This archive report was first published on 11 July 2020.
On a chilly Saturday morning, I found myself reminiscing about the thrill of going on a game drive. The sun had not yet risen, and the air was still crisp. I longed to escape the city and head north to the tea estates or south to Lake Magadi. But then I remembered the wild place that lies within the city's boundaries – Nairobi National Park.
As I pondered my options, I recalled that it was the weekend Formula One was back on TV, and I could watch the race after a game drive on Sunday. The new livery of the Mercedes cars, with its sleek black design, reminded me of my trusty Land Rover. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, I realized there were still things to be thankful for.
My first game drive in the park dates back to the late 1960s, when I drove a Ferrari-red Cortina GT. We stopped to watch cheetahs, and one of them climbed onto the bonnet, stared at us, and left its mark on the windscreen. Last Sunday, my wife and I visited the park, and the surprise was not from the animals but from the sheer number of people. The carpark near the main gate was being used as a temperature screening site, and the atmosphere was lively.
As we drove through the park, we skirted the forest and headed towards Mokoyeti Gorge. The picnic sites were closed, but the Mokoyeti site was packed with vehicles and youngsters taking photos of each other. We then had to queue to get to the Hippo Pools. It was good to see so many youngsters enjoying the park, but we wanted to escape the traffic, so we took the route less travelled – along the Mbagathi River towards the disused Old Cheetah Gate and then left to one of our favorite spots – the Athi River Dam in the south-east corner of the park.
As we drove along the dirt roads, we spotted many birds, including Egyptian geese, crowned cranes, and blacksmith plovers. We also saw a pod of hippos and an old male hartebeest. Beyond the dam, the railway stretched towards the city, and the views down to the Athi Basin were breathtaking. We saw plenty of plains game, but none of their predators or rhinos. It was a peaceful time, and if you can, go to the park on weekdays for a more serene experience.
Nairobi National Park is a unique protected area, as described by Gordon Boy in his excellent guide. With an entrance fee of Sh400, it is unbeatable value for a day out.
John Fox is the chairman of iDC.
