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. It 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 a 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 from late March through April.
