Cheap bed and breakfast in Nairobi

Kenya can be expensive. Accommodation, drinks, car hire and daily living expenses can easily be on a par with Europe or America, but it is possible to explore Nairobi on a budget. The best way to knock off some costs is to look for cheap bed and breakfast in Nairobi. There are tons of places on Airbnb and VRBO – here’s my pick of the bunch

Finding a cheap bed and breakfast in Nairobi

Hotels in Nairobi can be astronomical. The gorgeous Hemingway’s hotel starts at 300 dollars a night and central town hotels around 150 USD.

There are numerous backpacker hotels some can be pretty grotty so I’d recommend a cheap bed and breakfast in Nairobi, if you are travelling to Kenya on a budget. You can find some gorgeous cottages and apartments which are well priced and offer great value for money.

Having said that I’ve travelled alone and sometimes you crave the party atmosphere and companionship that a hostel can offer. So I’ve done some research and Milima Backpackers comes highly recommended. Someone has even written a blog about it here https://www.bigworldsmallpockets.com/nairobi-hostel-milimani-backpackers/

Recommended cheap bed and breakfast’s for traveller’s on a budget in Nairobi

The Cottage Residence

Centrally located in Gigiri The Cottage Residence has two separate apartments featuring a kitchenette with a microwave and a fridge, each unit also comes with a satellite flat-screen TV, ironing facilities, desk and a seating area with a sofa. There’s a fully equipped private bathroom with shower and free toiletries.

Book The Cottage Residence here

Old Coffee House – Nairobi bed and breakfast

COST USD – 202 (for the whole house – 4 bedroom , sleeps 9)

This gorgeous colonial era building is located on Dagoretti Road in Karen. The house is a beautiful refurnished coffee farm house from back when Karen was just that – a coffee production area. In the years since then one of Nairobi’s most beautiful and interesting suburbs has sprung up around it, and the house is a unique reminder of the times that used to be.

Book The Coffee House here

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The Brandy Bus

COST: USD 100

Stay in this super cool bus in a spacious leafy garden. The actual accommodation may be small but you reap the benefit but having an outside area and even sun beds to soak up Nairobi’s sunshine. Watch monkeys dance and warthogs prance in the forested gardens of Karen

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Luxury cheap apartment in Kilimani, Nairobi

COST USD – 50

This gorgeous looking apartment in Kilimani is right in the city. Located in a secure compound in a sought-after neighborhood in Nairobi, you’ll be close to everything but a place far enough to enjoy a relaxing trip!

Cozy, bright and airy, newly furnished, freshly decorated apartment with Strong WiFi both indoors/ outdoors & a Swimming pool, A bedroom with night casting curtains for heavy early morning sleepers, A living room on a wooden floor, turkey carpet with suede recliner seats plus Kitchen, bathroom, laundry area and balcony.

Book the Kilimani apartment here

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Penthouse in Lavington 

COST: USD 41

This super modern penthouse is in the centre of town, walking distance to the Arboretum and close to the nightlife. From just USD 41 a night with two bedrooms this is a great option for traveller’s that want to be more central in a secure part of town. 

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Westlands serviced penthouse apartment Nairobi

COST: 50 USD

Westlands is the happening heart and soul of Nairobi. Walk out your door and visit a plethora of restaurants – I recommend, Mercado and INTI, then take yourself off to Blue Door or the Alchemist for some late-night dancing. Alchemist often features bands and DJ’s.

This serviced penthouse isn’t a bed and breakfast but its so beautiful, in such a great location and a good price when you split it between 8 that I think it deserves a spot as one of Nairobi cheap accommodation options

An 8th floor penthouse with amazing views across the city, all mod cons and stylish furniture its a really good option for cheap apartments in Nairobi

Book the Bamboo Luxury Serviced apartment here

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Nairobi on a budget – how to travel cheaply around Nairobi

Within Nairobi

Nairobi’s public transport consists of buses – which have fixed routes and go long distance and the smaller / cheaper Matatus which travel a short distance and drop people off at various stops along the way. 

Go visit Kenya themselves state that Matatus can sometimes be a risky way to travel. Matatus drivers have their own rules of the road, frequently overtaking in the hairiest of situations. If this doesn’t bother you then here is a quote from GoVisit.Kenya.com

Tourists should be careful to ensure that they are wearing the seat belts provided unless they wish to find themselves taken on an inconvenient unscheduled trip from a road checkpoint to the police station.

Make sure you have categorically confirmed your negotiated price and exact destination before the vehicle goes anywhere, or you may find yourself in the shadier areas of Nairobi at night at the mercy of an indignant matatu driver.

These hop on hop off buses are super cheap, but working out where each one goes is a feat of intelligence that is beyond me. My recommendation for exploring Nairobi on a budget is to use Uber or Bolt.

Uber is more internationally renown but Bolt (formerly Taxify) is cheaper and offers BodaBoda (motorbike) transfers from as little as 50 cents.

Out of Nairobi

Several airlines offer scheduled routes around Kenya for very little cost.

The biggest is Kenya Airways, but their pricing isn’t at all competitive so I’d look to some of the smaller airlines. My recommendation being Jambo Jet.

Jambo Jet fly all over the country from as little as 40 USD.

Fly540 operate on a slightly smaller scale but are equally as cheap 

As of 2019 Silverstone no longer operate

If you are headed to a smaller airport such as the Maasai Mara then the following airlines fly smaller 2- 8 seater planes to airstrips all over the country. Be warned – they ain cheap! Governors, Safarilink, Yellow Wings and Air Kenya.

Heading to Tsavo or the coast the SGR Railway is a fabulous, comfortable and affordable way to get there. Second class tickets are 10 USD and first class 30 USD. The train to the coast takes 6 hours with stops along the way. We have stopped at Voi a few times and arranged pick up with our camp for safaris.

How to travel on Safari

Many tour operators will take you on Safari. GetmyGuide is an internationally recognized and verified tour agency that offers trips all over Kenya. 

Safari’s are expensive. Even if you hire a car and self drive the costs can mount up. There are a number of cheaper safari ideas on Live Travel Kenya Check out my trip to Kivuli Camp in Tsavo or how much does a Maasai Mara trip cost? blogs for an idea of how to do it cheaper.

More ideas on how to get around Kenya are on the Kenya Trip Planner on my blog

https://theexpatmummy.com/kenya-trip-planner/

Where to eat and drink on a budget in Nairobi

In Nairobi, there are top-end restaurants and there are local restaurants and the difference in prices is huge. Unlike Asian countries, there aren’t Hawker markets and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend eating from the stalls that you will see t the side of the road. The water in Nairobi isn’t suitable for drinking (for tourists – locals do and I’m slowly trying to start training myself) and heat and unsanitary conditions don’t help.

Most malls have international brand restaurants such as KFC, Burger King and Spur. You can also try local restaurants such as Java House, Artcaffe and CJ’s, which are reasonable. You shouldn’t come to Nairobi without trying the local foods too. Kenya’s main dish is Nyama Choma –basically roasted meat. Here is a great blog that lists all the best-recommended budget eats in Nairobi.

Do cheap things in Nairobi 

All costs are for non – residents 

The Giraffe Centre 

Cost: 10 USD 

An unmissable opportunity to feed a Giraffe. The Giraffe Centre provides a sanctuary for the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. On a visit to the Giraffe Centre, you will come face to face with these, feed them and even enjoy a kiss or two from our tallest friends.

The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage 

Cost; 5 USD

The world-famous David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage rescues orphaned and injured elephants from all over Kenya and Tanzania. Visiting time is 11.00 where you can view the adorable babies up close and if you are lucky lean in for a quick stroke. Enjoy a talk with the caretakers about the work the centre does. 

Adopt an elephant for 50$ USD and you can visit any day at 5 pm. This is a far more interactive experience. You will see the elephants stampede back from the park at supper time, and get the chance to meet and touch each elephant and their carers.

Safari Walk at Nairobi National Park

 COST: 22 USD

Cheaper than entering the park and doing an actual Safari, you can Safari Lite at the Nairobi National Park Safari Walk. Rescued animals from throughout Kenya are given a home to live at the animal enclosure at the entrance to the park. Whilst this has a zoo-like feel that isn’t as appealing a real dirt and guts safari, you will get the opportunity to see Kenya’animals up close…which is something that cannot be guaranteed on safari. A raised platform circles the grounds from which you can view cheetah, lion, hyena, rhino and others. 

Walk in Karura Forest

COST: 6 USD

Karura Forest is a huge area of indigenous forest located within the city. Despite being surrounded a jumble of tall buildings, once within the forest you could be a million miles away from civilization. Bike and walking trails crisscross this jungle of trees and flowering plants. Monkey’s chatter and tiny Dik-Dik leap through thickets as brightly coloured Turaco watch you from tall bamboo forests and ancient trees. Karura is home to civets, genets, honey badgers and even jackals. Spending a day here is easy. Take a walk, eat lunch at the fabulous River Café and finish it off with a go on the obstacle course.

Shopping at the Village Market

COST: 0

My favourite mall in Kenya. Gorgeous light and airy greenhouse of a mall. Since its update in 2018, the Village Market is a truly wonderful place to spend a day. I sometimes go there just to hang out (and visit the oyster and champagne bar). There are over 20 good restaurants and an excellent food hall where you can sample wines, cheeses and other local goodies. One of the widest selection of shops from local chains to secret antique shops. Nowhere in Kenya are you going to find big named brands stores but this is the first place I’d head for shopping if I wanted to seek out something special.

Shop for souvenirs 

COST:0 

There are several places where you can buy souvenirs from Kenya. Artistic crafts ranging from Kiondo, beaded jewellery, art and clothings are on sale and all prices are negotiable. The most famous is the Maasai Market, which is located at a different place each day in Nairobi.

The Maasai Market is open several days a week at different locations in Nairobi from 8 am to 6 pm.

Alternatively visit Spinners Web, which has a larger selection of African crafts from all over the continent. This pleasant shop has fixed very reasonable prices.

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