Nairobi: The only city in the world that boasts a game park

By JOEL REYIA

An aerial view of Nairobi city centre.

In Summary

• Its raised wood walkways provide a panoramic view of the park’s ecology. The visitor gets a clear picture of what to look forward to.
• Giraffes can also be seen lopping about, their elongated necks dwarfing the acacia trees. 
• The park is also one of Kenya’s most successful rhino sanctuaries. Both species of rhino, white and black, can be found within the park.
• In his book Nairobi: A Night Guide through the City-in-the-Sun, literary gangster Tony Mochama paints a rosy picture of the city’s night life. The tableaus unravel the many mysteries of East Africa’s largest city. But Nairobi has many more other mysteries.

Perhaps it is difficult to talk about Nairobi without acknowledging that it is the only city in the world that boasts a national park. A 10-minute drive from the metropolis, the park is home to a variety of game.

SUDDENLY GIVES WAY

Visitors might feel a bit disconcerted when suburbia suddenly gives way to a scenic wilderness. 

The park, which has nearly 29,000 acres of untouched wilderness offering a large and varied wildlife population, is a prime destination for weekend outings. 

Thirty metres from the entrance is the Nairobi Safari Walk, a showcase of Kenya’s vast natural diversity. 

Its raised wood walkways provide a panoramic view of the park’s ecology. The visitor gets a clear picture of what to look forward to.

The park is home to diverse wildlife, from the African buffalo, impala, waterbuck, Burchell’s zebra, hartebeest and ostrich to the nocturnal lion and leopard. 

Giraffes can also be seen lopping about, their elongated necks dwarfing the acacia trees. 

For the bird watcher, there are endless flocks to explore, with an estimated over 500 permanent and migratory species. 

The park is also one of Kenya’s most successful rhino sanctuaries. Both species of rhino, white and black, can be found within the park.

The southern boundary is formed by the River Mbagathi and on hot, sunny days, especially in August, herds of zebra, wildebeest and other ungulates flock here to quench their thirst. 

Beyond the river is Maasai cattle country, which lies on the migratory corridor through which the animals access the Athi Kapiti plains during the rainy season. 

Another must-see place is the ivory burning site monument, where then President Moi burnt 12 tonnes of ivory in 1989 in a gesture to persuade the world to halt the trade.

Children on school trips flock to the place in their hundreds to gape at this magnificent urban jungle.