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Wildlife near the capital

At only 7 kilometres from the Kenyan capital, Nairobi National Park has a savannah teeming with wildlife and a wonderful view of the Nairobi skyline. The collection of wildlife is really impressive. The park is home to the world's largest number of the almost extinct black rhinos, as well as buffalos, lions and zebras.

Migrating wildebeests in Nairobi National Park

Temporary park residents

The national park is enclosed by gates on 3 of its 4 sides so the wildlife is free to leave the area. The zebras and wildebeests migrate every year around July and August – a truly spectacular sight. In addition to the enormous variety of mammals, the park is also home to approximately 400 species of birds. Around 20 of those migrate here every year from Europe.

The Ivory Burning Site Monument: a fist against poaching

An end to the ivory trade

The actions of poachers have caused several animal species, such as the Western black rhino, to become extinct in recent decades. Together with other countries, Kenya has called for a halt to poaching: in 1989 the Kenyan president burned 12,000 pounds of confiscated tusks. The historic Ivory Burning Site Monument near the main entrance of the gate commemorates this event. Other burnings have occurred since then. Although poachers are still active, Kenya’s elephant population has been growing steadily in recent years.

Giraffes in the house

In 1979, the now-deceased Jock Leslie and his wife Betty opened their house to care for a young Rothschild’s giraffe. This giraffe subspecies, identifiable by a brown-yellow pattern up to its knee, had almost become extinct; the remaining population was estimated at just 120 animals. The couple’s calling grew into a giraffe conservation centre south of Nairobi, where, to this very day, newborn giraffes are cared for until they are able to live independently on the savannahs.

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Nature

Shopping

Active & Outdoor

Nature

To learn more about life, nature and culture in Kenya, visit the Nairobi National Museum. The museum is located near Museum Hill, a 10-minute drive from the city centre. In addition to the museum, which was beautifully renovated in 2005, you will be able to visit the botanical gardens, a nature trail, shops and restaurant facilities.

Nature

The Great Rift Valley lies in the west of Kenya: this deep crevice between 2 plates in the earth’s crust runs from Mozambique in south-eastern Africa to Syria in Asia. Thousands of kilometres of the Great Rift lie in East Africa. This impressive gorge is between 30 and 100 kilometres wide and features the deepest lakes and highest mountains.

Nature

Kenya is a paradise for safari lovers. There are almost 50 national parks which are home to millions of impressive animals. Elephants, lions, hippos and leopards: that is just a small sample of the huge diversity of animals. In the water, on the savannah, in the trees or in the mountains, magnificent animals are everywhere. This is Africa at its best!

Shopping

The name of the Village Market, located in Nairobi's embassy district, is a bit misleading. There are some outdoor market stalls, but this is hardly a simple village market: in fact this is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in East Africa. However, it does have a rural feel – albeit a very chic one.

Active & Outdoor

The Karura Forest is a green oasis inside the city, just a 15-minute drive from Nairobi’s central business district. Three rivers flow through the park and there is a 49-foot-high waterfall, a bamboo jungle, a series of caves and a wetland. The park also boasts up to 31 miles of walking trails.