Kenya, National Park in Nairobi, Giraffes Next to Skyscrapers – VIDEO

The Nairobi National Park was founded in 1946 as the first one of its kind in Kenya. Although its close proximity to urban development causes a lot of trouble and the park needs to be separated by an electric fence, it plays an important role for African nature. Among other things, it is one of the most successful shelters for rhinos.

You will see most of the animals in the park during the dry season, when herds of herbivores from the vast plains in the south are pulled here. Be it zebras, wildebeests, several types of antelopes and impal, or majestic giraffes and buffaloes. Of course they are followed by beasts, in the park you can come across lion families, cheetahs or hyenas, and if you are lucky, you may notice a shy leopard. In addition, you have the chance to see hippos, the aforementioned rhinos, monkeys and about 400 bird species.

The main gate to the park is located near Wilson's domestic airport, and the international airport is not far away. You can use your own car, trips through the park are well maintained, and when it is not raining, you can also drive with a two-wheel drive. But remember that you shouldn't get out of the car, you never know what animal hides behind the nearest bush.

In addition to the gate you can also visit the rescue station for injured animals and orphans, especially elephants and rhinos. Near the park you will also find a very popular giraffe center where you can feed giraffes from your hand and stroke them head-on. Even the giraffe hotel is adjacent to the center, from where you have the giraffes basically at your fingertips.

Entrance to the park costs $ 43 per person, but due to the great interest of tourists it is quite possible that it will increase. But the park deserves money. Just like your visit. Only few in the world will you see so many wild animals with a background of skyscrapers. The African wildlife is absolutely fascinating, and I hope that it can be preserved as much as possible for future generations. With the current pace of population growth on the "black continent," this will be a challenge. Keeping a large national park on the lucrative lands of an extremely fast-growing and wealthy city will not be easy.

GPS: 1°21'40.9"S 36°50'44.7"E

Text, photos, and video: Matouš Vinš

Music: grapes