Nairobi
Safari Walk
(Walking Safaris in Kenya, Africa Wildlife
Walking Tours, Nairobi Wildlife Trails, Nairobi Walking Tours)
The
Nairobi safari walk is based 7 km away from the Nairobi city center
just 30 meters from the entrance of the Nairobi National Park.It is
kenya's new conservation based recreation facility. The facility is
supreme in tourism and conservation education due to its skilled and
creative landscape design,detailed interpretation and wildlife species.Next
to it is the Rangers Restaurant . The gates open daily as from 9am till
5.30pm.The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has given the entire Park a
facelift. New concepts and ideas have been incorporated to make the
Park visitor-friendly. There is always something new to see and so each
visit is exciting and thrilling.
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For
International Visitors, The Nairobi safari walk is an eye opener to
kenya's National Parks and Reserves. It offers the international visitor
an opportunity to learn what he/she expects to see across the country.
You will get a taste of kenya's rich animal collection which includes
the white rhino,rare bongo,albino zebra,collection of cats,primates
and antelopes.It is a home to a collection of over 150 species of local
trees.
Nairobi
Safari Walk is a conservation-cum-education facility that has been developed
from the former Animal Orphanage. Eleven hectares of land have been
set aside for the construction of this facility in order to give visitors
a sample of Kenya’s rich bio-diversity. In other words, to set
the standards of conservation education in Kenya. The site also serves
as KWS centre for development of education materials.
Itinerary:
The
Safari Walk depicts three major habitats: Wetland, savannah and forest.
Armed with this information, you set off for the walk. The entrance
is a wetland which is terraced in order to accommodate different types
of plants. From here, you move anti-clockwise into the ground level
walk. The attraction here is hoofed stock (antelope, zebra, wildebeest
etc), hyena, rhino, lion, leopard and cheetah. You get to see the animals
in their simulated natural habitats and with strict adherence to the
highest standards in wild animal husbandry.
Moving
on, you enter a release boma, which will be used to hold the rhino before
releasing it into the wild. The boma in this instance becomes a hide
from which spectators will be able to look down on a rhino through the
eye holes - set at different levels and heights. When the rhino is finally
translocated, visitors will be able to also see it from the ground level.
You
then enter into a tropical dry forest. The main attraction here are
the birds. You can also look out for insects and plants. The walk through
this section is really soothing. The area is cool and benches have been
provided for those who prefer to sit and listen to the birds singing
and insects calling.
There
is so much to see and learn as you walk down the well maintained paths.
Here you hardly notice how time flies away. At the end of the walk,
you emerge into a “look out” viewing section with views
straight onto a water hole in the Nairobi National Park. This viewing
point gives the visitor an opportunity to see all sorts of game - if
you are lucky.
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The
final section of the Safari Walk is a board walk built at tree top level.
From the board, you have an aerial view of the whole facility. You also
see a leopard blind which has been cleverly constructed at tree branch
height so that there is no need for one to look up at the animal. The
animal is lounging in high branches. At first it is scary as you notice
that there is no glass in this side, but then you relax as you discover
that the distance between the tree and the blind is too far a distance
for the leopard to jump across. The base of the blind is covered with
an iron sheet and electric fencing for added security.There are also
separate lion and cheetah blinds. Here, behind a 25 mm thick laminated
glass, you sit down to view the lions and the cheetahs at ground level
- in their enclosed savannah habitat.
While
doing the board walk, you also get another look into the park itself,
overlooking a dam. From here, you see baboons scavenging for food. Their
young ones clutched on the backs or underneath their mothers. From the
viewing point, you begin your uphill walk and suddenly emerge at the
starting point. You realised then that the whole board walk actually
covers one and half kilometres.
The
Safari Walk has been designed to blend in with the natural environment.
It is made of sisal and gum poles. Interestingly, even the waste bins
and light shades are built from these materials so that nothing looks
out of place.And if you are tired and would still like to capture the
breathtaking scenes, there are benches and shaded areas where one can
rest. And if you are thirsty, water fountains are conveniently located.
You
don’t need to feel insecure even for a moment while strolling
in this natural habitat. Electric fencing, moat and chain link fence
have been discreetly placed for the dual purpose of providing a good
view and security. This ensures that the animals remain in their designated
habitats.The unparalleled design of the gates means that the animals
can access their sleeping areas without interference.The whole walk
takes almost two hours. The walk has been artistically constructed -
zig zags, bends, tree canopies, hills etc.
The
Rangers Restaurant:
After
the walk you are free to visit the Rangers Restaurant for a refreshing
drink.This joint is located at the end of the board walk overlooking
a water hole.
Note:
This tour can be combined with the tour of the Animal orphanage located
10 meters away.
