kumasawa

My wife and I will be in Nairobi for 3 days at the end of July and want to visit Nairobi National Park. I have contacted some tour operators and there seems to be 3 choices for park tours: morning, afternoon or all day. Which tour seems the best in terms of (1) best time to see the animals awake, up and about, and not hiding from the sun, and (2) the right number of total hours to spend in the park and see everything (we don't want to be rushed).

Morning: arrive at park at 7:45am, leave park at 11:30am

Afternoon: arrive at park at 1:45pm, leave park at 5:30pm

All day: arrive at park at 9:45am, leave park at 5:30pm.

Thanks in advance!
Darren

santharamhari

Darren,

If you dont want to be rushed, i suggest you self-drive in the park. you can always hire a guide for the day. However, the park is really not that big. We spent about 3 hrs there back in 2001 i think.......we did see Black Rhino, lions and cheetah. Did the afternoon drive.

Pumbavu

I think affternoon is pretty good. Only from past experience.
If you do the afternoon you can visit Sheldrick in the morning, perhaps the Park animal orphanage and a nice lunch somewhere.

I'd happily spend all day in the park!

koreansteve

How much does a morning/afternoon drive cost?

If you just get a guide there, how much does that cost?

Just trying to find a few things to do in my few days in Nairobi. thanks.

atravelynn

A long time ago I did the afternoon excursion. It was my first bush experience, prior to my real safari. I was so excited to see a giraffe, then zebra, baboons. Even a cheetah! The afternoon was ample. All day might be long, but with 3 days in Nairobi, you could see what is offered for the all day trip.

thit_cho

I visited twice, the first time in August 1999 (when we saw a lot, including lion and rhino) and the second time in August 2003 (when we saw very little). My guide told me that a lot of farmers have moved into the land just south of the park, blocking migration routes, and, as a result, the wildlife in the park has substantially declined. In my view, they should fence the southern perimeter, which would suck for the few animals stuck in the park, but at least it will remain a viable conservation area and worthwhile destination.

You could see it in a few hours.

Nyamera

Hi Darren,

I’ve done the afternoon tour. It would be a lot better an hour later, as would the morning tours an hour earlier. I don’t now why they have these times. The price last year was $ 70 pp. A self-drive would be a lot more interesting. I’d stay for the whole day if I were brave enough to self-drive. Does anyone know how much it would be? From 1 July the park fee will be $ 40. Now it’s $ 23.

kumasawa

I was quoted $65/person for a half-day tour and $85/person for a full day tour, so I was leaning towards the full day since it isn't that much more expensive for the extra hours and it would leave plenty of time for the "safari walk" and orphanage (the park's not the Sheldrick).

The cost covers gate entry fees, driver's and vehicle entry fees and driver allowances, and vehicle fuel.

What time does the park close? I've gotten itineraries from 4 tour operators and they all leave the park at 5:30pm ("back at hotel by 6:00pm&quot. Are there tours that stay later?

Pumbavu

The park closes at sundown... and some tour operators don't like driving through Nairobi with tourists after dark. I reckon if you give the driver kitu kidogo (a little something) he may stay a bit longer. But the park closes at sundown.