Nairobi travel guide

Nairobi, the vibrant capital of Kenya, is a bustling city that blends modern urban life with natural beauty and rich culture. Known as the “Green City in the Sun,” it is the gateway to world-famous safaris, while also offering lively markets, fascinating museums, and a thriving arts scene. Nairobi’s unique charm lies in its mix of wildlife experiences, colonial heritage, and contemporary African culture, making it a city like no other.

Top 5 things to see and do in Nairobi

🦁 Discover Nairobi National Park
Located just minutes from the city centre, Nairobi National Park is a unique wildlife reserve where lions, giraffes, zebras, and rhinos roam against a backdrop of city skyscrapers. It’s the only national park bordering a capital city in the world.

🏡 Explore the Karen Blixen Museum
Step back in time at the former home of the Danish author of Out of Africa. The beautifully preserved farmhouse gives insight into colonial-era life, surrounded by lush gardens and views of the Ngong Hills.

🛍️ Shop at Maasai Market
A lively open-air market where local artisans sell beadwork, jewellery, wood carvings, textiles, and traditional crafts. It’s the perfect spot to find unique souvenirs while experiencing Nairobi’s colourful cultural energy.

🍲 Taste Kenyan cuisine
Sample local dishes such as nyama choma (grilled meat), sukuma wiki (collard greens), and ugali (maize porridge). Nairobi also has a thriving café culture, where you can enjoy Kenya’s world-renowned coffee.

🦒 Visit the Giraffe Centre
Get up close with the endangered Rothschild’s giraffes at this conservation centre. Visitors can feed the giraffes and learn about efforts to protect them in the wild.

Tips for travellers

Outside Nairobi, you can explore the Great Rift Valley with its lakes and wildlife, go hiking in the Ngong Hills, or take a trip to Amboseli National Park for breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Closer to the city, the Nairobi Arboretum and Karura Forest offer peaceful green escapes for walking and picnicking.