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Nairobi National Park is a national parkinKenya. Established in 1946, the national park was Kenya's first.[2] It is located approximately 7 kilometres (4 mi) south of the centre ofNairobi, Kenya's capital city,[3] with

only a fence separating the park's wildlife from the metropolis.[4] Nairobi'sskyscraperscan be seen from the

park. The proximity of urban and natural environments has caused conflicts between the animals and local

people and threatens animals' migration routes.[2]

Still, despite its proximity to civilization and relative small size for anAfricannational park,[5] Nairobi National

Park boasts a large and varied wildlife population.[6] Migrating herbivores gather in the park during the dry

season, and it is one of Kenya's most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries.[3]

History

Britishcolonistsarrived in the area where the park is located in the late 19th century. At this time, the Athi

plains east and south of what is today Nairobi had plentiful wildlife. NomadicMaasai lived and herded their

cattle among the wildlife. Kikuyu people farmed the forested highlands above Nairobi. As Nairobi grewit

had 14,000 residents by 1910conflicts between humans and animals increased. Residents of the city

carried guns at night to protect against lions. People complained that giraffesandzebraswalked on and

ruined their flower beds. Animals were gradually confined to the expansive plains to the west and south of

Nairobi, and the colonial government set this area aside as agame reserve. Settlers from Nairobiincluding Isak Dinesen, author ofOut of Africa, rode horses amonggazelles,impala, and zebras in this

reserve.[2]

The conservationistMervyn Cowiewas born in Nairobi. Returning to Kenya after a nine-year absence in

1932,[7]he was alarmed to see that the amount of game animals on the Athi plains had dwindled. Expanding

farms andlivestock had taken the place of the game. He later recalled this place as a paradise that was

quickly disappearing. At this time, the area that would later become Nairobi National Park was part of the

Southern Game Reserve. Hunting was not permitted in the reserve, but nearly every other activity, including

cattle grazing, dumping, and even bombing by the Royal Air Force was allowed. Cowie started to campaign

for the establishment of a national park system in Kenya.[2] The government formed a committee to examine

the matter.[7]

Officially opened in 1946,[2] Nairobi National Park was the first national park established in Kenya.[5] Maasai pastoralistswere removed from their lands when the park was created.[8] Cowie was named as

director of Nairobi National Park and held this position until 1966.[2]In 1989, Kenyan PresidentDaniel arap

Moiburned twelve tons ofivory on a site within the park. This event improved Kenya's conservation and

wildlife protection image.[9]

Geography

The park covers an area of 117.21 square kilometres (28,963 acres) and is small in comparison to most

ofAfrica's national parks.[5] The park's altitude ranges between 1,533 metres (5,030 ft) and 1,760 metres

(5,774 ft).[1]It has a dry climate.[4] The park is the only protected part of theAthi-Kapitiecosystem, making up

less than 10% of this ecosystem.[10] The park has a diverse range of habitats and species.[5]

The park is located about 7 kilometres (4 mi) from the Nairobi's centre. There is electric fencing around the

park's northern, eastern, and western boundaries.[2][4] Its southern boundary is formed by the Mbagathi River.

This boundary is not fenced and is open to theKitengela Conservation Area(located immediately south of

the park) and the Athi-Kapiti plains.[3][4] There is considerable movement of large ungulatespecies across

this boundary.[4]

The fence that separates the park from the city runs along a high way leaving the airport, this is one fact

many Kenyans are proud of - this park is the only natural safari park that has a city scape background that

can be seen from almost any part of the park, as seen in the picture of the giraffe and the sky scrapers.

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Weather

Nairobi is situated in the Central Highlands of Kenya and enjoys a verynice climate for most of the year (similar to California) with

temperatures averaging between 50 and 82 Fahrenheit (10 and 28

Celsius). There are two rainy seasons, the first is from March to the

end of May and the second shorter season runs from October to theend of November. The sunniest time of year is December to March andthe cloudiest time is from June to September (locals refer to this as

the winter months).