PHOTOS: Why you should visit the Nairobi National Park

Saturday comes and goes, and another 52 will come and go before Ms Kamau (read me) sets eyes on a lion, giraffe or a singing bird.

Nairobians will sit in the house on Saturday nursing Friday’s hangover watching bootleg copies of their favourite movie about a family on an African Safari than sample the beauty that lies just under their noses.

The most common excuse we give is “I live in Nairobi, too far for any excursion on a regular weekend” but that is not true.

Barely 20km from the busy, dusty noisy Nairobi City lies the incongruous Nairobi National Park.

This peaceful wildlife sanctuary boasts being the first of its kind so close to a city.

The major attraction of the first gazzeted national park in Kenya is the wildlife within.

The scenery at the Nairobi National Park is to die for! Picture watching a giraffe graze against the backdrop of the city’s skyscrapers, completely oblivious of the hassle and bustle of the neighbouring city.

Major attractions

• Wildlife

Visitors are treated to herds of herbivores grazing under the constant surveillance of large predators. Here you get to see the game of life played out right in front of your eyes as animals lay claim to their place in the food chain.

Nairobi National Park is home to over 100 mammal species, including four of the big 5 (lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo).

The park remarkably has the black rhinoceros, which is an endangered species, and is the country’s largest animal sanctuary for breeding and restocking other parks.

• Bird Watching

Nairobi National Park has over 400 species of birds with at least 20 being seasonal European migrants.

• Nairobi Safari Watch and Orphanage

This is notably a stop for every visitor to the country.

The Safari Walk is a cool scenic walkway with natural shade from the trees in the area and a well maintained promenade.

The Orphanage has various animals including Lion, cheetah, hyena, jackal, serval cat, very rare Sokoke cats, warthog, Leopard, various monkeys, baboons and buffalo. The orphanage also has Parrots, guinea fowls, crowned cranes and ostriches.

• Spacious picnic site

You could carry packed food and take the kids to the park for a picnic.

The area designated for picnics is well kept and scenic. The kids will love it!

• Ivory burning site monument

The monument marking the spot where former president Daniel Moi burnt 12 tons of ivory stands near the main gate. The event marked an important step in the conservation of elephants in Africa.

So I challenge you dear reader, this weekend, sample the beauty that lies outside your door and make fond memories as you do.

The park’s entry fees for Kenyan citizens are Sh500 for adults and Sh300 for children. For residents the fees are Sh1200 for adults and Sh600 for children and for non-residents the fees are USD50 for adults and USD25 for children.