Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado of Japan visited Nairobi National Park on Thursday, 10 September 2026, for an early morning game drive and birding experience.
The Princess, accompanied by members of her family and entourage, arrived at the park at six in the morning and explored several sections, taking in the park’s wildlife, scenic landscapes and diverse habitats. An avid birder and photographer, Princess Takamado showed particular interest in the park’s rich and diverse birdlife, capturing moments along the way.
With more than 400 bird species recorded, including both resident and migratory species, Nairobi National Park offers a remarkable birding experience within easy reach of Kenya’s capital. Its diverse habitats provide ideal opportunities for birdwatchers, photographers and nature enthusiasts to experience Kenya’s wildlife beyond the iconic big game.
During the visit, the Princess toured Hyena Dam, one of the park’s notable birding hotspots. The dam provides an important habitat for a variety of bird species, while also offering an opportunity to appreciate the interconnectedness of the park’s wider ecosystem. The wetland setting attracts waterbirds such as herons, egrets, storks and ducks, while the surrounding grasslands and acacia woodlands support a host of other species, from raptors to songbirds.
The park is recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, a status it earned due to its extraordinary avian diversity. Among its notable residents are the Kori Bustard, Secretary bird, African Fish Eagle and the endangered Grey Crowned Crane. The park also serves as a vital roosting site for migratory species, including flocks of the Lesser Kestrel on passage. Several vulture species, including the white-backed vulture, can also be observed here, making the park an important site for vulture conservation awareness and monitoring.
The Princess’s visit comes at a time when Kenya is intensifying efforts to protect its avian heritage through targeted conservation strategies. The Vulture Multi-Species Action Plan for Kenya addresses the conservation needs of eight vulture species in the country and one migratory species, the Griffon Vulture. Vultures are nature’s critical cleanup crew, preventing the spread of diseases and contributing significantly to maintaining healthy ecosystems. Yet their populations have declined dramatically in recent decades due to poisoning, electrocution and other threats.
The National Single Species Action Plan for the Conservation of the Grey Crowned Crane covers a ten-year implementation period with a mid-term review. The Grey Crowned Crane is classified as Endangered, and Nairobi National Park is one of the sites where the species is resident. The plan aims to reduce threats causing reduced breeding performance, improve habitat quality and raise awareness of the ecosystem services provided by wetlands.
Following the game drive, the Princess and her entourage spent time at Kingfishers Picnic Site before concluding their visit.
The visit underscored Nairobi National Park’s unique appeal as a world-class wildlife and birding destination, where visitors can experience remarkable biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes against the backdrop of a thriving capital city. It also highlighted the park’s role not only as a tourism destination but as a living laboratory for conservation, where research, education and public engagement come together to protect Kenya’s natural heritage.
The KWS Strategic Plan envisions thriving wildlife and healthy habitats for all, forever, and prioritizes building resilient ecosystems rich in biodiversity. By showcasing the park’s avian treasures to international visitors, KWS continues to demonstrate that conservation and tourism can thrive together, even in the heart of a capital city.
To support KWS conservation efforts, including the protection of birds and their habitats, please visit https://kwspay.ecitizen.go.ke/donate