Quick Getaways and Overnight Escapes From Nairobi

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Natural Feature

It’s been said that distance heals a broken heart, so Nyeri is for those completely serious about their temporary break-up with city life. Three hours from Nairobi, Zaina Falls is one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Kenya, considered a hidden tourist destination. Its beautiful scenery amid the green hills of Nyeri County and its well-marked trails will leave you with no regrets.

Natural Feature, Park

Ol Pejeta is well known for the incredible wildlife experience it gives its visitors, and is a four-hour drive from the capital. As a wildlife conservancy, Ol Pejeta is keen to receive help from visitors, so be prepared to get your hands dirty. Seek out the lions, go birdwatching and even bring out your best David Attenborough impression by identifying different animal tracks. Ol Pejeta is also home to the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa and is home to the last two remaining northern white rhino in the world.

Hiking Trail

This 5km (3mi) trail offers the perfect slice of escapism with its gorgeous landscapes and immersive walking trails, but with the safety of being in the outskirts of Nairobi in Karen. Its beautiful forest with waterfalls and caves and a well-defined trail (which you can use for a stress-relieving jog) will be worth your time.

Restaurant, Authentic, $

Just outside Nairobi, Rolf’s Place is where you’ll get your desired breath of fresh, unpolluted air; cross a swing bridge and set your eyes on a beautifully decorated building and get served impeccable cuisine. For all those energetic people not quite content with just relaxing, engage your body and survival instincts in a paintballing session, overlooking Nairobi National Park.

Natural Feature

What better way to escape city life than by visiting a hidden lake, three hours outside Nairobi? Lake Ol Bolossat is a beautiful spot to the west of the Aberdare Range that is well known for its huge catfish and plentiful hippos. To get the complete experience, you can spend stay over at one of the Samawati Lakeside Cottages or the Kichakani Cabins – the perfect one-night getaway from Nairobi.

Natural Feature

A must-visit location, Wasini Island is located 85km (53mi) south of Mombasa, and its footpaths consist of corals or sand. The gardens are an alien landscape created by coral rocks jutting out of the ground. The exotic mangrove trees are also a site to behold. This beautiful place is bound to soothe your mind and is a great way to escape city life, especially as you’ll be a day’s travel away from Nairobi.

Architectural Landmark

Let’s be honest – it wouldn’t occur to most people that there are actually castles to visit in Kenya. Well, this house, styled like a fortress, has quite the history to it, having been first occupied by Maurice Egerton, a friend of the Wright brothers. Make sure to give this 52-room stately home more than a flying visit, and take in its impressive architecture and tranquil ambience. While it may be a fair trek, situated just over three hours from Nairobi, near Nakuru, the travel is worth it.

Natural Feature

This list wouldn’t be complete without the beautiful beaches on the East African coast, a nine-hour trip from the capital. Tiwi Beach is perhaps the pick of the bunch, situated in Ukunda. Picture endless white sand, glamorous palm trees and spectacular weather – the perfect antidote to the bustle elsewhere. With numerous hotels lining the promenade, you can extend your stay without sacrificing any tranquility, making it one of the best resorts outside Nairobi.

Architectural Landmark

Who says one city can’t be an escape from another? Well, it’s difficult not to be when you’re 485km (300mi) away on the coast. The Old Town holds most of the history of the second-largest city in Kenya, with its historical buildings dating back to the 18th century and housing inhabitants of Portuguese, Arab, Swahili and British heritage. Just south you can visit Fort Jesus: a 16th-century coastal building with Unesco World Heritage status.