10 Things To Do In Nairobi

Awesome things To Do When In Nairobi

Continuing our African city series of activities, we go to Nairobi, the capital of the East African safari industry. If you are on business or on safari in East Africa, more likely than not, you will be transiting via Nairobi. Our below list of the top 10 things to do is designed to offer you only a small glimpse into what can be done, there is a whole lot more than 10, believe us on that.

We know what it’s like when you don’t have much time but still want to make the most of your trip. That's why we've put together this list of 10 things that will help make your short stay in Nairobi unforgettable.

You can explore the city with our list of 10 things to do in Nairobi! There's something for everyone, from exploring the National Museum of Kenya to visiting the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and enjoying an African dance show at Carnivore Restaurant! We even include some tips about how to get around town so that your stay here is as smooth as possible.

Whether it's your first time travelling abroad or if you're a seasoned traveller looking for new experiences, we have everything you need right here!

Nairobi is mainly a one or two-night destination, pre or post (or both) one's Kenya safari; accommodation options are available here; Nairobi Hotels

10 Must-See Attractions In Nairobi

Here, in no particular order, is our top 10 list;

1. Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage

Here, in no particular order, is our list;

Near the edge of the Nairobi national park. This is an uplifting experience where you can interact with calves orphaned by poaching from all over Kenya. The level of care and husbandry is impressive, and nearly all these calves will be reintroduced back into wild herds. Open every morning between 11, and 12 am.

Link: Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

2. Nairobi Giraffe Rehabilitation Centre

Not too far away in the suburb of Langata is the Giraffe Rehabilitation Centre. This conservation centre focuses on breeding the endangered Rothschild giraffe and environmental and educational programmes. You can feed and touch these impressive creatures from a platform. Apparently, the Rothschild giraffe has a great following in Canada, and we would strongly recommend this visit to them. The Giraffe Manor Hotel is next door, where the giraffe freely flow into. We have written about this hotel before in a previous blog, and if you have the budget, it is the place to stay.

Link: Giraffe Rehabilitation Centre

3. Daphne Karen Blixen Museum

Staying in the area, visit the Karen Blixen Museum. The whole of the suburb of Karen was once Baroness Blixen's farm. Her main residence has remained wrapped in aspic, and this is the house you can now visit. Notice the books on the shelves belonging to her late lover Denys Finch Hatton. The house and grounds were used extensively during the filming of "Out of Africa."

Link: Karen Blixen Museum

4. Nairobi Shopping Tours

Karen Blixen wrote, "I had a farm in Africa." The modern version is "I had a shopping centre in Nairobi." With a booming economy and spreading middle class, shopping centres have exploded, and there are many to choose from. If you are looking for traditional curios and souvenirs, you may wish to visit the Village Market in Muthaiga. A favourite and appreciated souvenir is the Kikoi, a cool, cotton cloth worn around the waist or chest by men and women. You will find better-priced goods at small, local centres like Karen than the new large shopping malls if you have the time.

Link: Our Nairobi Day Tours

5. Muthaiga Club

Muthaiga Club, A members-only club in the northern suburb of Muthaiga, was made infamous by the book "White Mischief.". The traditional relaxation ground of white colonial settlers, the club has maintained much of its character and charm (and traditional rules) whilst building new modern facilities. Having a meal or a gin and tonic on its terrace is a pleasure and a throwback to distant times. This is a members club so you will have to meet one to be invited.

Link: Muthaiga Club

6. Kibera Township

Kibera. This is the largest urban slum in Africa, with approximately a 2.5million people, which represents 60% of the population but only 6% of the landmass of Nairobi. You do not wander into Kibera by accident, and dedicated companies organise escorted tours. Like Soweto in Johannesburg, you may be surprised by some uplifting experiences as well as opening your eyes to a different aspect of Africa.

Link: Our Nairobi Day Tours

7. Nairobi National Museum

Nairobi National Museum. With a variety of galleries, there is a specialised snake park, primate centre and the world-renowned paleontological Leakey centre. Is it worth the time and effort to visit? Only if you like museums and history, but yes, it is worth a visit in our opinion.

Link: Nairobi National Museum

8. Carnivore Restaurant

Carnivore Restaurant. It is almost a cliche to visit the Carnivore when in Nairobi (Langata suburb), but this is a restaurant that receives high ratings from critics worldwide. The thing is, you really do have to be a carnivore, with exotic bush meats from giraffe and crocodile being the preferred dishes. There are vegetarian options available, but it slightly misses the point of visiting. The large Simba Saloon nightclub is on the same site, which is well frequented.

Link: Carnivore Restaurant

9. Shangilia mtoto wa Africa Orphanage

Shangilia mtoto wa Africa Orphanage(Swahili: Rejoice, child of Africa); Located in the Kangemi slum, this orphanage is home to 230 children. Founded by a local actress with the belief that you can lift up the lives and self-image of children by encouraging them to perform on stage. The orphanage conditions are basic, but the place is vibrant, and it is ultimately an uplifting experience to visit. Visitors are encouraged by appointment.

Link: Shangilia mtoto wa Africa Orphanage

10. 1st class night train to Mombasa

This is not strictly a day visit, but I add it here as it originates in Nairobi. The 1st class night train to Mombasa on the Jambo Kenya Deluxe. I made this trip thirty years ago and again last year. Nothing much has changed in between. The pace can only be described as leisurely. The dinner service is served on crisp white linen and battered East African Railways crockery and cutlery. It is a throwback but interesting to experience before some tourism operator jazzes it up, and another piece of history is gone.

Link: We are battling to find out whether this is still operational with Covid floating around. We will update ASAP.

So there you have it in a nutshell, our top list of attractions to do when in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. Let us know if we have missed something or something in the above list has changed.

Hope you all enjoyed our list of the top 10 things to do in Nairobi by Uyaphi.com