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    Nairobi
    Lmwangi / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

    Kenya

    Nairobi

    City

    Kenya's capital lies in the highlands and is the start and end point for almost every safari.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Kenya
    7. Nairobi & Surroundings
    9. Nairobi
    Kenya's capital lies in the highlands and is the start and end point for almost every safari. Nairobi is a loud, rapidly growing metropolis with skyscrapers in the centre, green villa districts, and a national park directly on the southern city limits.Besides the National Museum on Museum Hill and the KICC's observation deck, Karura Forest and the cultural performances at Bomas of Kenya are worth visiting. In the evenings, life shifts to the bars and clubs of Westlands.

    More districts in Nairobi

    Karen

    Karen

    Karen is a green, sprawling suburb in the southwest of Nairobi, at the foot of the Ngong Hills. Here, in close proximity, are three Nairobi-day classics: the Karen Blixen Farmhouse, the Giraffe Centre, and the Kazuri Bead Workshop.Large plots, many trees, and sparse development characterize the district, complemented by garden restaurants and shopping centers like The Hub.

    Sights in Nairobi

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Bomas of Kenya
    Attraction

    1Bomas of Kenya

    Langata cultural center with reconstructed traditional homesteads of Kenya's ethnic groups. Daily dance and music performances.
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    Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC)
    Point of Interest

    2Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC)

    The circular building at City Square is one of downtown's most famous landmarks. From the rooftop helipad, you get a panoramic view over Nairobi, most beautiful on clear days in the late afternoon.
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    Karura Forest
    Natural Feature

    3Karura Forest

    A 1,040-hectare city forest in northern Nairobi, whose preservation Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai publicly fought for. Paths lead to a waterfall, through bamboo forest, and to the Mau Mau Caves.
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    Restaurants in Nairobi

    1

    About Thyme

    Quiet garden restaurant in Westlands with European-influenced cuisine. Popular for brunch and dinner under string lights in the green courtyard.
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    2

    Mawimbi Seafood Restaurant

    A city center fish restaurant, regularly cited in Nairobi's current rankings as the top address for seafood.
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    3

    The Carnivore

    The grill restaurant on Langata Link Road has been an institution for decades: Meat is cooked over a large charcoal pit and carved from skewers directly at the table. Many day trips to the National Park end here for lunch.
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    Food and Drink

    Nairobi gilt als Hauptstadt der Nyama Choma. Daneben findest du einfache kenianische Alltagsküche an Imbissständen ebenso wie internationale Restaurants in Westlands und Karen.

    Nyama Choma

    Meat grilled over charcoal, usually goat or beef, Kenya's national dish. It comes with Ugali and Kachumbari.

    Ugali

    A firm cornmeal porridge and the country's most common staple. Eaten by hand, with meat, fish or vegetables.

    Sukuma Wiki

    Kale or collard greens, sautéed with onions and tomatoes. The everyday side dish to Ugali.

    Mutura

    Kräftig gewürzte Wurst aus Fleisch, Blut und Innereien, die abends an Straßenständen gegrillt wird.

    Chips Mayai

    Omelette with French fries, a simple and popular quick meal.

    Culture & History

    Museums and MemoryThe Nairobi National Museum traces its origins to the East African Natural History Society and, in 1930, moved into its building on Museum Hill as the Coryndon Museum. Its permanent exhibitions cover human prehistory up to Kenya's recent history; a snake park is located next door.Green CityKarura Forest in the north was preserved from development thanks to public protest by Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement and later Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Today, it is one of the city's most popular recreational spots.Diversity of Ethnic GroupsAt the Bomas of Kenya, recreated homesteads demonstrate the building styles of the country's diverse ethnic groups, accompanied by daily dance performances.

    Nightlife

    1

    Brew Bistro Rooftop

    Rooftop terrace on the Fortis Tower in Westlands, a mix of microbrewery, gastropub and club with its own beer and city views. On weekends, the atmosphere stays lively until late.
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    2

    The Alchemist

    Open-air grounds on Parklands Road in Westlands, featuring bars in converted containers, food trucks, and a stage for live music and DJ sets. For getting there and back, Uber or Bolt are your best bet.
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    3

    K1 Klub House

    Long-standing meeting point in Parklands near Westlands with beer garden, pool tables, and DJs. Mondays offer film nights with free admission, Sundays a flea market with live music.
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    4

    Havana Bar

    Small, often busy two-story bar in Westlands' nightlife hub, a classic for cocktails and dancing for years.
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    Out and About in Nairobi

    ArrivalJomo Kenyatta International Airport is located southeast of the city. For domestic flights to safari airstrips, you'll mostly use Wilson Airport in the south.Getting AroundRide-hailing apps like Uber and regular taxis are the most convenient option for visitors.Matatus (shared minibuses) are inexpensive; Boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis) are the quickest way through traffic.Keep small notes handy; cash is often used in markets and small shops.SecurityInformation on crime and safety in the city can be found in the current travel and security advisories from the UK FCDO, linked on the Kenya country page.

    Accommodations in Nairobi

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    Nearby

    Nairobi & Surroundings

    Nairobi & Surroundings

    Nairobi and its surroundings are the starting point for most Kenya trips: a metropolis in the highlands, on whose southern edge lies a national park home to black rhinos, wildebeest, and zebras. To the west, the green suburb of Karen and the Ngong Hills adjoin, sloping down to the Great Rift Valley.A day or two here is worthwhile before or after your safari: for the National Museum, the elephant orphans of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the giraffes at the Giraffe Centre, and a hike along the ridge of the Ngong Hills.
    Nairobi National Park

    Nairobi National Park

    The Nairobi National Park begins just about seven kilometers south of the city center: savanna with black rhinos, wildebeest, and zebras against the capital's skyline. Opened in 1946, it is Kenya's oldest national park.At just over 117 square kilometers, it is small, but is considered one of the country's most successful rhino sanctuaries. A half or full day is enough for a game drive, ideal before an evening flight or after arrival.
    Karen

    Karen

    Karen is a green, sprawling suburb in the southwest of Nairobi, at the foot of the Ngong Hills. Here, in close proximity, are three Nairobi-day classics: the Karen Blixen Farmhouse, the Giraffe Centre, and the Kazuri Bead Workshop.Large plots, many trees, and sparse development characterize the district, complemented by garden restaurants and shopping centers like The Hub.
    Ngong Hills

    Ngong Hills

    The Ngong Hills are a green ridge on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, about a 40-minute drive southwest of Nairobi. From the ridge, you look east over Nairobi National Park and the city, and west down into the Rift Valley.A hiking trail leads over the peaks up to around 2,460 meters. Many know the silhouette of the hills from the film "Out of Africa"; today, wind turbines of Kenya's first wind farm turn on the ridge.
    Mount Longonot National Park

    Mount Longonot National Park

    Mount Longonot is a 2,776 m high volcano southeast of Lake Naivasha, approximately 60 km northwest of Nairobi, and a classic day trip destination for hikers from Nairobi. From the park entrance, you ascend to the crater rim in about one to one and a half hours, looking into the crater and over the Rift Valley, which the volcano towers over by approximately 1,000 m.Those who circumnavigate the entire crater rim will be on the move for a total of about five to six hours from the gate.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
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