Nairobi City Guide
Latest Nairobi Blogs
Nairobi City Guide
Nairobi, city of dust and dreams, animals and traffic, rich and poor. Nairobi is a new city, just 100 years ago it was a gathering of huts atop the Great Rift Valley – a location favoured by colonists for its cooler highland weather and temperate climate.
Today Nairobi is a city in a rush to grow. Everywhere you go there are building sites and tower blocks climbing towards the sky. It is Africa’s third-largest economy and a mecca for those looking for work in East Africa. Yet despite its burgeoning population it retains much of its backcountry charm.
Lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, rhino, hyena, jackal, hippo and giraffe make their home in Nairobi, alongside millions of people. Some of the wealthiest people in Africa live here and yet we also have Africa’s largest slum. A beloved oxymoron.
Weather in Nairobi, Kenya
The weather in Nairobi is fair and warm. There is little differentiation between the summer and winter seasons with the temperature only fluctuating by a few degrees. In the winter months of June – August you may need a sweater but not a heavy coat. The summer Jan – March is hot, but not the punishing heat of the lowland areas in Kenya. The long rains in Nairobi fall from April – June and they can be epic, flooded streets, thunder rumbling day and night. The short rains October – November are more gentle.
Things to do in Nairobi
Nairobi National Park
Giraffe Centre
Nairobi Giraffe Centre is one of the only places in the world where you can kiss a giraffe! These wild giraffe are part of the AFEW (African Fund for Endangered Wildlife) conservation effort. The number of Rothschild Giraffe numbered only 120 in 1970’s Kenya. Jock and Betty Melville started taking care of baby giraffe in their Hardy garden and history was made. In total there are more than 300 Rothschild giraffe in Kenya. A visit to the giraffe centre allows you to touch, feed, kiss and learn all about the lives of these nearly extinct animals.
Elephant Orphanage Nairobi
Have you even lived if you haven’t been witness to 20 teeny tiny baby elephants galloping back from the bush for their tea. Then being fed giant baby bottles of milk before being tucked under a blanket for the night by their foster parents. The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is a unique and unforgettable elephant conservation experience. Meet the orphaned elephants at their Nairobi home and learn about their lives, the dedication of their carers and the incredible work that the elephant orphanage Nairobi does. Read my blog post on wild animal spotting in Nairobi.
Karura Forest
Karura Forest springs from the high rises and traffic packed roads like an emerald mirage. A small pocket of wonderland in city that is growing too fast, too haphazardly. The peace and tranquility of this urban forest is a balm. Waterfalls, ancient forest, peach coloured streams and animals: duiker, bushbucks, bush pigs, genet cats, civets, porcupines, monkeys, pythons, green snakes and monitor lizards. Karura Forest, Nairobi has great walking and running trails, picnic spots and a fab resturants serving proper food and lush cocktails. A great place to take the kids.
Hotels in Nairobi
Hotels in Nairobi range from five star luxury to tin huts. They can cost your 600 dollars a night, or 6. Where you stay in Nairobi depends on your budget and what you want to do. If you want to shop then stay in Gigiri, hit the bars and restaurants then try Westlands. If you are here for the animals, then leafy Karen, if you are making a quick exit then Mombasa road is near the airport. Read my blog on the best hotels in Nairobi which gives you a breakdown or areas and mid to high end hotels.
12 best 5 Star Hotels In Nairobi
The 12 Best Nairobi Hotels – Where to Stay in Kenya
Travel to Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and has numerous transport links. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is mid sized and welcomes flights from all over the world and Kenya
Wilson Airport is smaller and based within the city. This basic airport runs routes on smaller airplanes to destinations within East Africa. This is where you’ll pick up your 20 seater to the coast or your 2 seater to the Maasai Mara
Nairobi has the fabulous SGR high speed train which runs from Nairobi to Mombasa twice a day.
Kenya bus service offers bus routes all over Kenya. They offer standard fares, but are far from luxurious even on 12+ hour trips.
Matatu (bus/taxi) and Boda boda (motorbike) operate all over Kenya and travel short distances for very little cost.
Helpful links for travel in Kenya
The below links are for services that I use myself and highly recommend. Some of them are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
If you are thinking of booking a trip to Kenya, please book through one of these links and help me to keep bringing you blogs for free.
Sharing is caring!