Zoo in Nairobi Kenya: Site Facts, Sources & AI Summary

The top wildlife attractions in Nairobi are Nairobi National Park (morning game drives with lions, rhinos, and giraffes), the Giraffe Centre Nairobi (feed endangered Rothschild giraffes from a raised platform), and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage (baby elephants, open 11am–noon daily). Most visitors combine at least two of these on a half-day or full-day guided tour. Entry fees are separate for each attraction.

Nairobi does not have a traditional enclosed zoo, but it offers far better alternatives. Nairobi National Park is a full 117-square-kilometre wildlife reserve where lions, rhinos, giraffes, and zebras roam freely — our Nairobi National Park game drive guide covers what to expect and how to book. The Sheldrick elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre are world-class wildlife conservation centres in the Langata area, south of Nairobi's city centre.

Together, these wildlife parks offer some of the most accessible big-game encounters in Africa.

The main gate of Nairobi National Park is approximately 7 kilometres south of Nairobi's central business district, near Langata Road. From most hotels in Westlands, Upper Hill, Kilimani, or Karen, the drive is 20–45 minutes depending on traffic. All tour operators listed here provide hotel pickup, so you do not need to arrange your own transport.

Yes. Foreign visitors must purchase entry tickets through the KWS e-citizen platform before arriving at the park gate. Processing can take up to 24 hours, so book the day before at minimum.

Some tour packages include the park entry fee — check the inclusions carefully before booking. If the fee is listed as extra, buy your e-citizen ticket independently and bring your booking confirmation. See our Nairobi National Park entry fees guide for current KWS prices, seasonal changes, and step-by-step booking instructions.

To visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage, foreign visitors must pay a Kenya Wildlife Service conservation area fee of approximately $47–80 per person (this goes to KWS, not the trust). The elephant orphanage itself charges a separate entry fee. Because the orphanage sits inside the Nairobi National Park conservation area, you cannot visit without paying the park entry.

Pre-book via e-citizen and arrive by 10:45am — the gate opens at 11am and closes at noon, without exception. Our full guide to the Sheldrick elephant orphanage walks through the booking process, what happens during the visit, and how to combine it with the Giraffe Centre in one day.

Nairobi National Park is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, black rhinoceros (one of the largest populations in a single park in Kenya), buffalos, hippos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, ostriches, and over 400 bird species. The contrast of wildlife — including an endangered black rhino — against the Nairobi skyline is what makes the park unique. Lions are spotted on most early-morning game drives during dry season (June–October).

June to October (dry season) and January to February offer the best wildlife viewing in Nairobi National Park. As vegetation thins, animals concentrate around water sources and are easier to spot. Predator sightings peak during the dry season.

The long rains (March–May) make tracks muddier and vegetation thicker, though tours run year-round. The Giraffe Centre and the elephant orphanage are excellent attractions in all months, regardless of season. If you have only a few hours between flights, our Nairobi layover safari guide shows which parks and attractions are realistic within a short window.

Tours range from $37 per person for a shared Nairobi National Park game drive to $95 per person for a full-day combination of the National Park, Giraffe Centre, and Elephant Orphanage. Most tours include hotel pickup, a licensed guide, and basic refreshments. Park entry fees and elephant orphanage conservation fees are sometimes listed as extra — always check the inclusions before booking.

Free cancellation is available on all tours listed here up to 24 hours before departure. For the most affordable options, see our breakdown of budget safari options in Nairobi — including which parks and sites are cheapest to visit independently.