The monument commemorates the significant actions taken by the Kenyan government.
Its creation aimed to provide an educational space for reflection.
The site serves as a memorial to thousands of elephants slaughtered.
It also marks a policy shift.
This shift treats confiscated ivory as contraband to be permanently removed from the market, rather than a commercial asset for sale.
The site has hosted several destructions of confiscated wildlife products.
These events were strategically executed to draw global attention to the elephant poaching crisis.
1989 Ivory Burn: President Daniel arap Moi initiated the first major event, advised by conservationist Richard Leakey.
He set fire to 12 tonnes of ivory.
This action created a powerful visual message.
It was a key factor in CITES enacting an international ban on the ivory trade.
2011 Ivory and Rhino Horn Burn: President Mwai Kibaki presided over the burning of five tonnes of ivory.
This demonstrated Kenya's continued commitment to the CITES ban.
It also helped combat a resurgence in poaching.
2016 Ivory Burn: The largest destruction of ivory occurred when President Uhuru Kenyatta ignited 105 tonnes of ivory and 1.35 tonnes of rhino horn.
This event involved pyres containing an estimated 8,000 elephant tusks.
It reinforced Kenya's position that these items hold no value outside of living animals.
Each burning event at this site served as an act of international communication.
The primary message stated that ivory has no intrinsic value.
Its only worth exists on a living elephant.
These actions mobilised international support for anti-poaching initiatives.
They influenced policy in consumer nations.
The events also raised public awareness about the direct link between the ivory trade and declining elephant populations across Africa.
The monument's design is both commemorative and symbolic.
It is built to convey the importance of conservation.
The site is not a single structure.
Instead, it is an integrated site featuring several key elements.
The central feature consists of large, stylised tusks and plinths.
These structures are built from concrete and stone.
They rise from a broad base where the ashes from the historic burns are interred.
The robust, permanent materials signify the enduring nature of Kenya's conservation pledge.
A commemorative plaque details the dates and quantities of the destroyed ivory.
This plaque provides factual context for visitors.
The sculpted tusks are arranged to reach skyward from the ashes.
This symbolises a transition from past destruction to future protection for elephants.
The site is open to the elements, which integrates it with the park's natural landscape.
This integration reinforces the monument's connection to the wildlife it protects.
The main monument area features a circular layout.
This design encourages quiet contemplation for visitors.
The Ivory Burning Site Monument is positioned for accessibility within Nairobi National Park.
This ensures it is a key point of interest for visitors entering the park.
For navigational purposes, the monument's precise location is defined by these GPS coordinates: -1.3655° S, 36.8486° E.
This places the site in the northern section of the park.
It is a short distance from the main entrance.
The monument is situated near the park's main Langata Gate.
Clear signage directs visitors along the park's road network towards the site after entering the park.
Its location offers unobstructed views across the eastern plains of the park.
This area is known for concentrations of plains game.
The site is accessible exclusively via Nairobi National Park's internal road network.
Visitors can reach it by self-driving a private vehicle.
Guided safari tours also include the monument.
Ample parking is available adjacent to the monument.
The site is also within walking distance of the Nagolomon Reservoir picnic site.
This allows for a combined visit.
A visit to the monument requires logistical planning.
It is located inside a protected national park with regulated access and fees.
The experience combines historical education with opportunities for wildlife viewing.
The site is equipped with informational signage.
This signage explains the history of the ivory burns and ongoing efforts in elephant conservation.
Visitors can engage with this history while observing the park's free-roaming wildlife in the distance.
The area includes picnic benches and basic restroom facilities.
These amenities make it a functional stop during a park game drive.
The monument's location on the eastern plains provides a savannah landscape backdrop.
From this vantage point, visitors can frequently observe wildlife.
This includes zebra, giraffe, impala, and various bird species.
Nairobi city's distant skyline forms part of the view.
Early morning and late afternoon are optimal times for visits.
These times coincide with cooler temperatures and peak wildlife activity.
Accessing the monument is governed by the regulations and operational hours of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
These apply to Nairobi National Park.
Entry to Nairobi National Park is required to visit the Ivory Burning Site.
The primary access point is the Langata Gate, located off Langata Road.
The park operates daily from 06:00 to 19:00.
All entry fees must be paid digitally.
Accepted methods include M-Pesa, credit card, or debit card.
Cash payments are not accepted at the gates.
From 2024, all international visitors travelling to Kenya must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before departure.
The eTA has replaced the previous visa system.
Applications are made online.
It is mandatory to allow a minimum processing window of 72 hours before travel.
Entry to the Ivory Burning Site is included in the standard park entry fee for Nairobi National Park.
Nairobi National Park is a KWS Premium Park.
The following conservation fees are applicable for 2026.
These fees are based on the current tariff schedule.
The table below outlines the per-person, per-day conservation fees for Nairobi National Park.
Rates are subject to change by the Kenya Wildlife Service.
| Visitor Category | Adult Rate | Child/Student Rate |
|---|---|---|
| East African Community Citizen | KES 2,000 | KES 500 |
| Resident of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan | KES 3,000 | KES 1,000 |
| Non-Resident (International Visitor) | USD 100 | USD 35 |
The monument is situated within a functioning and diverse ecosystem.
Its location on the open plains provides environmental context for its conservation message.
The area surrounding the monument features open grassland savannah.
It is dotted with Acacia drepanolobium (whistling thorn) and Balanites aegyptiaca (desert date) trees.
During rainy seasons, the plains are covered in lush green grasses.
These grasses attract large herds of herbivores.
The eastern plains of Nairobi National Park are a critical habitat for various species.
Visitors at the monument may observe herds of Coke's hartebeest, plains zebra, impala, and Grant's gazelle.
The area is also part of the territory for the park's carnivores, including lions and cheetahs.
Sightings of carnivores require patience and luck.
This wildlife's presence serves as a reminder of the conservation efforts against poaching.