Nairobi, the worlds only wildlife capital is home to the Nairobi National Park. Being the only protected wildlife area in the world within a city, this park offers one the opportunity to see at least four of the big five which include Lions, Rhinos(both black & white), Buffalos, and the elusive rare Leopard. If you have limited stay in Nairobi , lay over or as well on a vacation to Nairobi, then this park is strategic to have a taste of what Kenya has to offer. Land at the airport , lay over, have your safari to the park on the same day and back to the airport for your next flight! An early morning departure, where possible, ideally means cool temperatures and chances of sporting free-roaming animals in the savanna. The pop-up safari vehicle will give you the perfect view of Nairobi capital skyline and skyscrapers at the backdrop of your safari! Get to visit the historic ivory & rhino horn burning site located inside the park. Optional baby elephants visit at will. See them get milk.
After the option visit to the elephant orphanage and enjoying a captivationg game drive, proceed to Giraffe centre where you will learn more about the conversation efforts to conserve an endangered species of giraffe known as the Rothschild Giraffe. The Giraffe Centre is the creation of the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W. Kenya), a Kenyan non-profit organisation. Their main purpose is to educate Kenyan school children and youth on their country’s wildlife and environment, as well as give local and international visitors an opportunity with the world’s tallest species, the giraffe. Before the giraffes you can as well have lunch then proceed to the giraffe centre.
Understand and appreciate conservation works at the Sheldrick wildlife trust. The Nairobi nursery rescues and rehabilitates this baby tuskers & re-integrates them back in the wild after 3 years at the ithumba reintegration unit north of Tsavo east. This is a jewel visit and a must visit for anyone who appreciates wildlife and the importance of conserving this critical species for our future generations.
(OPTIONAL) You will then be driven to the Kobe Tough Beads and Leather. This is a pottery company that makes one of the world most beautiful beads. You will be shown all the stages from the start to the finish. It’s also a unique factory as it employs single mother parents from the poor neighborhood who earn a living to support their families. It's a women empowerment center for the community. The center was started by women who formerly worked for Kazuri beads factory when it shut down during the pandemic. This was reprieve for them as they could continue to provide for their families. You then have the option of being driven to lunch and then to your hotel then later be dropped at the hotel.
(OPTIONAL) After exciting beads factory tour, we are happy to take you at your pleasure to utamaduni crafts center, otherwise we will proceed to your drop off. The best African craft shop in Nairobi, Utamaduni is a must to drop into on the way to some of the exciting venues in Nairobi's green suburb of Karen/Langata, known for the famous writer, Karen Blixen's original farm with beautiful views of the Ngong hills. Incorporate a visit to this unique house of crafts on the day of your visit Nairobi. The shop, a converted Kikuyu house with 18 shops, is a treasure trove of African crafts, antiques and art, with friendly staff to assist and help pack or ship if needed. After shopping stop and have refreshments in the large, beautiful garden restaurant and if you are a bird watcher the many exotic birds will keep you entertained. Make sure you make Utamaduni a part of your Kenya holiday itinerary. After such a colorful day we will drop you to your hotel or airport to catch your flight.
Great experience! Kelvin is an excellent guide and is full of knowledge. He made sure our 3 experiences were to the max. I highly recommend Rustic Nature Tours and I recommend asking for Kelvin as your guide.
Kelvin was amazing The tour took us thru Nairobi national park for a morning safari and the number of animals we saw was incredible. Kelvin was constantly in touch with his fellow tour guides and when they saw something we hadn’t already he quickly got us there We then went to the elephant sanctuary and again Kelvin made sure to get us the best spot to watch. We then proceeded to the giraffe conservation and Kelvin again made sure one of the guides personally toured us around and answered all of our questions. He truly made our day once in a lifetime
We had a great drive through Nairobi National Park and were lucky enough to see a mother rhino with her three-day-old baby! It's remarkable how much wildlife this park holds, especially given it's right in the city. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) was a definite highlight and an important visit for us — it was a privilege to see this incredible conservation work in person. Edwin shared the history of the organization along with the individual stories of the animals, and it was exciting to see the elephants up close. We also appreciated the opportunity to adopt an orphaned animal and continue supporting their care. We rounded out the day with a visit to the Giraffe Centre, which was a great opportunity to learn about their work protecting the endangered Rothschild giraffe. A wonderful, well-rounded day of wildlife encounters in and around Nairobi.
This was a great experience… early start with the national park… plenty of wildlife including lions and black and white rhinos. Kelvin our guide and driver (it’s his business) was excellent and worked really hard to get us sight of a black rhino. His jeep was new, immaculate and included a couple of nice comfort touches. Communication ahead of the day was good with messages answered promptly. We ran bang to time for the elephant centre and he made sure we were in the best spot for feeding time. Our trip was sadly cut short due our children being ill but Kelvin was great dealing and helping with this. I’d advise buying national park tickets in advance as advised by Kelvin to avoid queueing when you are at the entrance gate. Would highly recommend!!!
Our family—including three children under 6 and my parents—had the BEST three days in Nairobi with Kelvin! He helped kick off our Kenya trip and set the bar incredibly high for the rest of our vacation. Everything was seamless from start to finish. Kelvin went above and beyond to make sure our boys had an amazing time. Even our autistic son, who can be slow to warm up to new people, quickly connected with him. Kelvin was incredibly patient, kind, and wonderful with all of our children. He is extremely knowledgeable and made sure we had the best experience everywhere we went. From finding the perfect spot to watch the elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to sharing insights throughout each tour, he truly made every stop memorable. For reference, we booked day tours to Nairobi National Park, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the Giraffe Centre, Kazuri Beads, Hells Gate National Park, and Lake Naivasha. Every excursion was well organized and exceeded our expectations. The next time we visit Kenya, we will book our entire trip with Kelvin—from multi-day safaris to lodging and everything in between. We can't recommend him highly enough!
An absolutely incredible experience from start to finish! Everything was so well organized, and carefully planned. Everyone along our journey was kind, welcoming, and knowledgeable. We saw so many incredible animals, learned about important conservation efforts and made memories that will last a lifetime. This was an incredibly affordable experience, which far exceeded our expectations.
Kelvin was an amazing tour guide. He knew how to find so many animals, and really knew Nairobi National Park very well. He was on time, and kept in touch via WhatsApp as to his ETA. His vehicle was also very new, and the seats were comfortable. He also had cold water available for us, and blankets on board. We were able to pay all of the Park fees with our credit cards, so you do not have to carry so much cash with you. Also, when we went to the Sheldrick animal orphanage, he walked us in and got us situated at a good spot for an amazing view of the baby elephants. So many other Tour guides just dropped their people off at the front gate and left them on their own. Thanks Kelvin! Kelvin hooked us up with a private tour at the giraffe center. We were able to feed the giraffes and learn so much about them. Shout out to SHALI as a wonderful guide at the giraffe center. Also, Kelvin was so knowledgeable about all the animals we saw, including little tidbits about each one as we went along. Amazing knowledge, friendly demeanor, and excellent at finding animals. Definitely five stars, we would go again.
Thanks to Douglas for an amazing tour. We choose the 4 wheel jeep and it was worth it as roads were very bumpy. Our day was very well organized and we enjoyed every moment. We saw plenty of wildlife and learnt alot. Asante Sana
We thoroughly enjoyed our Nairobi tour! This was the perfect way to see many of the city highlights on a tight timeframe. Our tour guide, Nicole, was prompt and professional! She managed to get us right in front of the animals in Nairobi National Park, including seeing rhinos. We loved the stops at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Giraffe Center. The Kobe Tough Bead and Leather stop was also a hit with our family! Before booking our tour, we were allowed to select a restaurant of our choosing when booking the after requesting, which made it extremely nice to be able to set our own itinerary. The tour company provided us with the time to make a reservation, which worked perfectly into our schedule the day of our tour. Picking a day tour of Nairobi can be daunting with so many choices, but I can tell you you won't regret cooking with Rustic Nature Tours! Asante sana, Nicole - we had a phenomenal day because of you!
The experience was carefully curated. From Nairobi National Park to the Elephant Orphanage that’s located inside the park and the complimentary location then to the Giraffe Center. It was an activity packed day and we got to see so much in just that one day of exploring. If you want to make the most of the time you have in Nairobi, I’d definitely recommend this tour!
If you are looking for a top tier tour company, I would highly recommend Rustic Nature Tours. We were fortunate to have Calvin as our guide, an excellent birder who was very knowledgeable about where to find both the unique birds and animals in Nairobi National Park. He is professional, organized, and quite personable. He even surprised us with a beautiful outdoor lunch cafe that was teaming with birds.
Kelvin was outstanding! Great pacing and Nairobi national Park is a hidden gem. But our guide, Kelvin really made the day.
Kelvin was an amazing tour guide. He spotted so many animals that we would have missed. He was very knowledgeable about the animals, Nairobi and Kenya. He was as excited to see the animals as we were. He made sure that we had the best experience. Kelvin took to the most wonderful place for lunch. It truly was an amazing experience. I would HIGHLY recommend this tour.
We had a great time, Kelvin was very knowledgable about all the animals we saw, (including about birds!!), took us to a lovely place for lunch and made sure we got the best views at the elephant trust. Highly recommend booking with him.
Kelvin has been the most wonderful caring host. We booked an Elephant Orphanage & Gifaffe tour for the morning. He arrived promptly, and we were comfortable with him immediately. We were there when the Giraffe center opened, enabling us to feed the Giraffes before the hoards arrived. Next, we went to the Elephant 0 once again parked promptly near the entrance to make sure my husband with a walking disability was catered for. He took us in and made sure my husband & I were positioned in the best viewing place. After asking him about the Nairobi National Park with, we asked him if he wasn't busy in the afternoon could he take us. He understood everything we were interested in, and gave us the time to embrace & photograph anything we were interested in. His passion for photography matched ours & we will most likely be booking a photography safari in the future
We had a great experience with our guide Peter who responded quickly to last minute requests and communication. He sought to find all the animals the kids wanted to see. He was flexible also when our son got sick and needes time to rest in the car. He helped us get best spots at the elephant orphanage for the feedings.
This safari was amazing, we saw so many animals & our guide Kelvin was an absolute legend. He knew exactly where to go and when to be there to capture every money shot & unforgettable experience. He was always first, knew absolutely everyone and completely made this experience. His knowledge of the animals and their habitat was incredibly impressive. I was travelling with friends but will definitely re-book with Kelvin when I bring my family to Kenya.
Highly recommend! This was an excellent tour of Nairobi NP, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust/Elephant Orphanage, Kobe Tough Beads & Leather and the Giraffe Center. Our tour guide Douglas was professional, kind and accommodating. It was our first game drive ever. We learned so much and felt very safe.
This tour was the best thing I did in Nairobi. We were able to see lions, rhinos, elephants and so on :). Our guide was a really great person. He was so friendly and did his best to show us all the animals. ( I am sorry I do not remember guide’s name, but he is the one whose sister works in Nairobi National Park)
Our guide was Douglas, we had an amazing experience with him. He was very punctual and came to receive us at the airport. He is also very friendly and we didn't face any problem at all anywhere while travelling with him. Would highly recommend.
Douglas was excellent. Punctual, Knowledgeable, entertaining and with excellent customer care. Really made this an extremely nice experience. Highly recommend.
Rustic Nature planned everything just as we wanted. I wanted to take my 4 children (aged 6-11), husband and father in law on a safari day. Taking in Nairobi national park, the elephant orphanage and the giraffe centre with lunch at carnivore. I particularly wanted an open sided vehicle for the national park game drive so the kids could get a better view rather than a pop up roof they wouldn’t be tall enough to see out of. Rustic nature organised this all perfectly for us and we didn’t have to wait long in the queues at the gate in the morning. We told Kelvin our guide that we especially wanted to see lions and rhinos as a lot of the other animals we had already seen at Lake Naivasha. He didn’t disappoint! We got to see both white and black rhinos close up, and a wonderful group of lionesses with several lion cubs…truly special! We saw lots of other animals too thanks to our guide’s knowledge of the park. I’d been to Nairobi national park previously and didn’t really enjoy it as we didn’t see that much but it really helps when your guide knows the park well. At the elephant orphanage Kelvin made sure we got a spot at the front so we could all get as close as possible to the baby elephants, and then at the giraffe centre we got a member of staff to ourselves to help us get lovely photos feeding the giraffes as well as some info about the giraffes and work of the centre. I feel this is all down to Kelvin and the connections he has with the place you visit that help you have that extra special experience. It was truly a day we will remember forever!
Brilliant day trip. Great communication by WhatsApp before the trip. National park - found out what we really wanted to see and made sure we did. Gave just the right time at each spot and always checked whether we were happy to move on. Knowledgable about everything we saw, including birds. When in the park you see fancier vehicles, but this one is actually kitted out perfectly, with good high raisable roof, grab rails right where you need them, pouches for binoculars & cameras, charging points, plenty of space, & spotlessly clean. Elephants - timed our arrival to perfection and escorted us to viewing spot. Lunch - found out what kind of thing we wanted and took us to the perfect place. Giraffes - escorted us in. Kelvin seems to know everyone at every place and they’re all happy to see him. Sensible driving! Impeccably polite, genuinely keen to make sure we had a good day.
We had an amazing day. Kelvin was an excellent guide, and looked after us very well. There were just the 2 of us on the trip. Picked up at our hotel - messaging to keep us informed of his eta which was appreciated. We saw so many animals in the national park including rhino, giraffe, lion (with cubs), hippos, crocodiles. Elephant orphanage was brilliant and so was the giraffe centre - didn’t realise I was going to feed them! Also did an optional stop at the Kobe Tough bead centre, and a lovely lunch stop. Can’t rate this trip and Kelvin highly enough.
We had such an amazing time on this tour! The views and sights were breathtaking! Seeing a lion up close and personal was an experience like no other! From the elephants to the giraffes all the way to our phenomenal tour guide Douglas, 10 out of 10. Highly recommend!
Douglas was an AMAZING tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and was very thoughtful in making sure we saw all the best angles of the animals. He took our photos and even had the women’s bead factory sing me Happy Birthday. He was very friendly, arrived on time and made our safari trip one too remember.
I had an incredible experience in the National Park. It was definitely worth waking up early in the morning! Before it got crowded, I got to watch lions, rhinos, zebras, and giraffes up close. My experienced guide also took me to the best spot in the elephant orphanage. **** For travelers visiting in March, I recommend bringing a warm jacket for the chilly morning in the National Park. Also, when purchasing an e-citizen park entry ticket, it’s better to ask a travel agent about the required details in advance. 아주 좋은 경험이었습니다! 왕복시간도 적고 네시간 정도로 사파리 체험할수 있다는게 매우 효율적입니다!! 미리 입장료를 사야합니다!
I had a wonderful day visiting the Nairobi National Park, the elephant orphanage, beads factory and the Giraffe Centre. My guide Kelvin was fantastic and ensured me always the best spots for viewing the animals or taking pictures. In the orphanage he helped me to get a nice front row spot for the best views. And at the giraffe center he made sure i had plenty of food to feed the giraffes. During the whole trip Kelvin was very knowledgeable and gives you the time you need for looking at the animals or shopping beads. Recommend!
This trip was amazing, well structured and a very positive experience. Our tour guide Kelvin was very informative hands on and a pleasure to be around. Would recommend him and his services ten times over
We took a day tour with Kelvin - unforgettable! In Nairobi National Park, we saw lions, rhinos, giraffes, water buffalo, zebras, gazelles, egrets, impalas, hippos, crocodiles and more! For every animal, Kelvin parked the van perfectly for the most epic photos. If beautiful photos are your thing, Kelvin is your guy. After the park tour, we went to the elephant orphanage which should not be missed. Our stop at the Kobe Bead factory gave us a real sense of how Kenyans support their local craft community and each other - beautiful products and an inspiring message of hope and resilience. Lunch at the Courtyard Kitchen, a stop at the Utamaduni Craft Center, and a visit to the Giraffe Center rounded out our amazing day. I cannot say enough great things about the experience we had with Kelvin. His guiding skills are top-notch, and he is very knowledgeable about Kenya and all things related to animals and conservation. We're planning to come back to Kenya and hire Kelvin as our guide out to the Masai Mara. If you only have one day in Nairobi (or multiple days for a bigger tour), hiring Kelvin will be the best investment of your trip!
This was the most amazing day! Kelvin collected us around 5:30 am and we were the first at the gate to the park. We entered the park in a comfortable vehicle that could handle the dirt roads and had a roof lift so that we could stand up to see the animals. Within minutes we saw impala, the sunrise, and a rhinoceros. Kelvin stayed in contact with other drivers and quickly and deftly maneuvered our vehicle to the perfect spots for clear and close-up sightings. In our hours in the park, we saw a lioness and lion right next to us (absolutely the highlight of the tour). We saw a herd of zebras and a tower of giraffes, many impalas, eland, gazelles, and buffalo. We saw hippos and a crocodile. We saw many beautiful and colorful birds. Throughout the tour of the park, Kelvin shared his extensive knowledge of animal behaviors and the history of the park. It was obvious that he not only had great interest in the park, but also cared deeply about the park and what it means to Nairobi. And that would have been a perfect outing already, but we were just getting started! Kelvin ushered us to a prime viewing location at the Elephant orphanage in the park, where we saw the baby elephants gather for bottles, baths, and playtime. Again, the importance of conservation and responsible stewardship of our natural environment was expressed. After that, we visited a women-focused industry, Kobe Bead Factory, where women made beautiful beads to support their families. We toured and learned about the manufacturing process. The camaraderie there was evident, and the gift shop was a colorful stop. Then Kelvin brought us to a lovely little restaurant (with a play set for those of you with children) called Courtyard Kitchen. The food was excellent, with vegetarian options and daily specials. A nearby cluster of gift shops called Utamaduli offered every type of souvenir. Our day ended with a trip to the Giraffe Center where we were able to hand feed the giraffes. Kelvin helped us attract a giraffe and shared the history, purpose, and importance of the center. I can’t say enough about Kelvin and this well-balanced tour. It was 1/3 close encounters, 1/3 education, and 1/3 comfort and joy. Our time in Nairobi was short, but we were able to do all of this without leaving the city. Asante sana, Kelvin!
Kelvin was an excellent guide - we saw everything we hoped to see and it wouldn't have been possible without him. Thanks a lot!
The elephant orphanage was a great experience. Highly recommend. Be sure to get there early and to purchase your tickets ahead of time via the ecitizen app. It is not user friendly at all but our guide Douglas was a great help and got it sorted for us. They don’t take cash at the gate.
Joel is the best guide in Niarobi with Viator and you must visit the Niarobi National Wildlife Refuge and see the rescued baby elephants!
Kelvin was an amazing guide for our trip to Nairobi National Park. In our half day in the park we saw baboons, hippos, buffalo, lions, rhinos, impala and giraffes. Kelvin has an impressive ability to find the animals and position the car the best views! The elephant and giraffe sanctuaries were a wonderful add on to see the animals up front. Highly recommend this tour and guide for anyone looking at a one day safari from Nairobi.
Phenomenal experience. Not only was Kelvin a knowledgeable guide but he was thoughtful about getting us the best views of these beautiful animals. Can’t recommend enough.
Kelvin was AMAZING! Best tour guide and experience that we had in Kenya. Very friendly service and prepared to help! WiFi in the van and very nice seats! Also the lunch was absolutely delicious! 10/10 recommend!
We had an amazing experience led by our guide Kelvin during which we saw an unbelievable number of cool animals—impalas, lions, giraffes, rhinos, you name it! Kelvin was very professional, knowledgeable, and fun. He made the entire experience extremely smooth entering the various parks and sanctuaries, and we would highly recommend him as a guide.
Rustic Nature tours were great and so helpful. Before arriving in Nairobi I had whatsapp calls/ txts with staff to help navigate the website for the National Park entry fee (required now for elephant orphanage). My guide Meshack arrived promptly at my hotel to pick me up and was friendly and informative. This was my first day in Nairobi before joining a safari - and Rustic Nature Tours made it a great first day in Kenya!
Had a free day before our safari tour started so we decided to book the half day elephant orphanage and giraffe center tour and so glad we did. Saw over 20 rescued elephants, each one was orphaned because of various circumstances that were explained to us. Got to see them all being fed, playing and posing for photos! lol. The giraffe center gave us the opportunity to see giraffes up close and actually feed them. Great day with our guide kelvin who was very knowledgeable about everything we saw.
Faith was an amazing tour guide throughout my trip! She was attentive, informative, and patient. The giraffe center and elephant orphanage were overall an amazing experience. I would recommend this solo trip to anyone!
Each and I every time I have a tour with Kelvin, he knocks it out the park. Because of this, he is my go to tour guide and one that I have continued to recommend to friends and colleagues alike. Without fail, Kelvin will make sure that you have a good time, see everything there is to see and walk away satisfied. From the big five to the little five, his eagle eye can catch them all. While this is all wonderful and worth every cent, it’s his passion and respect for the animals that really sealed the deal for me. Some tour operators rush the queue when they spot an animal, going off road and endangering them, but Kelvin does not take any risks and still ensures it’s the time of your life. I will go with Kelvin to the Maasai Mara soon and I can’t wait — he’s the best of the best
Kelvin is an amazing tour guide. Personable, knowledgeable, and an awesome driver on the most treacherous roads. A must when on a safari! I cannot recommend his services highly enough.
Kelvin is a friendly, knowledgeable guide and we had a great time. Saw everything - lions, giraffes, rhinos, and he even spotted the rare leopard turtle, one of the “small 5” animals to see! The jeep is very comfortable, water is provided, and the driver expertly navigated the muddy roads on this rainy day. Would highly recommend!
This is an amazing tour and well worth the time and money. You see, up close, two amazing conservation organizations making a difference in a meaningful way. Kelvin, our guide, was very knowledgeable and helpful and we would not hesitate to use him again.
Definitely an amazing day out. An absolute must see for anyone visiting Nairobi. Kelvin got us the best spot at the elephant orphanage and it didn’t disappoint. As the elephant orphanage is inside Nairobi National Park you will need to pay an entry fee to get in but it’s so worth it and needed to help conservation efforts for the future of these amazing animals.. Whilst we we in there Kelvin went above and beyond to drive us through the park and even after doing previous game drives though the bigger reserves this did not disappoint.. we had the best rhino show of our whole holiday. The giraffe centre was equally as good where you will get to interact and feed these beautiful animals. Highly recommend to anyone looking for the perfect day out close to the city.. Thanks Kelvin. Everything was absolutely perfect.
We were picked up by Faith from our accommodation and taken to the Giraffe Centre. Because we arrived early, there were few people there and we had a lot of time with the Giraffes and lots of photo opportunities. Then we went to the Elephant Orphanage where we had close contact with many elephants and lots of good photos. Faith then took us to the Kobe Tough Women’s factory where we saw how beads and other items were made and even had the opportunity to make some original items ourselves. Then Faith took us to a wonderful buffet lunch which was much better than expected - really good authentic Kenyan food. Lastly, we had time to go shopping for souvenirs in one of the largest souvenir shops we have seen. Overall, this private tour was excellent and Faith looked after us very well. Highly recommended.
A relaxing and informative tour through Karen which was very well organised. Polite and personable guide. The ability to customise the tour was appreciated. Overall, well worth the experience - an excellent way to start or end a Kenyan safari.
This your was very insightful and amazing. Calvin took very good care of us and made sure we got the best spots for viewing and petting the giraffe and elephants. We highly recommend his service to all...you won't be disappointed!
Kevin our guide spoke the best English of anyone we encountered in Africa. He got us in ahead of the crowds and to the best viewing spots. Highly recommended.
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