The capital of Kenya, Nairobi, is a must-visit destination. We have been there many times and it’s lovely.
Located in the central part of Kenya and with the biggest international airport in East and Central Africa, It’s easy to get here and to use Nairobi as a springboard to visit the rest of Kenya.
The greater Nairobi County area has a population of 4.4 million people, and there are plenty of things to do!
There is a range of attractions and things to do in Nairobi from visiting the Nairobi National Park, taking the Nairobi Safari Walk, walk to the CBD, and seeing some historical landmarks like KICC, Parliament, and Uhuru Park.
Nairobi is also home to the biggest shopping centers in the country and some of the best food. Try everything you can! As a big, international city, It has a range of hotels inc many luxury and solid midrange options.
Nairobi is a must-visit destination in Kenya. Read our best guides below on things to do in Nairobi!
Nairobi Attractions: Things To Do In Nairobi!
Nairobi is one of the best and lively cities in the world, the capital and largest city in Kenya, Its dynamic and multicultural with an interesting heritage and many historic and new tourist attractions.
Nairobi has some great places to visit, from parks to shopping malls to the KICC and more. Read about them below.
#1. Get a Kiss at the Nairobi Giraffe Centre
Giraffe Center, located in Langata, just 40 minutes drive from Nairobi CBD. It’s a place that seeks to secure the environment by taking care of endangered giraffes.
There is a raised platform that acts as a visitor center where you can feed the giraffes pellets. It feels great having the giraffes so close up as you learn about their habits and habitats.
Timing: 9 am – 5 pm
Location: Giraffe Centre, Duma Rd, Nairobi
Rates:
Non-Resident Adults: $15
Non-Resident Child( 3yrs – 12yrs) : $7.50
Resident Adults: Ksh. 400
Resident Child( 3yrs – 12yrs) : Ksh. 200
#2. A Visit to The Bomas of Kenya
Bomas of Kenya is located in Langata approximately 10km from Nairobi CBD is one of the largest auditoriums in Africa. Bomas displays traditional villages belonging to the different Kenyan tribes.
What to Expect
Cultural Performances
The Bomas of Kenya has daily cultural performances giving you the chance to experience the rich diversity of Kenyan traditional music and dance.
The troupe’s repertoire consists of over 50 dances from different ethnic communities. With live percussion, string and wind instruments, and diverse, authentic, and energetic dancing, Bomas Harambee Dancers will take you on an enchanting journey through Kenya.
Conferencing
Bomas of Kenya has welcomed over 10 million visitors since it opened its doors in1971. It’s located in a serene and quiet environment making it conducive for different events.
From finance professionals, construction experts, All African Games, international live music concerts to wedding parties, Bomas of Kenya halls have hosted a wide array of events and shows.
Utamaduni Restaurant
The Utamaduni Restaurant of Bomas of Kenya is the first of its kind in Kenya! If you want to enjoy sumptuous meals that are as diverse as the traditional cultures of Kenya.
Meals from the rich culture of Kenya are offered here. Meals ranging from nyama choma, mukimo, muthokoi among other Kenya’s regions are all at your disposal at pocket-friendly prices.
How to Get There
You can use public transport which has two routes:
Route A: Nairobi Railways Bus Station to Bomas of Kenya Bus stop. This will cost you between Ksh. 100 – 150.
Route B: Ambassador Bus Station(Karen-Hardy 24C) to Bomas of Kenya Bus Stop. This will cost you Ksh. 100.
UberX: From Nairobi CBD to Bomas of Kenya UberX will cost you between Ksh. 600 – 800 depending on time and traffic.
Uber Select: From Nairobi CBD to Bomas of Kenya Uber Select will cost you between Ksh. 780 – 1000 depending on time and traffic.
Bomas of Kenya is open:
- Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sat – Sun 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Rates:
| Kenyan Citizens – ADULTS | 200/- KES |
| Kenyan Citizens – CHILDREN | 100 |
| Kenyan Citizens – SCHOOL PARTIES (Nursery to Secondary) | 50 /- KES |
| Kenyan Citizens – UNIVERSITY & COLLEGE STUDENTS | 100/- KES |
| Residents/East African Community – ADULTS | 300/- KES |
| Residents/East African Community – CHILDREN & STUDENTS | 200/- KES |
| Non-Residents – ADULTS | 1000/- KES |
| Non-Residents – CHILDREN | 500/- KES |
| Non-Residents – COLLEGE STUDENTS | 500/- KES |
#3. Nairobi National Park
Nairobi is considered to be the only city with a national park. The park is located approximately 7km south of Nairobi offers a game drive experience that is a must.
Nairobi National Park is one of the most successful of Kenya’s rhino sanctuaries earning the nickname ‘Kifaru Ark’. The Park is already generating a stock for reintroduction in the species’ former range and other upcoming sanctuaries.
Due to this success, it is one of the few parks where a visitor can be certain of seeing a black rhino in its natural habitat.
From lions to hyena which are commonly sighted within the park to gazelles, warthogs. Zebras, giraffes, ostriches, and buffaloes offer an unforgettable experience.
Key features
Wildlife: The wildlife includes buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, baboon, zebra, wildebeest, and cheetah—100 mammal species and 400 migratory and endemic bird species.
Picnic Facilities:
For corporate events, bush dinners, weddings, picnics, team building sessions, video and film production
- Mokoyiet,
- King Fisher
- historic ivory burning site
- Impala
Climate:
January-March is hot and dry, April-June is hot and wet, and July-October is very warm and wet.
What to take with you
Drinking water, picnic items.
Also useful are: binoculars, camera, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a guidebook
The park activities include camping, corporate & special events, game viewing, and picnic.
How to get there
By Road: Distance: 10km South of Nairobi City Center, public transport will cost you Ksh.50 and Uber will cost you between Ksh. 300 – 500 depending on time and traffic.
By Air: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airports then grab an Uber to the park.
Nairobi National Park Rates
| Adult(Kes) | Child(Kes) | |
| Citizen | 400 | 200 |
| Resident | 400 | 200 |
| Non-Resident | 3500 | 2000 |
#4. Nairobi City Tour by Nai Nami
Rate: $37
A city tour by Nai Nami guys, a group of former street boys, each with their own interesting and turbulent history to tell about life on the streets of Nairobi.
It’s amazing how they change your perspective on life through unforgettable stories shared by former street children on a personal walking tour downtown.
You connect with your guide at Hilton Hotel, in Nairobi SBD. You’ll go on a three-hour walking tour around downtown.
You’ll learn how they ended up and survived on the streets, experience the places where they lived and get to know who they were and what they’ve become through Nai Nami.
#5. Visit the Kenyatta International Convention Center
Kenyatta international convention center is a magnificent 32 storey building in the heart of Nairobi city.
The convention center is Africa’s premier destination for international conferences and exhibitions, along with a variety of other meetings and events.
The most exciting part is a visit to the KICC rooftop Helipad which gives you an eye view of Nairobi City.
Opening Hours
- Monday – Friday 0700hrs – 1800hrs
- Saturday 0800hrs – 1700hrs
- Sunday 0800hrs – 1700hrs
- Public Holidays 0800hrs – 1700hrs
| Client | Approved Fee (Kes) |
| Non Resident Adult | 500.00 |
| Non Resident Children | 200.00 |
| Residents (Must have accompanying proof of residency) | 300.00 |
| Resident Children | 100.00 |
| International Students (Must have accompanying student card) | 300.00 |
| East African Citizens (Ken,Ug,Tz,Rwa,Bur,S.Sud) | 200.00 |
| Secondary School Students | 100.00 |
| Pupils | 50.00 |
| Photo Shoot (Personal/Professional) | 7,500.00 |
| Video Shoot | 15,000.00 |
| Helicopter Landing | 150,000.00 |
It’s a popular spot for tourists, as well as couples on dates as it’s also a nice place to watch the sunset in the city.
#6. Nairobi’s Uhuru Park
Uhuru Park is a 12.9-hectare hangout spot for Nairobians adjacent to the central business district. A visit to Uhuru park is ideal for those short on time in the city.
During the day, the park attracts picnicking families, business people stepping out of the office, and just about anyone in need of a little communion with nature.
The park is open to the general public.
#7. Karura Forest
Located on the outskirts of Nairobi, Karura Forest has a range of activities on offer for tourists to enjoy. This biodiversity hotspot is one of the largest gazetted forests in the world within city limits.
The forest is perfect for nature lovers who will adore all that there is to see and do. Trails and paths delightfully weave their way through the undergrowth of the forest.
Karura Forest is open to all visitors who share a love for nature and a common respect for Kenya’s unspoiled natural beauty.
Activities you can enjoy in Karura Forest
- Walking
- Jogging (5-, 10- and 15km trails marked along forests paths)
- Tree-Planting
- Just Sitting
- Bird-watching
- Dog-walking (on-leash, except in designated sign-posted areas — see Dog Guidelines on their website)
- Gathering in designated areas for any number of events: Educational tours, Concerts, Weddings, Team-Building, Exhibitions, Dog-training, Sport & Fitness.
- Horse-riding
- Mountain-biking
Tennis (at the KFEET Centre grounds — see Tennis Guidelines, on their website)
Timing: 06:00 AM to 18:00 PM
Daily Entry Fees
| Adult | Child | |
| Citizens | 100 | 50 |
| Residents | 200 | 100 |
| Non-Residents | 600 | 300 |
#8. Village Market
One of the best and largest malls in Nairobi is the Village Market located in Gigiri. Having over 150 outlets covering 210,000 square feet of office space in addition to a host of recreation facilities, you can get whatever you need here, from Kenyan souvenirs to designer clothes.
The mall essentially provides residents of the area with high-end shopping and entertainment, satisfying a niche that was not previously explored.
As the name suggests, the complex embodies the spirit of the African market in an open-air setting.
To live up to its African theme, are waterfalls, rivers, and over 2000 exotic plants and gardens, giving this magnificent shopping center an edge over other shopping malls.
#9. Nairobi National Museum
One of the best ways to appreciate Kenya’s rich heritage in culture, nature, history, and contemporary art, is to visit the National Museum.
The museum also includes a snake park, botanical gardens, and a state of the art auditorium that occasionally hosts concerts, film shows, and other events. There are dining and shopping facilities available.
Location: Kenya Museum Society, Kipande Rd, Nairobi
Timings: Monday to Sunday: 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. All year round including public holidays and weekends.
Night Tours
Exclusive for organized groups for a minimum of 10 people, a request can now be made through bookings for night tours.
The Museum will be open between 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm except when there is a privately held function.
NIGHT TOUR PACKAGE
Non-Resident Rate: Adult: Kshs. 2,000/- Child: Kshs. 1,000/-
Resident Rate : Adult: Kshs. 1,000/- Child: Kshs. 500/-
Citizen Rate : Adult: Kshs. 500/- Child: Kshs. 250/-
GUIDED TOUR
Minimum 10 pax
*Guide fee per 10- pax maximum- Non-Resident/Resident: Ksh. 2,000/- Citizen: Ksh. 1,000/-
Please make your booking through publicrelations@museums.or.ke
Combination Tickets
Discounted joint tickets are available to purchase at Nairobi National Museum that includes admission to the Snake Park.
- Citizen Adults Kshs. 300 (save Kshs. 100)
- Child below 16 years Kshs. 150 (save Kshs. 50)
- Resident Adults Kshs. 600 (save Kshs. 400)
- Child below 16 years Kshs. 300 (save Kshs. 300)
- Non-Resident Adults Kshs. 1,500 (save Kshs. 900)
- Child below 16 years Kshs. 1,000 (save Kshs. 200)
#11. Karen Blixen Museum
The Karen Blixen house stands out because it tells part of the story of Kenya’s colonial beginnings, European settlement, and cultivation pattern. It also stands out because it is associated with the life of Karen Blixen, who showed the world the beauty of Kenya’s rich heritage.
The house’s architecture is typical of late 19th-century bungalow architecture, including the spacious rooms, horizontal layout verandas, tile roof, and stone construction typical of those built throughout European suburbs of Nairobi in early decades.
Visitors have a chance to take part in the continuously offered guided tours of the house, which features the rooms designed in the original décor and props from the 1985 film, out of Africa.
The ground features the original equipment from the coffee farm and a botanical garden that offers a serene and cool environment.
Rates:
Citizen – Kenya (Ksh) Adult: 200 Below 16yrs: 100
Residents – East Africa (Ksh) Adult: 600 Below 16 yrs: 400
Non‐ Residents Adult: 1200 Below 16yrs: 600
Location: Karen Blixen Museum, Karen Rd, Nairobi
#12. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) Elephant Nursery in Nairobi National Park gives a place of refuge to stranded infant elephants saved by the DSWT.
The Nursery gives the main stage in the hand-raising and advancement of milk subordinate child elephants.
When they move on from the Nursery, matured 2-3 years, the elephants move to one of the DSWT’s Reintegration Centers in Tsavo East National Park, from where they will eventually return to the wild.
Check the Nairobi city guide here
