Nairobi National Park & Giraffe Centre Safari with Maasai Market

Lions, Rhinos & Giraffes Without Leaving Nairobi

You spend a morning on a game drive through Nairobi National Park watching lions, rhinos, and zebras against the city skyline; move to the Giraffe Centre to hand-feed endangered Rothschild giraffes and learn about conservation; then finish at the Maasai Market where you see traditional beadwork and pottery made by local artisans. A professional guide drives a pop-up safari vehicle, and the whole experience fits into a few hours without the long travel time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Nairobi National Park4h
2. Maasai Market1h
3. Giraffe Centre1h

Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Centre Tour

• Drive to Nairobi National Park
• Enjoy early morning game drive
• View wildlife including Big 4 animals
• Admire scenic park and city views
• Visit Giraffe Centre and feed giraffes
• Explore Maasai Market and beadwork

The experience

The engine cuts through the savanna grass and suddenly you see them: zebras moving across the plain, the city skyline still visible behind the acacia trees. Nairobi National Park sits just 15 minutes from the Central Business District, which means you're watching the Big 4 (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo) without the six-hour drive most safari tours demand. The park covers 117 square kilometers and fills with more than just the headline animals: gazelles, hippos, antelopes, and dozens of bird species move through the same grassland where you can still see the tallest buildings of the city on the horizon. An early morning game drive is when the animals are most active, hunting or moving to water, and the sunrise hits the savanna in a way that makes the whole thing feel less like a city park and more like you've actually left.

After the game drive, the Giraffe Centre is where things get personal. This is a conservation organization that breeds the endangered Rothschild giraffe, and you get to feed them yourself: the keeper or guide hands you pellets and the giraffes lower their heads toward you, their long necks bending in a way that photographs never quite capture. You learn how the species nearly disappeared and what it takes to keep them alive. It's educational without feeling like a lecture, and it works for families with kids or adults who just want to stand close to something that tall and alive.

The Maasai Market is the final stop, and it's where you see the beadwork and pottery that Maasai women have been making by hand. The colors are real, the patterns intricate, and the craftsmanship is the kind of thing you can feel when you hold it. You're not just buying. You're watching skill that took years to build. The whole day moves at a pace that doesn't feel rushed. You're in a safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, which means 360-degree viewing without climbing in and out, and your guide is someone who knows the park and can point out the animals before you'd spot them yourself. Bottled water is included, so you're not thirsty by midday.

What’s included

• Professional guide leading the entire experience.
• safari vehicle with pop-up roof for unobstructed 360-degree wildlife viewing.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• entry to Nairobi National Park for the morning game drive.
• access to the Giraffe Centre with hand-feeding opportunity and keeper guidance.
• visit to the Maasai Market to see and purchase traditional beadwork and pottery.

Options for this experience

3 options

Park, Elephant and Giraffe.Guide in English · 06:00 and 07:00Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe: Visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre with an early-morning start in Nairobi National Park, joining a group. The park fee is excluded. Duration: 8 hours, full day. Van pickup is included.

Van tour of Nairobi National Park.Guide in English · 06:00, 08:00, 13:00 and 14:00Nairobi Park and Giraffe Centre: Entry fees for Nairobi National Park and the Giraffe Centre are not included. Group joining: travellers share the car with other guests. This option is conducted in a tourist van with a pop-up roof for easy sightings. Bottled water is provided. The van is a comfortable tour vehicle with a pop-up roof, good for viewing animals at 360°. Pickup is included.

Upgrade to a Landcruiser JE 4x4.Guide in English · 06:00, 13:00 and 14:00Landcruiser 4×4: This option provides a safari in a safari jeep with a pop-up roof and window seats for up to 7 adults. Duration: 6 hours in a Landcruiser jeep. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 95

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by CARALUXE TOURS AND SAFARIS LTD

Is this one for you?Book this if you're short on time but want a real safari experience: the 15-minute distance from the city means you see the Big 4 and endangered giraffes in a few hours instead of spending a full day traveling to and from a distant reserve.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

How far is Nairobi National Park from the city center?

The park is a 15-minute drive from the Central Business District, making it accessible without a long journey out of the city.

What animals will I see in Nairobi National Park?

The park hosts 4 of the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, and buffalo) plus zebras, giraffes, antelopes, gazelles, hippos, and many bird species.

Can I feed the giraffes at the Giraffe Centre?

Yes. The Giraffe Centre is a conservation organization where you can hand-feed the endangered Rothschild giraffes with help from a keeper or guide.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes a professional guide, a safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for 360-degree viewing, and bottled water.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

What time does the game drive start?

An early morning game drive is recommended, as animals are most active and hunting during this time, and the sunrise views are best.

What happens at the Maasai Market?

At the Maasai Market, you see traditional beadwork and pottery hand-crafted by Maasai women and have the opportunity to purchase items directly from artisans.