Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is only 15 minutes from the center of Nairobi. Recently designated as a rhino sanctuary, Nairobi National Park is now home to over 50 rhinos who were moved from locations where poaching was widespread.

Over 80 species of mammals can be found in Nairobi National Park including gazelles, buffaloes, warthogs, lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes and ostriches. More than 550 bird species have been recorded in the wetland area of the park. Most animals live in the park seasonally and migrate according to the time of the year, the rhinos stay in the park all the year round.

At the main gates is the Animal Orphanage where young abandoned animals are nursed back to health. Daphne Sheldrick runs an orphanage near the Banda gate, where she cares for young elephants and rhinos. Daphne was the first person to ever hand rear a baby elephant from birth.

Nairobi National Park is also a historic Ivory Burning Site. This was the site where President Moi burned 10 tons of ivory to make a statement regarding the elimination of poaching elephants for the tusks. Since then, such fires have been lit twice to destroy confiscated rhino horns and ivory.

The Athi River forms a natural boundary at the far end of the park, while fences keep the wildlife out of the nearby communities of Karen and Langata.