Nairobi: Urban experiences & wildlife all in one day

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Urban experiences & wildlife all in one day.

Nairobi is one of Africa's most vibrant and exciting cities with excellent global cuisine and buzzing nightlife that makes up for a great and dynamic entertainment spot. It draws its name from a Maasai Word “Enkare Nyirobi” meaning a place of cool waters.‍

Nairobi, city, capital of Kenya. It is situated in the south-central part of the country.

Nairobi's USP

Nairobi’s real claim to international fame is that just 20 minutes from the city center you’ll find the world’s only urban national park. Kenya’s capital is one of Africa’s largest cities and the main hub for visitors who typically overnight here before flying off to wildlife parks on safari.

Though abundant with office towers, Nairobi retains its colonial charm with buildings such as the Norfolk and Stanley hotels, traditional safari lodges of the early 19th century.

Did you know?

Most of the interest for tourists in Nairobi lies to the south and southwest in the land of the Maasai people, which begins with Nairobi National Park on the city’s doorstep. The park makes an excellent day-excursion and includes the Ngong Hills whose beautiful landscape is described in great detail in Karen Blixen’s Out of Africa. In fact, Nairobi’s outlying township of Karen, named after Blixen, is the location of must-see stops such as the Giraffe Sanctuary as well as a handful of posh art and antique shops.

Fun Fact!

The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, Nairobi is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun."

Unique Selling Points

How to get there:

Flights: International and domestic flights are available at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport, connecting Nairobi to all parts of the country.

Road: There is a very good road network connecting Nairobi to other major cities and towns in Kenya.

Railway: The standard gauge railway has made Nairobi more accessible from other cities and towns. Trains can be booked online or through local tour operators.

The National Museum

The Nairobi National Museum is one of the best museums in the country. It is here that one can have a feel of the human origins exhibited and can also view the near-complete “Turkana Boy” – the famous 1.6 million years old skeleton that was found near Lake Turkana in the Northern part of Kenya in 1984 by a paleontologist.

Interact with orphaned elephants at the David Sheldrick Trust and even adopt one.

A tour of Nairobi cannot be complete without a visit to The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), popularly known as the “Giraffe Centre,” where one can feed and kiss the giraffes from a specially built platform. This place is renowned for the conservation of the Rothschild species of giraffe.

The Nairobi National Park – a world-renowned park within a city – is a must-visit for safari lovers who have a few days within the city for conferences or business meetings.

Attractions

While there’s no denying that most tourists zip in and out of Nairobi en route to safari, the city does have its fill of attractions. Among them is the Nairobi National Museum, a great introduction to Kenya and our journey from independence, a glimpse of our cultural diversity at the Bomas of Kenya, and a visit to Nairobi National Park & Orphanage for a taste of our wildlife diversity with an option of Safari Walk for transit/business visitors. You are welcome to experience close interaction with animals at the Giraffe Centre & David Sheldrick Elephant Sanctuary – a wildlife orphanage that cares for baby elephants and rhinos whose mothers have been killed by poachers and eventually reintroduces them back into the wild.

For nature lovers, we have a few forests located within the city where visitors can seek much-needed refuge from the daily stress of urban life. Get intimate with nature at Karura Forest, commonly known as the “green heart & lungs of the Kenyan capital.” The park is strategically located and provides a natural amenity and beauty spot for Kenyans and international visitors alike.

One can experience farm tours not far from the city, such as Kiambethu Tea Farm, Karunguru Coffee Farm, Fairview Coffee Tours, and Paradise Lost. The gardens contain different tea/coffee varieties that are grown in Kenya. A tour of the farm will make you understand the entire process from the farm to the cup.

Activities and Experiences

Visitors can experience the bygone sophistication of colonial East Africa at the Sarova Stanley Heritage tour or a short Nairobi Walk, taking you down memory lane of how Nairobi came into being and a tour of the various iconic monuments that are found within the city, giving meaning/understanding of what made Nairobi what it is today.

Immerse yourself in sporting activities such as walking, hiking, and trekking at the available forests within the city at Ololua, Nairobi Arboretum, and Karura Forest, as well as bird watching for birders.

Shoppers have a chance to test their bargaining power by purchasing traditional Maasai artifacts at the Maasai Market. The market is rotational, so please check with your guide to know their schedule.

A visitor can test themselves by catching light with a fiery touching experience at the Kitengela Hot Glass, where you will realize the many ways broken glasses can be transformed into a souvenir.

Adventure lovers can visit the undisputed home of adrenaline rush activities at Kereita Forest, where visitors can fly longer, go faster, and explore more adventure activities on their menu.