20 Unmissable Attractions in Nairobi
<a href = "https://www.flickr.com/photos/exfordy/2214390238/in/photolist-4nFk53-4nFkQU-rt2pmD-dt2KE3-smx2PC-f4b8SU-dkhApZ-rsQ5Yj-smwWju-sUYTZN-s7evKE-rs25gR-9nWrAq-s6vcnk-dt2Wty-eG9Nzx-sV7rMx-tczpjc-aE2kuN-tcBZGT-eY1sfc-8vLtkF-4nBiwn-dkhCtW-rWBXGh-7sY2kp-tafx9G-hUCmYz-8vNh8d-mjHbjS-swrikH-h1LCBz-4nFo1h-7t33EW-eX9rCi-sV7MqR-8vKfpr-rRTXod-4nFmAy-sV7Q4r-s7eCew-8vLtqT-dkhCnq-JYQ6Yv-dkhC6q-dkhAhB-sRW4w1-mfsPvZ-hUCo7X-sePxRv"> Nairobi 1980 | © Brian Snelson/Flickr
No trip to Kenya is complete without at least stopping in the nation’s capital and spending some time visiting some of Nairobi’s many attractions. From spending time with animals, learning more about Kenyan culture, tasting some local cuisine, and more, here are 20 of the unmissable stops located all throughout Nairobi.
The Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) helipad is one of the best places to see the panoramic view of the city and its environs because it is the tallest building in Nairobi.
<a href = "https://www.flickr.com/photos/jlascar/4522598390/in/photolist-7TDuWj-s7eCew-dkhApZ-rs25gR-soEAg1-dkhCtW-dkhCnq-dkhC6q-dkhAhB-9ctrzq-7TAgrM-Ef8Ha2-w7aHP7-3cuj5p-2nM5wG-4dunp7-7VcD9i-wpeB4K-7TNh7z-w7hx5g-woMn4M-w7aysQ-woMjfF-Px28SL-NmPLeT-xApGau-wW19G9-wXWB9J-wY5Agz-xApGRj-xTEPa2-xU6gxf-xCkmJU-wXWaS1-w7hwHp-xU6eqQ-xSCTcW-xSCNLS-w7aAv7-wo7bAY-wY5pU2-yVSLcW-xCkuAL-vrKUaY-wo7bUy-xCkUnw-vrL4nL-w7aESW-wmsNmG-w7aF3q"> Kenyatta International Conference Center | © Jorge Láscar/Flickr
Nairobi has a story rich in history and culture. Visit the main museums in the city and learn a thing or two about traditions and history. Some of the museums include the Nairobi National Museum, the Nairobi Railways Museum Nairobi Gallery, and the Karen Blixen Museum.
Nairobi Museum | © Meaduva / Flickr
The Talisman is a favorite for many people because of the restaurant’s super-tasty food, organic approach, and serene location. The menu contains Pan Asian and African cuisine that’s sure to excite the palate. A couple of the items to try are the sushi platter and pork belly.
<a href = "https://www.flickr.com/photos/kenyaphotos/4406305452/in/photolist-7Hnt6E"> Dinner at Talisman | © Visiting Kenya/Flickr
Bomas of Kenya shows the villages of the many Kenyan tribes, and it is a place to learn about the culture of Kenya.
Bomas of Kenya | © fetchstix / Flickr
Feed some giraffes in Giraffe Centre or get some giraffe kisses while having breakfast in Giraffe Manor.
Giraffe | © Jake / Flickr
To see some animals against a backdrop of beautiful skyscrapers, go on the Nairobi Safari Walk or have a picnic in Nairobi’s National Park.
Nairobi National Park | © Ninara/ Flickr
Tap into your innate sense of adventure and go running, hiking, zip lining, and paintballing at The Forest. Other activities include archery, tree planting, nature walks, and biking.
<a href = "https://www.flickr.com/photos/emleung/5033569307/in/photolist-8ENmMH-duZTaZ-bAS4p9-7UTCaZ-bPLFYZ-bAS3mY-8nt9Ru-bPLGDc-bPLG2D-bPLH3x-bAS3FQ-8jyRk4-bAS34j-bPLGdc-4YA3xC-bAS2JW-bPLFDk-94e5qF-bAS3qU-HH5M8K-bAS3R5-3emKPs-94e254-eaqx6Y-94haYj-94h6Uq-zwkUNg-94h9Vw-bAS3ys-94e2sX-bAS2BU-94e1LH-bAS49J-94e1VX-bAS2G7-eBjWB3-94e4QX-94h95f-bPLGH6-bPLGmp-94h7Eo-94har9-94e492-94h7QC-94e3Ek-bAS4cs-bAS2N3-94h61Y-94haAE-94e3rB"> Zip, zip hooray | © Emily Leung/Flickr
The hills are in the South West of Nairobi, and it is a great place to hike. Visit the famous Ngong Hills wind farm and soak in some views.
Ngong Hills | © Ninara/ Flickr
Karura Forest is a great place to hike or cycle, and the trail leads to a forest, waterfall, and caves.
Karura | © Ninara/ Flickr
<a href = "https://www.flickr.com/photos/mgallacher/14662868844/in/photolist-okH34w-7WatY1-7WauSw-7WavLC-7WauxS-7Wavjy-7WatrW-7W7dmF-7Wav6Y-7Waucm-7WatEQ"> African Heritage House - Nairobi | © twistyfoldy.net/Flickr
Drive from the city center to Olepolos Country Club in Kiserian, Nairobi. Their meat departs from the usual lineup with unexpected dishes including mutura (sausages) and chemsha (stewed meat).
Roasted Meat | © Tookapic / Pexels
Visit a local restaurant for some delicious food. Even Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg had to try the fish—this restaurant in Kilimani serves tilapia and other local dishes such as ugali.
<a href = "https://www.flickr.com/photos/bitterjug/2248918702/in/photolist-BpzMPk-836VuC-B1AcVj-r32qKX-5JKSsk-5JQ8Vw-8yZsqs-QNq7Fa-4qJibo-6GjY38-8yWkRn-8yZtss-8yZsjL-FQ2FdR-8yWm8D-9g4q94-96Nt7L-4jCS4j-8zf863-8HgbVV-m2JDyx-ZjNEV-agdiFK-8yWn1c-8yWmdc"> Ugali and cabbage | © Mark Skipper/Flickr
Visit Brown’s Cheese farm in Limuru’s tea country and see how natural cheeses are made. Tastings involve an assortment of homemade jams, bread, and chutneys—and full meals are also available for those wanting more.
Cheese | © Alexander Maasch Sainte / Unsplash
Kazuri Bead Factory in the Karen Blixen Estate started as a small workshop that made small beads. The beads are charming, unique, and reflect Kenya’s culture. Visitors can also learn more about the beads.
Kazuri Beads | © Class V/ Flickr
Shoppers will never run out of things to buy including bags, jeans, shoes, scarves, and dresses. Visit Nairobi’s flea markets and find something special. There are also flea markets that sell jewellery and décor items like the Maasai Market.
Market | © Collect Moments/ Flickr
There are many shopping malls in the city including the Galleria, Westgate Shopping Mall, Sarit Centre, Thika Road Mall, Garden City Mall, Two Rivers Mall, and The Hub Karen among others.
Escalator in mall | © Pixabay/ Pexels
This resort was initially a ranch house offering spacious accommodation options, fully-furnished rooms, and great gardens. One of the main attractions, however, is the giant ostrich, a beautiful-flightless bird.
<a href = "https://www.flickr.com/photos/siraf72/10479976443/in/photolist-gY5BT2-8Gkssq-4K2rkz-iUDWz-75ykRW-9FbCic-caLUFj-8TrPTf-5KT84X-UjhL76-5G5Aj-76zC6N-DAc2CB-cowewL-7Mn4ES-5dGbit-ze9HYb-a1VKTF-A2gJ6-bzTLkJ-8LMDH5-bd6QTg-F9HAKv-ck1jEE-pmAtpj-JKTLqi-U5b89S-EBjoG-wDrh3V-5yZLV8-5vwF6s-h1WmYk-qcaZFW-5vwHsy-ipF6ev-8SVZuJ-7MKjQL-8ukBLt-c4qvFN-7Uxysj-8pcjgc-hjR2Da-nzFyrG-8uoJeA-5z55VS-nBGx1x-nzVvFX-SWwFaG-bx1d7P-7C94YU"> Ostrich | © Faris Algosaibi/Flickr
Elephant | © Anita Ritenour/ Flickr
When visitors arrive at Kitengela, they will see sculptures and ornaments adorning the path that leads to the establishment. Also on view are different-mosaic paths and the artisans who make glass into art and décor. There are also some activities including horse riding, felting, swimming, and mosaic classes.
Kitengela Glass Art | © Christine und Hagen Graf/ Flickr
Walk on the Scary Bridge of Rolf’s Place
Rolf’s Place is a cliff mansion in the southeast part of the Nairobi National Park. It is a great place that has a suspension bridge where those brave enough to cross can see Mount Kenya, Ngong Hills, and the Karen Area. The nearby restaurant also has good food.