A 1 Day Nairobi National Park Safari is an ideal option for travellers who want a genuine Kenya safari experience without leaving Nairobi for several days. Located on the southern edge of the city, Nairobi National Park combines open grasslands, wetlands and woodland habitats with views of Nairobi's skyline.
The park is home to a wide range of wildlife, including lions, black and white rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, elands, warthogs and numerous bird species. It is particularly well known for rhino sightings and offers some of the most accessible wildlife viewing in Kenya.
A full-day safari gives you more time inside the park than a standard morning game drive. It allows your guide to explore different areas of the park and spend more time looking for wildlife rather than rushing between sightings.
Why Choose a 1-Day Nairobi National Park Safari?
- No long-distance travel from Nairobi
- Ideal for visitors with limited time
- Convenient for travellers staying in Nairobi
- Suitable for first-time safari travellers
- Excellent opportunities to see rhinos, lions, giraffes and buffaloes
- Morning hours offer strong wildlife-viewing opportunities
- Private and shared safari options can be arranged
- Hotel and airport pickup can be included
- Can be combined with selected Nairobi attractions
Nairobi National Park is also a practical choice for travellers with a short Nairobi stay or a long layover. Starting early, when wildlife is more active, consistently makes the biggest difference to how much you see.
Can Start Any Day / Suitable for All Ages
Route
- Start Nairobi (Day 1)
- End Nairobi (Day 1)
Activities & Transportation
- Activities: game drives
- Game drives: pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle
- Getting around: pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle
- A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Nairobi – Nairobi National Park – Nairobi
Your 1 Day Nairobi National Park Safari starts early in the morning with pickup from your Nairobi hotel, residence or another agreed location.
An early departure is recommended because the first hours of the morning are often productive for wildlife viewing. Entering the park around its early opening period is standard practice for this itinerary.
After entering Nairobi National Park, begin your game drive in a safari vehicle with a pop-up roof. Your guide will select the route according to wildlife activity, recent sightings and road conditions.
Look out for:
- Black rhinos
- White rhinos
- Lions
- Buffaloes
- Giraffes
- Zebras
- Elands
- Warthogs
- Hippos in suitable wetland areas
- Ostriches and other bird species
Nairobi National Park supports more than 400 recorded bird species, making the safari suitable for both general wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
The game drive continues through different sections of the park, with opportunities for photography and wildlife observation.
Lunch: Depending on the selected package, lunch can be taken at a designated location or outside the park. A picnic-style lunch can also be arranged where permitted.
After lunch, continue with an afternoon game drive. This gives you additional time to explore areas that were not covered during the morning drive.
Later in the afternoon, exit Nairobi National Park and drive back to Nairobi.
Arrival: Nairobi hotel, residence or airport, depending on your travel arrangements.
Wildlife in Nairobi National Park
Optional Nairobi Add-Ons
If you want to extend the day beyond the game drive, the safari can be combined with attractions such as:
- David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
- Giraffe Centre
- Nairobi Safari Walk
- Karen Blixen Museum
These are optional additions, not part of the core Nairobi National Park safari — let us know if you'd like one included when you request your quote. If a single day isn't enough, this itinerary can also be extended into a longer Masai Mara safari from Nairobi.
Tour Cost & Pricing
The cost of a 1 Day Nairobi National Park Safari depends on the number of travellers, vehicle type, whether the safari is private or shared, and whether park entry fees are included.
Tour Cost
| Season | 2 Persons | 4 Persons | 6 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | $135 pp | $90 pp | $75 pp |
| High Season | $135 pp | $90 pp | $75 pp |
| Peak Season | $135 pp | $90 pp | $75 pp |
As a single-day safari with no accommodation involved, pricing stays consistent across low, high and peak season — the main cost drivers (vehicle, guide, and park entry fees) don't fluctuate seasonally the way multi-day lodge safaris do. Solo travellers: private safari from $250 per person. Rates exclude Nairobi National Park entrance fees unless otherwise confirmed in your quote.
What Affects the Price?
- Number of travellers
- Private or shared safari
- Safari vehicle
- Park entry fees
- Pickup location
- Lunch arrangements
- Optional Nairobi attractions
- Special photography or birding requirements
For a broader look at how Kenya safari pricing works across different trip lengths, see our full safari cost breakdown.
Get Free Quote ›What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within Nairobi
- Airport pickup and drop-off where applicable
- Private or shared safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Nairobi National Park game drives
- Fuel and vehicle running costs
- Bottled drinking water
- Government taxes where applicable
Excluded
- Nairobi National Park entrance fees
- Lunch and other meals
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Drinks other than the provided water
- Optional attraction entrance fees
- Items of a personal nature
Getting There
From Nairobi City Centre
Nairobi National Park is located approximately 7 kilometres from Nairobi's city centre, making it one of the most accessible national parks in Kenya.
The exact travel time depends on your pickup point and Nairobi traffic. Early morning departures are recommended to reduce traffic delays and maximise time inside the park.
From Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
The park is also convenient for travellers staying near or transiting through JKIA. This makes Nairobi National Park a layover-friendly safari, given its proximity to both the airport and the city.
Airport pickup and drop-off can be arranged when requested in advance.
Route Map
Safari Vehicle
For the best wildlife-viewing experience, a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof is recommended. The elevated roof allows passengers to stand or sit comfortably while viewing and photographing wildlife.
- This tour starts and ends in Nairobi
- Fly to/from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi
- A transfer from and back to the airport is included
