If you are thinking of traveling to Nairobi, Kenya, you are in the right place. Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. Its name comes from the Maasai expression “Enkare Nairobi”, meaning “cold water”, which refers to the Nairobi River flowing through the city. While the metropolitan area of the city has a population of 6,547,547, the population of the city is 3,138,369.
Nairobi was established in 1899 by British East Africa colonial authorities as a rail depot on the Uganda Railways. The town grew rapidly, replacing the Kenyan capital, Machakos, in 1907. After independence in 1963, Nairobi became the capital of the Republic of Kenya. During Kenya’s colonial period, the city became a hub for the coffee, tea and sisal industry.
The city lies on the Athi River in the southern part of the country and is located at an altitude of 1,795 meters above sea level.
It was a desolate swamp until the Uganda Railway was built in 1899, and later became the center of the railroad. In the early 1900s, Nairobi was completely rebuilt after a plague epidemic and the town burned down. The location of the Nairobi Railway camp was chosen because of its central location between Mombasa and Kampala. It was also preferred because of the water supply and height of the river networks.
Where is Nairobi?
Nairobi is located between the cities of Kampala and Mombasa. Because Nairobi is adjacent to the eastern side of the Rift Valley, minor earthquakes do occur from time to time. The Ngong Hills to the west of the city are the most distinctive geographical feature of the Nairobi area. Mount Kenya is north of Nairobi and southeast of Mount Kilimanjaro.
When To Go To Nairobi?
Let us share with you some of the things you need to know when traveling to Nairobi. When you visit Nairobi, where the tropical-type warm and temperate climate prevails throughout the year, you can witness greenery and beautiful natural landscapes. However, since the rainy April-May period may hinder your travel plans, we generally recommend that you do not choose these months.
Places To Visit In Nairobi
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when Kenya and Nairobi are mentioned is safari. However, apart from safari, there are many places to visit in Nairobi. Nairobi attracts tourists with its museums, historical and natural parks.
It is not possible to come to Nairobi and not integrate with the natural life. Therefore, Nairobi National Park should be your first stop. Then you should visit the Nairobi National Museum, which is very close to the city center, and visit Karen Blixen’s House. You can also learn about local art at the Go Down Art Center and stop by the Railroad Museum.
Kenya Bomas, Uhuru Gardens and 10 km from Nairobi. It is not possible to return without visiting Paradise Lost in the distance.
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is one of the most important points of the country, which is visited by thousands of tourists every year, with its safari opportunity and openly presenting the real wilderness that we watch in television documentaries. Here, you can experience a completely different world full of lively excitement with different animals.
Nairobi National Park was established in 1946 as Kenya’s first national park. This impressive area is located 7 kilometers south of the city centre. The park is very important and interesting because it offers a wild nature within the city. Nairobi’s towering skyscrapers can be seen from the park. The region where the colonizers first came in the 19th century has been abundantly greened and made suitable for nature.
On top of that, this huge area of 117 square kilometers, which can host the wild nature, has been prepared for you to witness the life of creatures reflecting the African spirit such as lion, giraffe, zebra and rhinoceros.
Nairobi National Museum
The museum was opened to showcase Kenya’s rich heritage as well as to be the country’s stopping point for education and entertainment. In addition to the museum, there are several shopping and dining venues, as well as botanical gardens that offer a tranquil environment to visitors. The Nairobi National Museum was founded in 1910 by a group of enthusiastic naturalists under the Natural History Society of East Africa and Uganda who needed a place to hold and preserve their collection of various specimens.
The first site of the museum was Nyayo House, which is now very small.
Karen Blixen’s House
The bungalow-style house was built by Swedish engineer Åke Sjögren in 1912 as the Karen Blixen Museum. The house and its affiliates were purchased by Karen Blixen in 1917. Her husband wanted to buy it from Baron Bror von Blixen-Finecke to run a coffee plantation. After the Blixens left in 1921, Karen Blixen remained at home until she returned to Denmark. She wrote her most famous book here, she.
The house was later donated by the Danish government to the new Kenyan government in 1964 as a gift of independence. It opened to the public in 1986 as one of Kenya’s national museums. After Karen Blixen’s return to Denmark, where the museum is located in the upscale suburb of Nairobi, a city created by plotting on the land of coffee farms.
Go-Down Art Center
The Go-Down Arts Center is the nation’s arts and media center. This cultural space was established in 2003. This site was used as a car cemetery before it was turned into a cultural center. Afterwards, it was decided to make this 10,000 square meters of land functional for the people of the city. Television studios, rehearsal halls and concert halls were built in this huge area.
For this reason, the area is frequently visited by famous sculptors, musicians, television producers, actors, theater artists, web designers, acrobats, dancers and painters. If you want to experience an art-filled day in Nairobi during your trip, we recommend that you attend an exhibition or show that will be held here from the event calendar.
Kenya Bomas
Kenya Bomas Langata is a tourist village in Nairobi. Bomas (farmhouses) consist of traditional villages belonging to several Kenyan tribes. It was established by the government in 1971 as a tourist attraction as a subsidiary of the Kenya Tourism Development Corporation. At the same time, he wanted to preserve, maintain and promote the rich and diverse cultural values of the various tribal groups in Kenya.
Kenya Bomas is a cultural center in Langata, near the Nairobi National Park main gate. Traditional dances and songs from the country’s 16 different tribal groups are performed by talented performers, including Arabian-influenced Swahili taarab music, Kalenjin warrior dances, Embu drumming, and Kikuyu circumcision ceremonies.
If you come here, you can be sure that you will experience traditional entertainment and experience a different atmosphere. Note that if you bring a video camera, you have to pay an extra fee.
Uhuru Gardens
Uhuru Gardens is a memorial park located on Langata Road in Nairobi, Kenya. Uhuru is Kenya’s largest memorial park. The inauguration ceremony by President Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of Kenya, is of great importance as it was held in this park on December 12, 1963, when Kenya gained its independence. A 24-meter high monument commissioned by Kenyas to commemorate their struggle for independence is the crown jewel of attractions in the Uhuru Gardens.
On one side of this monument is a statue of a freedom fighter raising the Kenyan flag. Another monument with a fountain about a hundred meters away is also included in this park. Thousands of local and foreign tourists flock here to remember the traumatic effect of the independence struggle and to commemorate those who died in the struggle of 50,000-300,000 Africans in the British colony.
Transportation In Nairobi
When you travel to Nairobi, you should also know how to get there. Once you reach Nairobi, you can rent a car from the airport yourself. Traffic in the city flows on the right. Car rental companies in Nairobi also offer chauffeured options. You can see more Japanese-made vehicles in the city.
You can use the taxi option, but taxis are neither cheap nor common. Prices should always be negotiated before traveling and paid later, and taxi drivers only accept cash. Taxis can often be found parked around hotels, shopping malls and tourist areas.
If you’re going to use the bus, matatus (public minibuses/commuter buses) are usually used to travel between Nairobi and its suburbs. Matatus ranges in size from a 14-seat minibus to a large 50-seat bus. Although generally safe, a large number of accidents occur in matatuses each year. You can use these tools for 10-40 Kenyan shillings in local currency.
Getting around Nairobi on foot is fairly easy as the city is small and places are easy to find. However, there are some areas within the city where tourists should not go, and night walks should be minimized. Snatching is unfortunately common in many areas. Entering the city center on foot can be considered safe, but not an enjoyable experience.
Nairobi Cuisine
Your trip to Nairobi continues, if you can’t decide what to eat, then it’s time to talk about what to eat in Nairobi. In addition to being home to a variety of restaurants and nyama chomaya, a local term used to denote roasted meat, Nairobi also has American fast food restaurants. Restaurants such as Galittos, Steers, PizzaMojo, Spur Steak Ranches, which are popular and well-established South African chains, are also located in the city. Restaurants frequented mostly by the upper middle class, such as Artcaffe, Nairobi Java House, and Dormans, have become increasingly popular in recent years.
Traditional eateries such as the trendy K’osewe’s in the city center and Amaica specializing in African delicacies are also on offer. Upscale restaurants specializing in specific cuisines—Italian, Lebanese, Ethiopian, French, and seafood—are found in five-star hotels and affluent suburbs to the west and south of the city.
Nairobi has a restaurant week held annually from January to February. Meal packages are offered at discounted prices at Nairobi restaurants this week. It also provides a meeting and sharing platform for Kenyan food.
In Nairobi, you should try pilau, a type of spicy rice, sukuma wiki, a vegetable dish, fried potatoes in the style of Massala, and mandazi, a type of pastry.
Shopping in Nairobi
Wouldn’t you like to beautify your Nairobi trip with shopping? Nairobi will offer you a pleasant shopping opportunity with African culture. Special jewellery, painting, handmade wooden products will be among the objects you want to take home and your loved ones immediately. Quality and price may vary from shop to shop, so you can decide what to buy by asking a few places for price. Get ready for colorful products in this colorful city.
Naivas, Tuskys, Ukwala Choppies, Uchumi and Nakumatt are Nairobi’s best-known supermarkets. You can also come across Carrefour as a familiar chain of stores. In terms of shopping centers, Hub Karen Shopping Center is one of the important centers that contains many stores and products you are looking for. In addition, when you join the safari adventure, you can buy various souvenirs from the lowest budget to luxury for souvenirs from the places here.
Nightlife in Nairobi
Nairobi bars and clubs invest heavily in décor, furnishings and sound systems to beat the competition and keep their customers loyal. The following venues are among the places that offer the best nightlife in Nairobi.
Brew Bistro is located in Piedmont Plaza on Ngong Road and is one of the coolest nightspots in Nairobi. The Brew Bistro is also known for its master brewers and exquisite restaurant serving world-class beer, as well as delicious local and international gourmet meals and snacks. Before the evening, mostly everyone joins the atmosphere and the coral and lavender touches on the decor create a relaxing effect on the guests.
The outdoor terrace and lounge are great places to hang out. Usually, there is a different DJ or a cool band every night in the place where you go to listen to music.
Havana Bar and Restaurant is located in Westville’s Woodvale Grove, near the Sarit Center. Havana has a good bar as well as a rich selection of local and international brands. Havana restaurant is delicious and serves delicious food at reasonable prices. For newcomers, there are soups, salads, fish, beef steak, pork chops and chicken dishes, as well as desserts and drinks.
Mercury Lounge is located on Waiyaki road. Even though it’s a sophisticated crowd, everyone loves and flocks here. Here they have enough local and exotic brands to satisfy different preferences and tastes. The atmosphere is generally soft and not a whirlwind. The club is well decorated with modern furniture and has ample parking and security. Mercury Irish Pub at Junction Mall on Ngong road is a great hangout with delicious steaks, lots of cocktails and beers. It is more convenient than other restaurants in the mall.
Gallileo Lounge is very popular with locals and is located on Waiyaki Road en route to the Westlands. It is extremely busy on weekends or during special occasions, we advise you to go early and book your place. The music is great but it’s also worth noting that the prices are slightly above average. When you travel to Nairobi, do not leave without tasting the nightlife!
Nairobi Festivals
The annual KCB Safari Rally can be an interesting event for motorsport enthusiasts. Celebrated for two days, the festival attracts most of the tourists visiting the city.
The East African Art Festival is held annually by the National Museum of Kenya. Artwork, architectural designs, traditional artifacts and paintings by artists from East Africa are on display. The festival lasts for three days.
Kenya Music Festival is a famous Nairobi festival. It is held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. Groups are selected from different schools, colleges and universities through regional competitions. It is classified in the category of Oriental, Western or African music. The competition can be dance-oriented, vocal or instrumental. Selected groups compete with each other.
Madaraka Day, the anniversary of the autonomous administration, is celebrated on 1 June every year.
Kenyatta Day is the day that commemorates the heroes who died in the struggle for independence and is celebrated on October 20 every year.
Celebrated on 12 December, Jamhuri Day has been the day of independence since 1963.
Nairobi Public Holidays
- New Year (January 1)
- Easter (April 14)
- Labor Day (May 1)
- Madakara Day (June 1)
- Ramadan Feast (25 June)
- Eid-al-Adha (September 1)
- Heroes’ Day (November 20)
- Kenya National Day (12 December)
- Christmas (25 December)
Useful Information For Nairobi
- Emergency assistance: 194
- Fire: 193
- Police: 192
