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Nairobi National Park requires a paid ticket for entry, with gates operating daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Cash is heavily discouraged at the entrance, so you'll need to pay via the KWS eCitizen online portal.
Nairobi National Park opens daily at 6:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM. You must clear the gates by 5:15 PM for last entry. Night driving is strictly banned unless you have a booking at one of the lodges inside the park boundaries.
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| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 06:00–18:00 | Last entry around 17:15. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust orphanage inside the park operates on a separate schedule, opening only from 11:00 to 12:00. |
The park maintains standard daily hours year-round, with no closures for national or religious holidays. Seasonal weather dictates access rather than the calendar. Heavy rains from March to May leave some dirt tracks muddy and difficult to navigate, but the main gates remain open.
Non-resident adults pay USD 80 to enter Nairobi National Park, while Kenyan citizens and residents pay lower rates in shillings. You must also pay a separate vehicle fee based on seating capacity, starting at KES 300 for a standard car. Buy tickets online via the KWS eCitizen portal before arriving to avoid gate delays.
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| Category | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Resident Adult | USD 80 | E-payment via KWSPay is standard; cash is discouraged. |
| Kenya Resident Adult | KES 1,350 | |
| Kenya Resident Child | KES 675 | |
| East Africa Citizen Adult | KES 1,000 | |
| East Africa Citizen Child | KES 500 | |
| Vehicle Entry | KES 300 - KES 5,000 | Scales by capacity (under 6 seats up to 45 seats). |
No regular free entry days.
Planning your visit to Nairobi National Park? Find tours with free cancellation and skip-the-line options.
View All ToursGo during the long dry season from July to October. Animals gather tightly around the Mbagathi River and permanent dams, making rhinos and lions much easier to spot. Most visitors arrive right at the 6:00 AM gate opening, so expect a brief morning rush before vehicles scatter across the plains.
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| Period | Crowd Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Early morning (6:00 AM – 10:30 AM) | High | Arrive for the 6:00 AM gate opening to catch the park's three lion prides active in the cooler temperatures before they retreat to the shade. |
| Late morning (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM) | High | Head to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust inside the park boundary to watch keepers bottle-feed orphaned baby elephants during their single daily public hour. |
| Midday (12:00 PM – 2:00 PM) | Low | Predators sleep through the equatorial heat, so use this quiet window to eat at the Impala Observation Point picnic site. |
| Late afternoon (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM) | Moderate | Scan the open grasslands for grazing rhinos and serval cats as the plains cool down, but plan your exit before the strict 6:00 PM closure. |
Allocate three to five hours for a half-day game drive. That covers the main savanna roads and permanent water sources. Your exact duration depends on whether you stay strictly inside a private vehicle or add on adjacent walking areas, since combining a morning safari with the Nairobi Animal Orphanage easily extends the visit past six hours.
Cash is rarely accepted at the gates, so don't rely on it. Buy your entry ticket in advance through the official KWS eCitizen 'KWSPay' portal to avoid delays. Non-resident adult entry costs USD 80.
Start your game drive right at the 6:00 AM gate opening. Predators like lions are most active in the cool early morning before they retreat to the shade. Factor in heavy peak-hour traffic on Langata Road so you aren't delayed.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust sits inside the park boundary, but it's only open to the public for one hour a day. Keepers bottle-feed baby elephants from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Plan your morning game drive to finish right as the orphanage gates open.
Single-use plastics, including water bottles and bags, are strictly banned inside all Kenyan national parks. Bring a reusable canteen and pack binoculars for scanning the plains. You'll want layers of neutral-colored clothing to handle chilly 6:00 AM starts.
Standard 4x4 Land Cruisers have high steps that make boarding difficult. If you have mobility needs or young children, skip the shared tours and book a private safari vehicle. A dedicated guide can adjust the pacing, arrange step support, and manage restroom breaks.
Non-resident adults pay USD 80, while East Africa citizens pay KES 1,000 and Kenya residents pay KES 1,350. Child rates are reduced across all categories, such as KES 500 for citizens. You'll also pay a separate vehicle entry fee ranging from KES 300 to KES 5,000 depending on seating capacity.
Cash is generally discouraged at the gates. You'll need to buy tickets online through the official KWS eCitizen 'KWSPay' portal. Buy your ticket before you arrive to skip the delay.
The park gates open daily at 6:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM. Last entry is usually around 5:15 PM. You can't drive inside outside these hours unless you're staying overnight at a lodge inside the park.
Yes. Self-guided walking safaris aren't allowed in the main game-viewing areas, so you must be inside a vehicle. If you don't have a car or a booked tour, head to the adjacent Nairobi Safari Walk instead for a raised boardwalk experience.
Most visitors spend four to five hours on a half-day drive. An early start around 6:00 AM is best. Temperatures are cooler then, and predators like lions are active before retreating to the shade.
No. You must stay inside your vehicle with the doors closed at all times, except at marked picnic and observation sites like the Ivory Burning Site. This is an unfenced habitat with lions, leopards, and buffalo, not a zoo.
Drones are strictly banned without explicit written authorization from KWS, the Ministry of Defence, and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. Flying one without these permits will result in confiscated equipment.
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