NAIROBI WILDLIFE TOUR: NATIONAL PARK, ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE & GIRAFFE CENTRE

Nairobi Wildlife Tour Overview

Experience Nairobi’s wildlife and conservation highlights during one carefully planned full-day adventure. This Nairobi wildlife tour combines a morning game drive in Nairobi National Park with visits to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre. Your driver-guide will collect you from your Nairobi hotel, residence, Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. You will then travel in a comfortable safari van fitted with a pop-up roof for wildlife viewing and photography.

The day begins inside Nairobi National Park, where open grasslands, acacia woodland and seasonal waterways support a diverse range of wildlife. Possible sightings include rhinos, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, elands, impalas, warthogs and many bird species. After the game drive, continue to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi Nursery for its scheduled public visit. Here, you will learn how orphaned elephants are rescued, cared for and prepared for eventual reintegration into the wild.

Following a lunch stop, visit the Giraffe Center in Lang’ata. The elevated viewing platform provides a close view of endangered Rothschild’s giraffes while offering an engaging introduction to giraffe conservation and environmental education.

The Nairobi day tour ends with a comfortable transfer to your preferred hotel, residence or airport.

Package at a Glance

Duration: Full day, approximately 9–10 hours
Destinations: Nairobi National Park, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Giraffe Centre
Route: Nairobi → Nairobi National Park → Sheldrick Wildlife Trust → Giraffe Centre → Nairobi
Start and end point: Nairobi hotel, residence, Wilson Airport or JKIA
Recommended departure: Approximately 5:30–6:00 a.m.
Expected return: Approximately 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Standard transport: Private safari van with a pop-up roof
Optional transport: Customized 4×4 safari Land Cruiser
Safari type: Private Nairobi day tour
Group size: One to eight guests
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Not required
Starting price: From USD 69 per person
Park and attraction fees: Excluded
Customization: Available before confirmation

Traffic, weather, wildlife movement, park conditions, and the confirmed Sheldrick Wildlife Trust reservation may affect the final schedule.

Nairobi Wildlife Tour Route and Map

Nairobi Hotel, Residence or Airport → Nairobi National Park → Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi Nursery → Lunch Stop in Karen or Lang’ata → Giraffe Center → Nairobi Hotel, Residence or Airport

Why Choose This Nairobi Wildlife Tour?

This package brings together a traditional game drive and two conservation experiences within one organized booking. As a result, you avoid arranging separate vehicles, guides, and transfers for each attraction.

Starting early also creates more time for wildlife viewing before the scheduled elephant visit. Afterward, the Giraffe Center provides a relaxed and interactive conclusion to the day. Moreover, Tunza Tours can adjust the pickup location, vehicle type, lunch stop and optional attractions before confirmation. The experience therefore works well for couples, families, solo travelers, small groups and passengers with a suitable Nairobi layover.

Nairobi National Park Safari Experience

Your Nairobi National Park tour begins during the cooler morning hours, when many animals are more active. The driver-guide will select suitable game-viewing routes based on road conditions, recent sightings and the time available.

The park’s varied habitats support both grazers and predators. You may see rhinos, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, elands, impalas, hartebeests, warthogs and ostriches. Leopards and cheetahs also occur in the park, although they are more difficult to find.

Nairobi’s skyline forms an unusual backdrop to the open plains, creating distinctive photographic opportunities. However, wildlife moves freely throughout the park so that no animal sighting can be guaranteed. The safari van’s pop-up roof improves visibility while allowing guests to remain safely inside the vehicle. Your guide will also explain the wildlife, habitats and conservation challenges connected to the park.

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi Nursery cares for orphaned elephants that may later progress through a structured rehabilitation and reintegration process.

During the public visit, keepers introduce the elephants, explain their rescue stories and discuss the Trust’s wider conservation work. Depending on the elephants’ routine and weather, visitors may watch a milk feed, mud bath or social interaction. The public session normally takes place from 11:00 a.m. to noon and requires booking. Entry depends on an official confirmation issued by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Because the daily capacity is limited, early booking is strongly recommended. When the preferred date is unavailable, Tunza Tours will discuss an alternative date or revised itinerary before confirming the package. Visitors must remain within the designated viewing area and follow all instructions from the keepers. The elephants choose whether to approach the visitor boundary, and direct contact cannot be guaranteed.

Giraffe Center Experience

The Giraffe Center offers an engaging opportunity to observe endangered Rothschild’s giraffes from an elevated platform. The experience is suitable for adults and children and normally takes approximately 45–90 minutes.

During the visit, learn about the center’s breeding program, conservation work and environmental education activities. Authorized giraffe feeding may also be available according to the center’s operating procedures. Weekends, public holidays and peak travel periods can attract larger visitor numbers. Nevertheless, your guide will manage the schedule and allow reasonable time for the experience.

Safari Vehicle and Transport Information

The standard package uses a private safari van fitted with a pop-up viewing roof. The vehicle is suitable for Nairobi National Park roads and provides good visibility during the game drive. One safari van can normally carry up to eight guests. However, a smaller group may provide additional comfort, especially when guests have large bags, camera equipment, or child seats.

A customized 4×4 safari Land Cruiser can be requested at an additional cost. The Land Cruiser provides greater ground clearance and may offer improved performance during wet or muddy conditions. Pickup and drop-off are available from hotels, residences, and agreed locations within Nairobi. JKIA and Wilson Airport transfers can also be arranged. Extended airport waiting time, pickup outside Nairobi, or major itinerary changes may attract additional charges.

Nairobi Wildlife Tour Price

Starting From USD 69 Per Person

The starting rate applies to six to eight paying guests traveling together in a private safari van. It covers the tour service, vehicle, fuel, driver-guide, bottled water and coordination of the day’s itinerary.

The rate excludes Nairobi National Park entry fees, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust donation, Giraffe Center fees, meals, beverages and optional activities.

The final price depends on:

• Number of guests
• Number and ages of children
• Nationality or residency category
• Pickup and drop-off points
• Safari van or Land Cruiser selection
• Tour date and vehicle availability
• Park and attraction charges
• Additional attractions
• Extended tour hours
• Airport waiting time
• Special arrangements

Therefore, treat USD 69 as an indicative starting price rather than a fixed rate for every booking.

Recommended Group Pricing

Private Tour for One Guest — From USD 240

This option provides a private safari van, a professional driver-guide, and the standard three-attraction itinerary for one traveler. Official park and attraction charges remain separate.

Private Tour for Two Guests — From USD 135 Per Person

This option suits couples, friends and honeymooners seeking private transport and a flexible schedule.

Private Tour for Three Guests — From USD 105 Per Person

Three guests share the tour vehicle and guide while maintaining a private itinerary.

Private Tour for Four Guests — From USD 89 Per Person

This option works well for a small family or group of friends and offers a strong balance between privacy and value.

Private Tour for Five Guests — From USD 79 Per Person

The rate covers the standard tour service for five paying guests sharing one safari van.

Private Tour for Six to Eight Guests — From USD 69 Per Person

This is the advertised starting package. It provides the strongest per-person value for families and small groups traveling together.

All prices remain subject to vehicle availability, pickup location and final itinerary. Park and attraction fees are added according to the applicable official rates.

Park Fees, Attraction Charges and Extra Costs

Park and attraction fees are excluded because they vary according to age, nationality, residency status and official pricing at the time of travel.

Before issuing the final quotation, Tunza Tours will request:

• Number of adults
• Number and ages of children
• Nationality or residency category
• Preferred travel date
• Pickup and drop-off points
• Preferred safari vehicle
• Optional activities required

The quotation will identify the current Nairobi National Park charges, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust donation and Giraffe Center fees that apply to the group.

Possible additional charges include a Land Cruiser upgrade, pickup outside Nairobi, extended airport waiting time, extra itinerary hours, child safety seats, restaurant reservations and attractions that are not part of the standard package. Government, park and attraction charges may change without notice.

Optional Nairobi Experiences

Personalize your Nairobi wildlife tour with:

• Customized 4×4 Land Cruiser upgrade
• Karen Blixen Museum
• Kazuri Beads workshop
• Kobe Tough Beads and Leather
• Bomas of Kenya
• Nairobi Safari Walk
• Nairobi Animal Orphanage
• Local craft and souvenir shopping
• Lunch at a restaurant in Karen or Lang’ata
• Carnivore Restaurant experience
• Airport layover arrangements
• Professional photography
• Extended Nairobi city tour

Optional attractions cost extra unless included in the confirmed quotation. Adding several experiences may extend the tour duration or require an earlier departure.

Because the standard package already includes three major wildlife attractions, selecting one additional stop usually creates a more comfortable day.

What to Expect and Customization

This full-day Nairobi safari tour combines several hours of game viewing with shorter attraction visits. Expect an early departure, natural park roads, and transfers through parts of Nairobi.

Park roads may become dusty during dry periods or muddy after rain. In addition, traffic can affect travel times between the attractions and the final drop-off point. Wildlife sightings vary because the animals move freely. Your driver-guide will use experience, recent information and suitable game-viewing routes to improve your opportunities, but specific animals cannot be guaranteed.

Tunza Tours can adjust the pickup point, vehicle category, lunch arrangements and optional stops. The itinerary can also be adapted for families, photographers, business travelers or airport passengers with enough layover time. Guests planning an airport layover must allow sufficient time for immigration, luggage collection, traffic, airport check-in and security.

Best Time to Book

The Nairobi wildlife tour operates throughout the year, although weather, traffic and visitor numbers vary by season.

Dry months generally provide firmer park roads and easier wildlife viewing around open areas and water sources. However, the greener months offer attractive landscapes, fewer dusty conditions and strong birdwatching opportunities.

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust accepts a limited number of visitors during its daily public session. Therefore, the availability of the elephant visit should guide the booking date. Book early during Christmas, New Year, Easter, school holidays and other busy travel periods. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust does not conduct its standard public visit on 25 December.

Professional Support and Responsible Wildlife Travel

Before the tour, Tunza Tours will coordinate the vehicle, driver-guide, pickup point, attraction sequence and available reservation support. The team will also provide the final itinerary and payment guidance. During the experience, your driver-guide will manage the route and help you follow the attraction schedules. Professional assistance remains available before, during and after the tour.

Guests should follow all park and conservation-center rules. Remain inside the vehicle unless the guide confirms that it is safe to exit at an authorized location. Do not call, chase, feed or disturb wildlife. Feeding should only take place where attraction staff specifically permit it. In addition, keep noise levels low, dispose of waste responsibly and reduce unnecessary single-use plastics. Entrance fees and donations support wildlife protection, conservation education, habitat management and animal rehabilitation.

What to Carry

Wear comfortable clothing and closed walking shoes or trainers. A light jacket is useful during the early morning, while a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen provide protection later in the day.

Carry your passport, Kenyan identification or valid residency document because official fees may depend on your visitor category.

A camera, smartphone, binoculars, personal medication, reusable water bottle, power bank and small day bag may also be useful. Bring a card, M-Pesa or cash for applicable entrance fees, lunch and personal purchases.

Large suitcases should remain at the hotel or an agreed secure location unless the tour forms part of an airport transfer. Inform Tunza Tours in advance when traveling with luggage.

Booking and Payment

To request a personalized quotation, provide your preferred travel date, number of adults, children’s ages, nationality or residency category, and Nairobi pickup location. Also state whether you prefer a safari van or Land Cruiser and whether you would like lunch, an airport transfer or another Nairobi attraction included.

Tunza Tours will check vehicle availability and assist with coordinating the required itinerary. The booking becomes confirmed after the applicable services are available, the quotation has been accepted, the required payment has been received and written confirmation has been issued.

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust reservation is only valid when supported by an official confirmation issued by the Trust. Guests should carry a digital or printed copy on the tour date. Park and attraction charges may have separate payment procedures. The final quotation or travel instructions will explain the payment arrangements that apply.

Changes and Cancellation

Changes to the tour date, guest numbers, pickup point, vehicle type or itinerary may affect the package price.

Cancellation conditions depend on the notice provided and any vehicle, attraction or third-party services already confirmed. Payments already made to parks, conservation centers or other suppliers may be non-refundable.

The applicable terms will appear in the quotation or booking confirmation. Comprehensive travel insurance is recommended. When an attraction closes or becomes unavailable for reasons beyond the reasonable control of Tunza Tours, the team will propose an alternative date, attraction or revised itinerary where practical.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Included in the Nairobi Wildlife Tour?

The tour service includes private safari-van transport, a professional driver-guide, the Nairobi National Park game drive, transfers between the listed attractions, bottled water and Nairobi pickup and drop-off.

Park entry, attraction charges, meals and optional activities remain separate unless the confirmed quotation states otherwise.

Is This a Private Nairobi Day Tour?

Yes. The standard package operates privately for your booking group. Shared departures may occasionally be available on selected dates.

Are Nairobi National Park Fees Included?

No. Nairobi National Park fees are excluded because official charges vary according to age, nationality, and residency status.

Is the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Included?

The itinerary includes transport to and a scheduled visit at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi Nursery. However, the required entry donation and KWS charges remain separate unless included in the final quotation.

Does the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Require Advance Booking?

Yes. The public visit requires reservation and an official booking confirmation issued by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

What Happens When the Sheldrick Visit Is Unavailable?

Tunza Tours may recommend another date, remove the attraction from the itinerary, or propose a suitable alternative. Any revision will be discussed before booking confirmation.

What Time Does the Tour Start?

Pickup normally takes place between approximately 5:30 and 6:00 a.m. However, the exact time depends on your location, traffic, and confirmed attraction schedule.

Is Lunch Included?

No. Your guide can take you to a suitable restaurant in Karen or Lang’ata. Guests pay for meals and drinks unless the confirmed quotation includes lunch.

Can Tunza Tours Collect Us From JKIA?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport can be arranged.

Is the Tour Suitable for an Airport Layover?

The tour may suit travelers with a long layover. However, enough time must be allowed for immigration, luggage, traffic, check-in and airport security.

Is This Tour Suitable for Children?

Yes. Families can join the tour, although parents and guardians must supervise children throughout the game drive and conservation-center visits.

Will We See Lions and Rhinos?

Nairobi National Park supports lions and both black and white rhinos. Nevertheless, wildlife sightings depend on animal movement, weather and park conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Can We Upgrade to a Safari Land Cruiser?

Yes. A customized 4×4 Land Cruiser can be arranged at an additional cost.

Can the Nairobi Wildlife Tour Be Customized?

The pickup point, vehicle, restaurant, tour duration, and optional attractions can be adjusted before confirmation.

Is USD 69 a Fixed Price?

No. USD 69 is the starting tour-service price for six to eight paying guests sharing one safari van. Smaller groups and additional services cost more.

Why Are Attraction Fees Excluded?

Official fees vary according to visitor age, nationality, and residency category. Keeping them separate allows Tunza Tours to provide a more accurate quotation for each group.

Why Book With Tunza Tours?

Tunza Tours coordinates your safari vehicle, professional driver-guide, pickup arrangements and attraction sequence within one organized booking. This makes it easier to experience Nairobi’s wildlife without managing several transport suppliers separately.

Clear quotations identify the vehicle, group price, pickup point, included services, excluded fees and optional activities before payment.

Moreover, professional support remains available before, during and after the tour.

Request Your Nairobi Wildlife Tour Quote

Explore Nairobi National Park, learn about elephant rehabilitation and meet endangered Rothschild’s giraffes during one memorable full-day experience.

Send us your preferred date, group size, children’s ages, residency category, pickup location and vehicle preference. Tunza Tours will prepare a personalized quotation.