Nairobi has long been regarded as one of Africa’s most vibrant cities. It is quickly establishing a reputation as one of the world’s most dynamic cities, as its burgeoning economy and rising affluence levels fuel a development boom.
Unlike other cities Nairobi has no zoo it has its own National Park within the city. Where else in the world can you view wild black rhinos and lions against the backdrop of city skyscrapers, then dine for lunch or supper at one of Africa’s most dynamic big-city food scenes? Nairobi National Park is almost certainly home to gazelles, warthogs, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, and buffaloes. If you’re lucky, you could see cheetahs and leopards. And that’s before you even begin your adventure.
National Museum
The Nairobi National Museum is a good place to start if you are visiting the city for the first time. It’s more of a Kenya and Africa Museum than a Nairobi Museum. It is, in reality, mostly a natural history museum. The majority of the layout is devoted to animals, ecology, and human evolution, including a 1.6-million-year-old human skeleton.
The wing that covers Kenya’s contemporary history, particularly from the colonial period through independence in 1963 to the present, is what makes this museum worthwhile. The narrative is told through excellent images and mementos. A treaty with the British that the local tribes couldn’t read but were practically obliged to comply with by affixing their thumbprints to the terms is particularly notable.
Giraffes can be seen from a distance on safari in their native habitat. The Giraffe Centre allows you to get up up and personal with these wonderful animals. How close is it? Why not feed them with your hand? What about mouth-to-mouth communication?
The founders established the Africa Fund for Endangered Wildlife and began rescuing Rothschild giraffes that had been displaced from their natural environment. Their breeding activities have resulted in the distribution of over 300 giraffes throughout Kenya.
The personnel here are nice and knowledgeable. It’s a great way to spend a couple of hours with the whole family. If you come here on a weekday morning, you will dodge the throng.
When deciding what to do in Nairobi, many visitors priorities a visit to Karen Blixen’s (aka Isak Dinesen’s) old house. This stunning colonial villa in the lush outlying Nairobi district of Karen is brimming with Out of Africa nostalgia: the film’s real-life heroine resided here from 1914 until 1931. The film was shot elsewhere, therefore this is the actual thing.
Carnivore Restaurant is a restaurant that specializes on carnivorous cuisine It’s almost cliche to visit the Carnivore when in Nairobi (Langata area), yet this is a restaurant that consistently wins excellent marks from critics throughout the world. The issue is, you really do have to be a carnivore, with unusual jungle meats like giraffe and crocodile being popular meals. There are vegetarian alternatives, although it somewhat defeats the purpose of going. On the same property, there lies the popular Simba Saloon nightclub.
Kazuri Beads & Pottery Centre
Don’t miss out on this amazing craft center while you’re in Karen. It was founded in 1975 in order to offer jobs for local single moms. The free tour takes you through the whole manufacturing process, from the factory floor where raw clay is molded to the kilns where the beads are burnt. The opportunity to sit down with the women and observe them work will most likely be the highlight of your stay. Of course, there is a gift shop.
Kibera Township
Kibera. This is Africa’s largest urban slum, with around 2.5 million inhabitants, representing 60% of the population yet just 6% of Nairobi’s acreage. You don’t just stumble into Kibera, and supervised trips are available. You may be startled by some uplifting events in Soweto, Johannesburg, as well as exposing your eyes to a new part of Africa.
Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC)
KICC is located in the center of Nairobi’s city square, and it’s a terrific spot to get your kicks if city vistas are your thing. The Kenyatta International Convention Center, at 28 floors, physically looms over the city and offers a spectacular 360-degree panorama from its secure, outdoor rooftop deck. Bring along a hotel guide who can point you all of the government buildings as well as the city’s extensive communities.
Maasai Market
The mobile Masai Market may be the place to go if you want to acquire African items directly from the source. The market, which is held six days a week in a different Nairobi location each day, involves native Masai tribe members who lay their items on the ground, one booth after another. Beaded jewelry (important to the tribe’s women), artwork, baskets, figurines, ceramics, and other handicrafts of various quality are available.
A Night out in the city
In the city that don’t sleep, this city knows how to party, and one of the most iconic things to do in Nairobi is to join locals for a night out in Westlands. Dress up for cocktails and dancing at Alchemist or Havana Bar. Stay till morning, or choose from a plethora of other nearby possibilities.