Nairobi National Park guided day tour: See 4 Big 5

Wildlife roaming open plains with the city skyline behind them

A guided game drive through Nairobi National Park, Kenya's first national park, departing from Nairobi with hotel pickup and a professional English-speaking guide. The park sits 7 km from the city center and holds four of the Big 5 (rhino, buffalo, cheetah and lion) plus zebra, giraffe, antelopes and over 300 bird species. Morning departures run 6 hours. Afternoon options are available at extra cost and typically operate as private bookings.

Step-by-step itinerary

Nairobi National Park guided game drive

• Pick up from hotel or airport
• Arrive at Nairobi National Park
• Morning game drive in the park
• Drop off at city location or airport

The experience

Six hours gets you into Nairobi National Park and through the game drive itself. The morning option picks you up at 6 a.m. from your hotel or airport, arrives by 7 a.m., and runs the drive until 10:20 a.m., with drop-off back in the city by noon. An afternoon departure leaves at 2 p.m., enters the park at 3 p.m., and drives until 5:30 p.m., finishing by 6 p.m. The park's open plains, highland forest sections, rocky valleys and scrub country hold rhino, buffalo, cheetah, lion, zebra, giraffe and gazelles: four of the Big 5, minus the elephant. Ornithologists count over 300 bird species, including Secretary birds, crowned cranes and vultures.

Your guide is a professional driver who speaks English and leads the commentary throughout. Small groups keep the vehicle intimate and the sightings easier to share. The park's proximity to the city, just 7 km from the center, means you're watching wildlife against Nairobi's tall buildings in the background, a contrast that frames the reserve's isolation despite its urban location. Hotel pickup and drop-off at any city location handle the logistics. You choose where to be returned.

The afternoon option carries an extra cost of $40 USD, payable at pickup, and typically runs as a private booking rather than a shared group. Entry to the park itself is separate and paid on arrival. Bring water and sun protection. The open plains offer little shade during the drive.

What’s included

• Hotel or airport pickup and return drop-off to any city location.
• professional English-speaking driver and guide throughout the game drive.
• small-group format.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 to 80 years) · Youth (10 to 15 years) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

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$ 85

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gracepatt Ecotours Kenya

Is this one for you?The morning departure suits travelers staying near the city center who want an early start and a full afternoon free. The afternoon option works for late arrivals or those preferring an afternoon wildlife drive, though it typically runs private and carries an additional cost.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 15 years); Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What animals will I actually see in Nairobi National Park?

Nairobi National Park holds rhino, buffalo, cheetah, lion, zebra, giraffe, antelopes and gazelles. Four of the Big 5 are present: all except the elephant. The park also has over 300 bird species, including Secretary birds, crowned cranes and vultures.

How far is Nairobi National Park from the city center?

The park sits 7 km from Nairobi's city center, close enough that the skyline remains visible from inside the reserve during your game drive.

What time does the morning game drive start and end?

The morning option picks you up at 6 a.m., begins the game drive at 7 a.m., and finishes by 10:20 a.m., with drop-off in the city by noon.

Is there an afternoon departure option?

Yes. The afternoon game drive departs at 2 p.m., enters the park at 3 p.m., and runs until 5:30 p.m., with drop-off by 6 p.m. This option costs an extra $40 USD, payable at pickup, and typically operates as a private booking.

Does the tour price include park entry?

Park entry is paid separately at the gate on arrival. It is not included in the tour price. Hotel pickup, drop-off and the professional guide are included.