24 hours in Nairobi is enough time to kiss a giraffe, feed a baby elephant and eat a 5-star meal. Or spend the morning scouring antique shops, the afternoon shopping for curios and the evening eating crocodile.
Nairobi gets a rough ride, of the several million tourists that pass through here a year, Nairobi is too often treated as a stop on the way to somewhere better, but Nairobi is fabulous. We have the only city safari in the world, an elephant orphanage, a giraffe sanctuary, expansive parks, designer shopping, world-class restaurants and a vibrant art and tech scene.
Here are two itineraries for 24 hours in Nairobi. Safari or shopping is the question.
24 hours in Nairobi – all about the animals
Kenya is all about the animals, and Nairobi is no different. So before you head off to the Maasai Mara or the Kenyan Coast, consider that only in Nairobi are there places where you can genuinely meet animals up close and not just from the comfort of your safari vehicle.
Morning: Nairobi National Park
Start your 24 hours in Nairobi off with a safari at Nairobi National Park.
110+ sq km of wild land filled with wild animals right next to the city. Except for elephants, you can spot the Big 5 here, and Nairobi National Park is one of the best places in Kenya to see rhino.
The vast park has different habitats and is home to safari’s familiar and less familiar animals. The animals have the freedom to journey in and out of the park, through elephant corridors that connect Nairobi to the Athi Plains. You will spot crocodile and hippo in the riverine valleys, leopards in the trees, lion, gazelle, giraffe, zebra, eland, wildebeest, hartebeest, buffalo and rhino on the savannah. It is impossible not to marvel at the sight of Kenya’s truly native animals silhouetted again the Nairobi skyline.
As with all safari’s, Nairobi National Park is best visited in the early morning when the cats are still hunting. Aim to get to the park for opening at 6 am and spent 4 – 5 hours there.
- Location: Langata Road, Langata
- Opening hours: 6 am – 6,30 pm
- Cost: Non resident 43 USD / Resident 1000 KSH
Lunch: Boho Eatery
Boho Eatery is one of the best restaurants in Nairobi and happens to be right next to Nairobi National park and the Giraffe Sanctuary. Tucked away in a bird-filled garden, Boho Eatery has a primarily vegan/vegetarian menu with a focus on sustainable, locally sourced food (there are meat options for the carnivores). The food is picture-perfect and the meals taste as good as they look.
Afternoon: The Giraffe Sanctuary.
The Giraffe Sanctuary and the famed Giraffe Manor are located in Hardy (Karen) a few miles from Nairobi National Park. The Sanctuary works to protect the critically endangered Rothschild Giraffe. Jock Leslie-Melville and his wife, Betty, started the Giraffe Centre’s work in 1979 when they brought two giraffes home with the aim of breeding. Since then, over 40 pairs of breeding giraffes have been released into the wild.
Visitors to the Giraffe Centre & Sanctuary can get up close to the giraffe on raised viewing platforms that place you at head height. You can feel the giraffe pellets of food by hand, get the best giraffe photo you’ll ever take and spend time with these breathtaking animals. The Giraffe Sanctuary has a café, gift shop and an information centre, where you can learn more about the giraffe.
- Location: Duma Road, Hardy
- Opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm
- Cost: Non residents 10 USD / Residents 250 KSH
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is an elephant orphanage located next door to Nairobi National park. The Trust works to rescue orphaned and injured elephants and rehabilitate them until they can be released back into the wild. In addition, it runs anti-poaching teams, mobile veterinary clinics and works to conserve areas of Kenya, which are damaged by human encroachment.
Visitors to the elephant orphanage can come twice a day. Visit at 11 am, when you can meet the elephants and watch a talk by the keeper, or at 5 pm (which is reserved for animal adopters only). The adoption process is simple, can be done online beforehand, and gives you a much more valuable and interactive experience. The visit at 5 pm is limited to a few people (you will need to book in advance).
You will be able to watch the elephants come back from their walk in the park, have their dinner (baby elephants drinking bottles of milk – aww) and get tucked into bed with their keepers. You can meet the keepers, each elephant has one person that is, in essence, a substituted parent, and spend time one on one with residents of the Trust. It is a truly magical way to spend 24 hours in Nairobi.
- Location: Magadi Road, Langata
- Opening hours: 11 am or 5 pm (foster parents only)
- Cost: 500 KSH / 5000 to foster an elephant for a year.
Supper: The best place for dinner in Karen is The Talisman Restaurant. A Nairobi institution beloved by everyone that lives here, Tali’s has truly excellent food, smashing wine and a gorgeous Lamu style décor, The Talisman is famed for exceptional service, impeccable food and a laid back convivial atmosphere, where the nights grow long and if it’s a weekend the dance floor opens up. Think candles, torches, stained glass window, carved wood doors and endless cocktails.
- Location: Ngong Road, Karen
- Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm (earlier during COVID)
Where to stay in Karen
In Nairobi, most parks and sanctuaries are located in the Karen & Langata area on the outskirts of the city. The best places to stay are:
Hemingways – Nairobi is one of the best, if not the best, 5* hotels in the city. A plantation style building overlooking the Ngong Hills – a 10 minute drive to Nairobi National Park. Check Prices here
Karen Gables – is along the same road as Hemingways, also offering 5* accommodation but in less formal bed and breakfast. A gorgeous Cape Dutch building with swimming pool gives you a more intimate stay. Check prices here
Kenya Tree House – (same location) is a 3 bedroom private home unlike any other in the world. The treehouse is beautifully decorated in a boho-chic fashion from its twin baths with a chandelier, cozy fireplace and impressive. Check Prices here
The Emakoko – sits on the Athi River side of the park, over looking the park itself and has direct access to Nairobi National Park. A boutique lodge which offers a true safari feel, you can enjoy game drives in the Emakoko car and watch for lions from the safety of your house. Check Prices Here.
Find more hotels in Karen here.
24 hours in Nairobi – shopping & culture
I’ll tell no lies, Nairobi is not the shopping capital of the world.
There are few international designer shops or even brands that you will recognise from the west and Nairobi is expensive. Despite this Nairobi is a great place to shop for unique, handmade items that will make your Pottery Barn knock offs cry out in shame.
Nairobi is famous for eclectic designers creating clothes in bright prints, its kanga and kikoy material, Maasai beaded jewellery, woven baskets, carved wooden crafts and soapstone bowls and ornaments. If you are keen to spend your 24 hours in Nairobi stocking up on the best souvenirs, then look no further.
Morning: Spinners Web
Head over to Spinners Web on Kitisuru Road. There are lots of places to buy crafts in Kenya, including the famous Maasai Markets, but Spinners Web is the best. Unlike the Maasai Markets (which happen at a different venue on each day of the week) you won’t need to haggle at Spinners Web. The prices are reasonable, the quality is good and the shop sells an enormous range of crafts from all over Africa.
The large greenhouse-style building houses over 500 designers from all over Kenya, displaying furniture, clothing, pottery, jewellery, art, paintings and more. The choice is unequalled anywhere else in Nairobi and you can easily spend the entire morning here.
- Location: Kitisuru Road
- Opening hours: 10 am to 5 pm
Lunch: Have lunch at Spinners Web café or venture out to Zen Garden just a kilometre down the road. Located in a sunny garden the Asian inspired restaurant has 2 restaurants, a patisserie and ice cream bar all within the same space. There is award-winning sushi and Japanese food and standard fare: pasta, pizza, salads and sandwiches. Their Monster Shake is astounding and the desserts are to die for.
Afternoon: The Village Market
Head over to The Village Market, but on the way stop at the basket lady on Red Hill Road. This is a stall on the side of the road, but you can’t miss it; colourful woven baskets of all shapes and sizes are for sale. Probably up to 1000 of them. She sells baskets at the best price in Nairobi, so if you are basket shopping, buy them here.
The Village Market is without a doubt the best mall in Nairobi. 20+ restaurants, 200+ shops, 2 hotels, a trampoline park, a bowling alley and soft play, it’s a great stop if you are visiting with kids as you can leave them in the soft play and hit the mall alone.
You won’t find many recognisable brands or shops within The Village market, but you will find small antique shops, boutiques with local African designers, art studios, craft stalls and a Woolworths or big supermarket for the last minute forgotten items.
- Location: Limuru Road, Gigiri
- Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm
Supper: Stay in The Village Market and visit Harvest, billed as a tribute to local farmers with its use of fresh organic local ingredients. It has an open grill kitchen a walk-in wine room and is a pretty fancy affair. Or head to The Local Grill, a steakhouse that takes its meat seriously. One of the best places for steak in Nairobi.
Had enough of the mall? Then head into town and try INTI, rated as the best restaurant in Nairobi. INTI is a Nikkei Restaurant serving scrumptious dishes in a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese Cuisine. INTI has unbeatable panoramic views across the city.
For more ideas on restaurants, read my blog about 21 of the best restaurants in Nairobi
Where to stay in Gigiri/ Westlands
Base yourself in Gigiri. You can stay in The Village Market, where there are two hotels both high-quality 5-star hotels in Nairobi: the Tribe Hotel or the Trademark.
The Tribe Hotel– 5* hotels in The Village Market, more well established with a cracking Nairobi Spa. Check Prices here
The Trademark –also within The Village Market a much larger more modern hotel. Check prices here
Read my blog on the best 5-star hotels in Nairobi or the best hotels in Nairobi for further ideas on where to stay.
Got more than 24 hours in Nairobi? Then check out these blogs:
Things to do in Nairobi with kids
Book Your Kenya Trip – Insider Tips
Find everything you need for visiting Kenya on my TRAVEL RESOURCES page.
Find everything you need for moving to Kenya in my THE EXPAT GUIDE TO LIVING IN NAIROBI book.
- Kenya Accommodation: Booking.com has the cheapest rates for hotels and guest houses in Kenya.
- Accommodation Reviews: TripAdvisor is my go-to portal for checking reviews on accommodation/restaurants in the local area. I never book without checking TripAdvisor first.
- ESIM: Airalo allows you to access the Internet from virtually any country without paying roaming charges
- Car Rental: Rental Cars is managed by Booking.com – guaranteed reliable.
- Tours and Guides in Kenya : Check out Get Your Guide and Viator – reputable companies that do tours within Kenya and East Africa.
- Travel Insurance: Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I recommend Visitors Coverage, which covers you for East Africa and offers ‘special insurance’ for safaris and adventure sports:
- Visitors Coverage
- Compensair – if you have a cancelled or delayed flight, you may get a refund.
