Nairobi: Half-Day Safari Game Drive & City Skyline Views

Summary

See wild lions and rhinos near Nairobi’s city skyline with local guide

You’ll ride out from Nairobi into open savanna where lions, rhinos, and giraffes move against the city skyline. An expert local guide helps you spot wildlife on this half-day game drive (with free Wi-Fi onboard), before stopping at a Maasai Market café for fresh coffee or tea. It’s quick but leaves you with those wild moments stuck in your head long after you’re back.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the way the grass caught the early light — golden, but with that thin morning chill still hanging around. We’d barely left Nairobi’s traffic behind when our guide, Joseph, grinned and pointed out giraffes moving like shadows against the distant skyscrapers. It felt surreal, honestly. The city was right there, but suddenly we were bumping along dirt roads with buffalo staring back at us like we were the odd ones out.

I didn’t expect to see so many black rhinos. Joseph kept his voice low as he explained how rare they are now — he seemed genuinely proud every time we spotted one. There was this moment when a lioness crossed in front of our van (my camera hand shook a bit), and everyone just went quiet except for some birds chattering somewhere nearby. I tried to upload a photo right away because, yeah, free Wi-Fi in the van is a thing here — my friends back home didn’t believe me until I sent proof.

After hours weaving through open savanna and stopping whenever someone whispered “wait, what’s that?”, we ended up at this Maasai Market spot in Karen for coffee. The place smelled like roasted beans and new leather; I almost bought a carved wooden hippo but got distracted by tea samples instead. The whole day felt quick but kind of lingers — maybe it’s the contrast of wild animals with city buildings in the background. Or maybe it was just Joseph’s laugh when I tried to say “asante sana” and totally messed it up.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Nairobi National Park game drive and market visit

• Early morning hotel pickup
• Briefing about the tour
• Drive through city lanes to park
• Game drive in open rooftop van
• Spot wildlife including Big Five
• Stop for photo opportunities
• Return to hotel or airport
• Visit Maasai Market collections Karen
• Purchase coffee and tea at lounge

Top questions

How far is Nairobi National Park from central Nairobi?

The park is only a few kilometers from the city center and JKIA airport.

Is hotel pickup included in this half-day safari?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your tour.

How long does the game drive last?

The game drive lasts about 4 to 5 hours.

Will I see all of the Big Five on this tour?

You can see four of the Big Five: lion, buffalo, leopard, and rhino.

Is there free Wi-Fi during the tour?

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available onboard the tour vehicle.

Are children allowed on this safari?

Yes, children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

Do I need my passport for this tour?

A valid passport is required on the day of travel.

Is there a stop for food or drinks?

You’ll stop at Maasai Market collections Karen for coffee or tea purchases.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Nairobi locations, bottled water to keep you cool during the drive, free Wi-Fi onboard so you can share photos instantly, about four to five hours of guided game drives through Nairobi’s savanna landscapes with an expert local guide by your side, plus a relaxed stop at Maasai Market collections Karen where you can buy fresh coffee or tea before heading back or onto your next destination.