The Top Things to Do in Nairobi

Hand-feed giraffes and visit orphaned elephants in the city of Nairobi | © ImageBROKER / Alamy Stock Photo

17 November 2021

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Kenya is most well known for its dazzling safaris in the Mara and picturesque beaches on the coast – but it is Nairobi, Kenya’s booming city, that is Africa’s culture capital. Here are the best things to see and do.

Planning a trip to Kenya and want all the details taken care of? Book yourself onto Culture Trip’s seven-day Kenyan adventure, where you’ll venture into national parks on game drives, visit an extinct volcano and have chance to explore the best of Nairobi.

Adopt an elephant at David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Architectural Landmark

A pair of elephants walking across a grass landscape at sunset

This wildlife trust is one of the most pioneering animal rehabilitation centres in the world. Young, orphaned elephants and rhinos, the victims of poaching and human-wildlife conflicts, are nurtured back to health. To date, it is the proud mother over 150 elephant calves. Between 11am and midday daily, visitors can watch the slurps and gurgles of young orphans being fed as their keepers skilfully administer their supersize feeding bottles. If you’re moved by this humble feat, adopt a young orphan elephant and follow its inspiring journey firsthand.

Picnic in Nairobi National Park

Natural Feature, Park

Which city can boast a fully fledged safari park that houses the Big Five of African wildlife? Nairobi of course. Located only 7km from the city centre, visitors are allowed to take their own car into a mass of highland greenery at a reasonable price. Nicknamed the Kifaru Arc, the park boasts the world’s biggest black rhino population. On weekends, the locals take full advantage of the unique range of picnic spots found within. Be sure to visit the Ivory Burning Monument, a national conservation site where former President Arap-Moi destroyed poached ivory in 1989.

Visit the Nairobi National Museum

Museum

Located 10 minutes from the city centre, Nairobi National Museum boasts a collection of rich, cultural artefacts that date back to the earliest prehistoric remains. Displayed are the incredible skeletal discoveries of homo habilis found by renowned archaeologists, Richard and Mary Leakey at Lake Turkana. There is also an extensive collection of native bird species that will amuse any bird-lover. Join the Kenyan Museum Society every Wednesday morning for a guided bird walk. The museum re-opened its doors in 2008 after extensive renovation and expansion efforts.

Feed giraffes at the Giraffe Centre

Zoo

Langata Nature Education Centre, Giraffe Centre, Nairobi, Kenya

Get the chance to pet an endangered Rothschild’s giraffe at this world-class nature education centre. Located in Langata, only whispers from Nairobi National Park, this centre is run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. Standing atop a tall wooden platform, visitors can feed giraffes a tasty grub of pellet-shaped biscuits. Be prepared for a welcome dose of giraffe breath and the gentle lick of long, sandpaper tongues.

Take a morning jog in Karura Forest

Forest

The hustle of Nairobi city life can be overwhelming, which is why the lush scenery of Karura Forest is the perfect escape. Early mornings are the best time of day to beat the hot African sun and the rowdy crowd. The forest sits upon a bed of one-million-year-old volcanic rock and houses a variety of indigenous animals such as the big-eyed bush baby and handsome bushbuck. Walk or jog through the ancient Mau Mau caves, remains of the Kenyan struggle for independence, or stop and take a selfie at the local waterfalls.

Explore the Karen Blixen Museum

Museum

Made famous by the Oscar-winning film Out of Africa, the Karen Blixen Museum tells an eye-opening story of colonial Kenya. The museum is in fact the house in which Karen Blixen, acclaimed Danish author, lived and wrote her famed memoirs in Kenya between 1917-1931. Frequent visitors included the then Prince of Wales, who she entertained and dined, and English aristocrat and big-game hunter Denys Finch Hatton, who she courted. Enjoy the splendid view of the surrounding hills and fauna as you explore the preserved belongings of this legendary author.

Feast on a Kenyan karoga at Nairobi Gymkhana

Sports Center, Stadium

A bowl of fried chicken breast in stewed tomatoes served with wild rice in Kenya

A karoga is a Kenyan cookout that takes place in outdoor dining venues. Food can be ordered and cooked in a number of ways: diners can bring their own ingredients and equipment and cook at the venue or those not wanting the stress of cooking can order a la carte and have their food freshly prepared in front of them by the in-house chefs. The bottom line to these cookouts is to cook the food to the exacting tastes of the diners. Don’t miss out on this truly unique dining experience.

Sip a cold Tusker Beer at the Fairview Hotel

Waiter and waitress carrying the most popular beer brands in Tanzania

Nairobi’s all-year round great weather means that there’s always time to enjoy the famous local beer, Tusker. Its unique selling point is derived from its local heritage that incorporates barley sourced from the Maasai Mara, as well as local yeast and spring water from the Aberdare mountains. The best place to enjoy Tusker is no doubt by sitting in the vibrant gardens of the Fairview Hotel.

Tour Brown’s Cheese Factory

Architectural Landmark

Special knife and famous italian cheese pecorino on small wooden table

It’s hard to find consistently good cheese in Nairobi’s supermarkets. That is, until Brown’s award-winning cheese came along in 1979. Everything from halloumi to Valençay is produced from the finest local, organic milk. Located just a half-hour from Nairobi, the factory neighbours the picturesque Rift Valley. Indulge in a tour of the factory coupled with a sumptuous offering of specialty cheeses and a variety of homemade breads and salads for lunch. This will delight cheese lovers.

Shop at the Village Market Curio Stalls

Shopping Mall

From beaded masks and brass earrings to Maasai spears, shoppers are offered unique, handmade Kenyan crafts at this ever-popular curio market. Be prepared to haggle down prices with your best poker face, or else you’ll be paying an arm and leg for everything. Don’t forget to take a water bottle and empty rucksack to safeguard all your hard-bargained goodies.

These recommendations were updated on November 17, 2021 to keep your travel plans fresh.

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