Things to Visit in Nairobi: Safari, Markets, and Urban Culture
See the best of Nairobi from its unique urban national park and elephant orphanage to vibrant markets and Kenyan food scene. Covers wildlife, culture, food, neighborhoods, and day trips.
The only national park within a major city, with lions, giraffes, zebras, and rhinos roaming against a backdrop of skyscrapers. Self-drive or guided game drives start at 6 AM. Entry is $43 for foreign adults and KES 430 for residents. Morning and late afternoon offer the best wildlife sightings.
Visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Trust
This orphaned elephant rescue center near Nairobi National Park opens to the public daily from 11 AM to 12 PM for a feeding session. Baby elephants play in the mud while keepers explain each one's rescue story. Entry is $15 per person. Fostering an elephant remotely costs $50 per year.
Feed giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
This conservation center in the Karen suburb lets you hand-feed endangered Rothschild giraffes from an elevated platform at eye level. The experience of a giraffe's tongue wrapping around a food pellet in your hand is unforgettable. Entry is KES 1,500 for foreign visitors. The center opens at 9 AM.
See the animals at Nairobi Animal Orphanage
Located inside Nairobi National Park, this facility rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas that cannot be released back into the wild. The keeper talks explain each animal's story. Entry is included with the national park fee.
Culture and History
Visit the Karen Blixen Museum
The former home of the Danish author who wrote Out of Africa, set at the foot of the Ngong Hills. The colonial-era house is preserved with original furniture and surrounded by coffee farm grounds. Entry is KES 1,200 for foreign visitors. The views of the Ngong Hills from the garden are exactly as described in the book.
Explore the Nairobi National Museum
Kenya's flagship museum covers natural history, paleontology, Kenyan art, and cultural heritage. The Joy Adamson gallery has her original wildlife paintings. The botanical garden and snake park are on the same grounds. Entry is KES 1,200 for foreign adults. Allow 2-3 hours.
Tour the Bomas of Kenya cultural village
This cultural center near Nairobi National Park showcases traditional homesteads from Kenya's 42 tribes and hosts daily performances of tribal dances and music. The afternoon dance show at 2:30 PM is energetic and participatory. Entry is KES 1,200 for foreign visitors.
Visit the Kazuri Beads factory in Karen
This social enterprise employs over 340 women who hand-make ceramic beads and pottery. Factory tours show the process from clay to finished jewelry. Buying directly from the workshop supports the workers and prices are lower than retail shops. Tours are free and the shop has a wide selection.
Neighborhoods and Markets
Shop at the Maasai Market for crafts and souvenirs
This rotating open-air market sells handmade Maasai beadwork, soapstone carvings, kangas, and wooden animals. The market moves to different locations each day: Tuesday at Kijabe Street, Friday at the Village Market, Saturday at the Law Courts parking lot. Haggling is essential and starting at 30-40% of the asking price is fair.
Explore the art scene in Westlands and Lavington
These neighborhoods have Nairobi's growing gallery scene with contemporary African art, design studios, and creative spaces. The Circle Art Gallery, One Off Gallery, and Banana Hill Art Gallery show established and emerging Kenyan artists. The Alchemist bar and food court in Westlands combines street food with live music.
Walk through Karura Forest in the city center
This 1,041-hectare urban forest has walking, running, and cycling trails through indigenous woodland, past waterfalls and caves. It is a peaceful escape from the city and home to monkeys, duikers, and over 200 bird species. Entry is KES 600 for foreign visitors. Guided nature walks are available.
Food Experiences
Eat nyama choma, Kenya's national BBQ
Grilled goat meat is Kenya's social food, served at outdoor BBQ spots called nyama choma joints. The meat is slow-grilled over charcoal and served with ugali maize meal and kachumbari tomato-onion salad. A half-kilo serving costs KES 400-800. The best spots are in the Hurlingham and Karen areas.
Try pilau and biryani at a Swahili restaurant
Nairobi's coastal Swahili community brought these spiced rice dishes from the coast. Pilau is lighter with fewer spices while biryani is richer with more layered flavors. Plates cost KES 300-600 at Swahili restaurants in the Eastleigh neighborhood. The cardamom and clove aromas are distinctive.
Eat at a rooftop restaurant in Westlands
Nairobi's dining scene has exploded with rooftop restaurants, craft breweries, and international fusion kitchens concentrated in Westlands and Kilimani. Main courses cost KES 800-2,000 at mid-range restaurants. The craft beer scene features several local microbreweries with Kenyan-inspired flavors.
Drink Kenyan coffee at a specialty cafe
Kenya produces some of the world's most prized coffee, known for its bright acidity and berry notes. Specialty cafes in Karen, Westlands, and the CBD serve single-origin Kenyan coffees for KES 200-400 per cup. Some offer cupping sessions where you taste beans from different regions. Ask for AA grade for the highest quality.
Day Trips
Hike the Ngong Hills south of Nairobi
These distinctive ridgeline hills 25 km from the city center offer a 4-5 hour ridge walk with views of the Rift Valley on one side and Nairobi on the other. Armed KWS rangers accompany hikers for safety. Entry is KES 300 and ranger fees are KES 2,000 per group. Start early as afternoon clouds obscure views.
Visit Lake Naivasha for hippos and birdlife
This freshwater lake 90 km northwest of Nairobi is home to hippos, fish eagles, and over 400 bird species. Boat rides on the lake cost KES 3,000-4,000 per hour. The Crescent Island wildlife sanctuary allows walking safaris among giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest with no fences. The drive from Nairobi takes about 2 hours.
Day trip to Amboseli for Kilimanjaro views
While Amboseli National Park is a 4-hour drive from Nairobi, the views of elephant herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro are among the most iconic in Africa. Day trips are possible but overnight stays allow for morning game drives when Kilimanjaro is clearest. Park entry is $60 for foreign adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Nairobi?
Three to five days covers the main wildlife experiences, cultural sites, and food scene. Spend one day at Nairobi National Park, one day at the elephant orphanage and Giraffe Centre, one day exploring Karen and the museums, and extra days for the Ngong Hills, Lake Naivasha, or deeper city exploration. Many travelers use Nairobi as a base before or after a longer safari.
What is the best time to visit Nairobi?
January through March and July through October offer the driest weather with comfortable temperatures around 20-26 degrees Celsius. Nairobi sits at 1,700 meters elevation so nights can be cool at 10-12 degrees Celsius. The long rains from April to June and short rains in November bring green landscapes but occasional heavy downpours.
Is Nairobi safe for tourists?
Nairobi has improved its security significantly in recent years. The tourist areas of Karen, Westlands, and the CBD are generally safe during the day. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and keep valuables out of sight. Use ride-hailing apps rather than hailing taxis on the street. The upscale neighborhoods of Karen, Lavington, and Kilimani have the strongest security infrastructure.
How do you get around Nairobi?
Ride-hailing apps are the most convenient and safe way to travel around Nairobi, with most trips costing KES 300-1,000. Matatu minibuses are cheap at KES 30-100 but crowded and confusing for visitors. Nairobi traffic is notoriously heavy, especially during morning and evening rush hours, so allow extra time. Car rental with a driver costs KES 5,000-8,000 per day and is the best option for full-day sightseeing.