Nairobi

Nairobi : Kenya’s capital and primary port of entry is Nairobi, a thriving metropolis. At the beginning or end of their journey, most tourists spend a day or two exploring the capital. Nairobi has a lot to offer, including the chance to see wildlife at Nairobi National Park and take in the vivid tastes, hues, and noises of the Maasai Market.

Nairobi, a city in southern Kenya, is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. The Maasai expression “Enkare Nairobi,” which describes the “cool water” of the Nairobi River, is the source of the name of Kenya’s capital city. Nairobi, regarded as Kenya’s safari capital, offers a distinctive blend of modernism and heritage. The city offers excellent dining options, a wide variety of lodging options to suit any budget, and a vibrant nightlife. This city is astonishingly close to Nairobi National Park—just 7 km to the north.

Numerous species can be found in the park, including the largest number of black rhinos in all of Africa. How Nairobi fits into your safari itinerary to Kenya.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is where your journey across Kenya will start and finish. There is too much to do in the surrounding countryside, so Nairobi shouldn’t be the main attraction of your Kenyan safari. The majority of tourists stay in Nairobi for a few days before or after their foreign flights. Adventurers who are travelling between popular destinations like the Maasai Mara and Meru National Park sometimes make stops in Nairobi. Visit Nairobi National Park on the outskirts of the city if you are a short-term visitor to Kenya and would want a taste of an East African safari.

Nairobi National park

Nairobi National Park is the only park in the world situated inside a capital city, hidden down on the southern edges of the city. Despite being one of the smallest parks in the nation at just 117 square kilometres, there is nevertheless a wide variety of animals. Because of its effective role in rhino conservation, it is frequently referred to as Kifaru Ark (Kifaru means rhino in Swahili). Because of its anti-poaching efforts, the park is home to the densest concentration of black rhinos in Africa, with about 50 rhinos. Four of the Big Five are found in the park, along with rhinos. In addition to the more elusive leopard and cheetah, lions are regularly observed.

It’s common to see gazelles, warthogs, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, and buffaloes among other species. The city hub is around ten minutes away from the Nairobi National Museum. The museum, which was built in 1929 and enlarged in 2008, is home to dozens of amazing exhibits, including historical items, archaeological finds, and a sizable collection of local bird species in the “Birds of East Africa” collection. The amazing histories of Kenya and East Africa are on display at the museum. In addition, there is a botanical garden with a nature trail and an art gallery.

Karura forest

Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi is bordered by an urban highland forest called the Karura Forest Reserve. Situated entirely within a city limits, this exceptional geographic position and natural resource has one of the world’s largest gazetted forests. It now stands as a brilliant example of how nation-based corporate social responsibility and individual philanthropy may help to preserve and protect a nation’s natural resources. It covers an area of around 1,000 ha (2,500 ac).

The forest provides environmentally responsible chances for Kenyans and tourists to take in the tranquilly of nature in all its diversity while strolling, jogging, or just sitting peacefully in a leafy green escape from the bustle of the city.

Bomas of Kenya

The Kenyan communities, or Bomas, have hosted almost 10 million visitors since they opened in 1971. The replica villages at this attraction, which was built to preserve traditional Kenyan culture, feature the architectural styles of numerous Kenyan tribes. The Bomas have their own dance group, the Bomas Harambee Dancers, which gives daily performances featuring more than fifty different ethnic community dances. Local noises such as Embu drumming and Swahili taarab music accompany these dances.

The Mambo Jambo Acrobats put on amazing juggling, balancing, and fire shows from Thursday through Sunday.

Karen Blixen Museum

The Karen Blixen Museum, located in a calm Nairobi suburb, offers an excellent opportunity for reflection beside a panoramic view of Karen’s beloved Ngong Hills. It also gives the most thorough understanding of the life and legacy of Karen Blixen. Formerly owned by Swedish-born author Baron Bror Blixen-Finecke and Danish author Karen Blixen, the museum was the focal point of their farm at the base of the Ngong Hills. The museum is situated 10 km from the city centre and represents a distinct era in Kenyan history. It later attracted international attention when the Oscar-winning film “Out of Africa,” which was based on Karen’s autobiography of the same name, was released.

Oloolua Nature Trail

The charming Oloolua Nature Trail is the ideal getaway from the hectic pace of Nairobi City. Moreover, hikers, campers, and joggers will find the Oloolua Nature Trail Nairobi ideal alternative to Kenya safari because of its reasonably priced entrance cost.

This undiscovered treasure provides a spooky cave, chattering birds, a stunning waterfall, and native tree experiences. I spent the past weekend exploring the Oloolua nature trail with my kids after reading and hearing such positive things about it. The Oloolua Nature Trail is roughly 20 km from Nairobi’s downtown in the Karen neighbourhood. It is located inside the Institute of Primate Research’s (IPR) native Oloolua Forest.

Maasai Market

Kijabe Street, which has made a name for itself as a powerful centre for lighting and ceramics, is poised to become globally recognised because to the existence of the renowned Maasai market. The street is practically end-to-end lined with stores selling home fixtures and fittings, making it a one-stop shop for anyone searching for lights as well as fixtures for their kitchen, bathroom and toilet.

The popularity of Kijabe Street is also fuelled by agricultural goods, particularly fertiliser and seeds. Customers have options based on their desired spending limit thanks to the diversity offered.

The best time to visit

It is advisable that you travel to Nairobi during the arid seasons in Kenya. The extended dry season, which runs from June to October, is a fantastic time to see wildlife in Nairobi National Park. The short dry season, which runs from January to March, is a great time to explore Nairobi.

Nairobi’s elevation of 5,889 feet means that year-round temperatures are typically rather mild.

Getting to Nairobi

The largest airport in Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta foreign Airport (JKIA), is where the majority of foreign aircraft land. Nairobi may be reached directly by plane in less than nine hours from the UK.

Regional airports operate domestic flights into Wilson Airport, which is also frequently the gateway to the nation’s capital from smaller domestic airports and Kenyan towns like Malindi or Mombasa.