There is much of interest in the vicinity of Nairobi. Most obvious is the remarkable 113-sq-km (44-sq-mile) Nairobi National Park, which exists just on the edge of the city. Although there are no elephants here, there are more than 80 species of mammal, including lion, cheetah, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and rhino. This surprisingly accessible, underrated park is also the scene of the second-largest herbivore migration in Kenya. Around 400 species of birds live in the park too. Independent trips in your own or a hired vehicle are best. Alternatively, most of the safari agents sell half-day trips to the park. Try East Africa Shuttles on Muindi Mbingu (see Tours of the City).

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (tel: (020) 891 996; website: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org), off the Magadi Road and on a plot in the national park, cares for orphaned elephants and rhinos. The trust has become the world's leading bank of expertise on hand-rearing these animals, using a specially created milk formula and assigning 24-hour care from amazingly dedicated keepers to each youngster. Once healthy and old enough, the orphans are rehabilitated and returned to the wild. It is possible to visit the trust for an hour daily and see the young animals up close.