Nairobi National Park is unique as the only protected area in the world with such a huge variety of animals and birds close to a capital city. It is a principal attraction for visitors to Nairobi and also serves many local residents.

As a successful rhino sanctuary, the park has an excellent record for supporting the species and nurturing them until they are re-located to their former range and to other upcoming sanctuaries. Due to this success, it is one of the few parks where a visitor can be certain of seeing a black rhino in its natural environment.

Nairobi National Park is a 117 km² area including a diverse range of habitats with a wealth of flora and fauna. There are vast tracts of open grass plains with scattered acacia bush. There is a highland dry forest on the western side of the park and to the south there is riverine forest and a permanent river.

There are also stretches of broken bush and deep, rocky valleys and gorges with scrub and long grass. Further environments have been created by man-made dams and these have attracted certain species of birds and aquatic life. During the dry season the dams also attract water-dependent herbivores.

Nairobi National Park has over 400 species of bird (some are seasonal). Northern migrants pass through the park primarily during late March through April. To the south of the park is the Athi-Kapiti Plains and Kitengela Migration and dispersal area. These are vital areas for herbivores dispersal during the rains and concentrate in the park in the dry season.