{"product_id":"old-topographic-map-of-nairobi-royal-national-park-kenya-1966-mbagathi-r-park-hq-langata-rd-main-gate-aerodrome","title":"Old Pictorial Map of Nairobi Royal National Park, Kenya, 1966: Mbagathi R., Park HQ, Lang'ata Rd, Main Gate, Aerodrome","description":"\u003cp\u003eIssued by the Survey of Kenya in 1966 from a 1956 compilation, Nairobi Royal National Park presents a landmark portrait of Africa’s first national park and a pioneering document of East African conservation. Its title preserves the late-colonial nomenclature even as the map sits squarely in the early years of the republic, capturing a pivotal moment when protected landscapes were being formalized beside a rapidly modernizing capital. The park’s boundary is crisply traced in green, enclosing plains, acacia woodland, and broken ridges that unfold toward the city’s edge. A lucid legend, compass rose, and precise scale provide immediate orientation, while red-highlighted roads and clearly labeled watercourses announce a cartography made for both stewardship and thoughtful visitation at the dawn of Kenya’s post-independence era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTechnically, this is a triumph of mid-century aerial photogrammetry. Contributions from Fairey Air Surveys Ltd. are evident in the confident contouring and meticulous hydrography, from the Mbagathi River defining the park’s southern rim to the chain of watering holes that structure seasonal wildlife movement. The evenly stepped elevations reveal subtle transitions between plains and forested ridges, guiding the eye through terrain that governs predator–prey dynamics as much as tourist itineraries. Dual expression of scale and a carefully sited compass rose underscore a professional, field-ready instrument—evidence of how modern surveying techniques were harnessed to protect a living ecosystem on Nairobi’s doorstep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wildlife catalog is especially evocative, arranging the park’s inhabitants—carnivores, herbivores, rodents, and reptiles—into an illustrated, taxonomically minded key. More than decorative, these vignettes function as a management and interpretive tool, reflecting an era when baseline data on species presence informed patrols, visitor education, and early anti-poaching strategies. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Athi–Kapiti plains and the Mbagathi drainage formed vital corridors; by enumerating fauna within firm boundaries, the map illuminates tensions between roaming herds and encroaching urban infrastructure. As a historical record, it preserves a snapshot of biodiversity at a moment when Nairobi’s growth began to press against wild range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInfrastructure is charted with equal care. Ranger stations and the Park Headquarters anchor the management network, while signage points and the Main Park Entrance choreograph the visitor journey. Lang’ata Road, Southern Cross Road, and routes toward Kiserian thread access along the margins, connecting to cultural and logistical waypoints—Bomas of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum, and reference points like Nairobi Airport (Aerodrome) and Kenyatta International Airport. Forested enclaves such as Ololua Woods and Gikambura Forest, the Mbagathi River, and named camps like Mwananchi enrich a sense of place. The result is a portrait of an urban-adjacent sanctuary where ecological planning, public outreach, and city life meet along meticulously drawn lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorically, this map stands at the intersection of science, policy, and identity. It documents Kenya’s earliest protected park as it navigated the handover from colonial administration to national stewardship—ranger posts that would, in time, align with the modern Kenya Wildlife Service; roads and boundaries that balanced tourism, security, and habitat integrity; and a fauna list that underpinned conservation priorities. For collectors, historians, and ecologists, it offers a rare, data-rich window into the origins of metropolitan wildlife protection. As an object of mid-century cartographic art and a witness to the making of Nairobi’s natural heritage, it is both intellectually authoritative and deeply evocative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlaces on this map\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNairobi National Park\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLang'ata Road\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNairobi Airport (Aerodrome)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePark Headquarters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMbagathi River\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKWS (Kenya Wildlife Service) Stations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGikambura Forest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOlolua Woods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNjiru Area\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMwananchi Camp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMzima Springs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKiserian\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKenyatta International Airport (nearby reference)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVarious watering holes depicted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMain Park Entrance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKinyago\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBomas of Kenya (nearby reference)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSouthern Cross Road\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKaren Blixen Museum (in proximity to the park)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKajiado (nearby reference)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotable Features \u0026amp; Landmarks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoundaries of Nairobi National Park: Clearly delineated in green.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLegend: Comprehensive legend outlining animals and symbols for roads, rivers, and vegetation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWildlife Catalog: A detailed list featuring illustrations of animals found within the park.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTopographical Features: Contours and elevations shown, indicating varied terrain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoadways: Roads leading into and around the park highlighted in red.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater Bodies: Clearly labeled rivers and lakes within the park.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSignage Locations: Marked points indicating where information boards or signs are located.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRanger Stations: Noted as significant landmarks for park management.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompass Rose: Positioned in the upper corner for orientation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScale: Representative fraction and scale bar provided for distance measurements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorical and design context\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eName of the Map: Nairobi Royal National Park\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMapmaker\/Publisher: Survey of Kenya\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYear Produced: 1966 (originally compiled in 1956)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMapping Technique: Aerial photogrammetric mapping, evidenced by contributions from Fairey Air Surveys Ltd.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeographical Focus: Nairobi Royal National Park, Kenya; boundaries of the park distinctly highlighted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesign Style: Printed in color with a clear legend, compass rose, and scale bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical Significance: First national park in Kenya; reflects early conservation efforts and post-colonial history.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eget in touch\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlease note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 20in (50cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all-old-vintage-antique-maps\"\u003ebest old maps\u003c\/a\u003e to see if something else catches your eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003econtact me\u003c\/a\u003e to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex\/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Map","offer_id":57694259118464,"sku":"UM00268694A","price":101.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57694259151232,"sku":"UM00268695A","price":220.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":57694259184000,"sku":"UM00268696A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Map","offer_id":57694259216768,"sku":"UM00268697A","price":101.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":57694259249536,"sku":"UM00268698A","price":220.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Framed canvas 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