Most visitors to Kenya come with a long list of things to do, and one item that is never missing on their list is a visit to at least one national park. With dozens of parks and a diverse wildlife population to boot, Kenya has earned a reputation as a top safari destination. It’s here that you can catch sight of the wondrous wildebeest migration, and let’s not forget the fact that the big five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, elephant) are common in the parks. If you’ll be spending most of your time in the capital and you’re wondering which parks you can visit from the city, below is a list of the national parks in and near Nairobi. Scroll down to find out more.
Tip from tour guide
Flying into the parks saves you hours of time on the road and that gives you more game viewing time in the parks. When all those ‘road warriors’ are coming upon their 6th hour traveling down the highway, you’ve already enjoyed several game drives and perhaps a sundowner (cocktail) or two. Seated on board your air safari plane, there’ll be nothing to think about except your adventure ahead. You’ll lift off in time to see the morning sun lighting up Kenya’s plains, forests, and savannahs. Take a look out to the horizon, and you'll spot the snow-capped crown of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak.
1. Nairobi National Park
Famed for being the only national park within a capital city, Nairobi National Park is one of Kenya’s most popular safari destinations. Home to the big five as well as dozens of other animal species, this national park allows visitors to experience a quintessential African experience while being only a short distance from the city center. In fact, when there’s no traffic, the drive here from the CBD is a mere 10 minutes. If you’re in Nairobi for just a day or two, then spare an afternoon and visit the park.
Book Tours : Safari Tour; Nairobi National Park
2. Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park is found in the bustling Nakuru town, a distance of about 180 km (110 miles) from Nairobi and roughly a three-hour drive. As you may have deduced from the name, its prime feature is the lake, which attracts the animals that call this park home. The views are quite enchanting and diverse, ranging from grassland to a forest to escarpments. All these are available for you to explore either on a hike or a game drive. If you’re keen on viewing animals, then expect to see some endangered species, like the black and white rhinos as well as the Rothschild giraffe, among others.
Tip from tour guide
Lake Nakuru National Park is a well-known rhino sanctuary and bird paradise. It is famous for its pink flamingos and over 400 other species of birds, including white pelicans often found on the shores of the lake. Watch a video of the park here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqObtKKKwPE
3. Mt. Longonot National Park
This volcanic mountain is an imposing figure in Kenya’s section of The Great Rift Valley, with Mt. Longonot’s massive caldera as its identity. Its view is unmistakable, visible throughout your drive to Naivasha, where the mountain is found. The journey is about 80 km (50 miles), and the drive is just about two hours from Nairobi. Sitting within a national park that takes on a similar name, this destination is where hiking enthusiasts come to experience a trek up the mountain. Thanks to several trails that lead to the crater’s rim at the top, no special skills are required to go up Longonot, although you do need to be physically fit. And when you get to the top, the massive crater welcomes you. Its floor is occupied by a forest, which happens to be home to several animals, like buffaloes, impalas and giraffes.
Book Tours : Day Tour to Mount Longonot Park from Nairobi
4. Mt. Kenya National Park
The national park’s eponymous mountain is what brings visitors to this attraction. Indeed, there are animals like buffalos, but if seeing the wildlife is what you prefer, you might want to try out one of the other national parks on this list. However, if you travel all the way to Central Kenya, then climbing Mt. Kenya has to be your main focus. Granted, not everyone wants to experience the arduous trek to the very top, but thankfully, there are day hikes that give you a taste of this glorious mountain without the physical intensity. And if you’re here in the right season, you might get to see Mt. Kenya’s snow-covered peaks, a rare sight in this global-warming era. This attraction is only 138 km (85 miles) from Nairobi.
Nairobi Tour Guide
Jossec Safaris
I’m Claire Gitau, co-founder and safari guide at Jossec Tours and Safaris. My passion for being a tour guide stems from a deep love for wildlife and nature, nurtured by years of exploring Kenya’s beautiful landscapes. I believe in creating unforgettable, immersive experiences that allow travelers to connect with the natural world while promoting conservation and sustainability. At Jossec Tou... Read more
Tours by Jossec
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5. Chyulu Hills National Park
Of all Kenya’s attractions, it is unlikely that Chyulu Hills is one you’ve heard of before. These largely unknown hills are the true definition of a hidden gem, obscured by Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks. Chyulu is tucked away in South Eastern Kenya, a distance of about 210 km (130 miles) from Nairobi. Those on the way to Tsavo tend to pass this park as their sights are often set on its bigger, more popular counterpart. However, if you decide to take a detour, you’ll get to experience some of nature’s marvels: a series of caves and lava tubes. When you’re done exploring below the surface, hike up the verdant hills to get an elevated vantage point of the breathtaking view that stretches all the way to Kilimanjaro in the horizon.
Chyulu Hills National Park
Address: Makueni County, South Eastern Kenya
Website: Chyulu Hills National Park
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
6. Aberdare National Park
The setting is, arguably, Kenya’s greenest, blanketed by lush rainforests that are often interrupted by moorland and the Aberdare Mountain Range. To complete this natural ensemble, there are rivers and streams that converge to form waterfalls cascading into ravines. All these make for a beloved home for wildlife and birds that benefit from the bounty of greenery and water. The Aberdare’s landscape is extremely diverse, offering an opportunity for those interested in hiking the mountain range or those looking for an ideal camping spot. If you choose to drive the 164 km (about 100 miles) to the Aberdare National Park, you’ll be rewarded by an enchanting scenery and fascinating wildlife.
7. Amboseli National Park
Sitting at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is one of the country’s most popular national parks, located roughly 215 km (134 miles) from Nairobi. With Kilimanjaro constantly in sight, it offers a picturesque backdrop to the animal-rich grasslands. Incidentally, this park boasts one of the largest elephant populations in Kenya’s national parks, so you can be certain that these large herds will make up a huge part of your experience. Among them, there are lions, cheetahs, leopards, wildebeests, zebras and gazelles, as well as hundreds of bird species. It’s clear that Amboseli has everything you’d ask for in a national park.
Tip from tour guide
Other animals that you can watch out for are giraffes and ostriches roaming around the wide fields. You'll enjoy seeing the world's largest bird against the world's tallest mammal. Furthermore, Amboseli National Park overlooks the snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro across the endless horizon. It's nestled in an extensive savanna and is dotted with acacias.
Book Tours : 2 Days and 1 Night Amboseli Safari from Nairobi
8. Hell’s Gate National Park
Located about 125 km (77 miles) outside Nairobi, Hell’s Gate National Park is right within Naivasha town, and it’ll take you about a two-hour drive to get there. Its name has nothing to do with the experience and everything to do with the geothermal activity that’s rampant in the area. The landscape is characterized by cliffs and gorges, remnants of the volcanic eruptions of nearby Mt. Longonot, which took place several millennia ago. You can explore this landscape on the trails, which are charted through the park, with most visitors opting to hike or bike. On your tour, you’ll get to catch sight of dozens of animal species, which include zebras, gazelles and buffaloes. The birdlife is also quite diverse, offering visitors an opportunity to see hundreds of bird species.
Tip from tour guide
This lovely park is situated toward the south of Lake Naivasha and is renowned for its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes, including Fischer's Tower, Central Tower columns, and Hell's Gate Gorge. You can also opt for a unique exploration of this park through a bicycle adventure, known as a cycling safari. Watch this video of the attraction: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7cORiT1cpkE
Book Tours : Hell's Gate Day Tour
9. Tsavo West National Park
We wouldn’t end this list without mentioning Tsavo West National Park, Kenya’s largest national park, one that boasts a huge animal population. This park features a wet climate in contrast to its sibling, Tsavo East, which is dryer. As a result, Tsavo West attracts a lot more wildlife, but because of the massive land area, they’re more sparsely distributed, so you’ll need to go on a longer game drive to catch sight of them. Whatever the case, you won’t be disappointed as the big five are common in Tsavo West as well as numerous bird species. On top of that, the hilly landscape never fails to enchant. Tsavo West is found 280 km (173 miles) from Nairobi.
Tip from tour guide
Tsavo National Park, divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West, is one of Kenya’s largest and most diverse wildlife reserves. Known as the "Land of the Giants," Tsavo is famed for its impressive herds of elephants, which are often seen in large numbers, making it a top destination for elephant enthusiasts. The park's elephants are particularly notable for their large tusks, which are a result of the area's mineral-rich soil that contributes to their impressive size. Another intriguing aspect of Tsavo is its unique landscapes. Tsavo East features vast, arid plains dotted with acacia trees and the dramatic Yatta Plateau, one of the longest lava flows in the world. In contrast, Tsavo West is characterized by lush vegetation, volcanic hills, and the stunning Mzima Springs, where crystal-clear waters flow from underground springs, attracting a range of wildlife and providing a refreshing oasis. For a truly memorable safari experience, consider exploring both sides of Tsavo. Each side offers distinct landscapes and wildlife encounters. In Tsavo East, you might catch sight of the rare and elusive Tsavo lions, while Tsavo West is known for its beautiful scenery and the chance to see hippos lounging in the springs. A tip for visitors is to plan their safari during the dry season (from June to October), when wildlife congregates around the water sources, making sightings more frequent. Don’t forget to take a moment to appreciate the park’s diverse ecosystems and dramatic contrasts in its landscapes.
Book Tours : Tsavo West Discovery 3 Days
10. Lake Naivasha National Park
One thing that Naivasha is well known for is its diverse birdlife, and Lake Naivasha National Park is certainly a great place to watch them. Sitting in the shadows of the more popular Hell’s Gate and Mt. Longonot parks, Lake Naivasha is more of a serene getaway than a safari destination. No matter, you’re still likely to view some animals that come to the lake for water. If you’re a fan of watersports, then you’ll love Lake Naivasha; and if fishing is something that you can’t get enough of, then by all means, this is the place for you. The drive here is just two hours from Nairobi, so you can make this a day trip if you so wish.
A quintessential African safari
Kenya is known for its wildlife, and thanks to the several national parks found within a few hours of the capital, you have the opportunity to experience a quintessential African safari. With our list above, your options are vast, so start planning your excursion today.
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