Jan
10
Nairobi Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Sub Saharan Africa
A trip to Nairobi
One of East Africa’s largest and most important cities, Nairobi is prime safari destination for international tourists. The wild surroundings of Nairobi National Park are set against the skyline of this burgeoning city, making it the only wildlife reserve of its kind to sit so close to a metropolitan area.
Flights to Nairobi
Most of Nairobi’s tourists arrive via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which receives inbound flights from across Africa, Europe and North America. This is a major gateway for Eastern Africa. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Nairobi try Ebookers.
Shuttle buses from the airport deliver passengers to the city centre along with the train and bus stations.
It is also possible to arrive by minibus or coach from Uganda and Tanzania. Heading into the country from Ethiopia is something of a complicated affair involving an armed escort. The most popular rail route is between Nairobi and Mombassa.
Nairobi
Sightseeing in Nairobi
A tour of Nairobi is best begun on Kenyatta avenue. This broad, tree-lined street holds the heart of the city’s commerce and tourism attractions. The Kenyan National Archives are worth a visit, as they document a great deal of history and heritage surrounding Kenya’s rise to Independence. Jaima Mosque is the largest and most spectacular in Kenya, and it can be found near Kenyatta avenue.
Kenya’s wildlife is a major draw card for visitors. The Langata Giraffe Centre is close to the city has an impressive line up of attractions featuring its namesake. Nairobi National Park is the primary wildlife sanctuary, complete with all of the big African game visitors expect to see on Safari.
Fans of Out of Africa may wish to visit Karen Blixen’s estate, which can be reached via a short taxi ride outside of town and the National Museum of Kenya has recently reopened after extensive renovations. The Nairobi Railway Museum also offers informative tours.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Kenyatta avenue is your best bet for restaurants as well as sights. The Thorn Tree Café headlines the long list of restaurants and pubs in this area and it’s just as popular with locals as it is for visitors. You’ll find a broad range of local and international fare to suit any budget.
Carnivore is a popular restaurant, once famous for its big game cuisine; however, these days, animal protection laws have forced them to tame down their menu a bit. Beyond the restaurant scene, Nairobi hosts a healthy nightlife, including bars, nightclubs and casinos to keep you up as late as you like.
Many of the best establishments can be found in conjunction with the top-end hotels, particularly the Hilton, Intercontinental and the Safari Park and Casino. As long as you’re sticking to Kenyatta avenue, you’ll find that most establishments are within short walking distance of each other, though walking any distance after dark isn’t always the best idea in Nairobi.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
The Westlands suburbs are a popular place to shop, be it in a supermarket or a more specialised boutique. The Sarit Centre is a shopping mall complete with a cinema, clothing retailers and internet cafés. Local Kenyan handicrafts are a good buy, available at any number of street-side vendors along Kenyatta avenue and the surrounding streets.
Daytrips
The AFEW Giraffe Centre in nearby Langata is a giraffe sanctuary for the Rothschild’s giraffe. This giraffe comes from the East African grasslands and the sanctuary takes care of the animals before releasing them into the great national parks of Kenya. Feeding time from raised observation decks is fun at the centre.
Karen Blixen’s house is one of the star attractions of Nairobi and is located in a suburb just outside town. The author of Out of Africa used to live in a nearby coffee plantation and today her home in the city is now a museum.
There are many parks within reach of Nairobi that are ideal for a daytrip, although overnight trips are also available. You pay for the guide, vehicle, food and camping equipment so you get to spend your time fully appreciating the animals.
Must-see attractions
Apart from Nairobi National Park and the AFEW Giraffe Centre, Nairobi has Uhuru Park right in the middle of the city, perfect for escaping the heat. A small lake here has boats for hire and you can also climb to the peak of a hill and take in the amazing views of the city and the park. Don’t venture into Uhuru Park at night, however.
Museums are aplenty in Nairobi and if you can tear yourself away from the parks and the multitude of shops, bars and restaurants, you will learn a lot about the city and its inhabitants. The National Museum features art, culture, and history of the region and is just outside town, while the Railway Museum and the National Archives are also worth a look.
The Jamia Mosque features domes and marble galore as well as Quranic inscriptions. You can take as many pictures of the exterior as you like, but unless you are a Muslim, you will not be allowed to enter.
Best time to go
Nairobi has a moderate year-round climate compared with the rest of Kenya due to its lofty positioning. It is hottest in the summer months of December to March and thus busiest at this time. Winter evenings in June and July can be quite chilly and rainy.
Many people choose to visit just after this time (in October) to catch the mass migration of the wildebeest from neighbouring Tanzania’s Serengeti to the great plains of Kenya.
Rainy day suggestions
If you can, try and get into the public gallery at Parliament House while parliament is in session to see how the country is run. You can also tour the place when parliament is out. Artsy types might like to check out the Go-Down Arts Centre, a converted warehouse in the Industrial Area, which makes for an ideal activity during a rainy day.
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