Nairobi airport to the national park in short
Two airports serve the park: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Wilson Airport. The park lies on the southern edge of Nairobi, along Lang'ata Road. The Main Gate is on Lang'ata Road next to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) headquarters, and the park is roughly 8 to 10 km from the city center. Do not read that as the distance from the airport: the ride from the terminal to the gate is a separate trip and traffic decides how long it takes.
The most important step is to tell your driver which gate you want. The Main Gate, the gate used by tour vehicles on the airport side and the gate for the elephant orphanage are three different places. If you book a game drive, ask the operator which gate and which pick-up point they use. Our page on Nairobi National Park game drives explains the options, and the entry fee page covers tickets.
Gates of Nairobi National Park
Pick the gate by what you want to do, not by what is nearest.
| Gate | Where | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Main Gate | Lang'ata Road, by the KWS headquarters | Standard entrance for game drives and for the Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage area |
| East Gate | Airport side of the park | Used by some tour operators for pick-ups and drives, so ask which gate your tour uses |
| Mbagathi or Workshop Gate | Magadi Road | The way to the elephant orphanage. Not the same as the Main Gate |
| Other historic gates | – | Do not rely on them as tourist entrances |
For most visitors who simply want a game drive, the Main Gate is the safest choice, and an operator can tell you if they use another gate. Whichever gate you choose, say it out loud to the driver and write it down.
Our pick: pickup at the airport
This tour offers pickup at your hotel or at the airport.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Nairobi tours with pick-up
Game drives, giraffe and elephant visits and city tours from Nairobi, with live prices, pick-up details and availability.
JKIA to the park by taxi, ride-hailing or tour
The practical options for the transfer.
Taxi or ride-hailing
Taxis and ride-hailing cars work as far as the Mbagathi Gate for the elephant orphanage, and a shuttle option exists there. Fares are not fixed, so agree the price before you get in or check the app.
Arranged tour with pick-up
A tour with pick-up removes the gate question, because the operator brings you to the entrance it uses. Check where it starts and where it ends.
Elephant orphanage visit
The visit runs from 11:00 to 12:00 and needs a confirmed reservation. Arrive by about 10:30. If you come on foot or by taxi from the KWS gate and have not paid for the driver and vehicle, a shuttle vehicle runs between 10:15 and 11:30.
Park hours
The park's daytime window is 06:00 to 18:00. Do not plan on a regular ticket for later in the evening.
Roads from JKIA and the Expressway
Which way to go, and what to avoid.
Preferred routes
The UK Foreign Office advises Mombasa Road or the Nairobi Expressway between JKIA and the city. Allow for traffic and security checks.
Roads with higher risk
The same advice names Airport South Road and Jogoo Road as having a higher carjacking risk. Ask your driver to avoid them.
Expressway tolls
The operator accepts an ETC tag, an MTC card, cash and mobile money. Base fares for class 3 vehicles, excluding VAT, were KES 250 from JKIA to the Southern Bypass and KES 410 from JKIA to Westlands in 2023. Rates and taxes may have changed, so check the current tariff for your vehicle class.
Traffic
Allow extra time on any city trip. A game drive starting at the 06:00 opening is much easier to reach than one that starts mid-morning.
Entry rules for Kenya in 2026
Short and practical. Check the official pages before you fly.
eTA
Most visitors need an electronic travel authorization (eTA), and some nationalities are exempt. Normal processing takes about 3 days. The authority advises applying at least 2 weeks ahead. Staying inside the airport in transit is exempt, but a safari leaves that area.
Insurance
Since October 2026, the eTA application includes a paid Kenyan travel health insurance. A foreign policy does not replace it. Even with an older valid eTA, carry proof of Kenyan insurance.
Yellow fever
Kenya asks for a valid yellow fever certificate if you arrive from a yellow fever endemic country. It is not a blanket rule for every arrival.
Terminal change
From 3 September 2026, some flights moved to Terminal 1C because of works. Not all airlines or flights are affected, so check which terminal your flight uses.
Travel advice for Nairobi
Calm and practical.
US advice
The US State Department lists Kenya at Level 3, Reconsider Travel. For the Nairobi districts of Eastleigh and Kibera the advice is Do Not Travel because of crime and kidnapping. Do not read that as a warning for the whole national park, but keep it in mind for your route. Protests can block roads.
UK advice
The UK Foreign Office warns of violent crime, demonstrations and traffic jams in Nairobi. It advises avoiding crowds and following local news.
German advice
The German Foreign Office warns of motorbike robberies in Nairobi, including by day, in areas such as Westlands, Riverside, Gigiri and Runda.
What to do
Use arranged transport for arrivals and early starts, keep valuables out of sight and read the current advice from your own government before you fly.
Nairobi airport and the national park: frequently asked questions
Which airport is closest to Nairobi National Park?
JKIA and Wilson are the airports used to reach the park. The distance to the gate depends on the gate and the route, so ask your driver or operator for the exact transfer and allow extra time for traffic.
Which gate should I use for a game drive?
The Main Gate on Lang'ata Road next to the KWS headquarters is the standard choice. Some tour operators use the East Gate on the airport side, so check which one your tour uses.
Can I take a taxi or ride-hailing car from JKIA to the park?
Yes, taxis and ride-hailing cars run to the Mbagathi Gate for the elephant orphanage, and a shuttle option exists. There are no fixed fares, so agree the price in advance.
Which road should I take from JKIA?
The UK Foreign Office advises Mombasa Road or the Nairobi Expressway between JKIA and the city, and it names Airport South Road and Jogoo Road as higher risk for carjacking.
Do I need an eTA and insurance?
Most visitors need an eTA, and since October 2026 the application includes a paid Kenyan travel health insurance. Apply at least 2 weeks before you fly.
Is this the official website of Nairobi National Park or the airport?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the Kenya Wildlife Service, the airport or any transfer service.