Wildlife in Nairobi National Park: Kenya’s Nairobi National Park is one of the most unusual places as the park is literally within a convenient driving distance from the heart of the country’s capital. This park with an area of 117 square kilometers was set up in 1946 and it is one of the few national parks located within a city; thus it offers a very unique chance to see wildlife against the background of growing urbanization. The park’s uniqueness is articulated in the fact that it holds a variety of species of the African wild, including hard-to-find animals. Below is the breakdown of the wildlife that you stand to find in this astonishing park.
Key Wildlife Species
- African Lions
The park is one of the oldest establishments for animals and is home to some of Kenya’s top attractions such as African lions, which are found in close quarters to the city of Nairobi. They are mostly found relaxed on trees or on the prowl for humans or other prey in the grasslands. The density of the park is moderate in terms of lion population and while on a spot of spotting these cats, they are not rare, the best time being early morning and late afternoon.
- Black Rhinos
This park is a famous Rhino Conservation success story and is home to tens of black Rhinos, which are on the critically endangered list. It is impossible to encounter them easily and they inhabit the eastern and southern end of the park and feed on shrubs and bushes. Rare but occasionally seen, efforts made by the park in operating the rhino monitoring programs have aided in the rhino numbers increase.
- Giraffes
Nairobi National Park shares some of the endangered Giraffe subspecies such as the Rothschild’s giraffe. These majestic animals are usually seen feeding on acacia trees or browsing through the savannah in there elegant manner. One cannot easily miss them since they have rather light brown fur with patches that are uneven in size and distribution.
- Zebras
The Plains zebras are easily seen in Nairobi National Park. They easily stand out by their jet black and white stripes making them easily to be recognized by anybody who goes to the park. They are mostly observed in large herds and they create a spectacular image against the background of the park zones – vast plains.
- Buffaloes
The park’s plain-grazing animal, the African buffaloes are in plenty and they are ordinarily sighted herding and wallowing in the park’s mud baths. These are huge, muscular animals that can be very capricious owing to which watching them is really interesting.
- Leopard
Although leopards are more shy and therefore difficult to see, they can also be found at Nairobi National Park. It is a solitary and nocturnal hunting animal and is normally sighted in the thickets of the sub-continent bushland and forests. Sighting a leopard is a herculean task that needs a lot of time doing some serious scanning of the landscape; however, the fun of having a glimpse of such an elusive creature makes it all worthwhile.
- Hippos
Some of the riverine residents of the park include a few hippopotamuses that inhabit the Nairobi River and other water courses within the park. It is members of this group who are often observed as dozing off in riverine waters during the day, and only wade ashore early in the morning or late in the evening.
- Hyenas
The two types of hyenas; spotted and striped can be found in Nairobi National Park. These opportunistic feeders are usually noticed while foraging or hunting for prey but mostly during the early morning and in the evening when the disturbances are few in the park. Their characteristic calls, which sound like a wailing, may sometimes be heard at night within the park.
Birdlife
Nairobi National Park is equally an ornithologist’s delight with more than 400 species of birds identified in the park. Some notable species include:
– Secretary Bird: Prominent for the leg and a secretary-like crest, the secretary bird can be observed in the park hunting for snakes and other small animals on the grassland.
– African Fish Eagle: Found more frequently in regions close to aquatic biome it is a bird of prey with a recognizable vocalization and remarkable fishing abilities.
– Kori Bustard: Though it is among the largest flying birds, the Kori bustard prefers the savannah and grassland of the park. It is a splendidly large bird that attracts people’s attention with its complicated dances during the courtship period.
Safari Experiences
– Game Drives: The most common activity, that is recommended in exploring Nairobi National Park is game viewing. Some of the tour companies conduct game viewing where the clients are given a briefing about the parks’ fauna and flora. Early morning and late afternoon are the best time to go on a trip because animals are most active during such a time.
– Walking Safaris: This is not a popular activity in the park as with game drives but it can be done and is one of the best ways to explore the park with so much ease, especially when it comes to viewing small game and the vegetation. Tourists with personal cars may hire a guide who will offer them an opportunity to see the ecosystems and wildlife of the park differently.
– Picnic Spots: It may interest the reader to know that this park provides areas for holding barbeques, thus giving the visitors a chance to have a meal in a scenic view environment. These places are also known to be visited by small animals; monkeys and birds for instance make the place even more interesting.
– Educational Visits: Nairobi National Park also has teaching and sharing programs concerning the wildlife and the ecosystem with a view to preserving that ecosystem.
Practical Information
– Entrance Fees: The entry charges to the park are moderate as compared to other large parks in Kenya hence both local and international tourists access the park easily.
– Best Time to Visit: It is possible to visit Nairobi National Park all year round though it is better to do it in the dry season which ranges from June to October as all the animals are to be found concentrated around water sources.
– What to Bring: These are items that would be very useful during a visit; optical zoom binoculars or camera with a zoom lens, hats and sunglasses as well as appropriate dressing. Always remember water and something to munch on during the day if the park visit would take a full day.
Conclusion
Nairobi National Park gives a rather unique chance to observe all the beauty of the Kenyan wildlife without even leaving the administrative center of the country. It is endowed with all sexy of animals including lions, rhinos, giraffes, and many more types of animals it is also endowed with so many bird species; thus, it is a very important area of conservation. Whether it is residents in Nairobi or visitors or foreigners, a visit to Nairobi National Park presents one with the best opportunity to embrace a sane wild experience available in Kenya.
