Nairobi National Park Directions: Your Guide to get to Kenya’s Wildlife Park

Getting to the Park: Entrance Points

Nairobi National Park has several entry points and the one that’s best for you will depend on where you are coming from and how you are getting there. Familiarize yourself with these main Nairobi National Park entrance gates:

• Langata Gate: This is often considered the main entrance and is very convenient for those coming from the city centre or Langata suburb. Following the Nairobi National Park road via Langata Road is the most direct way.

• East Gate: Located along Mombasa Road, the East Gate is very convenient for those coming from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) or the eastern parts of Nairobi.

• Mbagathi Gate: Situated on the southern periphery of the park, access to Mbagathi Gate is mainly via Mbagathi Road.

• Kitengela Gate: Further south, this gate serves areas like Kitengela and its surroundings.

For a visual aid to help you understand the park’s layout and the location of each gate, check out an online Nairobi National Park map. You can find one by doing a quick web search.

Getting Here: Detailed Directions

Whether you plan to drive yourself, hail a taxi or explore other options, here’s a breakdown of the best ways to get to Nairobi National Park:

Driving or Taxi

• From City Centre: The journey to Langata Gate takes about 30-45 minutes depending on Nairobi’s traffic. Head southwest on major roads like Kenyatta Avenue then follow the signs to Langata Road. Continue on Langata Road until you see the signs for Nairobi National Park. For the East Gate, your route will be mainly southeast on Mombasa Road.

• From Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA): The East Gate is the quickest and most direct from the airport, about 20-30 minutes. Simply follow Mombasa Road westwards towards the city and you’ll see the signs for the park. Langata Gate is a longer drive (about 45-60 minutes) from the airport, via the Southern Bypass and then onto Langata Road.* Ride-Hailing: Uber and Bolt operate widely in Nairobi and is a great way to get to your chosen Nairobi National Park location. Simply input “Nairobi National Park – Langata Gate” or “Nairobi National Park – East Gate” as your destination.

Public Transport

While there is limited direct public transport to the park gates, you can take a local minibus (matatu) to Langata. Alight near the park entrance and from there you might need a short taxi or motorcycle taxi (boda-boda) to get to the gate. However, for a more comfortable and hassle-free experience, especially considering park entry procedures and any luggage you may have, a private vehicle or taxi is generally the best option.