Nairobi: Tips & sights in the capital of Kenya
Nairobi is a vibrant city. The capital of Kenya , with nearly 4.4 million inhabitants, is full of contrasts. Glittering malls, international restaurants, a lively nightlife scene, and Africa’s largest slum can all be found within this metropolis. The city offers a wealth of attractions and unique places.
Nairobi is also famous for the Nairobi National Park , where you can observe giraffes, zebras and even lions right in the city.
Furthermore, the African city bears the nickname Nairobbery , because quite a few people have already been robbed of their belongings here.
For most people, Nairobi is the arrival point on a trip through Kenya , and many head straight on to the national parks or the coast.
Since I was mainly visiting Kenya for a research trip, I spent quite a bit of time in Nairobi and discovered some really cool spots. So, in this travelogue, you can look forward to practical travel tips , the most beautiful sights, and some real insider tips for Nairobi.
Sights in Nairobi
Nairobi has some really cool sights to offer. I’ll introduce a few of them to you here. When you’re out and about, you should always carry identification , as it’s often checked at the entrance. In my experience, a national identity card is sufficient, and you don’t need to carry your passport.
Please note that some attractions do not accept cash payments and you must pay by credit card or M-Pesa , while others only accept cash. I’ve included this information for most attractions. So let’s start with the highlights in Nairobi.
You can find more information about the M-Pesa payment system here .
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is unique in the world because it’s located not far from the city center, just seven kilometers from the CBD, and offers a stunning backdrop. Here you can see giraffes, lions, and buffalo grazing against the backdrop of Nairobi’s skyline.
Nairobi National Park is especially known as one of the best parks in Kenya for seeing rhinos . Elephants are the only animals not freely accessible within the park. A visit to Nairobi National Park is a good alternative to expensive safaris, as the entrance fee is lower compared to other parks.
Please note that you cannot pay in cash at the entrance; you can only pay by credit card or M-Pesa and you will need an ID. The entrance fee for tourists is $43 USD. There is also a transportation fee. We visited the park with a contact of my colleague who drove us around. We paid an additional 10,000 KES (approximately €86) for this.
If you don’t have your own car, you can either hire one at the park entrance. The better the vehicle, the more you’ll be able to see, as minibuses, for example, can’t access all roads. Here you can book a safari tour through Nairobi National Park, where you’ll travel in a 4×4 vehicle.
In my opinion, visiting the park is well worth it, especially if you can’t visit any of the other big parks or are traveling on a smaller budget .
Giraffe Center
At the Giraffe Centre, you can
get up close to giraffes, especially the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. All proceeds go towards giraffe conservation.
The entrance fee of 1,500 Kenyan shillings (about 14 euros) is quite reasonable. The Giraffe Centre is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, and you can take tours and even feed the giraffes.
Giraffe Manor
If you’re on Instagram, you’ve probably already seen a picture of Giraffe Manor. This boutique hotel in southern Nairobi is housed in an old colonial building where giraffes roam freely and like to poke their heads inside for breakfast. The hotel is unique and luxurious, and the prices reflect that. The cheapest room costs USD 875 per person per night (as of 2021).
Here you can find more information about this unique luxury hotel.
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Elephant Orphanage
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is also known as the Elephant Orphanage. Here, baby elephants are nursed back to health before being released back into the wild. The orphanage is only open for one hour each day, from 11 am to 12 pm , so it can get quite crowded.
During a visit, you can watch the baby elephants being fed and playing. Entry is quite affordable at 500 Kenyan shillings (about €4.30).
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