Nairobi
Nairobi City is an adventure, with all the excitement you could hope for. A welcoming city with so many things to do.
Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya and was founded by the British in 1899 as a rail depot on the Uganda-Kenya Railway. The town grew fast and became the capital in 1902. Nairobi was derived from a maasai phrase Enkare Nyorobi (which translates to ‘cool waters’). The city, which lies in the South central part of Kenya, is commonly known as the ‘Green City in the Sun’ because of the foliage and warm climate. Fact: Nairobi is the only city in the world with a national park, which is Nairobi National Park.
Nairobi is the most populated city in Kenya, where people from different tribes live harmoniously. Fact: there are over 40 tribes in Kenya, giving the country a rich cultural diversity.
Some of the means of transport to get around the city is by using taxis (uber or bolt), buses, motorbikes (commonly known as bodaboda), tuktuk, minibus (referred to as matatu) and car rental. One thing for sure is traffic in Nairobi can be a nightmare sometimes so try give yourself time allowance. In case of travel outside the city, there are options of air travel and SGR to make travel easy and comfortable.
There is something for everyone in Nairobi city, nature lovers, foodies, shoppers, aesthetes, entrepreneurs, learners, cinephiles etc. Nairobi offers some delightful getaways from the hustle and bustle in the city. The nightlife is vibrant and bustling with great choices for a night out. Here are some places to visit and activities to do in Nairobi:
1. Nairobi National Park
The park is just a short drive from the city center and is home to many wild animals including 400 species of birds. The wide open grass plains with scattered acacia and a backdrop of the city scrapers is an outstanding view. You could spend a night or more in the park at a luxurious lounge. Besides game drives, you could enjoy sun-downers, guided nature walks and picnics.
2. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
An elephant and rhino nursery in Nairobi National Park where they rescue and raise orphaned baby elephants and rhinos. After raising them, they reintroduce them back into the wild. You can adopt a baby elephant while on your visit or make a donation towards their many projects.
3. Giraffe Centre
The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), popularly known as Giraffe Centre is located 5km from Nairobi City Centre and is definitely a place worth visiting. There is an elevated feeding platform which offers visitors a chance to feed the gentle and majestic giraffes. Fun
fact: giraffes have long blue, black or purple tongues which measure up to 45cm to 55cm (17.7 to 21.7 inches).
4. Nairobi National Museum
The museum is approximately 10 minute drive from the Nairobi City Centre and it is where history lives on. There are collections and exhibitions that tell the story of the rich heritage of Kenya. There is a lot to see and learn. There is a snake park too featuring wide range of snakes, crocodiles, lizards and tortoises.
5. Maasai Market
If you are looking for place to shop souvenirs to remember Kenya, then Maasai Market is the place to go. It is an open air travel market which means that the market is always rotating around Nairobi City during the week. There is a wide range of items to buy including handmade jewelry, paintings, carvings, textile, shoes, wooden statues, bags and so much more. However, if you are a tourist, it is advisable to shop with an experienced local. Happy shopping!
6. Bomas Of Kenya
If you want to learn more about Kenyan history and culture, then you should visit Bomas of Kenya which is 12km from Nairobi City Centre. Boma is a Swahili word which translates to homestead. Bomas of Kenya features traditional villages belonging to various tribes of kenya with indigenous crafts, performance and music. This is also the home to largest auditorium in Africa which has a capacity of 3000 people and this is where traditional dances are performed in.
7. Food
There are plenty of eatery options to choose from. One of the good things about Nairobi is that there are gourmet restaurants serving nearly everything. Kenyan traditional food is definitely mouthwatering and one more thing to look forward to. Kenyan local food include Ugali, Chapati, Mukimo, Pilau, Nyama Choma, Bhajias and more.
