Things to do in Nairobi
-
A
Carnivore
Vegetarians, please look away now. This is hands down the most famous nyama choma restaurant in Kenya. At the entrance is a huge barbecue pit laden with real swords of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, camel, ostrich and crocodile. As long as the paper flag on your table is flying, waiters will keep bringing the meat, which is carved right at the table.
reviewed
-
B
Nairobi National Park
A visit to Nairobi National Park, a few kilometres from the city centre, is a great way to fill in a few hours before you catch a plane. There's plentiful wildlife, including most of the plains animals (except elephants), against the bizarre backdrop of Nairobi skyscrapers. The headquarters of the KWS are at the main gate. The 'Park Shuttle' is a KWS bus that leaves the main gate at 15:00 Sunday for a 2½-hour tour of the park.
reviewed
-
C
Bangkok Chinese Restaurant
The Bangkok has been in business for a number of years but was clearly named by someone with no grasp of geography, as there's virtually nothing Thai on the menu at all. If the disappointment gets too much you can always crack open a bottle of Moët.
reviewed
-
D
Bomas of Kenya
The Bomas of Kenya is a cultural centre at Langata, near the main gate to Nairobi National Park. The talented resident artistes perform traditional dances and songs taken from the country's 16 various tribal groups, including Arab-influenced Swahili taarab music, Kalenjin warrior dances, Embu drumming and Kikuyu circumcision ceremonies. It's touristy, of course, but it's still a spectacular afternoon out.
The centre itself has such a high profile that the first meeting of the National Constitutional Conference was held here in 2003, producing the so-called Bomas Draft of the new constitution. Bus or matatu No 125 or 126 runs here from Nairobi train station, taking about…
reviewed
-
E
Kenyetta Conference Centre
Towering over City Square, Nairobi's signature building the Kenyetta Conference Centre was designed as a fusion of modern and traditional African styles, though the distinctive saucer tower looks a little dated next to some of the city's flashier glass edifices.
Staff will accompany you up to the viewing platform and helipad on the roof for wonderful views over Nairobi. The sightline goes all the way to the suburbs, and on clear days you can see aircraft coming in to land over the Nairobi National Park. You're allowed to take photographs from the viewing level but not elsewhere in the building. Access may be restricted during events and conferences.
reviewed
-
F
National Museum
Kenya's National Museum is an imposing building amid lush leafy grounds just outside the city centre. It has a good range of cultural, geological and natural-history exhibits. Volunteer guides offer tours in English, Dutch and French. The 1st floor contains excellent contemporary East African art; as all the items are for sale the displays change regularly.
reviewed
-
G
Langata Giraffe Centre
The Langata Giraffe Centre, run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, is a sanctuary for the rare Rothschilds giraffe. Here you can observe, hand-feed or even kiss the giraffes from a raised circular wooden structure, and it is quite an experience. It's a good place to get the close-up photographs that eluded you on safari.
reviewed
-
H
Spinners Web
Works with workshops and self-help groups around the country. It's a bit like a handicrafts version of Ikea, with goods displayed the way they might look in Western living rooms, but there's some classy stuff on offer including carpets, wall hangings, ceramics, wooden bowls, baskets and clothing.
reviewed
-
I
Furusato Japanese Restaurant
Behind the Sarit Centre, this is a very stylish place with seductive set Japanese meals including sushi, teppanyaki and tempura. The sushi and sashimi here are delicious. Reservations are recommended.
reviewed
-
J
City Market
Has dozens of stalls open daily, selling woodcarvings, drums, spears, shields, soapstone, Maasai jewellery and clothing.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Trattoria
This long-running and very popular Italian joint could hold its head up in Melbourne or San Francisco, offering excellent pizza, pasta dishes, varied mains and a whole page of desserts.
reviewed
-
L
Siam Thai
This attractive restaurant has an extensive menu of actual Thai food (gasp!) and a very good reputation. Unga House can be reached from either Woodvale Grove or Muthithi Rd.
reviewed
-
Gorillas & Rhinos In Depth
21 days (Nairobi)
by Intrepid
Search for gorillas near the border of Rwanda, Learn a dark history at the Genocide Museum, Taste traditional African cuisine, Spot wildlife in Nakuru National…Not LP reviewed
from USD$3,265 -
Ultimate Africa
54 days (Cape Town to Nairobi)
by G Adventures
Spanning eight countries, this journey is full of diverse cultures, abundant wildlife, spectacular landscapes, stunning beaches and loads of adventure. Track…Not LP reviewed
from USD$6,799 -
Cape Town to Nairobi
40 days (Cape Town to Nairobi)
by G Adventures
Marvel at the world's highest sand dunes, float through the Okavango in a dug-out mokoro canoe and meet the San Bushmen in the blazing Kalahari Desert on this…Not LP reviewed
from USD$4,499 -
Kenya & Uganda Gorilla Adventure
14 days (Nairobi to Nairobi)
by G Adventures
Meet mountain gorillas and the other amazing wildlife on this 2-week overland adventure. Spot wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park and join experienced…Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,199 -
Victoria Falls to Nairobi Adventure
20 days (Livingstone to Nairobi)
by G Adventures
Inhale the fragrant perfume of Zanzibar’s spice plantations, hunt for the perfect snapshot of the ever-elusive 'Big 5’, feel the thunder of Victoria…Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,699 -
Best of East Africa
17 days (Nairobi)
Journey through Kenya and northern Tanzania and view the elusive Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$7,690 -
Gorillas To Cape Adventure
71 days (Nairobi)
by Intrepid
Soak up the atmosphere in Nairobi city, Visit the Kariandusi School Trust project, Explore Lake Nakuru National Park, Spot the Big Five in Queen Elizabeth…Not LP reviewed
from USD$9,090 -
M
Railway Museum
This interesting little museum displays relics from the East African Railway. There are train and ship models, photographs, tableware and oddities from the history of the railway. One such is the Engine Seat that allowed visiting dignitaries like Theodore Roosevelt to take pot shots at unsuspecting wildlife from the front of the train.
In the grounds are dozens of fading locomotives in various states of disrepair, dating from the steam days to independence, including the steam train used in the movie Out of Africa.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
N
Karen Blixen's House and Museum
This charming farmhouse is where Karen Blixen, author of the popular novel Out of Africa, lived from 1914 to 1931. She left after a series of personal tragedies, but the lovely colonial house has been preserved as a museum. It was presented to the Kenyan government at independence by the Danish government along with the adjacent agricultural college.
It's set in lovely gardens and it's quite an interesting place to wander around, plus there's accommodation and a restaurant on site.
reviewed
-
Kenya & Tanzania Safari Experience
13 days (Nairobi to Arusha)
by G Adventures
Whether you travel in style or by the seat of your pants, the sprawling, wildlife-rich grasslands of Kenya and Tanzania are a sight to behold. This trip…Not LP reviewed
from USD$5,499 -
O
Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant
One of those rare places with a character all its own, Blue Nile's quirky lounge couldn't be mistaken for anywhere else, painted with stories from Ethiopian mythology - if you've ordered one of the many goat dishes, it's best not to read the panels about poison until you've finished your meal! For the full communal African eating experience, order the seven-person doro wat (spicy traditional chicken stew) with a few glasses of tej (honey wine).
reviewed
-
Ultimate East Africa
24 days (Nairobi to Zanzibar)
by G Adventures
Beginning in Nairobi, with its convenient international airport, this 24-day African adventure offers up the prizes of Uganda before heading east towards the…Not LP reviewed
from USD$3,799 -
Nairobi to Cape Town Adventure
40 days (Nairobi to Cape Town)
by G Adventures
Marvel at the world's highest sand dunes, float through the Okavango and meet the San Bushmen in the blazing Kalahari Desert on this epic overland adventure.…Not LP reviewed
from USD$4,549