My visit to Nairobi National Park was in 2009, on the last day of my holiday. The perceived wisdom is that one has to be there in the early morning to have a chance of seeing anything worthwhile. However, after a "heavy" night at the Norfolk Hotel, a 5 o'clock start was not an option, so we set off with our driver at 10.30! The park contains all the major animals, except elephants, and the setting is amazing - in the distance you can see the high rise buildings! About 5 minutes into our tour, we met a white Kenyan lady who spoke to our driver in Swahili and told him where to see a pride of lions. It was an amazing sight. They had obviously just fed and were dozing in the sun. I got so excited, I almost got out of the car to take photos!! We also saw herds of zebra, various antelope, 3 different kinds of giraffe, but the hippos remained elusive. In fact it was like a mini-safari, at a fraction of the cost! But perhaps we were just lucky!

For those with a paucity of time or 4 hours to kill, a visit to the Nairobi national park is an excellent option. I have been to this place a few times and with the exception of the Leopard, I have spotted the 4 big ones (Lion, Elephant, Rhino and Hippo).

You can visit the animal orphanage at the entrance to the park as well.

Amazing to see so much wildlife with the backdrop of the Nairobi skyscapers. Very well informed trackers who made our trip so memorable. Excellent shop

If you are in Nairobi and can get a free afternoon, this place is simply not to be missed. Arrange a on open rooftop car from some of the companies Around 30min drive from the city, you enter superb park. Monkeys, buffalos, lions, rhinos, birds, all is there if you are lucky (late afternoon is the best time to visit). Amazing and absolute must!