Kenya is rated among Africa’s most catching safari destinations, with a lot of great wild encounters. Nairobi City is the largest city and the capital of Kenya, located in the south-central part of the country. It’s one of the most attractive spots to visit around Kenya, and it’s the best place to stay when planning to visit a number of national parks.
Nairobi can be the center for reaching various national parks. There are a number of tourist destinations, mainly national parks, which can be easily accessed when based in the capital. So, we bring you a list of those national parks that are close to Nairobi, at least 20 km away.
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a treasure in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. The park is only 13.8km from the capital, about a 25-minute drive. Conveniently accessible by taxi or public transit, being part of the busy metropolis of Nairobi. It’s an incredible chance to observe wildlife in its natural setting, learn about its habits, and discover conservation initiatives in the closest city to the capital. Opting for a park means having the easiest access to numerous hotels in the city center and near the airport.
The current Kenyan president, William Ruto, stated that Nairobi is the only capital where you can find a lion roaming in its natural state. Visitors to the park can participate in activities such as game drives, a boardwalk safari, and a wildlife sanctuary. They can also walk through the park on one of the numerous designated routes, running into elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, and many other animals along the way. Only make sure to keep a distance and take decent distant pictures, and birding is also excellent at Nairobi National Park. You can sign up for a guided bird-watching trip to learn more about the distinctive ecosystem and varied population of birds in the park.
Lake Nakuru National Park
The amazing Lake Nakuru National Park lies in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. One of the closest parks to the capital of Nairobi is only 166 km away. The park is known for housing larger animals like white rhinos, giraffes, and elephants. About 400 species of birds are recorded around the lake, and flamingos dominate the pinky lake, making it one of the most popular places in East Africa for birdwatchers. A visit to the park exposes you to cultural excursions, nature hikes, game drives, bird watching, and wild boat cruises. The months of April to June and from October to December; the short dry seasons run from July to September and January to March are perfect for visiting the park.
When visiting the park, you can have your lodging at Nakuru City, with options for every price range if you’d rather stay inside the park. The major attracting spots at the park are Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site and the Menengai Crater, a volcanic crater that may be scaled, two other intriguing sites near Nakuru. Lake Nakuru National Park became an exclusive game reserve for flamingos.
Aberdare National Park
One of the closest parks to Nairobi City is at a distance of 180km, about 2 hours drive. The alluring and dreamy, the rise and fall of the misty valleys, hills, and mountains, and the spectacular Aberdare ranges that sit across Nyeri and Nyandarua counties all explain the majesty of Abardere National Park. Open moorlands and dense forests characterize the vast park, coupled with a deep lush of clean, crisp air, perfect for a break away from life in search of relaxation, peace, and tranquility. The picturesque mountainous scenery is one of the highlights of a visit to this wonderland.
The park is renowned for its torrential waterfalls plunging like the magnificent Karuru water falls, whose ice-cold, crystal-clear waters drop an impressive 300 meters; the spectacular Gura water falls, which torrent from the opposite side of the same gorge; the sheer drop of the Chania water falls; and the enchanting Magura water falls, which cascade across the yawning mouth of the Queen’s Cave.
There are various and rare wildlife species at the park, among which are the black rhino, black serval, black leopard, and the eastern bongo (a huge forest antelope). Other species are elephants, buffalos, giraffes, blue and colobus monkeys, leopards, lions, warthogs, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, red duikers, suni, reedbucks, and eland.
The Treetops Lodge makes the Aberdares predominantly famous in that it is where Princess Elizabeth found out that she was going to be a queen upon the death of her father. This precedent has made the park more popular, flooding it with a lot of tourists on a Kenya safari. A visit to the park is expected to include game viewing, hiking, bird watching, camping, sport fishing, and picnicking. These are some of the activities that visitors can enjoy while here.
Masai Mara National Reserve
On the list, Masai Mara National Reserve is the furthest park we have considered; it’s 270km from Nairobi’s capital. The wide, picturesque expanse of gradually sloping African savannah grasslands, stretching 1510 km2 in southwestern Kenya, joins Tanzania’s Serengeti Plains southward. The fame of this amazing Savannah plain dwells in the Great Migration and the luxurious tented camps in the parks.
The exceptional biodiversity of open grasslands offers one of the greatest wildlife safari experiences. Nowhere else in Africa is there a greater diversity of species than the Mara, which draws tourists for the yearly wildebeest migration. This adventure makes Kenya one of the most attractive safari destinations in East Africa and Africa at large. The park has been featured in a number of World Travel Awards and scooped several scoops several times. Masai Mara National Reserve and its counterpart Serengeti National Park in the northern Tananian are the major safari destinations on the African continent.
Expectations on things to do when visiting Masai Mara Game Reserve are game drives, hot air balloon safaris, Maasai village visits, walking safaris and nature hikes, and horseback safaris. The park is very accommodating for all travelers, with several accommodation facilities, including luxury camps, mid-range camps, budget camps, safari camps, lodges, and private houses.
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is about 240 kilometers, or 150 miles, about four hours’ drive southeast of Nairobi. It’s situated close to the Tanzanian border, overlooking the famed Mount Kilimanjaro Park. Amoboseli National Park is well recognized for its trunks of herds of elephants, an area whose beauty and abundance of animals explain why some are endangered, like the African elephant and buffalo. Visitors may embark on guided woodland hikes, have picnics, and tour authentic Masai communities.
Amboseli is a fantastic location for bird viewing, being home to more than 400 kinds of birds, many of which are uncommon or endangered. Camping, game viewing, and bird watching are everyday activities in the Amboseli. The ideal lodging option while visiting the park is the Amboseli Serena Lodge. The Chui Cottages and Oltukai Lodge, among others, are wonderful lodges, campgrounds, and cottages.
Mount Longonot National Park
Mount Longonot, the second-closest national park to Nairobi at 73.6 kilometers, is located on the northern side of the city but is described as being in the southern Great East. Mount Longonot, the second-closest national park to Nairobi at 73.6 kilometers, is located on the northern side of the city but is described as being in the southern Great Eastern Rift valley. Rift Valley. The park is close to Lake Nakuru National Park, Hell’s Gate National Park, Abardere National Park, and many others. It’s about a 1 and a half hour drive from Nairobi, depending on the traffic flow. Mount Longonot National Park is an excellent game reserve and an ideal vacation spot for things like honeymoons, get-togethers, and others. Mount Longonot, a volcanic peak that rises to over 10,500 feet, offers an excellent hiking challenge.
The varying ecosystems and landscapes that harbor a variety of animals, bird species, and plants make Longonot such a special place. Animals like the uncommon Abbott’s duiker endangered Black Maned Lion are rare and exciting sights. The extinct volcanoes that range from 2,776 meters to 3,200 meters are the ideal ‘away from it all’ getaway from Nairobi, as hiking is the main focus of Longonot. Mount Longonot National Park provides tourists with various outdoor activities and experiences, as well as an abundant wildlife population. Hiking the volcano, which offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the surroundings, is one of the most well-liked pastimes.
The park is home to many plants, animals, and ecosystems, making it a singular and enthralling destination. More than 30 different kinds of animals may be found on Mount Longonot, including the uncommon Abbott’s duiker, which is only found in a few restricted locations within the nation. The Black Maned Lion, a rare and exciting sight for tourists, also has a popular home in the park.
Hell’s Gate National Park
Another park closest to Nairobi National Park is only 124.2km, which is about a 2-hour drive. It’s to have your overnight in the stunning Nairobi capital and take a drive to Hell’s Gate National Park by morning. This park is packed with a variety of experiences and activities for tourists because of its varied and distinctive scenery. The rich biodiversity and many species, including lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and zebras, make this park Kenya’s most popular game reserve. Among the special things to see here are the elusive black rhinoceros. The park is a haven for wildlife photographers and lovers since it is also home to a large diversity of birds and reptiles.
Accommodations are plentiful and of high quality along the shores of nearby Lake Naivasha, including the colonial-era Elsamere Lodge, the former residence of novelist, artist, and naturalist Joy Adamson. You can engage in activities like cycling, trekking, rock climbing, boat safaris on Lake Naivasha, and excellent bird viewing.
