Nairobi National Park is one of the most incredible gems known as the “world’s only wildlife capital” as Nairobi is quite literally the only city on the planet that boasts a national park right there next to the city center.

This wildlife haven is home to countless animals, including cheetah, gazelle, impala, zebra, and many more – with a completely open southern boundary that lets wildlife move in and out of the park and the Kitengela plains.

If you’re in Nairobi, you’d be seriously missing out if you don’t pay a visit to the park, but for the full-fledged experience I recommend taking one of the 5 best top National Park safari tours! I’ve detailed them all right here, so let’s jump right in!

Best Nairobi National Park Safari Tours

	Nairobi National Park Half-Day Tour	Safari Tour; Nairobi National Park	Nairobi National Park, Baby Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center
Location:	Hotel pickup and drop-off included	Hotel pickup and drop-off included	Hotel pickup and drop-off included
Start:	6:00 AM, 6:30 AM, 2:00 PM	5:30 AM, 6:30 AM, 1:30 PM	5:30 AM, 6:00 AM, 6:30 AM
Duration:	5 hours	5 hours	8 to 9 hours
Includes:	Bottled water, transportation, free wi-fi, 4 to 5 hours of touring the park	Bottled water, local guide, transport, nature drive, open roofed van for viewing	Professional guide/driver, open-roofed van for views, entry to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Giraffe Centre
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Nairobi National Park Safaris For 2024

1. Nairobi National Park Half-Day Tour
2. Safari Tour; Nairobi National Park
3. Nairobi National Park, Baby Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center
4. Nairobi National Park Daily Game Drives
5. Half-Day Nairobi National Park Safari from Nairobi with Free Pickup

Nairobi National Park Safari Reviews

1. Nairobi National Park Half-Day Tour

Starting things off on the right foot, the Nairobi National Park Half-Day Tour is such a rare opportunity to witness iconic African wildlife against the skyscrapers and bustling city life just 20 minutes away.

The wild juxtaposition is really cool on its own, but being able to go on a unique tour like this really shows the very best the park has to offer – including the elusive Big Five. Maximizing your time on this well-curated excursion, it’s great if you’re on a brief trip to Nairobi and have a packed schedule.

What I really love about this specific national park is that it’s so much more accessible than probably any other safari experience in Africa, which are typically quite far from any city. However, that’s not to say that this adventure is in any way watered down or less “raw” – and you’ll see that the moment you arrive!

Start out your tour with a convenient hotel pickup and then head straight to the park, complete with wifi so you’re never out of contact with those back home and can share exciting photos and videos in real-time.

With both morning and afternoon departure times available, it’s very easy to fit into a busy itinerary already, too. If you’ve never been on a safari before, this is a wonderful intro of 4 to 5 hours of just exploring pure, unedited Mother Nature.

You’ll have the chance to witness Africa’s “Big 5” animals, and while it’s not guaranteed, we did see all of them. Our guide was incredibly professional and you could tell that he truly cares for the environment and the animals which inhabit it, even picking up a bit of trash on the ground that we passed by.

He did a great job of sharing interesting background information on each animal we spotted, offering insight into their routines and behaviors, making sure to give us enough time to take photos. Overall, this was a wonderful time and we were still back in time for lunch!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

2. Safari Tour; Nairobi National Park

If you’re looking for a fun, educational activity to do in Nairobi that avoids the sweltering heat, you’re looking in the right place. The Safari Tour; Nairobi National Park experience is right up your alley, starting off early in the morning to avoid the higher temperatures and taking advantage of seeing local wildlife who are more active at this hour.

Not only that, but you’ll have a full-fledged safari experience and still be done in time for lunch, or for other plans you may have!

Our morning started by our guide picking us up in a comfortable coach, I noticed that surprisingly there were fewer people on tours at this time, making it doubly exclusive and more appealing for animals to make an appearance.

This is definitely more of an in-depth game-viewing experience rather than rushing to check off a list of animals to see. You’ll get to see plenty of free-roaming wildlife and really observe their behaviors, learn about them from experts, and take time to snap photos.

There are plenty of big bus tours out there where you just feel like you’re another head in the crowd, but with this one, it’s limited to just 15 people. This allows for a more intimate experience, more of a connection with your surroundings, and absolutely better views throughout the drive.

I’ve been on quite a few safaris before, and I was pleasantly surprised with how expansive this national park was – with open savanna and grass plains filled with endangered animals and hundreds of bird species.

We took a few stops throughout to stretch our legs and really capture some amazing wildlife scenes, making those 5 hours fly by. Whether you’re a solo traveler, with your significant other, or with the entire family, I highly recommend this excursion!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. Nairobi National Park, Baby Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center

Next up, we have the longest safari tour on this guide, which not only takes you to the Nairobi National Park, but also lets you experience baby elephants and giraffes up close.

The Nairobi National Park, Baby Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center is the most comprehensive tour of its kind, focusing on conservation efforts and keeping these beautiful creatures happy and healthy. Not only that, but you’ll learn all about the region’s history, culture, and how wildlife is intrinsically linked to them.

As this is a longer tour, it does start typically only in the morning, though you can choose from a few different start times that work best for your schedule. You’ll be picked up by a professional guide/driver in your comfortable, safe vehicle and head straight to Nairobi National Park for an early-morning safari.

Once in the park, you’ll hop into an open-roofed van which offers some of the best unobstructed views of the flora and fauna. While no animal sightings are ever guaranteed, it’s practically impossible to miss the Big 5 here, as it’s home to over 100 mammal species and over 400 types of birds!

Our driver did a great job of spotting them for us, sharing interesting biological info about the different animals and even some fun anecdotes about the ones they’ve encountered before. After your drive, you’ll head to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust which is only open for 1 hour.

You’ll get to see rescued baby and teenage elephants and hear about how they got there, how they received their names, and what their futures look like. Last but certainly not least is a visit to the Giraffe Centre, which was incredibly educational and a must for those who have a particular passion for these long-necked gentle giants.

We learned about the different types of giraffes and their conservation efforts to keep them safe and healthy. This is a must-do for any nature or animal lover!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Nairobi National Park Daily Game Drives

If you have other plans for your day but still want to work in the chance to see Nairobi’s incredible wildlife, this is the tour for you. The Nairobi National Park Daily Game Drives tour is a half-day itinerary designed for those who just want to a taste of what Africa has to offer.

I’d recommend this tour to families who will be traveling with children, as it’s a bit shorter than the majority and ideal if they won’t sit still for longer. Not only that, but the air-conditioned vehicle that we took on this tour just felt a bit “safer” as it was fully covered which can make parents feel more at ease.

Moreover, you don’t have to worry about it getting too hot if you decide to take a tour that’s later in the day. We were picked up in the morning at our hotel by our guide, who was very friendly and welcoming, chatting with us as we made the short drive over to the Nairobi National Park.

The professionalism and knowledge of our guide truly made a difference, putting us on a wait list to see the elephant orphanage – something we’d have no idea how to do on our own. It’s so nice to see someone care so much about the park and its inhabitants, clearly placing special attention on the conservation of these incredible animals, and respecting them as we drove through.

He answered any and all of our questions in a way that was easy to understand yet still came from a place of rich knowledge and understanding, further enriching the experience for our group. We had plenty of opportunities to take photos and videos, seeing lions, leopards, rhinos, and so many other animals!

One of my favorite parts was when we were at the Mokoyeti River, which serves as one of the major water sources for wildlife here, and is home to an array of critters, including crocodiles. If you and your group would like, there’s also an amazing picnic site here perfect for overlooking the expansive plains.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. Half-Day Nairobi National Park Safari from Nairobi with Free Pickup

Nairobi national Park is a kind of urban oasis in which no other compares, located just outside the city skyline. The first time you see it is extremely impressive, and it’s actually hard to believe that something like this exists just a few minutes away!

The Half-Day Nairobi National Park Safari from Nairobi with Free Pickup is a wonderful way to see it for the first time, with an expert guide to add some extra magic to the experience. This tour clocks in at 6 hours long, which I found to be just the right amount of time for a safari that starts in the morning as you’ll be back right in time for lunch and will avoid most of the heat.

However, if you do decide to take a later tour in the day, there’s no need to be concerned about the heat, as you’ll be traveling in a safari van with an open roof. This means that you’ll stay nice and cool but will still have completely unobstructed views of the wildlife and beautiful landscapes thanks to the open roof.

On this unforgettable tour, your safari guide will lead you to the places where you’re most likely to witness these impressive animals, including giraffes, zebras, and rhinos. This tour is ideal for those with limited time in Nairobi, as the guide makes sure you don’t miss a single sighting, thanks to their eagle eye and their expertise over the years.

Whether you’re a passionate wildlife enthusiast or a first-time safari-goer, I know you’re going to love this one just as much as I did! This tour, we saw more animals than I think we did any other, with our excellent driver and guide who clearly knew the perfect positions for prime viewing!

You’ll leave with plenty of precious memories, amazing photos and videos, and a desire to do it all over again!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience