Top Kenya National Parks You Can Easily Visit from Nairobi City

The majority of travelers to Kenya don’t realize that visiting parks on Safari is a short distance from the City of Nairobi, as it is the Capital and the gateway to many parks. If you get bored for a couple of hours while you’re in Nairobi staring at the traffic on your way to a safari park, you could be standing by the road looking at lions, giraffes, rhinos, elephants, etc., along with some amazing scenery in their natural habitats. Most of these parks are located within a thirty-minute drive of the city.

Therefore, if you’re going to Kenya for a short period of time or for a weekend getaway, or are adding safari days while you’re on a business trip, this article will provide an overview of the best National Parks in Kenya that are fairly accessible from Nairobi City.

1. Nairobi National Park – Wildlife at the City’s Edge

Distance from the City Center of Nairobi: Approx. seven kilometers

Travel Time: 20 to 30 minutes

Nairobi National Park is unlike any other on the planet; it is the only one that shares a border with a nation’s capital.

It is a great place to see wildlife in front of Nairobi’s skyline, creating a dramatic backdrop for stunning photographs.

The Types of Wildlife You Can Expect to See at Nairobi National Park—on Many Occasions, the animals will always be in view:

• Lions and leopards.
• Black rhinoceroses.
• Giraffes and zebras.
• More than 400 types of birds.

 

There is no fence separating the park from the surrounding area to the south, allowing the movement of game unimpeded.

Why Nairobi National Park is Ideal for Brief Visits

When visiting the park, you can:

• Go for a half-day game drive.
• Do a game drive in the morning before your flight.
• Visit while on business for a quick wildlife viewing.

Because the park is so easily accessible from Nairobi’s city centre, you will save money and time, which makes it an excellent option for those short on time.

If you are pressed for time, then Nairobi National Park is the easiest place to have a safari experience in Kenya.

2. Hell’s Gate National Park – Adventure and Scenery

Approximately 90 km from Nairobi, Hell’s Gate National Park can be reached from the capital in 1.5 to 2 hours. This is one of only a few parks in Kenya where visitors can walk and cycle among the wildlife.

Here’s what makes Hell’s Gate special:

• Many high cliffs
• Very wide gorges
• Volcanic rock formations
• Thermally heated hot springs
• Some of The Lion King was filmed in Hell’s Gate.

Some activities that you can participate in while at Hell’s Gate include:

• Cycling next to a zebra and an antelope
• The Gorge hike
• Climbing/fishing on Fischer’s Tower.

 

Predators (such as lions) do not inhabit Hell’s Gate, so visitors are free to enjoy all of the fun things to do in Hell’s Gate National Park. For those looking for the active and adventurous component of a safari, Hell’s Gate is the perfect destination!

3. Lake Nakuru National Park – Rhinos and Flamingos

Approximate Distance to Nairobi: 160 km

Approximate Duration of Travel: 2.5 to 3 hours

Lake Nakuru National Park is known for its large concentration of pink flamingos and for having a rhino sanctuary.

Lake Nakuru is one of the premier places in Kenya to see both Black and White Rhino in one setting.

Reasons To Visit Lake Nakuru:

• Sightings of rhinos are often guaranteed!
• Chance to see tree-climbing lions!
• Beautiful lake views!
• Lots of great viewpoints, such as Baboon Cliff!
• The compact nature of the park makes wildlife viewing much easier.

Ideal for:

• Safari weekend trips!
• Weekend getaways.
• Wildlife photography tours.

Combining both birds and animals, Lake Nakuru has a wide variety of capabilities all within the same small area.

4. Amboseli National Park – Elephants and Mount Kilimanjaro

Nairobi and Amboseli National Park are about 230km apart, with an approximate travel time of 4-5 hours. Amboseli is one of the most well-known parks in Kenya, with stunning scenic pictures of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.

Some of the most popular attractions in Amboseli are:

• Herds of Elephants
• Mount Kilimanjaro with recent snowfall at the summit
• Open grasslands
• Swamp areas teeming with wildlife.

One thing that is special about the elephants in Amboseli is that they tend to have long tusks. While Amboseli takes slightly longer to reach than Lake Nakuru, it provides a great safari experience for 2-3 days out of Nairobi.

 

 

5. Mount Kenya National Park – Nature and Hiking

Mount Kenya National Park is about 175 kilometers / 109 miles from Nairobi and takes between three and four hours to drive to. The park encompasses the second-highest peak in Africa, Mount Kenya. It has many types of terrains and is popular with outdoor enthusiasts and hikers.

What will you see at Mount Kenya National Park?

• Snow-capped Mountains
• Different types of Forests
• Unusual Alpine Plant Species

You can hike through the park in either one day or multiple days. However, because of the cooler temperatures found at Mount Kenya National Park versus the savannah-type parks, it is important to bring warm clothes.

6. Aberdare National Park – Waterfalls and Forest Wildlife

Location: 160 km from Nairobi

Length of Drive: Three to Four Hours

Aberdare National Park is not your usual flat savannah.

It is very lush, very green, has many mountains, and much more.

Reasons to Visit:

• Breathtaking Waterfalls
• Forest Elephants
• Bongo Antelope (an endangered species)
• Unique Tree Lodges
• Waterholes visible from some of the lodges where animals come to drink (especially at night).
• The park is quiet and less populated than other parks.

 

7. Ol Pejeta Conservancy – Big Five and Conservation

The distance between Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Nairobi is around 220 kilometers, and it should take approximately 4 hours to travel to Ol Pejeta from Nairobi by road.

Ol Pejeta is an easily accessible place from Nairobi and should definitely be included in your list of potential tourist attractions; however, it is not a national park.

The most important aspects of Ol Pejeta are;

• The Big 5
• Rhinoceros conservation
• Sanctuary for chimpanzees
• Luxury to mid-range lodges

Ol Pejeta has exceptional conservation management programs and superb wildlife viewing experiences.

Why Nairobi Is the Best Safari Starting Point

There are many benefits to being in Nairobi:

• International Airport
• There are many different kinds of tour companies.
• The range of accommodations.
• There are good-quality roads.

You can choose between:

• Budget safaris
• Luxury private safaris
• Group safaris
• Air safaris

With all these choices, Nairobi has become the primary safari hub in East Africa.

Best Time to Visit Parks Near Nairobi

Kenya has two distinct weather patterns:

1. Dry: There is little to no precipitation between June and October, and again from January to February.

• Optimal wildlife viewing occurs in these months.
• Water sources during the dry months are where all the animals will congregate to drink.

2. Wet: Rain notice will be experienced from March to May and again from November.

• Fewer tourists travel during the wet months, thus making for lower rates.
• The months of rainfall offer fantastic landscapes. Most parks surrounding Nairobi are open all year long.

How long do you spend at each park?

If you’re short on time, you should allow:

• Nairobi National Park (1 day)
• Lake Nakuru National Park (2 days)
• Amboseli National Park (3 days)
• Combination of Parks (4 to 5 days)

There are 3 ways to combine parks:

• Hell’s Gate and Lake Nakuru
• Amboseli and Nairobi National Park
• Mount Kenya and Ol Pejeta.

Tips for visiting the National Parks of Kenya starting from Nairobi.

• Get an early start to avoid congestion/traffic jams.
• Always use a licensed tour operator!
• Don’t forget your sunscreen and water!!
• Dress in Neutral Colors
• Bring a Camera with a Zoom Lens
• Always Follow Regulations to Respect Wildlife.

Final Thoughts

Kenya is one of the most spectacular places in the world to see and experience wildlife. In addition, lots of these attractions can be reached easily from Nairobi.

So whether you want a short safari for a few hours or would rather spend a longer vacation visiting various locations, you have plenty of options from which to choose – Nairobi National Park offers the urban wilderness; Lake Nakuru contains thousands of flamingos; Amboseli is where you will find lots of elephants.

You can see famous safari landscapes (which you are probably familiar with) throughout Africa, and if you decide to visit Kenya, there are a few national parks near Nairobi you should check out, because adventure lies waiting for you outside of Nairobi.