Private safari · Karen · Nairobi
Private Safari Tour in Nairobi
Experience Nairobi's wildlife on your own private safari: from an early-morning game drive in Nairobi National Park to elephants, giraffes and local craftsmanship, all in one day.
A full day, one private vehicle
A Full-Day Private Nairobi Safari Experience
Staying at Jungle Oasis? We can arrange a private safari tour in Nairobi exclusively for you and your group, with pick-up and drop-off directly from your stay in Karen.
You don't have to travel to the Maasai Mara to experience a safari in Kenya.
Nairobi National Park sits right on the edge of the city, making it possible to head out on an early-morning game drive and still spend the afternoon discovering some of Nairobi's best-known wildlife and cultural experiences. Our private Nairobi safari combines a morning in Nairobi National Park with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage, Giraffe Centre and Kazuri Beads.
No large tour group. No complicated transfers between activities. Just your group, a private safari vehicle and a full day exploring a very different side of Nairobi.
Hour by hour
Your Nairobi Safari Itinerary
6:00 AM
Depart Jungle Oasis
Your day begins early with pick-up directly from Jungle Oasis in Karen.
From here, you'll head towards Nairobi National Park for the first, and biggest, part of the day's adventure.
6:00–10:30 AM
Nairobi National Park Safari
Spend the morning exploring Nairobi National Park on a private game drive. Despite sitting alongside Kenya's capital, this is a genuine national park and home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife.
Depending on the day's sightings, you may encounter rhinos, lions, giraffes, buffalo, zebra, antelope and many other species. And then there's the view that makes a Nairobi safari unlike almost anywhere else: wildlife roaming across the plains with the skyline of Nairobi appearing in the distance.
Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed (this is a real safari, after all), but that's part of what makes every game drive different.
11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Next, visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Nairobi Nursery, home to orphaned elephants being cared for as part of the Trust's rescue and rehabilitation programme.
During the one-hour public visiting period, you'll see the elephants during their midday routine while their keepers share more about the individual animals and their conservation work. Advance reservations are required, which we'll take into account when arranging your safari day.
12:30–2:00 PM
Lunch in Karen
After an early start, take some time to slow down over lunch in Karen.
We can help recommend a restaurant depending on what you're looking for and any dietary requirements.
2:00–3:00 PM
Giraffe Centre
Continue to Nairobi's famous Giraffe Centre, where you'll get remarkably close to Rothschild's giraffes from the centre's raised viewing platform.
You may have already spotted giraffes roaming freely in Nairobi National Park that morning. Here, you get an entirely different perspective: quite literally eye-to-eye.
3:30–4:30 PM
Kazuri Beads
Finish the day at Kazuri Beads, known for its locally handmade ceramic jewellery and pottery.
It's a relaxed final stop after a wildlife-filled day and an opportunity to discover some of Nairobi's local craftsmanship and pick up something made in Kenya.
By 5:00 PM
Return to Jungle Oasis
After a full day exploring Nairobi, we'll bring you back to Jungle Oasis.
And that's one of the biggest advantages of doing a safari in Nairobi: you can spend the morning on a game drive and still be back at your accommodation before dinner.
Your group, your day
Why Choose a Private Safari Tour?
A private safari gives you something a large group excursion can't: the day belongs to your group. You're travelling in your own safari vehicle rather than joining a bus or shared tour. That means a more personal experience, more space and a day that feels like part of your trip rather than a scheduled tourist excursion.
For couples, families and small groups staying at Jungle Oasis, it's the way we'd recommend experiencing Nairobi.
Karen, Nairobi
Your Safari Starts at Jungle Oasis
Jungle Oasis is located in Karen, Nairobi, putting you close to many of the places included in the experience. Instead of staying in central Nairobi and crossing the city repeatedly, you can use Jungle Oasis as your base for exploring this side of Nairobi.
Spend the day on safari, then return to the gardens, pool and quiet surroundings of Jungle Oasis for the evening.
Explore Jungle OasisPlanning more? Read our guide to safaris in Nairobi or see family accommodation in Nairobi.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 06:00
- Pick-up from Jungle Oasis
- 06:00–10:30
- Nairobi National Park private game drive
- 11:00–12:00
- Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
- 12:30–14:00
- Lunch in Karen
- 14:00–15:00
- Giraffe Centre
- 15:30–16:30
- Kazuri Beads
- By 17:00
- Return to Jungle Oasis
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Is Nairobi National Park a real safari?
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Yes. Nairobi National Park is a protected national park with free-ranging wildlife including lions, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras and numerous antelope species. The unusual part is its location: the wilderness sits immediately alongside one of Africa's largest cities.
Is the safari private?
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Yes. This experience is designed as a private Nairobi safari tour for Jungle Oasis guests, rather than a shared group excursion.
How long does the Nairobi safari tour take?
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The complete experience lasts approximately 11 hours, leaving Jungle Oasis at around 6:00 AM and returning by approximately 5:00 PM.
Can I only visit Nairobi National Park?
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Speak to us about what you're looking for. The full-day itinerary is designed to combine Nairobi National Park with several of the area's other highlights, but we can advise you on the best option for your stay.
Are wildlife sightings guaranteed?
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No, and any safari operator promising specific wildlife sightings should make you sceptical. Nairobi National Park is a natural wildlife environment. Your guide will look for wildlife during your game drive, but particular animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Do I need to book the Elephant Orphanage in advance?
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Yes. Visits to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Nairobi Nursery require advance reservations and take place during a specific visiting window. For this reason, we recommend arranging your safari in advance rather than leaving everything until the day itself.
Can children join the safari?
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Yes. A private safari can be a particularly convenient option for families because you're travelling with your own group rather than joining a larger shared tour.
Make Nairobi Part of Your Safari
Nairobi doesn't have to be somewhere you simply pass through on the way to the Maasai Mara. Stay in Karen, wake up early and discover just how much wildlife exists within and around the city. If you're staying at Jungle Oasis, speak to us before your arrival and we'll help arrange your private Nairobi safari experience.