Nairobi City Guide

Nairobi, known as ‘the Green City in the Sun’, is one of Africa’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. Home to the country’s main international airport, its appeal goes far beyond being the start and end point for Kenya’s safari and beach circuit. Nairobi is a destination in its own right.

Nearly 4.4 million people call the nearly 700 sqkm of Nairobi home, from the bustling central business district to the vast informal settlement of Kibera to the upmarket leafy suburbs of Karen and Langata.

Packed with wonderful shops, exceptional restaurants and fascinating attractions, it’s worth adding a couple of extra nights to your itinerary to ensure you have enough time to get a true experience of Kenya’s energetic urban heart. This is our guide to making the most of your time in Nairobi.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, on the outskirts of the city near the famous Nairobi National Park, is the main arrival and departure point for international flights.

If you have a late arrival or an early departure, it may make sense to spend a night in one of the airport hotels – our favourite options include the Four Points by Sheraton or the Crowne Plaza. This is because Nairobi traffic is well-deserving of its infamous reputation, although it is now far better with the opening of the new expressway, which has made getting from the airport to the city and vice versa far quicker.

Wilson Airport is the secondary air hub, located closer to Nairobi’s inner city. From here, you will fly to regional destinations like the Maasai Mara, Laikipia, Samburu or the Kenyan Coast.

When it comes to travelling in the city, without question, we recommend ensuring you have a driver, as navigating its frenetic and traffic jam-filled roads is only for those that know the ropes. For a relaxing time in Nairobi, we suggest that you give yourself plenty of time to get from place to place, watching as daily life unfolds all around you, with hundreds of ‘matutus’ (minibuses) and ‘pikipikis’ (motorbikes) transporting locals all around the city.

One of the questions we often get asked is whether it’s safe to visit to Nairobi – and our answer is yes, provided you take sensible precautions much like you would in any other busy city.

Walking around unaccompanied is best avoided during the day or night and we recommend instead that your driver drop you off at each place you would like to visit during your stay. If you do plan to walk, we recommend you keep valuables such as phones, cameras, wallets and handbags out of sight.

Everything in Nairobi happens on mobile phones. In fact, Kenya was one of the first countries in the world to adopt cellphone-based banking. There are plenty of cost-effective SIM card packages, including e-SIMs that will make staying connecting during your trip simple and seamless. You can either do this online before your trip or stop at one of the many kiosks just outside of Jomo Kenyatta Airport to purchase a prepaid travel package.

While almost all Kenyans pay for goods and services on their phones through a service called M-Pesa, it can be tricky to set up as a visitor. Instead, credit cards are widely accepted, including tap-and-go contactless payments, but it’s always a good idea to exchange a few dollars into Kenyan Shillings for smaller purchases in local markets, or for tips.

When it comes to deciding on what to do while you’re in Nairobi, you are truly spoilt for choice – in fact, it’s more of a challenge to work out how to fit in everything you would like to experience than it is to fill your days in this fascinating city.

One wouldn’t often associate nature-based experiences with a busy metropolis, but Nairobi offers an array of activities that focus on the area’s flora and fauna. Nairobi itself deserves its nickname of the ‘Green City’ with the landscape comprising an interesting mix of rainforest and savannah grasslands in between its many buildings and other infrastructure.

If you are in the mood to escape the concrete, you can spend a couple of hours on a guided safari in Nairobi National Park, home to all the Big Five except for elephants, with the city’s skyline in the distance.

Another experience that feels a million miles away from the urban life is a morning walk or jog through the trails of Karura Forest covering about 10 sqkm and featuring a 15-metre waterfall and various archaeological sites. Afterwards, stop at the lovely River Café for a delicious breakfast and coffee.

If you would like to see some amazing animals up-close, then be sure to visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Elephant Orphanage to spend some time with some rescued baby elephants and their keepers. This conservation organisation is dedicated to the protection and preservation of wildlife – particularly elephants and rhinos. Watch as they feed, take a mud bath and play with their siblings. This is a wonderful activity to enjoy with the family.

Another worthwhile visit is the nearby Giraffe Centre which rescues and conserves the rare Rothschild Giraffe. Through its successful breeding programme, more than 40 giraffes have been released into safe reserves across Kenya. Here you can feed the giraffes, and marvel and their incredible grace and size.

As is the case in many urban centres, Nairobi has an abundance of fantastic restaurants, shopping opportunities and attractions steeped in history and culture.

For fans of the novel and film, ‘Out of Africa’, a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum is a must-do. This beautiful farmhouse is the former home of Blixen, where she lived between 1914 and 1931 at the foot of the Ngong Hills surrounded by landscaped gardens.

If you would like to indulge in a bit of shopping, Nairobi is filled with creatives, artists and designers making one-of-a-kind products. Visit Kuona Trust, Kazuri Beads and Utamaduni to enjoy some retail therapy.

Once you’ve worked up and appetite, choose from a selection of incredible restaurants – Nairobi is arguably the gastronomic hub of East Africa, with influences from Japan to Ecuador with an ever-present Swahili touch.

There are so many to choose from, but a few of our favourites include Cultiva, Inti, Mercado, and the iconic Talisman. For a vibey option, pop into Nairobi Street Kitchen, home to an array of food stalls, bars and live music.

If you don’t have a late flight in or an early flight out, most visitor prefer to stay in the beautiful suburbs of Karen and Langata on the outskirts of Nairobi. Still close enough to visit all the attractions, there are a lovely selection of properties to choose from. These are a few of our favourites.

Hemingways Nairobi

This luxurious boutique hotel is surrounded by gorgeous gardens with views of the Ngong Hills. There are 45 suites, all offering a mix of modern comforts with classical and elegant décor.

Here you can laze by the swimming pool, enjoy delicious meals from the Brassier restaurant and unwind over a cocktail and the huge bar.

Giraffe Manor

Famous for the Rothchild’s giraffes that live in the gardens around the property, Giraffe Manor is a peaceful retreat in a 140-acre sanctuary in the suburb of Langata.

Share your breakfast with the inquisitive giraffes that slip their heads in through the windows. The 1930’s heritage building houses 12 suites that retain the character of this historic property.

Karen Gables

Offering a welcoming ‘home-away-from-home’ atmosphere, Karen Gables is housed in a Cape-Dutch style building in the leafy suburb of Karen.

Named after Karen Blixen’s old farm just a few minutes away, it offers cosy communal lounges, bar, dining area and swimming pool, along with just seven comfortable suites.

Planning a trip includes some of the best places to visit in Nairobi and the rest of Kenya? Then get in touch with our expert travel team on +44 (0) 20 3821 5994 (UK), +1 (833) 215 9353 (US), or at explore@niarratravel.com and start curating your perfect itinerary for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.