Nairobi National Park ToursNairobi National Park Game Drive With Pickup
- 5 hoursDuration
- 4.5 · 642Reviews on GetYourGuide
- From $33per person
- Free cancellation 24hCancellation
Quick answer The $33 drive at a glance
This five-hour Nairobi National Park game drive costs $33 per person, with hotel pickup, a professional guide, bottled water and Wi-Fi in the vehicle. The KWS park fee is extra: $80 per non-resident adult and $40 per child. Groups go up to 20, and pickup time is confirmed the day before.
Key takeaways
- Compare the shared vehicle and the $80 park fee against other Nairobi National Park tours before booking.
- If you want elephants on the same day, the Park, Elephants and Giraffes Shared Day adds Sheldrick and the Giraffe Centre.
- See how the KWS park fee changes the real cost of every listing.
- For an open-roof 4x4 instead of a van-style jeep, look at the 5-Hour 4x4 Safari.
Sold and operated by Giovanni Safaris. Booked and paid through GetYourGuide. We may earn a commission if you book through our link, at no extra cost to you. Compare all Nairobi National Park tours
This Nairobi National Park game drive runs five hours with hotel pickup in Nairobi, a professional guide and bottled water on board. It is run by Giovanni Safaris and sold on GetYourGuide at $33 per person, with a 4.5 rating from 642 reviews. Guides speak English, German, French and Spanish, and Wi-Fi is available in the vehicle. The price does not include the Kenya Wildlife Service park entry fee, so non-resident adults pay $80 more at the gate or online through KWSPay. This page breaks down what the $33 buys, how the day runs, and when a different tour from the Nairobi National Park tours comparison is the better fit.
About This Tour
Giovanni Safaris runs this half-day Nairobi National Park game drive from Nairobi hotels. You ride in a jeep or SUV with Wi-Fi on board, with a professional guide who can work in English, German, French or Spanish. The drive itself lasts about five hours inside the park, with an optional one-hour stop at the Kobe Tough beads and leather market on the way back.
The $33 covers the vehicle, the guide, water and pickup. The Kenya Wildlife Service entry fee is separate and larger than the tour price for non-resident adults. The group can reach 20 people, and a private option exists. Pickup time is sent by email or WhatsApp the day before, which means you plan your morning around a window rather than a fixed hour.
$33 per person, covering pickup and drop-off, the game drive, a professional guide, bottled water and Wi-Fi on board. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and reserve now and pay later.
KWS park entry is not in the price. Non-resident adults pay $80 and children $40 to Kenya Wildlife Service, on top of the $33.
Five hours total: about 30 minutes of transfer each way and roughly five hours of guided drive in the park, with an optional one-hour Kobe Tough shopping stop.
Jeep or SUV with Wi-Fi. Shared groups go up to 20 people, and a private option for your own group of up to 20 is available.
Hotel pickup in Nairobi. The exact time is emailed or messaged on WhatsApp the day before. Pickup from the airport or the area around it costs $25 extra.
Listed as wheelchair accessible. No minimum age is stated. The listing says it is not suitable for people over 95 years.
Check Dates and Availability
Morning and afternoon departures run on this listing, and the exact pickup time is confirmed the day before by email or WhatsApp. Check the widget for starting times on your date.
How the Day Runs
The listing gives the shape of the day in stages rather than fixed clock times, with the pickup time arriving the day before by email or WhatsApp.
Stage by Stage
The driver collects you at your Nairobi hotel and drives about 30 minutes to the park entrance near the Main Gate area on the city side. The guided game drive then runs about five hours through the park, which lies roughly 8 km from the Nairobi CBD according to KWS routing information. On the way back the itinerary lists an optional one-hour stop at KOBE TOUGH beads and leather for shopping and crafts, then drop-off at one of two Nairobi locations.
The listing does not name the gate used, so ask the operator when your pickup details arrive.
Stages as the listing prints them, with the pickup time confirmed the day before.
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Pickup
Hotel pickup in Nairobi
The driver collects you at one of two pickup location options in Nairobi. The exact time is emailed or sent on WhatsApp the day before, and airport-area pickups cost $25 extra.
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Transfer
Drive to the park entrance
About 30 minutes to Nairobi National Park, which sits roughly 8 km from the Nairobi CBD via Langata Road according to KWS.
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Game drive
Five hours with the guide
The guided game drive runs about five hours through the park, with the guide explaining wildlife behaviour, ecology and park history. Expect giraffes, zebras, ostriches and other species in their habitat, with no sighting promised.
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Shopping
Optional Kobe Tough stop
An optional one-hour stop at KOBE TOUGH beads and leather for crafts and shopping. Skip it if you want to head straight back.
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Return
Drop-off in Nairobi
Drop-off at one of two Nairobi locations, ending the half day.
A lioness in Nairobi National Park. Photo: flowcomm, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What the Price Covers
The listing ticks five items as included. Everything after them in the Includes block is extra, and the biggest extra is the park fee itself.
What You Get
Your $33 buys hotel pickup and drop-off in Nairobi, the guided game drive, a professional guide, bottled water and Wi-Fi on board. Pickup time is emailed or sent on WhatsApp the day before, so confirm your hotel address at booking. A private option for your group of up to 20 is available, and pickup from the airport area costs $25 more.
What You Pay on Top
The KWS park entry fee is the largest extra: $80 per non-resident adult and $40 per non-resident child, charged by Kenya Wildlife Service. Meals, personal purchases and optional gratuities are not included either. GetYourGuide may add fees at checkout, so read the final screen before paying.
The listing prints resident and East African citizen rates that match the official KWS fee schedule, so both sides agree here. The official fee figures come from the KWS conservation fee schedule, and the listing matches them.
| Line | In the price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| KWS park entry | No | $80 adult, $40 child non-resident, paid to KWS on top |
| Vehicle and guide | Yes | Jeep or SUV, guide in English, German, French or Spanish |
| Hotel pickup and drop-off | Yes | Airport-area pickup costs $25 extra |
| Bottled water | Yes | Listed as refreshments |
| Wi-Fi on board | Yes | Stated on the listing |
| Meals and gratuities | No | Not included, tips optional |
| Orphanage or Giraffe Centre entry | No | This tour does not visit either, no entry applies |
Sources: Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Wildlife Service.
Photographing a giraffe through the roof hatch on a Nairobi National Park game drive. Photo: Queen Asali, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Book It If, Skip It If
Book it if
- you want a five-hour guided drive at $33 with hotel pickup, bottled water and Wi-Fi on board
- you need a guide in English, German, French or Spanish, since all four languages are offered
- you want free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start and reserve now, pay later
Skip it if
- you need a guaranteed window seat, because up to 20 people share one jeep, so the Private 4x4 Land Cruiser Tour gives you your own open-roof vehicle for $130 per person
- you want elephants and giraffes the same day, this tour is park only, so the Park, Elephants and Giraffes Shared Day at $35 covers all three stops
- you want open-roof photography, the vehicle is a closed jeep or SUV, so the 5-Hour 4x4 Safari uses an open-roof 4x4 at the same $33
Who This Tour Rules Out
This listing fits travellers who want a short, multilingual drive and a low headline price. Several kinds of traveller should book differently.
Shared Ride, Up to 20
You may share a jeep with up to 20 people, and the listing does not promise a window seat for everyone. If a guaranteed window matters, the Private 4x4 Land Cruiser Tour gives you your own open-roof vehicle for $130 per person.
Want Elephants the Same Day
This tour visits the park only. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery visit at 11am and the Giraffe Centre are not on the itinerary. The Park, Elephants and Giraffes Shared Day at $35 covers all three stops, with their entry fees paid on the day.
No Park-fee Surprises
The $33 grows by $80 per non-resident adult at the gate. If you want the fee inside the ticket price, the Private Land Cruiser, Fee Included lists at $257 per person with entrance inside the price, so the figure you see is the figure you pay.
Open-roof Photography
The vehicle is a jeep or SUV, not described as open-roof, so photography runs through windows. The 5-Hour 4x4 Safari uses an open-roof 4x4 at the same $33 and adds an Ivory Burning Site stop.
A male Maasai ostrich in the park, the Nairobi skyline behind it. Photo: Shadychiri, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pros and Cons
An honest read of this listing against the rest of the comparison.
What we genuinely like
- $33 per person is the joint lowest half-day price in the comparison, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start
- Guides in four languages: English, German, French and Spanish
- Wi-Fi on board, rare on shared game drives
- Pickup time confirmed by email or WhatsApp the day before, useful for planning
- Wheelchair accessible, and reserve now and pay later is available
The honest downsides
- The $80 adult KWS park fee is paid on top, so the real cost per non-resident adult is several times the headline price
- Up to 20 people share one vehicle, and no window seat is guaranteed
- The pickup time is only confirmed the day before, which makes early flight-day plans harder
- It is a closed jeep or SUV rather than an open-roof 4x4, which limits photography angles
- The optional shopping stop can add an hour to a five-hour listing
Who it's NOT for: Travellers who want the elephant orphanage or the Giraffe Centre on the same day, or a private vehicle with the park fee inside the price, should book a different tour.
Park Fee, Gates and What to Bring
The practical facts that decide how smooth the day runs, from Kenya Wildlife Service itself.
Pay the Park Fee Before You Go
Independent visitors pay KWS fees themselves through the KWSPay portal at kwspay.ecitizen.go.ke, which accepts M-Pesa, Visa card and bank transfer through KCB, ABSA or Equity Bank. Paying before the day avoids a queue at the gate. Ask the operator whether they handle the payment for you or if you buy your own ticket.
Children five and under enter free, and KWS defines a child as five up to under 18.
Gates and Timing
Gates open at 6:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM unless you stay overnight inside the park. Morning drives catch cooler air and more active animals, and afternoon drives run before the closing hour. KWS calls July to March the high season for game viewing, with short grass and sunny weather, and April to June the low season because of the long rains, when some tracks get muddy and 4-wheel-drive vehicles may be needed.
This tour runs in rain.
What Lives in the Park
The park covers 117 square kilometres and hosts over 100 mammal species and more than 400 bird species, with four of the Big Five and no elephants inside the fence. KWS names three resident lion prides: Kingfisher, Athi and Mokoyet. The park is also known as one of Kenya's most successful black rhino sanctuaries, and Athi Dam is a reliable spot for hippos and crocodiles according to Ololo Safari Lodge.
No listing can promise you a sighting of any animal, so treat every name here as a possibility rather than a guarantee.
Rules and What to Bring
KWS asks visitors to stay at least 20 metres from wildlife, remain in the vehicle with doors closed except at designated spots, keep to 40 km/h, never feed animals and never honk. Single-use plastic is banned across all KWS parks, so leave plastic bags and bottles out of your daypack. KWS's own packing list for the park names drinking water, a camera, binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellent and sunglasses.
More on gates and routes sits in the gates and hours guide and more on animals in the wildlife guide.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service.
Nairobi National Park Morning Game Drive
A morning game drive minutes from the city centre. Third-party video by EmilyOnSafari. This site did not shoot it and has no relationship with the creator.
What Travelers Said
Willy was AMAZING. He knew all the secret spots and was so knowledgeable about the park. His driving was top notch and the truck was very comfortable. Couldn’t recommend Willy enough! Incredible experience because of him.
Knowledgeable and great guide. Very friendly, responds on time, knows the tour route. Truly enjoyed the experience. Thanks Joji
Absolutely worth it. Our guide was very knowledgeable and found all the good spots to see the animals. We saw more than anticipated. Highly recommend.
I had an amazing safari experience with Fred at Nairobi National Park. He was very knowledgeable about the animals and the park, and made the experience both enjoyable and informative. He was friendly, helpful, and went out of his way to make sure we had a great experience. It was a memorable safari, and I would definitely recommend Fred to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and reliable guide.
excellent tour from the start, incl. pick-up from the hotel, comfortable van, attentive guide and the park, of course. We witnessed not only the wild animals in the park but also two remarkable pairings of lions and ostriches. It was a beautiful demo that nature is still thriving.
Linus, our guidelines, was excellent, ensuring that we saw as many animals and birds as possible. His eager spotted a lioness standing on the side of the road, which was a highlight of the tour. A brilliant experience from start to finish. Highly recommend.
Questions About This Game Drive
How much does this Nairobi National Park game drive cost in total?
The tour is $33 per person. The KWS park entry fee is extra at $80 per non-resident adult and $40 per child, paid to Kenya Wildlife Service. Never add the figures up yourself, just budget for both. The KWS park fee guide shows how the fee affects every listing.
How do I pay the Nairobi National Park entry fee?
Independent visitors pay through the KWSPay portal at kwspay.ecitizen.go.ke, which accepts M-Pesa, Visa card and bank transfer through KCB, ABSA or Equity Bank. Pay before your drive to skip the ticket line, and ask the operator whether they buy the ticket for you. Details sit in the KWS FAQs.
What time does the tour pick me up?
The exact pickup time is not fixed at booking. Giovanni Safaris emails or WhatsApps the details one day before the tour. Airport-area pickup costs $25 extra. Check the booking card for the pickup terms.
Will I see lions and rhinos?
No sighting is guaranteed. The park holds three resident lion prides, Kingfisher, Athi and Mokoyet, and is one of Kenya's most successful black rhino sanctuaries, with four of the Big Five present. The wildlife guide lists what lives in the park, per KWS.
Is this the same as a night game drive?
No. This is a daytime drive inside the 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM gate hours. A ranger-escorted night drive is a separate and much more expensive product, such as the Night Safari with a KWS Ranger.
How big is the group?
The standard shared group goes up to 20 people, and a private option for just your group of up to 20 is available on the same listing. If you want a smaller private vehicle, the Private 4x4 Land Cruiser Tour runs six hours for $130 per person.
Can I cancel this tour?
Yes. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The full Nairobi National Park tours comparison lists the cancellation terms for every operator.
Compare with
Nairobi National Park Half-Day Game Drive
Four hours on the plains in an open-roof van, morning or afternoon, with hotel pickup. The $80 KWS fee is bought online on top.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- Kenya Bush Expeditions
Nairobi National Park 5-Hour 4x4 Safari with Pickup
The same five hours in an open-roof 4x4 rather than a van, with a stop at the Ivory Burning Site. Morning, afternoon or evening.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- Eloquent Tours
Nairobi National Park, Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre Shared Day
Dawn game drive, the 11am baby-elephant hour at Sheldrick and the Giraffe Centre in one shared day. Park, orphanage and giraffe fees extra.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- Rumaa Tours and Safaris Africa
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