Packing
What to bring to Nairobi National Park
Drives start early and there is no shop inside the park. Pack once, properly, the night before.
Essentials
- Pre-purchased park ticket and the ID or passport used to buy it
- Plenty of drinking water — more than you think for a full day
- Snacks or a packed picnic lunch for full-day drives
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
- A warm fleece or jacket for the 06:00 start
- Insect repellent for riverine and forest stops
Wildlife watching kit
- Binoculars — 8x42 is the sweet spot
- Camera with a 200mm lens or longer; a beanbag beats a tripod in a vehicle
- Spare batteries and memory cards
- A field guide to East African mammals or birds
- A lens cloth for dust
Useful extras
- Offline map downloaded to your phone
- Power bank and a car charger
- Small cash or M-Pesa for the elephant orphanage and Giraffe Centre
- A refillable bottle and a bag for your own rubbish
Leave behind
Single-use plastics, drones (banned without a KWS permit), loud speakers and any expectation of feeding wildlife.
More on planning your visit
- Visitor guideEverything a first-time visitor needs in one place.
- Opening hoursGate times, last entry and the best hours to be inside.
- WeatherTemperatures, rainfall and what altitude means for packing.
- Park gatesEvery gate, where it leads and which one to use.
See all guides on Plan your visit, or check park fees and the best time to visit.
Not sure where to stay in Nairobi National Park?
Tell us your dates, budget and travel style and we will recommend the camps and lodges that fit — with no obligation.