Jan

10

Nairobi Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to Nairobi

One of East Africa’s largest and most important cities, Nairobi is prime safari destination for international tourists. The wild surroundings of Nairobi National Park are set against the skyline of this burgeoning city, making it the only wildlife reserve of its kind to sit so close to a metropolitan area.

Flights to Nairobi
Most of Nairobi’s tourists arrive via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which receives inbound flights from across Africa, Europe and North America. This is a major gateway for Eastern Africa. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Nairobi try Ebookers.
Shuttle buses from the airport deliver passengers to the city centre along with the train and bus stations.

It is also possible to arrive by minibus or coach from Uganda and Tanzania. Heading into the country from Ethiopia is something of a complicated affair involving an armed escort. The most popular rail route is between Nairobi and Mombassa.
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Sightseeing in Nairobi
A tour of Nairobi is best begun on Kenyatta avenue. This broad, tree-lined street holds the heart of the city’s commerce and tourism attractions. The Kenyan National Archives are worth a visit, as they document a great deal of history and heritage surrounding Kenya’s rise to Independence. Jaima Mosque is the largest and most spectacular in Kenya, and it can be found near Kenyatta avenue.

Kenya’s wildlife is a major draw card for visitors. The Langata Giraffe Centre is close to the city has an impressive line up of attractions featuring its namesake. Nairobi National Park is the primary wildlife sanctuary, complete with all of the big African game visitors expect to see on Safari.

Fans of Out of Africa may wish to visit Karen Blixen’s estate, which can be reached via a short taxi ride outside of town and the National Museum of Kenya has recently reopened after extensive renovations. The Nairobi Railway Museum also offers informative tours.

Book Sightseeing Tours

Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Kenyatta avenue is your best bet for restaurants as well as sights. The Thorn Tree Café headlines the long list of restaurants and pubs in this area and it’s just as popular with locals as it is for visitors. You’ll find a broad range of local and international fare to suit any budget.

Carnivore is a popular restaurant, once famous for its big game cuisine; however, these days, animal protection laws have forced them to tame down their menu a bit. Beyond the restaurant scene, Nairobi hosts a healthy nightlife, including bars, nightclubs and casinos to keep you up as late as you like.

Many of the best establishments can be found in conjunction with the top-end hotels, particularly the Hilton, Intercontinental and the Safari Park and Casino. As long as you’re sticking to Kenyatta avenue, you’ll find that most establishments are within short walking distance of each other, though walking any distance after dark isn’t always the best idea in Nairobi.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
The Westlands suburbs are a popular place to shop, be it in a supermarket or a more specialised boutique. The Sarit Centre is a shopping mall complete with a cinema, clothing retailers and internet cafés. Local Kenyan handicrafts are a good buy, available at any number of street-side vendors along Kenyatta avenue and the surrounding streets.


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