Nairobi National Park photography safari
A private game drive run at a photographer's pace: longer stops, the roof open, and a guide who waits for the light. Booked on the private rates, $300 (about KSh 39,000) half-day or $380 (about KSh 49,400) full day, per group.
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Tour type | Private game drive at a photographer's pace |
| Price | Half-day $300, full day $380, per group |
| Light windows | From the 06:00 gate opening, with a 05:00 pickup |
| Vehicle | Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 with pop-up roof on request, subject to availability. Pop-up roof for shooting |
| Group size | 1 to 6 guests per vehicle |
| Guide | English-speaking driver-guide who waits on sightings |
| Pickup | Included from your Nairobi hotel or residence |
| Park fee | Not included. Paid per guest to KWS: non-resident adult $80, Kenya resident KSh 1,350, citizen KSh 1,000. Commercial shoots need a KWS filming permit |
| Best for | Skyline frames, rhinos, big cats, birds at the dams |
| Book | WhatsApp +254 725 431 452. We confirm availability, then you buy the KWS ticket |
Exact price per adult
Start with the tour price, then add each fee you will pay on the day. Children pay less on park and attraction fees.
| Item | Non-resident | Kenya resident | Kenyan citizen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour, per group (your group only, 1 to 6 guests) | $300 | about KSh 39,000 | about KSh 39,000 |
| Nairobi National Park fee (KWS), per guest, paid separately | $80 | KSh 1,350 | KSh 1,000 |
| Item | Non-resident | Kenya resident | Kenyan citizen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour, per group (your group only, 1 to 6 guests) | $380 | about KSh 49,400 | about KSh 49,400 |
| Nairobi National Park fee (KWS), per guest, paid separately | $80 | KSh 1,350 | KSh 1,000 |
| Sheldrick nursery, per guest, paid separately | $20 | KSh 2,000 | KSh 2,000 |
| Giraffe Centre, per guest, paid separately | about $12 | KSh 400 | KSh 400 |
| Carnivore lunch, per person, optional | $38 | about KSh 4,940 | about KSh 4,940 |
Tell us your targets: the giraffe and skyline frame, rhinos on the southern plains, lions in morning shade, or birds at the dams. Ask for the Land Cruiser for its higher roof and we confirm availability with your date.
| Half-day | Full day | |
|---|---|---|
| Light | 05:00 pickup, in the park from the 06:00 opening | Sunrise and late light in one day |
| Price | $300 (about KSh 39,000) per group (your group only, park fees paid separately) | $380 (about KSh 49,400) per group |
| Includes | Private vehicle, driver-guide, hotel pickup and drop-off | Same. Picnic inside the park so you do not pay to re-enter |
Nairobi National Park photography tips
Be at the gate at 06:00 for the soft light, bring a 100-400mm or similar zoom, rest the lens on a beanbag on the roof, shoot at fast shutter speeds for moving animals, and use the city skyline as a backdrop on the eastern plains.
- Lenses: a 100-400mm or 150-600mm zoom covers most animals from the road. A wide lens helps for the skyline frame and landscapes.
- Support: a beanbag on the roof hatch steadies long lenses better than a tripod in a vehicle.
- Settings: 1/1000 s or faster for birds and moving cats; let the ISO rise in the first hour of light.
- Skyline shots: the eastern plains line up giraffes and zebras against the city towers. Ask your guide for the angle.
- Rhinos and lions: early morning gives the best chance of open-ground shots before animals move into shade.
- Birds: the dams and the wet season (November to April) bring the most variety.
- Engine off: ask the guide to switch off the engine for sharp, vibration-free shots.
- Kit: spare batteries, memory cards and a cloth for dust. No drones without permits.
Plan your positions with the park map and landmarks.
How the shoot runs
Flash stays off around wildlife. You shoot from the roof hatch, except on the Hippo Pools trail with a ranger. Vehicles stay on the roads, so a long lens matters more than a short one. Bring a spare battery and a beanbag if you have one. Commercial shoots need a KWS filming permit.
Best months for clean plains and cats are the drier months. The rains bring green grass, calves and migrant birds. See best time to visit.
Park and attraction fees are not in any tour price. You pay them separately: see Nairobi National Park entry fees and how to pay on KWSPay.
More animal guides: zebras, buffalo, hippos and cheetahs, with where and when each is usually seen.
Related pages
Book this safari
Send the date, the group, and the pickup. We confirm availability on WhatsApp or email, with the tour price and the park fees to budget. See our deposit and cancellation policy.