Things to do in Nairobi

Nairobi County

Kenya's capital mixes city energy with wildlife on its doorstep — it is the only capital in the world with a national park inside its boundary — plus colonial history, busy markets and a fast-moving food and music scene.

Best time to visit

June to October and January to March are driest and best for the national park. The city itself is worth visiting all year.

Getting there

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the country's main gateway, about 15 minutes from the national park gate and the city centre.

What to do

Wildlife & safari

Nairobi National Park game drive

Rhino, lion and giraffe with the city skyline behind them, minutes from town.

Wildlife & safari

Giraffe Centre, Karen

Hand-feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform.

Wildlife & safari

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

See orphaned elephant calves at the daily 11am feeding hour.

Culture & heritage

Karen Blixen Museum

The farmhouse of the Out of Africa author, kept as it was in the 1920s.

Culture & heritage

Maasai Market

Crafts, kikoys, beadwork and carvings — best on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Rest & relaxation

Karura Forest

Walk, run or cycle shaded trails to waterfalls and caves inside the city.

Food & nightlife

Nyama choma and live music

Grilled meat joints and Nairobi's nightlife, from jazz nights to Gengetone.

Good to know

• Avoid 7–9am and 5–7pm traffic when moving between Westlands, the CBD and Karen.
• Drink bottled or filtered water.
• Book park entry and the elephant orphanage ahead, especially at weekends.
• Karen and Westlands are the easiest bases for the heritage sites and green spaces.