Nairobi
Visited in August 2019
At a glance
- Country
- Kenya
- Region
- Nairobi City County
- Population
- 5.5 million
- Best time to go
- June to October, January to February
- Main airport
- Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO)
- Coordinates
- 1.35°S, 36.71°E
Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Nairobi is the gateway to East Africa's safaris, and the only capital city with a national park on its doorstep: you can see lions and rhinos with skyscrapers in the background.
Most visitors pass through on the way to the Maasai Mara, but it's worth a day or two for its wildlife projects, markets and growing restaurant scene.
Things to see
-
Photo: flightlog, CC BY 2.0 Nairobi National Park
Lions, rhinos, giraffes and buffalo, less than 10 kilometres from the city centre. Go on an early morning game drive.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: U.S. Department of State from United States, Public domain Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Watch orphaned baby elephants being fed and bathed during the daily visiting hour.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Samwalton9, CC BY 4.0 Giraffe Centre
Feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform in Karen.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Alexander Leisser, CC BY-SA 4.0 Karen Blixen Museum
The farmhouse of the Out of Africa author, at the foot of the Ngong Hills.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: KeMang, CC BY 4.0 Nairobi National Museum
Kenya's history, culture and early human fossils.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
-
Photo: Danijel Mihajlovic, CC BY-SA 4.0 Safari to the Maasai Mara
Kenya's most famous reserve is a short flight or a long drive away. The Great Migration usually arrives from July to October.
Find tours -
Photo: Sdkb, CC BY-SA 4.0 Maasai Market
A rotating open-air craft market for beadwork, carvings and fabrics. Be ready to bargain.
-
Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 4.0 Kazuri Beads
A workshop employing local women, making hand-painted ceramic beads.
-
Photo: undeklinable from España, CC BY-SA 2.0 Day trip to Lake Naivasha
Boat trips among hippos and a walking safari on Crescent Island.
Find tours
Where to stay
Karen
Leafy suburb near the giraffe and elephant centres, with lodges and boutique hotels.
Hotels in KarenWestlands
Modern area with shopping malls, restaurants and nightlife.
Hotels in WestlandsUpper Hill
Business district with international hotels, close to the centre.
Hotels in Upper Hill
Getting around
Traffic is heavy, so allow plenty of time. Use ride-hailing apps or a driver rather than walking at night or taking matatus (minibuses) with luggage. Safari operators usually include transfers.
Jomo Kenyatta International is about 18 kilometres from the city, typically 30 to 60 minutes by car depending on traffic. Many safari flights leave from the smaller Wilson Airport.
When to go
The dry seasons, June to October and January to February, are best for wildlife viewing. The long rains fall around April and May and the short rains around November. Nairobi sits at 1,700 metres, so evenings can be cool all year.
Plan your trip to Nairobi
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Adventure travel insuranceWorld NomadsWe receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.