Many safari goers use Nairobi, the capital of Kenya,often referred to as the safari capital of Africa, as the start and/or end of their safari adventure. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is one of the chief international airports in Africa and is 15 km southwest of East Africa’s most bustling cosmopolitan city. In fact, one of the first things you’ll see when you leave the airport is the intense traffic; a true contrast to the quiet and serenity you’ll find in other parts of the country.
Nairobi is home to the Nairobi National Park, a large game reserve that consists of a 117 square km area, located just 7 km south of the city. Scores of mammals, including lions, giraffes, zebras and a variety of species of antelope, as well as many reptiles and over 400 species of birds, inhabit the park.
The park is known for its black rhino-breeding program and also popular, is the Ivory Burning Site Monument and the Nairobi Safari Walk. Also, located in the park is the highly regarded elephant orphanage operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which is considered the most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world.
The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), commonly known as The Giraffe Center is located in Lang’ata, approximately 20 kilometres from the centre of Nairobi where visitors have an opportunity to get into close contact with the world’s tallest species, the giraffe.