Nairobi is one of Africa's tour departure hubs.
Visiting Kenya’s bustling, multicultural city of Nairobi is an often surprising experience that brings together safari wildlife and African culture with a distinctly modern and cosmopolitan twist. Museums, parks, markets, and other tourist attractions are just a small part of Nairobi’s colourful and multicultural character. Home to over 5 million people, Nairobi is one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities.
- Nairobi National Park
- Karen Blixen Museum
- Giraffe Centre
- Giraffe Manor
- Nairobi Central Business District
- Uhuru Gardens
- Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
- Kazuri Beads Factory
- Parliament House
- Prestige Plaza
- Nairobi Gallery
- Nairobi Railway Museum
Many travellers transit through Nairobi and spending time in Nairobi is often an inevitability. These are a few of Nairobi’s top attractions explained.
Covering 117km², Nairobi National Park offers a surreal African safari experience just 7 km from downtown Nairobi. Despite its small size, Nairobi National Park has excellent game viewing, especially during the dry season when plains game migrates into the park from the adjacent, and unfenced, Kitengela Plains. Nairobi National Park has a very successful rhino sanctuary and aside from elephants, you can expect to see giraffes, black and white rhinos, wildebeest, impala, zebras, hippos, waterbuck, warthog, eland, jackal and hyena, and even lion. Seeing these animals against the backdrop of the Nairobi CBD is unforgettable.
Located inside the western edge of Nairobi National Park is the world-famous Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. This trust takes in orphaned elephants, and sometimes rhinos - raises them - and then reintroduces them into the wild. Named in memory of the founder of Tsavo National Reserve, at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust you can meet some of the orphans and learn about the amazing work that the Trust does.
Giraffe Manor is a family-owned boutique hotel in Nairobi. Built in 1932, it is a true example of the colonial-style safari lodge of the ‘olden days’, graceful and stately. In 2009 this character home was turned into a unique hotel experience where endangered Rothschild’s giraffes wander the grounds and come to share your breakfast. Nearby Giraffe Manor is the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Giraffe Centre which are fantastic activities for the whole family.
Nairobi’s markets can be great for souvenir shopping and African curios. One of the weekly ‘Maasai Markets’ that rotate around various locations is the best and the most affordable. The City Market in Nairobi’s CBD can be expensive but is easy to find and open every day. If you are interested in a more local produce-type market, try the markets at Gikomba or Kariokor.
Nairobi is located just south of the equator in south-central Kenya. At about 1,795m (5,889 ft) above sea level, the city sits on the bank of the Nairobi River. North-west from coastal Mombasa, Nairobi is adjacent to the eastern side of the Great Rift Valley. On clear days, both Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro are visible from the city. The Masai Mara Game Reserve lies to the west.
Nairobi is best known for its vibrant nightlife, offering entertainment for all ages and budgets. The city is brimming with activity and has an array of bars and popular nightclubs that pump music late into the night. Nairobi is the best place to eat out in Kenya as it hosts a range of restaurants, from local to international and gourmet. Exploring the city centre on foot you can relax at one of the city's coffee shops, as Nairobi has a lively café culture, and visit a bustling African market. The city is a great place for shopping and is home to thousands of local companies and an impressive number of major international businesses. This diverse and cosmopolitan city still shows some British influences from colonial times, along with plenty of new high-rise buildings and modern developments. Nairobi's mix of inhabitants includes communities from Sudan and Somalia, as well as descendants from India and Pakistan. Similar to Johannesburg in South Africa, Nairobi has a bad reputation for being a dangerous place. As with Johannesburg, Nairobi can be visited safely and makes for an interesting travel destination with much to offer visitors.
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Nairobi developed around the City Square in the Central Business District, which is bordered by Uhuru and Central Park. The City Square features many of Nairobi's most important and impressive buildings, including the City Hall, the Kenyan Parliament buildings, the Holy Family Cathedral, the Nairobi Law Courts, and the Kenyatta Conference Centre.
Most of the upmarket suburbs, inhabited by Europeans in the colonial era, are situated to the west and north-central parts of Nairobi, with some lower-income areas close by. Lower-middle and upper-middle income neighbourhoods mostly lie in the north-central areas, as well as southwest and southeast of the metropolitan area around Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The low- and lower-income zones are located mainly in the far eastern part of Nairobi. Kibera, one of Africa's largest slum areas, is situated to the west of Nairobi.
Nairobi is divided into the constituencies of Makadara, Kamukunji, Starehe, Langata, Dagoretti, Westlands, Kasarani, and Embakasi. Over 90% of Nairobi residents work in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, in formal and informal sectors.
To see wildlife in Nairobi you can visit the Nairobi National Park for the Big 5 - minus elephant, and the full host of plains game like wildebeest, gazelles, zebra, eland, hippos, and waterbuck. To get up close and personal the Giraffe Centre and elephant orphanage at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust are not to be missed.
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Nairobi’s best months are from January to February and then again from June to September when daytime temperatures hover between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius. Your visit to Nairobi is likely to coincide with your safari itinerary. The peak season safari months in Kenya are from June to October which coincides with the dry season and therefore the best game viewing. Generally, the days are sunny, and the sky is clear making moving around the city comfortable and easy.
Nairobi has a sub-tropical climate, but at 1,795 meters (5,889 ft) above sea level, evenings may be cool, especially between June and July, when the temperature can drop to 5 °C (41 °F). The hottest time of year is from December to March when the mercury climbs into the high 20s with the average daytime temperature at 28 degrees Celcius.
Kenya experiences two rainy seasons, the long rains and the ‘short rains’. In Kenya, the ‘long rains’ fall in spring from March to May while the ‘short rains’ fall from mid-October to mid-December. April and November are the wettest months respectively.
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On a Kenya safari, you are likely to pass through Nairobi on your way to the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, and Lamu, or on your way home again. Most tours, whether private bespoke safaris or package deals will include all your regular costs like hotel accommodation, meals, and transfers, and exclude extras like alcohol and curios. If you do decide to linger on or arrive early and discover a bit of Nairobi for yourself, you can budget around US$52 per day or US$364 per person per week. On average per day, Accommodation will cost US$19, meals around US$7, and about US$9 on transportation.
*these are averages based on other travellers.
Most international flights will arrive at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). This is the busiest transport hub in East Africa. Located 11 miles/18 km from Nairobi’s central business district, Jomo Kenyatta is serviced by airlines from around the world. All Kenyan safaris will start here.
15 km/9 mi from Jomo Kenyatta, is Wilson Airport (WIL). Kenya fly-in safaris all depart from and arrive back at Wilson Airport. It is a good idea to leave enough time between your international arrival and domestic departure as it can take more than 90 minutes to travel between the two airports.
Traffic in Nairobi is legendary for all the wrong reasons. Traffic jams are commonplace and it can take hours to travel across the city. This is an excellent incentive to stick close and stay in the areas around the airport in the southeast or Nairobi National Park itself.
The most common form of public transport is the matatu or minibus taxi. The matatus are privately owned and ply various routes around the city. They are notorious for break-neck speeds and flagrant regard for the rules of the road or loading capacity. They are colourful though and in recent years efforts have been made to make them safer and more user-friendly, and these days they are limited by law to 80 km/h (50 mph). Most matatus come with indescribably loud sound systems and television screens to attract more customers.
Buses are by far the cheapest transport around Nairobi and popular companies Kenya Bus Service, Modern Coast, Vanga, and Simba. They are becoming common and many have gone as far as installing complimentary Wi-Fi systems.
For sightseeing, there are many private tour operators who will supply taxis or cars for your convenience. There are also a few app-based taxi services that provide around-the-clock service. Taxis are not the cheapest option, but they are probably the safest. Readily available around hotels, be sure to agree on the price before you take your seat.
There are many car rental companies at the airport, from budget-friendly local companies to international options. Self-drive or chauffer options are also available. Whether you want a sedan, hatchback, or 4x4, try to keep your commutes to the daytime hours when it is generally safer.
Most Kenya safari tours and packages will be all-inclusive, meaning that the stress of worrying about transport and getting around will be taken off your hands. A shuttle service will collect you, making sure you are delivered safely without any unnecessary travel headaches.
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Nairobi’s CBD is a hive of activity. Stay in iconic old colonial-era hotels, walk to Kenyatta International Conference Centre for 360-degree views of the city, City Market for some shopping, and the National Archives. For an introduction to everything from Kenya’s history to wildlife and culture, take a short taxi ride to the National Museum.
In the southwest of Nairobi are the leafy suburbs of Karen and Langata. Charming and comfortable country-style accommodation awaits you. These areas are also home to the best attractions in the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the Giraffe Centre, the Karen Blixen Museum, and a few workshops and craft shops.
If shopping is your thing, the Westlands and Gigiri suburbs are just north of the CBD. The Village Market, Nairobi’s #1 shopping mall and entertainment complex is here as well as a handful of good restaurants, as well as the National Museum. If you want to warm up for your safari, the Karura Forest is one of Nairobi’s best green spaces. Go for a run, hike to waterfalls or caves, or do some birdwatching in this lush forest.
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Yes, generally Nairobi is a safe destination. There have been tragic terrorist attacks in the past, but most of the problems with al-Shabab terrorists are along the Kenya-Somali border. In addition to these unstable areas, the Nairobi suburbs of Eastleigh and Kibera are to be avoided due to high crime.
Because Kenya depends heavily on the safari industry they take your safety, and the security of Kenya, very seriously. In recent years security, especially in Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, has been improved. Most safari packages transit through Nairobi to the game reserves dotted around the country and these safari destinations are safe and visited by thousands of safari goers every year.
Kenya is a malaria region but prophylactics are both effective and accessible in your home country. To remove any anxiety in this regard it is advisable to organize your medication before you travel. Before you travel, visit your local travel clinic and find out well in advance what vaccinations are required. This is a changing landscape and does require forward planning.
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Though most of your travel expenses will be inclusive, it's a good idea to take some cash for extra purchases like curios and gifts. US dollars are widely accepted but it is also a good idea to have some Kenyan shillings in supply. Major credit cards are usually accepted at larger establishments and cash can be obtained from ATMs in big cities. Tipping is customary in Kenya. How much is at your discretion and depends on the quality of service and your satisfaction, 10% is a good baseline to work from.
Sadly, Kenya’s laws have not kept pace with its excellent safari industry and the flourishing multicultural landscape. Same-sex relations are illegal in Kenya. This law was inherited from colonial-era Britain and has not been amended since independence in 1963. LGBTQ identities are considered taboo, and a subject best avoided despite various gender identities within Kenyan culture being just as widespread as in any other culture. As a tourist visiting a conservative country, your sexual preferences or gender identity are private, and should not be of interest to anyone. However, if your behaviour is deemed unacceptable you may be chastised, but this will also apply to heterosexual couples who behave inappropriately too.
Kenya is conservative and high emphasis is placed on modesty, good manners, and courtesy. Locals are not always happy to be photographed, and It is always a good idea to ask for permission before you snap.
Crime is always more of a problem in more populated areas like Nairobi, and Mombasa. By being street-smart and following a few simple rules, there is no reason to let crime ruin your safari. Chat with locals to get a sense of the situation in your area and be willing to take advice from staff at your chosen accommodation.
When packing for your Kenyan safari, consider what time of year you are visiting, where you are going, and what the luggage restrictions are on your chosen transport. Many hotels and lodges do have laundry services to help you along the way.
Kenya in general is casual but conservative. Aside from the occasional smart casual dress code for certain restaurants and hotels, jeans and t-shirts are acceptable with a little bit of extra modesty around cultural centres and places of worship.
It's good practice to have photocopies of all your travel documents tucked away safely in your luggage in case of an emergency.
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Nairobi started out as a railway depot in 1899 soon becoming the capital of British East Africa after the British moved their administrative headquarters from coastal Mombasa to the cooler town of Nairobi. This swampy area was originally named after a watering hole called “Ewaso Nai´beri", which means "a place of cool waters" in Maasai. The British renamed it Nairobi, being unable to pronounce the complex original name. Then, in the early 1900s, Nairobi was burnt down and completely rebuilt after an outbreak of the plague. Under British colonial rule, the city served as an administrative and tourist hub for big game hunters, until the Mau Mau rebellion and Kenyan independence in 1963, when Nairobi became the capital of the new republic. Nairobi’s population expanded rapidly after Kenya gained independence with the city’s fast growth placing pressure on the infrastructure, which town planning has since helped to alleviate.
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Kenya has a lot of safari destinations to choose from and almost all of them are paired with a stopover in Nairobi. Take a look at a few of our Kenya safari tours to top destinations:
Wherever your dream safari destination is, talk to one of our expert travel consultants to start planning your Kenya safari today.
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Use the Google map to explore Nairobi.