Nairobi

East Africa's most cosmopolitan city, Nairobi is Kenya's beating heart, an exciting, frenetic concrete jungle that counterpoints the untrammelled natural beauty to be found elsewhere in the country.

If you're interested in learning about Kenya's culture and history, the city is home to a number of great stops including the extensive National Museum, and it's also a great jumping off point for diving into the country's varied culinary traditions. Nairobi also harbors a thrumming nightlife scene and an established cafe culture.

And, believe it or not, the city has its own wildlife attractions, with a fabulous national park on its doorstep and several reserves dedicated to the wellbeing of elephants, giraffes, rhinos and more. 

With so many activities woven into its urban web, Nairobi will often come as a pleasant surprise.