How To Get To Nairobi National Park | Kenya Wildlife Safaris

Getting To Nairobi National Park

The Nairobi National Park ranks among the different wildlife parks in the world since it is located within a few kilometres of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. Having dramatic sceneries of the skyline of Nairobi in the backdrop of the savannah plains, which are full of lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, rhinos, and hundreds of bird species for bird watchers, the park presents the visitors with an experience that can never be forgotten. However, the initial query is not very complicated before you have fun on a game drive. How would you get to the Nairobi National Park?

Knowledge about the Location of the Park.

The Nairobi National Park is the closest park to the city centre of Nairobi and is approximately 7 km away. The park is situated in the Langata area, bordering Langata, Karen, South C, and Nairobi West suburbs.

The park is so close to the city that it takes anyone with traffic 10-30 minutes to get there, depending on the point of departure.

Primary gates of Nairobi National Park.

The park has quite many entry gates, and two of them are mostly used by visitors:

a) Main Gate/KWS Headquarters Entrance.

It is on Langata Road, opposite Langata Barracks and close to the headquarters of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

This gate is used by the majority of visitors and tour vehicles.

A good choice among the CBD, Westlands, Upper Hill, and Wilson Airport.

b) East Gate

It is situated on Mbuni Road, which is connected to Mombasa Road and Airport North Road.

Perfect when the visitor is entering via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Syokimau or Athi River.

Not so congested as the principal gate.

c) Other Gates

Lang’ata Gate, the entrance to Nairobi Tented Camp forest, and Maasai Gate.

They are mostly utilised by the safari operators or visitors staying within the park.

The Main Gate is the most convenient for most visitors.

Getting to Nairobi National Park.

The different methods of accessing the park rely on the choice of convenience, cost, and starting point.

a) The taxis and ride-hailing applications (Uber, Bolt, and Little Cab) are a good choice

It is the most comfortable and the cheapest means of accessing Nairobi National Park, and in case you are new to the city, then this is the most convenient mode of transport.

How it works

Launch your ride-hailing app (Uber, Bolt, or Little Cab).
The destination is to be set as Nairobi National Park Main Gate – KWS Headquarters.
You are plonked down at the entrance.

Approximate Costs

From Nairobi CBD: KES 400 – 800
From Westlands: KES 700 – 1,200
From JKIA (to East Gate): KES 800 – 1,500
From Karen or Ngong Road: KES 500 – 900

Prices are different at different times of day and traffic.

Pros

Fast, safe, and convenient
No need to navigate traffic
Wonderful when travelling alone or in a small group.

Cons

The ride can be a little more expensive at rush hour.
A safari vehicle is required to make the game drive unless you book it in advance.

B) Tour Operator or Safari Company.

This is the most prevalent among tourists.

Tour operators offer:

To and fro transport to the park.
A 4×4 (or open-roof van) safari vehicle.
A professional guide
Park entry processing
Game drive inside the park

Why choose a tour operator?

A complete safari experience is delivered.
Vehicles are made to view wildlife.
Guides understand the location of where animals are highly located.
You do not take yourself along rugged or muddy roads.
Excellent in the case of first-time visitors.

Ideal For

Groups
Photographers
Travellers without a car

Those tourists wishing to be guided.

C) Self-drive

In case you have your car or have rented one, you may be able to drive to the park.

Directions from Nairobi CBD
Exit Uhuru Highway southwards.
Join Lang’ata Road.
Pass by Nyayo Stadium, Wilson Airport and Carnivore Restaurant.
At the sign, turn right to the Nairobi National Park – KWS Headquarters.
Directions from JKIA
Drive onto Mombasa Road.
When passing through, get Southern Bypass or Airport North Road at your own choice of gate.
In the case of East Gate, go to Mbuni Road.
Vehicle Requirements
2WD will do during the dry season.
When the roads might be muddy, like in rainy seasons, a 4×4 can be used.

Pros

Full flexibility
Cost-effective for locals
Possibility to investigate independently.

Cons

You have to find your own way through the park.
Not ideal during heavy rains
Driving around wildlife, one will have to be cautious.

D Public Transport (Matatus)

This is the least convenient and the least expensive one.
How to Use Public Transport
Take a Lang’ata Road matatu.
Railway Station
Bus Station
Green House (Ngong Road)
Light at the Nairobi National Park / KWS Headquarters stage.
Take a walk of 300 metres up to the entrance.

Cost

Within the range of KES 50-100 at varying times of the day.

Important

The transportation inside the park cannot be done by taxi.

You will still need:

A safari vehicle
A taxi from the gate or a reservation within the park to be part of the group vehicle.

Only budget travellers can be pleased with this.

Distances and Travel Time

Initial Position Distance Time of the first point approximation

Nairobi CBD – Main Gate 7 – 9 km, 15-25 min.
JKIA – East Gate 10-15 km, 20-30 minutes
Westlands – Main gate 10-14 km, 2040 mins.
Karen – Main Gate 6-12 km 10-20 minutes

There are different times that can be experienced in regard to the traffic, particularly at Langata Road.

Optimal Visiting Time to the Park.

Morning game drives: Arrival time 6:00 AM-9:00 AM.
Evening game drives: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

The time of day is normally hot, and animals conceal themselves, and therefore it is better to avoid coming at noon in case the animal has the best sight.

Tips for a Smooth Visit

Purchase your ticket over the internet by eCitizen before arrival.
Arrive early to avoid queues.
In case of being self-driving, get a map of the park or request it at the gate.
Along with water, a pair of glasses, and a camera.
Do not be too close to wildlife when driving.
Follow KWS rules strictly.

Conclusion

Getting to Nairobi National Park is simple. The park is located just a few kilometres outside of Nairobi City Centre, making it quick and easy to reach by various forms of transport. You can get to Nairobi National Park via self-driving, taxi/hail service, guided Kenya tour or public transport via a short walk to the park or via a boda boda.

With obvious routes to the park, multiple entry gates (from major hotels and the airport) and a short distance from the actual park itself, it should take only a few minutes to drive or walk to the entrance of the park. By mapping out your route prior to arriving in the park and choosing the appropriate transport options to match your individual needs, you will enjoy a pleasant start to your wildlife adventure that will include experiencing one of the easiest to access national parks in the world.