Endangered African Animals
Nairobi National Park – The World’s Most Convenient Wildlife Park by Arjen Koopman
Nairobi National Park is a full wildlife resort located just outside the city of Nairobi, Kenya. This makes the Kenyan capital the only city in the world where you can be in the middle of the bush with a 30-minute car ride from the city centre. Most wild African animals can be spotted there. So although Nairobi National Park is one of the smaller wildlife parks in Kenya – it’s 117 square kilometres or 45 square miles – it can’t be beat for convenience.
The Habitat of the Park
Nairobi National Park is made up mostly of dry open grasslands, also known as savannah. The wide open spaces are broken up with groves of scrubby acacia bushes, and the occasional steep valley. There is also a river that runs through the park, the Athi river, adding to the variety of wildlife and birds you’ll find (there are over 400 species of birds recorded in the park). The park is only fenced on the Nairobi side, so animals can migrate freely from and to the park.
Speaking of wildlife, the Nairobi National Park is home to all the animals you’d expect to find in Africa, such as the rhino, lion, zebra, hippo and giraffe. The black rhino is a specific point of pride for the park, since they are quite endangered. The only common African animal that doesn’t frequent this park, is the elephant.
Migration patterns change through the year, so there isn’t always going to be the same mix of beasts to see. Since only the Nairobi side of the park is fenced, the animals tend to come and go at their leisure.
Special Sights
Other sights in the park include the historic monument where ivory has been burned in protest of the ongoing poaching of wild elephants and rhinos. There are also trails where you can walk around the hippopotamus pools. Visit the animal orphanage to see some of the younger animals up close. The Impala Observation Tower can give you a bird’s eye view of the park for a new perspective.
Practical Information
The park is only 8 km (5 miles) outside the city, so access is pretty easy. Cost to access the park is US$40 for adults and US$20 for children. You can get a reusable “smartcard” for paying your fees, that is also usable at other national parks and reserves.
For safety reasons you must enter the park in a vehicle. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can either go with any tour operator, or you can take public transport to the park and then hop on the KWS wildlife bus into the park (Sundays only). If you do that, you’ll pay between US$55 and US$75 per person.
There is a network of well-marked roads, as well as designated picnic areas. There are no accommodations within the Nairobi National Park, but considering its proximity to the city, that’s not really necessary.
About the Author
Arjen Koopman is an Amsterdam-based journalist, and webmaster of http://www.kenya-advisor.com the independent Kenya travel site. More about the park is at http://www.kenya-advisor.com/nairobi-national-park.html General travel information is at http://www.kenya-advisor.com/nairobi-travel-guide.html – Copyright: You may freely republish this article provided the text, the author name, the active links and this notice remain intact.
|
|
Large 35×23 Endangered Animal Elephant Poster Africa Skies Poster Print, 24×36 $9.99 Decorate your home or office with high quality posters. Large 35×23 Endangered Animal Elephant Poster Africa Skies is that perfect piece that matches your style, interests, and budget…. |
|
|
Lion King Face Beach Towel $19.95 Premium quality Brazilian safari towel… |
|
|
Framed Prints Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) Snowflake, adult male, albino, Parc Zoologic de Barcelona…. |
|
|
Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals – African Elephant – Removable Graphic WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
|
|
Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals – Rhinoceros – Removable Graphic WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
|
|
Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals – Lioness Walking Her Five Cubs through Kenya’s Masai Mara – Removable Graphic WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
|
|
I Dreamed of Africa $6.90 I DREAMED OF AFRICA – DVD Movie… |
|
|
Wild Republic Natural Poses Lion $34.99 Wild Republic Natural Poses Lion… |
|
|
New Arc Media My Pet Fish Proper Way Aquarium Quiz Trivia Sound Video Fish Screen Saver $29.05 … |
|
|
New Dk Multimedia Eyewitness Virtual Reality Birds Fascinating Videos Interactive Exhibits Images … |
|
|
Zoo Vet: Endangered Animals $19.99 Zoo Vet: Endangered Animals |
|
|
Endangered Animals $6.99 Bestselling reference for today�s internet generation. Endangered Animals- now available in ebook(PDF) format. There are thousands of endangered animals across the world, and not only in far away climates, some are in our own backyard. Endangered Animals covers them all, from snow leopards to golden toads, detailing why they are dying out and what we can do to save them. They�ll discover more by browsing the dedicated Eyewitness website. Then use the giant pull-out wallchart to decorate their room. Great for projects or just for fun, make sure your child learns everything they need to know about endangered animals. |
|
|
Endangered! $6.99 Young readers examine how plants and animals are impacted by human activity, why it matters, and what can be done help. |
|
|
Endangered Animals (100 Facts) $4.49 Take a closer look at some of the most threatened animals on our planet. The plight of endangered animals is explored in detail through one hundred facts, fantastic images, and fun cartoons. Read how hunting, habitat loss, and climate change have affected wildlife, discover which animals are close to extinction, and find out what you can do to help. |
|
|
Endangered Animals Dictionary $5.99 Discover a world of fascinating endangered species striving to survive. Presented in alphabetical order, each threatened creature is illustrated in full color. Learn why each species faces decline and discover how some are brought back from the brink of extinction. Including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, this dictionary explains why these species are threatened and how their lives can be saved. With over 100 fascinating animals from Addax to Zebra, this dictionary is the perfect quick-reference guide to endangered animals from all over the world. Features: fact panels and key information; size comparison pictures, distribution maps and risk rating; picture glossary and index. |
