like the indigenous Black Rhino, lives in the park all year round. Herds of plains zebra, wildebeest and eland enter the park during the great migration in July and August to enjoy the rich grazing until the next rains come.

In recent years a unique trend has been recorded with increasing frequency. A cheetah has successfully raised seven cubs in the park to the delight of local and international visitors.

The park is an ideal starting point for ornithological safaris, with more than 400 species of birds.

Nairobi National Park was Kenya's first ever national park. Its golden anniversary occurs in 1997.

It is here that Kenya's President Daniel Arap Moi's torched ivory worth Kshs. 60 million, in a dramatic display of Kenya's commitment to curbing the slaughter of Africa's elephants for their tusks.

The site is near the main gate of the park and bears a commemorative plaque with the striking words "Great objectives often require great sacrifices". Since then, the great bonfire has been lit twice to banish confiscated stocks of poached rhino horn and ivory.

Nairobi Park Facts

• Altitude 5,000ft.
• Area 117sq. kms
• Distance from Nairobi 7 kms
• Opened December 1946
• Day outing from Nairobi
• Leading rhino, buffalo, lion leopard, crocodile, hippo
• Cheetah raised 7 cubs in 1977, 1992, 1994, 1995
• All weather roads good for saloon & 4 WD. vehicles
• Nature trail & education center at main gate
• Historic ivory burning site
• 6 picnic sites
• Hippo pool nature trail