Kenya is best renowned for its spectacular Africa safaris in its astounding game reserves and lovely beaches on the coast, but Nairobi, Kenya’s thriving city, is Africa’s cultural center. Nairobi, Kenya’s capital and largest city, has long been the starting point for some of Africa’s most exciting adventures. But, before you go on safari, there are lots of thrilling things to do in this dynamic town.
Even in such a crowded city, wildlife is a big lure. Nairobi is one of the few cities in the world with a safari park. Nairobi National Park is only a 15-minute drive from the city’s skyscrapers and offers a classic African animal experience. The sun-soaked savanna is home to lions, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, rhinoceros, and buffalo, among others. More so, the animal enthusiasts may snuggle baby elephants and interact with giraffes at neighboring animal sanctuaries.
The great museums in Nairobi also bring the city’s rich history and ethnic culture to life. The Karen Blixen Museum is a major hit, especially for admirers of the book and film Out of Africa, who come to witness where the famous Danish novelist labored on her coffee estate in the picturesque Ngong Hills. Here is a list of the top 10 things to do in Nairobi;
- Explore Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park, Kenya’s first national park, is approximately seven kilometers from Nairobi’s skyscrapers. The wildlife paradise, as well as a rhino sanctuary, protects more than 50 of these critically endangered mammals. In addition to rhinos, the wetlands are home to lions, buffaloes, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, warthogs, and ostriches, as well as over 400 recorded bird species.
Nairobi National Park is also a well-known location for ivory burning. Former President Moi torched 12 tons of elephant tusks and rhino horns here in 1989, enhancing the country’s conservation image on the international stage. And today, this historic site is now marked by a monument. Among other adventures enjoyed in this park are the Nairobi Safari Walk, a popular safari activity that allows animal enthusiasts to see animals on foot, and walking trails wind around the Hippo Pools region.
2. Visit David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for Orphaned Elephants
This wildlife trust is one of the world’s most innovative animal rehabilitation facility. Young, elephants and rhinos that have been orphaned due to poaching and human-wildlife conflict are being nursed back to health. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is the proud mother of approximately 150 elephant calves. Visitors may observe the slurps and gurgles of young orphans being fed as their caretakers expertly give their supersize feeding bottles between 11 a.m. and lunchtime daily. Visitors who are moved by this modest achievement can consider adopting a newborn orphan elephant and following its fascinating journey first-hand.
3. Feed the Giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
This remarkable Giraffe hub is located on the outskirts of Nairobi National Park and it offers outstanding giraffe experiences. This non-profit institution is located on the grounds of the opulent Giraffe Manor, and its primary aim is to educate children about conservation.
The visitor center provides information about these graceful creatures, and a high platform allows you to feed them specially prepared pellets at eye level. Visitors to this center may get up close and personal with endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. This is one of the most bizarre things to do in Nairobi, particularly with children – photo opportunities with wet, gray giraffe tongues licking little faces are priceless. After spending time with these long-lashed beauties, take a 1.5-kilometer self-guided forest stroll in the nearby nature reserve.
4. Enjoy a Nature Walk in Karura Forest
If you are visiting Nairobi and you are looking for some peace near the city, consider yourself lucky. Just a few kilometers from the city center, the lovely Karura Forest is a calm, shady haven. This beautiful green environment is one of the world’s largest urban forests, and there are plenty of things to see and do here. You can hike to a 15-meter multi-tiered waterfall, or take a picnic in the gardens. You can also get to watch monkeys scurry through the woods, or simply sit quietly by Lily Lake and enjoy the peace. The forest also has well-marked red-clay tracks that are popular for biking.
Wildlife abounds here as well. Aside from monkeys, you may also view duikers, butterflies, and a variety of bird species.
5. Explore the Karen Blixen Museum
The Karen Blixen Museum, located at the foot of the Ngong Hills, is one of Nairobi’s most popular tourist sites and is the former home of the famed Out of Africa author Karen Blixen. Karen Blixen, widely known by her pen name Isak Dinesen, lived in the house and maintained a coffee plantation.
The Museum encompasses a well-preserved colonial farmhouse, a kitchen in a separate structure, a coffee-drying factory in the woods, and an agricultural college on the grounds: all these are open to the public today. Karen Blixen’s and her husband’s furniture, as well as photographs and books held by Karen and her lover, Denys Finch Hatton, are on exhibit. Exciting tour guides bring Karen Blixen’s story and colonial Kenya to life.
6. Learn about Kenya’s rich History at the Nairobi National Museum
The Nairobi National Museum is one of Kenya’s most popular museums. It attracts thousands of visitors each year with a rotating display of East African heritage and historical collections and exhibitions. The museum is a non-profit organization founded in 1970 to assist and promote Kenya’s National Museums. It is conveniently positioned in the city center and easily accessible. The museum is a fantastic site to visit for education, pleasure, and culture.
7. Visit Maasai Market
With several markets situated in the city, the Maasai Market is one of the best flea markets in Nairobi, Kenya. It is one of the most accessible markets, as it is open many days a week and held at several places throughout the city. Locals and visitors can acquire some of the rich and distinctive assortment of African arts and crafts to enhance their homes or as gifts to friends and family.
8. Tour the Bomas of Kenya
Bomas of Kenya is a live museum that celebrates Kenya’s colorful tribes. The museum is located about 10 kilometers from Nairobi and is an excellent site to learn about each tribe’s lifestyle, art, music, crafts, and culture. The complex includes a recreated traditional hamlet with homesteads called bomas, each representing a significant ethnic group’s culture. At the museum, a traditional performance group performs traditional dances and songs in the huge theatre every afternoon. The engagement of the audience enhances the enjoyment of the performances.
9. Explore the Ngong Hills
The Ngong hills are a popular tourist destination near Nairobi and offer a pleasant escape from the city chaos. Ngong” is a Maasai word that means “knuckles”, an apt term given to these stunning pointed green hills because they resemble the rear of a fist towards the sky. The Ngong Hills are the summits of a range that overlooks the Great Rift Valley, and many early colonial white settlers established their farms here.
Several walking trails wind around the slopes, providing stunning views of the lowlands below. There is additional wildlife in the area which includes Buffaloes, gazelles, giraffes, bushbuck, the rare klipspringer, and baboon herds, among others
10. Spend a Day at Uhuru Park
A visit to Nairobi would be incomplete without seeing Uhuru Park, a popular Nairobi highlight. The park includes an artificial lake and other national monuments, many of which are free to visit. On weekends, go to the park to soak up the skateboarding culture. Uhuru Park offers a plethora of leisure activities and natural greenery, making it ideal for romantic outings and picnics. From the summit of the park, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Nairobi.
Other things to do in Nairobi include;
- Take a Nairobi city tour
- Visit the Kenyatta International Conference Centre
- Take a Kibera Township tour
- Tour the Kazuri Beads
- Explore the Kenya Railway Museum
- Attend the Kenyan carnivore
Best time to Visit Nairobi
Nairobi city can be visited any time throughout the year. However, the ideal time to explore Nairobi’s safari activities is during the dry months of July through October, as well as January and February. July has the lowest rainfall of the year, with less than an inch of blessed water. July and August are the driest and coolest months in Nairobi. Therefore, as you plan your trip to Nairobi, bring enough gear to keep you comfortable in a variety of settings. Layers are usually the greatest option because you can simply add or remove garments as the weather changes.
You don’t want to bring anything that would restrict your movement, so wear loose-fitting clothing. Bring a cap and an item of lightweight, waterproof clothing to shield yourself from bird drops.