This 44-sq-mi/114-sq-km park on the outskirts of town is fenced on the Nairobi side but open to the migration of wildlife from the surrounding countryside. It's possible to see rhinos, hippos, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, warthogs, antelope and more than 400 kinds of birds (about the only famous African animal
not found in this park is the elephant). You might want to consider hiring a driver with a Land Rover or taking a half-day tour with a safari operator in a minivan with an elevated roof. These offer better game viewing than a taxi.
The park itself consists of plains, forests, watercourses and deep, rocky gorges. On clear mornings at the Impala Observation Point, you'll find an elevated, panoramic view of the Athi plains and (on a very clear day) Mount Kilimanjaro. Near the hippo pools is an ideal picnic site, and in the area is a nature trail shaded by acacia and shared with vervet monkeys (a ranger will guide you, if you wish). It is a unique experience to watch animals on the plains with the high-rises of Nairobi as a backdrop. Daily 6 am-6 pm. Prices are posted in U.S. currency. US$23 adults. Visitors must buy a SmartCard at the visitor's office for entry—it can be paid in Kenya shillings. Vehicle fee is usually US$3. Langata Road, Nairobi. Phone 500-622. http://www.kws.org.
