The Best Time of Year to Visit Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is one of the only parks in the world where you can see lions with a city skyline in the background, and it's only about 10 to 15 minutes from Karen Plains Hotel. When you visit changes what you'll actually see.

Dry Season: June to October

This is generally the most reliable window for wildlife viewing. Vegetation thins out, water sources become scarcer, and animals concentrate around the remaining rivers and dams, making sightings more predictable. It's also the busiest period for visitors, so mornings tend to be quieter than midday.

Short Rains: November to December

The park turns green fast once the short rains arrive, and while the grass grows taller (making some sightings trickier), this is a strong period for birding, with migratory species passing through. Crowds thin out noticeably compared to peak dry season.

Long Rains: March to May

This is the quietest stretch for visitors, with the heaviest rainfall of the year. Roads inside the park can get muddy, and some sightings become harder as animals spread out with water more widely available. If you don't mind unpredictable weather and want the park to yourself, this is when to go.

Staying Close Matters

Because Karen Plains Hotel sits so close to the park's Karen gate, an early morning game drive doesn't mean a long drive beforehand, you can be inside the park not long after sunrise, when animals are most active anyway. Our rooms and daily breakfast are set up with early starts in mind, and our team can help arrange a driver or guide through our concierge.