This may sound a little bit like a zoo, but Nairobi National Park covers 120 km2/46 sq mi and is inhabited by wild animals of many kinds. Few Kenyan parks are in fact as rich in mammal species. Anything from antelopes to lions may be seen.

The park isn't teeming with animals, and its quality as a game viewing area cannot be compared with Kenyan prime parks such as Masai Mara.

If you have half a day or a day to spend in Nairobi, you may enjoy a tour to the park. It has relatively few visitors during the weeks, while weekends can be crowded.

Lodges and hotels
You may stay anywhere in Nairobi, as the park is just outside the city.

Nairobi Serena Hotel has high standard, and is situated in a central yet quiet part of Nairobi, not far from the city centre. There are 180 rooms, of which 20 are different types of suites. The hotel has a 25 m/80 ft swimming pool, two bars and two restaurants, one of the latter very ambitious. More about Nairobi Serena Hotel Web site: www.serenahotels.com

Panafric Hotel is a hotel in a quiet suburb area overlooking Nairobi. There are some 150 rooms and 50 apartments, two restaurants, bars, a garden pool, conference facilities etc. The hotel is 20 km/12 mi from Nairobi's international airport. More about Panafric Hotel Web site: www.sarovahotels.com

Fairview Hotel is not far from Nairobi's city centre. It has 103 rooms with ensuite bathroom, satellite television, safe and mini bar. There are three restaurants, bar, first class lounge, business centre and conference facilities, wireless internet, gym, sports television room, swimming pool, and security camera monitoring.

Web site: www.fairviewkenya.com

Hilton Nairobi is a large hotel in a central location in Nairobi. It has close to 300 rooms, ranging from standard rooms to suites. The hotel describes its rooms as 'contemporary'. They may have been a long time ago, but are now rather traditional hotel rooms, as to interior design. There are four restaurants, a pub, lounge, swimming pool, beauty salon, fitness centre, conference facilities, gift shop, and currency exchange.

Web site: www.hilton.com

Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel may be the most traditional hotel in Nairobi; it's 100+ years old, close to as old as the city itself. It is set not too far from the city centre. The Norfolk has 168 rooms with plush carpeting, satellite television, air conditioning, etc. There are six restaurants, bar and lounge, business centre, conference facilities, car rental, currency exchange, garden, and heated swimming pool.

Web site: www.fairmont.com

The Panari Hotel is situated in the outskirts of Nairobi, along the road from the city to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO/HKJK). It's a convenient location for stays in connection to international flights. Panari is new, has a modern design and offers good standard. The hotel has 137 air-conditioned rooms (including suites) with satellite television, safe, phone and Internet. There is a restaurant and bars, indoors swimming pool, fitness centre, business centre, and conference facilities.

Web site: www.panarihotels.com

InterContinental Nairobi is a large hotel in central Nairobi. It has close to 400 rooms (including suites), and was recently renovated. All rooms have ensuite bathroom and the normal facilities for a good hotel. There are three restaurants, bar, health and fitness centre, shops, swimming pool, casino, business centre, meeting room, and currency exchange.

Web site: www.ichotelsgroup.com

Holiday Inn Nairobi (former Mayfair Court Hotel) is set some 4 km/2.5 mi north of the city centre. The hotel has 171 rooms, two restaurants, bar and poolside bar, fitness centre, swimming pool, beauty salon, gift shop, and business centre.

Web site: www.holidayinn.com

Meridian Court Hotel is a tourist class hotel just outside Nairobi's city centre. It has 85 rooms, all with ensuite bathroom, satellite television, phone, and balcony. The hotel has two restaurants, sports bar, rooftop swimming pool, gym, conference facilities, and business centre.

Web site: www.meridianhotelkenya.com

Hotel La Mada is set in forest vegetation near the Karura forest some 10 km/6 mi north-east of the city centre. The hotel has 35 rooms (including four suites), restaurant, lounge and bar, conference facilities, business centre, gift shop, and swimming pool.

Web site: www.madahotels.com

The Oakwood Hotel is a small hotel in central Nairobi. It has 20 self-contained rooms, all with ensuite bathroom, television, safe and phone. There is a restaurant and a bar. The hotel's interiors are dominated by its oakwood design.

Web site: www.madahotels.com

Six Eighty Hotel is a tourist class hotel in central Nairobi. No frills, really, but a good location. It has 340 rooms, all with satellite television, safe, and phone. One floor has non-smoking rooms only. There are dining facilities, shops, and conference facilities.

Web site: www.sentrim-hotels.com

Hotel Boulevard is not very far from the city centre of Nairobi. The hotel has 70 rooms with ensuite bathroom, satellite television, safe, Internet, phone, and a balcony with garden or pool view. There is a restaurant, three bars, conference facilities, and a swimming pool.

Web site: www.sentrim-hotels.com

Laico Regency Hotel is a luxury hotel in central Nairobi, facing Central Park. The hotel has 194 rooms (including suites), all with ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning, safe, phone, satellite television, and Internet. There are restaurants, bar, gym, heated swimming pool, casino, business centre, meeting rooms, shops, and fitness club.

Web site: www.laicohotels.com

Nairobi Safari Club in central Nairobi is a fairly new hotel. It has 146 suites (with ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, safe, satellite television, etc), restaurants, bar, swimming pool, fitness centre, conference facilities, business centre, currency exchange, and gift shop.

Web site: www.nairobisafariclub.com

Tribe – The Village Market Hotel is a modern hotel in Gigiri, an area favoured by embassies, diplomats and humanitarian workers, situated north of the city centre. The hotel is set next to The Village Market, the most up-market shopping centre in Nairobi. The style is contemporary. The hotel has 142 rooms (including suites), all with open plan bathroom, wireless Internet, large LCD TV, and phones. There is restaurant, bar, conference facilities, spa, and gift shop. The shopping complex next door offers further facilities.

Web site: www.africanpridehotels.com

Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club is a hotel in Victorian countryside style, not very far from central Nairobi. It has 130 rooms in the main buildings and in cottages. The rooms are elegant, and overlook the hotel's 18-hole championship golf course. There are two restaurants, three bars, conference facilities, health club, swimming pool and baby pool, tennis courts, squash courts, and horse riding.

Web site: www.windsorgolfresort.com

Safari Park Hotel & Casino is a resort style hotel some 15 minutes from central Nairobi. It has 204 rooms (including suites), all with ensuite bathroom, private balcony, mini bar, safe and satellite television. There are five restaurants, conference facilities, disco, piano bars, dance performances, fitness club, tennis courts, squash courts, jogging tracks, and swimming pool.

Web site: www.safaripark-hotel.com

The Giraffe Manor is a former private home outside Nairobi that is now open for guests. It is known for its tame Rothschild giraffes. The Giraffe Manor has six guest rooms, and offers home stay style accommodation in an elegant countryside manor house.

Web site: www.giraffemanor.com

Silver Springs Hotel is a good 161-room mid-range hotel not too far north of Nairobi's city centre. The standard rooms have ensuite bathroom, satellite television, and wireless Internet, while superior rooms and suites have additional facilities. The hotel has restaurants, bar, swimming pool, gym and spa, conference rooms, business centre, and gift shop.

Web site: www.silversprings-hotel.com

Wasini Luxury Homes is north of the city centre, offering stays in apartments and good standard. All apartments have kitchen, bathroom with jacuzzi, lounge, and LCD TV. There is a clubhouse, a gym and spa, and swimming pool.

Web site: www.wasiniluxuryhomes.com

Jacaranda Hotel is a garden hotel situated in the Westlands suburb north of Nairobi's city centre. It has 121 rooms, all with ensuite bathroom, ceiling fan, satellite television, and phone. There is a restaurant, bar, Swimming pool, health club, business centre, and conference facilities.

Web site:www.jacarandahotels.com

Karen Blixen Cottages (part of Karen Blixen Coffee Garden Restaurant and Cottages) are situated in Karen, a quiet suburb of Nairobi some 30 km/20 mi south-west of the city centre. The cottages are set in a large formal garden, and can accommodate up to 30 guests. It's not far from Wilson Airport, from where safari flights from Nairobi depart, or from Nairobi National Park. Guests have access to the golf, tennis and pool facilities of Karen Country and Golf Club.

Web site: www.blixencoffeegarden.co.ke

Ngong House is a lodge set in the same area as Karen Blixen Cottages, overlooking the Ngong Hills. It is a former hunter's home that has been extended to a lodge, and now offers accommodation in spacious tree houses, cottages, a log cabin, and in a suite in the main house. All in all, there are rooms for 24 guests, and a pleasant mix of African and contemporary style. The lodge has restaurant, bar, a number of fireplaces and a garden swimming pool. There is also a boutique by fashion designer Penny Winter.

Web site: www.ngonghouse.com

House of Waine is a former private home in the Karen suburb of Nairobi that has been transformed into a stylish guesthouse. The house has 11 individually styled bedrooms, all with ensuite marble bathroom, satellite television, phone, mini bar, safe, and Internet. There is a dining room (meals are also served in other parts of the premises), a bar, a pool bar, heated swimming pool, and a garden.

Web site: www.houseofwaine.com

Macushla House is a small guesthouse in Karen, offering quiet lush surroundings and good comfort. It has six bedrooms, lounges with fireplaces, restaurant, bar, swimming pool, and boardroom.

Web site: www.macushla.biz

Utalii Hotel is 8 km/5 mi from Nairobi's city centre. It acts as a practical training unit for students at the Kenya Utalii College, i.e. a hotel and tourism college. It is a tourist class hotel with 57 rooms, all with television, air-conditioning, phone, and safe. The hotel has restaurant, coffee shop, two bars, conference rooms, business centre, gift shop, swimming pool, and tennis.

Web site: www.utalii.co.ke

Olive Gardens is a basic tourist class hotel just north of the city centre. It has 87 rooms with ensuite bathroom, satellite television and phone. There is a restaurant, a bar, and a business centre.

Web site: www.theolivegardens.com

Jaimat Hotel is a basic tourist class hotel in a central location in Nairobi. There are 35 rooms with satellite television and Internet, restaurant, meeting room, and a next-door shopping mall. Alcohol is not served in the hotel.

Web site: www.jamiat-hotel.com

The Heron Hotel is a basic tourist class hotel situated outside the city centre. It is undergoing renovations (2008) that should improve the standards.

Masai Lodge. A lodge outside the southern park border.