Nairobi National Park, famously known as “The World’s Only Wildlife Capital,” lies just 7 kilometers from Nairobi’s city center. It is the only protected area in the world that hosts such an abundance of wildlife so close to a major capital. Established in 1946, it was Kenya’s—and indeed East Africa’s—first national park. Spanning 117 km² (45 square miles) and situated at an altitude of 1,500–1,800 meters (5,000–6,000 feet), the park offers a unique blend of wilderness and urban backdrop.

The park features a mix of savannah grasslands, highland forests, acacia woodlands, and riverine habitats that support a rich diversity of species. It shelters endangered black rhinos, alongside lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes, and many others. Bird enthusiasts can spot over 400 recorded species, both native and migratory. Nairobi National Park is also recognized as one of Kenya’s leading rhino sanctuaries. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) manages the park, with its headquarters located right at one of the main gates.

Visitors can expect to encounter wildlife such as buffaloes, baboons, zebras, gazelles, cheetahs, hartebeests, hippos, leopards, lions, elands, impalas, giraffes, ostriches, and waterbucks. Near the park’s main entrance, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust operates an orphanage for rescued elephant and rhino calves. Founded in 1963 by Daphne Sheldrick, this center rehabilitates young animals before reintroducing them into Kenya’s protected reserves, contributing significantly to wildlife conservation efforts.