Looking for the best things to do in Nairobi? I have got you covered. As someone who’s called this vibrant city home for nearly a decade, I am excited to share some insider tips with you. Whether you’re here for a long layover or an extended vacation, Nairobi has so much to offer. And trust me, you’re in for an adventure!
I still remember how excited I was when I first landed in this “Green City in the Sun” back in 2016. I came to Nairobi for my undergrad, and, believe it or not, I didn’t even consider applying to universities in other cities! I had heard so much about the Nairobi buzz that I just had to experience it for myself. Here’s the kicker—I ended up choosing courses that, looking back, had nothing to do with my life goals at the time, as long as they were offered in a campus in Nairobi. But hey, at 17-18, who’s really got it all figured out, right? For me, it was all about living in Nairobi, and I’ve never looked back!
From 2016, I have been living in Nairobi on and off. And with my adventurous spirit, I made sure to explore a new place almost every other weekend. The best part? I always find a new exciting thing to see or do in Nairobi whenever I want to go out! It is a city with lots of things to do, and I can assure you that you are in for an adventure. Ready? Here are the best things to do in Nairobi!
Visit Nairobi National Park
If you are an international tourist and you had just one day in Nairobi, spend it in Nairobi National Park. It’s a rare opportunity to witness wildlife against the backdrop of a city skyline, a sight you won’t find in any other capital. Nairobi is the only capital in the world with a national park within its limits.
The park is less than 20 minutes from the airport and also from Nairobi City Center, so you can have an African safari experience without heading out of the city. We know that when in Kenya, everyone wants to head to Maasai Mara for the ultimate safari experience. However, if you have a few days in Kenya, you better stick to Nairobi National Park for your African safari experience.
Seeing wildlife roaming freely with views of the Nairobi skyline in the background is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you are into wildlife photography, this makes a great scene to capture.
The park is home to black rhinos, zebras, elephants, lions, giraffes, cheetahs, and buffaloes, among other animals. Before coming to Nairobi. I had only seen wild animals in zoos, so this was really a great experience seeing the animals coexist in their natural habitat.
Tip: You can join a wildlife safari tour, or hire a car and self-drive. However, I would recommend you join tours as the guides know where exactly to find the animals within the park. Also, with the off-road driving, you may have trouble navigating the park unless you are pro!
Explore the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is an elephant orphanage. This organization cares for young elephants who have been orphaned due to poaching, human-wildlife conflict, or environmental factors. They also now care for rhinos and giraffes. Watching the baby elephants being fed and enjoying mud baths is a heartwarming sight.
For those interested in wildlife conservation, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust offers a great opportunity as your entrance fees goes into supporting the conservation efforts.
Looking to actively engage in conservation efforts? You can adopt an elephant, contribute to its care, and, in return, receive regular photos and updates about your new baby! The best part? Adopting an animal from this organization can cost as little as $50 a year!
Feed Giraffes at Giraffe Centre
If you are looking for cheap things to do in Nairobi Kenya, whether you are a local or an international tourist, I recommend going to the giraffe center. It is also one of the most Instagrammable things to do in Nairobi! You will not only encounter giraffes up close, but you will also get to feed them from a raised platform! This is a scene made for an aesthetic Instagram!
Feeling brave or daring? I see visitors hold food pellets between their lips for the giraffes to take. If you’re more adventurous than I am, you can do this for an opportunity to get a “giraffe kiss.” No, I am not letting a giraffe kiss my face, but you can go for it!
Tour the Karen Blixen Museum
I firmly believe that you have not toured a destination until you have visited at least one of its museums. I get it—museums can be boring and not for everyone, but they are an excellent way to see the history and culture of your destination. In Nairobi, the Karen Blixen Museum is one museum that lets you explore the country’s rich colonial history.
This museum is the former farmhouse of Danish author Karen Blixen, who is famous for her memoir “Out of Africa.” Karen lived in colonial Kenya, running a massive coffee plantation, where she is said to have been very tough to over the 1000 farm workers she had. After studying her history, to be fair, I took my experience visiting the museum as a way of seeing things from the perspective of a “real-life Karen”. Although Danish, she was the perfect representative of the oppressive British colonial rule in Kenya.
Ok, heavy history aside. The house is still in its original state, including the furniture she used. Also, you can enjoy views of the beautiful Ngong Hills from the property.
Visit the Nairobi National Museum
The Karen Blixen Museum is largely about Karen’s life in colonial Kenya. Therefore, it is only fair that we include a museum that looks at the country’s historical and cultural heritage, which would be the Nairobi National Museum.
This museum houses exhibits including fossils, ancient artifacts, traditional crafts, and contemporary art.
The “Turkana Boy,” a fossil that is an important part of the human evolution theory, would definitely be the most notable highlight in this museum.
Experience the Bomas of Kenya
Kenya is home to over 40 different tribes, and the Bomas is the best place to get a glimpse of these tribes.
This is more like a living museum, as you get to walk around indigenous homesteads (bomas), see indigenous architecture, interact with dancers in traditional wear, and watch traditional dances.
While I recommend you visit both Karen Blixen and Nairobi National Museum, I think Bomas would be a good fit for anyone who wants to skip the typical boring setting of a conventional museum.
Stroll through the Nairobi Arboretum
Want a quick break from the busy city center? The Nairobi Arboretum is a great place to connect with nature and relax. It is on the quieter side of the city, providing much-needed respite from the bustling city.
It is a great spot for a picnic, stroll, morning run, small event or meeting with friends.
There is also an information center on site for anyone who would want to understand the tree and bird species in the Arboretum. If you are lucky, you may spot some monkeys!
However, they may charge you a little extra to bring in a professional camera.
Tip: If you prefer some peace and quiet, go on weekdays. On weekends, there are typically large friend groups or team building activities going on in most parts of the Arboretum.
Hike in Karura Forest
Looking for more alternatives to connect with nature within the city? Head out to Karura Forest. This forest, covering over 1,000 hectares, features well-maintained hiking, cycling, and jogging trails.
You will find your slice of heaven in the forest if you are an outdoor enthusiast. From waterfalls to designated picnic sites to calm rivers, there is so much to see within the forest.
You can hire bikes at the entrance points.
Beyond its beauty, Karura Forest is one of the places you can visit to soak in the conservation efforts of Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai. In the 1990s, large parts would be brought down to pave the way for housing projects. Prof. Wangari Maathiai led a group of women to plant more trees and maintain the disappearing forest, and unfortunately, they faced many violent confrontations while doing so. So, it is not just about the beauty and tranquility of the forest but also the history behind it.
Shop at the Maasai Market
What is a good souvenir to bring from Nairobi? As someone who has lived in the city for close to a decade, I would recommend you go for Maasai handmade products. There is a wide range of products, including sandals, rings, necklaces, wall decor, belts, bracelets, and artwork.
Honorable mention goes to Kondo, which I personally have a very soft spot for. These are sisal handwoven bags that are very stylish and can be dressed down or up. I literally have several: one for my laptop, another for grocery store shopping, another for quick errands—in short, they’re very versatile pieces and one of the best things you could get from Maasai markets.
Handmade beadwork is a signature of the Maasai community. It’s not just beautiful; it’s made by skilled artisans.
Note: The market shifts to different places every day of the week, which is one of the best things about it. Here is where to find it:
- Tuesday – Kijabe Street Park opposite Norfolk Hotel
- Wednesday – Capital Center on Mombasa Road, near the airport
- Thursday – Garden City Mall’s rooftop along Thika Road
- Friday- Village Market in Gigiri
- Saturday: High Court Parking Lot along City Hall Way in the city center
- Sunday: Yaya Center in Hurlingham
Tip: Make sure to negotiate. Vendors tend to overprice products, expecting the buyers to negotiate.
Important: Vendors do not accept card payments. Be sure to bring cash, or at best, have funds in your mobile money (like M-Pesa).
Explore the Nairobi Railway Museum
The Nairobi National Museum is located near the Nairobi Railway Station. The open-air museum is dedicated to the history of the Kenya-Uganda Railway, which played a crucial part in Kenya’s colonial history and subsequent development.
There is so much to see, including historical locomotives, original documents used in the construction and operation of the railway, maps, and photographs.
If you are looking for educational things to do with kids in Nairobi, I would recommend this place. In addition to operating the museum, you can learn about the notorious man-eating lions that terrorized railway workers during the construction of the railway.
It is also a photogenic spot, as Sauti Sol’s Short and Sweet music video shows.
Relax at Uhuru Park
Uhuru Park is a large recreational space located in the heart of Nairobi. It is one of locals’ favorite spots to unwind, enjoy outdoor activities, and appreciate Nairobi’s skyline.
You can relax in its green spaces and shady trees, admire its manicured gardens, or even set up a picnic.
There is also a small artificial lake in the park, where you can ride on paddle boats.
Hike in the Ngong Hills
The Ngong Hills are a range of peaks located southwest of Nairobi. The hills offer some of Kenya’s most scenic hiking experiences, with breathtaking views of the valley and the surrounding landscape. From the peaks, hikers are treated to sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley on one side and the Nairobi city skyline on the other.
Along the hike, you may encounter wildlife like buffaloes, antelopes, and various bird species, adding an element of adventure to the hike.
Wind turbines along the hills also make the trip more memorable.
Admire the views from the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC)
The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) is one of Nairobi’s most recognizable landmarks. Located in the heart of the city’s Central Business District, this 28-story building was once the tallest building in the city.
The KICC has a helipad on its rooftop that offers 360-degree panoramic views of Nairobi and beyond. If you are into architecture, you will like visiting this place.
Taste local Kenyan cuisine
You have not really visited a place if you leave without tasting the local cuisine. In Kenya, make sure to sample its street foods, such as smokies, street sausages and eggs. Paired with the famous “kachumbari” and different sauces, these are such a delicacy.
Beyond street foods, in restaurants, you can sample ugali with beef stew and kale, among other many options you will have.
Visit the Kibera Slum
If you are looking for something unconventional to do, visit the Kibera slums in Nairobi. Being one of the largest slums in the world, Kibera is literally a maze. One of my aunts lives there, and every time I visit, I almost always lose my way to her house. The funniest bit is that she lives just a few steps from the highway, but I still get lost! For this reason, if you are going to explore this slum, you are better off joining a tour.
Many tours would take you to Toi Market, followed by walking adventures through the slum’s maze. It is a great way to see what life is like on the other end of the stick. There are also many spots, including children’s rescue centers and schools, where you can volunteer.
Tip: Treat this as a hiking adventure, and dress the part. Wear comfortable shoes that can protect your feet from muddy paths.
Ride in a Matatu
Many Nairobians hate matatus, but it is something international tourists would appreciate. Matatus are the typical public transport in the city, offering tourists a quirky Nairobian experience. They are typically vans or mini buses that travel from the city center to the outskirts.
Now, here is the thing: matatus can be a bit rowdy, and that is why I said they are good for a quirky and Nairobi experience. Some are colorful, play some good music, and all the unconventional things that would come to mind when you think of a western public transport system.
So, the next time you are in Nairobi, skip a taxi ride and hop on a matatu.
