Nairobi city is the capital of Kenya and a gateway for all types of safaris in the East Africa region. It is popularly Known as “the green city under the sun” and is the starting point for safaris to the top destinations in Kenya and safaris heading to Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda and South Africa. From its origins in the 1890s as a small settler town hosting builders of the Railway line, [ the railway would link Mombasa to inland Kenya], Nairobi has grown to become a recognized city in the African continent and a choice destination for travellers intending to see wildlife such as the big five.
Nairobi is your go-to East African city for a hotel staycation in some of the world-class accommodation facilities, or a game drive safari experience a few minutes drive from the city centre. The city’s strategic location connecting different safari circuits in the country makes it the best starting point for your safari in Kenya. The following are some top attractions and things to do when visiting Nairobi city.
Attractions in Nairobi City
1. Nairobi National Park
Booking a morning or afternoon Game Drive in Nairobi National Park is a great way to spend your time in the city. The Nairobi National Park hosts a large number of wildlife, including lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, baboons and hundreds of different bird species. This is the place to spend 5-6 hours of your time if you are interested in getting a feel of the wild without travelling far from the city centre. The game drive will give you a good introduction to what to expect if say, you want to head out for a multi-day safari in Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru or other safari destinations in the country. It will also be a great conclusion to your Kenya safari experience before being transferred to your hotel or catching your homebound flight. `Though the park is located close to the city you are assured of getting great wildlife views during your game drive
A game drive in Nairobi National Park can be combined with a visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Giraffe Centre, Nairobi city tour or Bomas of Kenya tour for an even better experience of Nairobi city. We are ready to help you start planning your tailored full-day Nairobi tour or a visit to any of the attractions around the city. Contact us.
Nairobi National Park Private Game Drive – Price per person: $190, [Minimum 2 people]
Cost includes:
- Park entrance fees
- Transportation in a 4×4 vehicle with a pop-up roof for game viewing
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver/guide
- Drinking water
Cost Excludes:
- Government-imposed increases in fees and taxes
- Gratuities
- All that is not mentioned in the inclusions.
* Rates valid Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
**We accept bookings on short notice and are ready to make adjustments that fit your travel arrangements.
***Discount available for 4+ people booking the game drive.
2. Nairobi National Museum
The Nairobi National Museum is a short walking/driving distance from Nairobi’s central business district and gives a great introduction to the history, culture and wildlife of Kenya.
Heading out for a guided tour in the Museum is a good start to your tour in Kenya as you will have a good introduction to the country and an overview of what to expect as you visit different safari destinations and interact with cultural communities in Kenya. In the museum, there is much information about the way of life in Kenya’s different cultural communities as captured through images and traditional artefacts. Tracing the life and times of people from different cultural communities will give you a good overview of the experiences that have shaped Kenya’s modern culture.
You will also get a good introduction to Kenya’s wildlife, learning about some of the endangered species found in different Kenya safari destinations and the measures that have been put in place for the protection of Kenya’s wildlife. Creatively built displays also help to capture the cradle of humankind, where the remains of early humans are preserved and displayed in brightly lit cases. Booking a Museum tour along with a visit to the adjacent Snake Park will prove a worthwhile experience. Additional excursions to add to your Museum tour are the Nairobi National Park or the Bomas of Kenya. Contact us to book a tour at the Nairobi National Museum.
3. Bomas of Kenya
The Bomas of Kenya is one of the best places to learn about Kenya’s different cultures as captured through song and dance performances. Scheduled performances by professional performers at the closed auditorium provide a good overview of what to expect as you mingle with different Kenyan cultures in locations such as Samburu National Reserve, Masai Mara National Reserve and other destinations that host Kenya’s indigenous communities.
Apart from the time you spend experiencing the thrilling performances in the auditorium, you can also take a tour of the traditional home replicas that recreate the living experience of communities around Kenya. Our guide will give you background information on the different homesteads and their unique features as recreated at the Bomas of Kenya. Together with the live song and dance performances, your scheduled visit to the Bomas of Kenya will be a memorable experience.
Bomas of Kenya tour – Price per person: $55, [Minimum 2 people]
Cost includes:
- Park entrance fees
- Transportation in a 4×4 vehicle with a pop-up roof for game viewing
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver/guide
- Drinking water
Cost Excludes:
- Government-imposed increases in fees and taxes
- Gratuities
- All that is not mentioned in the inclusions.
*Rates valid Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
**We accept bookings on short notice and are ready to make adjustments that fit your travel arrangements.
**Discount available for 4+ people booking the game drive.
Check out the following multi-day safaris starting from Nairobi.
