The Nairobi National Museum and Snake Park is a great place to start your trip and learn about Kenya's history, culture, and wildlife. The museum has several galleries with exhibitions on geology, paleontology, ethnography, and art. The snake park is adjacent to the museum and features various snakes, crocodiles, and tortoises.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a non-profit that rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants and rhinos. Visitors can watch the feeding and bathing of the elephants, and even adopt an elephant. The Giraffe Centre is nearby and offers the chance to feed and kiss giraffes. The Karen Blixen Museum is a few minutes away and used to be the home of the Danish author Karen Blixen, who wrote the book "Out of Africa" under her pen name Isak Dinesen.
The Nairobi National Park is unique because it's the only national park in the world located within a city. Visitors can see lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalos, and more. The Bomas of Kenya is nearby and showcases the culture and traditions of Kenya's various ethnic groups through music, dance, and crafts.
The Ngong Hills is a mountain range overlooking Nairobi with stunning views of the city and the Rift Valley. The hike is moderate and takes about 4-5 hours round trip. For a contrasting experience, you can take a Kibera tour, which is a guided walk through one of Africa's largest slums. The tour is led by Kibera residents and aims to challenge stereotypes and promote community development.
Karura Forest is a large urban forest with hiking and biking trails, caves, waterfalls, and picnic areas. You can rent a bike or a guide at the main entrance. The Village Market is a shopping mall nearby with various shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
Uhuru Gardens is a public park that commemorates Kenya's independence and hosts various events throughout the year. The park has a monument, a lake, a playground, and a jogging track. The Maasai Market is a popular outdoor market that sells art, crafts, clothes, and souvenirs. The market rotates between different locations in Nairobi, so check the schedule beforehand.
The Nairobi Gallery is a museum of contemporary art located in the historic Old Law Courts building. The gallery has several exhibitions and events that showcase local and international artists. The Kenyatta Market is a bustling open-air market that sells fruits, vegetables, spices, and clothes. The market can be overwhelming, so be prepared to bargain and watch your belongings.
To get around Nairobi, you can use a combination of taxis, ride-sharing services, buses, and Matatus (minibus taxis). Taxis and ride-sharing services are recommended for safety and convenience, especially at night or in unfamiliar areas. You can negotiate prices with taxi drivers or use apps like Uber or Bolt. Buses and Matatus are cheaper but can be overcrowded and confusing for first-time visitors. The estimated cost for transportation is around 5,000 KES or roughly $50 USD for the whole trip.
If you have more time, you can visit other attractions like the Nairobi National Park Animal Orphanage, the African Heritage House, the Railway Museum, or the National Archives. If you have less time, you can skip some of the attractions or combine them based on your interests. For example, you can visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Giraffe Centre on the same day, or the Nairobi National Museum and the Snake Park with the Karen Blixen Museum.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is the main international airport serving Nairobi and the largest airport in East Africa. It is located 16 km southeast of the city center and serves over 7 million passengers annually. There are several airlines and destinations served by NBO, including domestic, regional, and intercontinental flights. Wilson Airport (WIL) is a smaller airport located 6 km south of the city center that serves domestic and regional flights, especially to national parks and reserves.