Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city and a gateway for safaris in East Africa. If you plan to visit Kenya for a safari or tour any of the East African countries for a safari, landing at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will make your safari much more convenient. Nairobi’s strategic location will give you easy access to some of the top safari destinations in the country. Whether you are embarking on a multi-day safari or have a few hours between flights, here are 6 things to do in Nairobi.
1. Game Drive in Nairobi National Park
A game drive in Nairobi National Park is one of the ways you can spend your time in Nairobi and carry fond memories with you. The national park is the only one in the world that borders a capital city. On a guided safari in the Nairobi National Park, you can come close to some of the big five animals found in Kenya. Lions, rhinos, giraffes, leopards and other smaller animals and birds inhabit the Nairobi National Park. Being on a guided Nairobi National Park safari allows you to explore the hidden gems in this world-renowned park. An early morning or afternoon game drive lasting approximately 5 hours makes this one of the top things to do in Nairobi.
2. Nairobi City Tour
It is easy to assume the city’s attraction as one arrives and prepares to embark on a multi-day Kenya or Tanzania safari. There is much to learn about the green city under the sun, where museums, recreational parks and monuments hold much information for any visitor to acquire. Expert local guides at each attraction can help you explore and discover hidden gems and get bits of information that give Nairobi a special place in the East Africa safari industry.
Embarking on this excursion and exploring Nairobi’s attractions is best done with a local guide. Starting with panoramic views of the city as captured from the rooftop of the Kenyatta International Conference Center to the railway museum that is frozen in time, and the Nairobi National Museum that holds Kenya’s history as a British colony and later independent nation, you will have a memorable experience in this excursion and have a new perspective of Nairobi city. Booking a shared or private Nairobi City tour will make it an enjoyable experience as your guide carefully selects the attractions to visit to ensure maximum learning opportunities during your excursion.
3. Feeding Giraffes at the Giraffe Center
Image credits; David Clode
A few minutes from Nairobi’s central business district is the giraffe centre, a secure and serene location where you can have close encounters with and feed giraffes. Embarking on a visit to the giraffe brings you close to these gentle giants, which are protected through conservation efforts. The Rothschild giraffe is one of the giraffe species that you will see as you spend your time at the giraffe centre. You also have the opportunity to engage local guides, who will share valuable information about the animals and the conservation efforts at the centre.
4. Cultural Experience at the Bomas of Kenya
Perhaps no other place around or near Nairobi city offers cultural experiences like the Bomas of Kenya. Traditional dancers performing music and dance take to the auditorium of the Bomas of Kenya as they entertain and showcase the diverse Kenyan cultures. These dancers come from different Kenyan communities and are dressed in colourful traditional attire to showcase the uniqueness of their communities. On special occasions, events at the Bomas of Kenya involve cooking traditional foods, which allows visitors to sample unique flavours from the different regions and cultural communities in Kenya.
The close distance between the Bomas of Kenya and most Nairobi hotels makes this a suitable location to spend an afternoon and can mark the start or climax of your safari experience in the country.
5. Hiking in the Ngong Hills
If you are looking for a moderate to challenging hiking experience close to Nairobi city, hiking in the Ngong Hills will do. The Ngong Hills are located 2 hours from Nairobi city and consist of a series of hills that provide breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. You will find hikers and residents on the trail all year round, making it one of the friendly and safest locations to visit at any time of the year. Hiring an armed guide to give you company on the hike is an option, and keeping the trail clean is a priority for locals and visitors.
Packing appropriately for your hike at the Ngong Hills is a necessity as strong winds are a common occurrence. In addition to the views, a variety of birds makes the Ngong Hills a favourable location for birding enthusiasts.
6. Hotel Staycations, Mall Visits and Shopping for Souvenirs
Nairobi is home and host to international hotel brands and some of the biggest malls in the East Africa region. Visiting any of the hotels within and on the outskirts of Nairobi city will prove a relaxing experience. Most of the hotels around Nairobi are located close to entertainment spots that offer relaxation and leisure for every visitor in the city. Hotels located within the central business district also offer a cool and soothing atmosphere against the backdrop of the city’s hustle and bustle. You can have a leisure experience without leaving the city as you book any of the hotels offering mid-range and luxury experiences in Nairobi.
If you are marking the end of your safari in Kenya, malls in Nairobi provide the perfect location to shop for souvenirs, which you can carry back home. Affordable and beautifully crafted souvenirs will remind you of Kenya’s rich culture and serve as a reminder of your memorable safari experience.
Contact us for a Tour in Nairobi City
There is much to do in Nairobi city, popularly known as the green city under the sun. Having time before your safari, at the end of your safari or when connecting flights through Nairobi city should not leave you stranded and bored at the Airport. You can embark on any of these excursions for a memorable time in Nairobi city. Based on the time you have to spend on the Nairobi excursion, you can choose an activity that lasts for two hours, like the visit to the Bomas of Kenya for traditional cultural dance; or several hours, like the hike at the Ngong Hills. You can also combine more than two locations to form a memorable experience, like the Game Drive in Nairobi National Park combined with a visit to the Giraffe Centre.
If you are planning a visit to Kenya or have time to explore the attractions within and around Nairobi city, please contact us. We are ready to organize your memorable Kenya Safari and Nairobi excursion.