The name ‘Nairobi’ comes from the Maasai word Enkare, which means “cool water.” This name was inspired by the waters of the Nairobi River, which flows through the city. Nairobi lies on the River Athi in the southern part of the country, at an elevation of 5,889 feet above sea level. With a population of 9,354,580, Nairobi is commonly referred to as the “Green City in the Sun.” It is a metropolitan hub, home to thousands of Kenyan businesses and over 100 major international companies, including the United Nations’ main offices in Kenya. Nairobi is considered a center for Kenyan culture and heritage. It is also home to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, making it the first city most visitors experience before exploring the rest of the country. Before embarking on a tour of Kenya, it is worthwhile to visit parts of Nairobi, which offers some of the best cultural and aesthetically pleasing sites.
Places to visit in Nairobi
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a unique wildlife sanctuary just outside Kenya’s capital, directly bordering the city—a rare feature among national parks. Spanning about 117 square kilometers, it hosts diverse wildlife including lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and over 400 bird species. Despite its proximity to Nairobi’s busy streets and modern skyline, the park offers an authentic safari experience across open grass plains and acacia woodlands. The Mbagathi River marks its southern edge and supports rich biodiversity. Key attractions include the Nairobi Animal Orphanage and Safari Walk, which promote conservation through education and up-close encounters with rehabilitated animals. Visitors can enjoy game drives, bird watching, picnics in scenic spots, or see iconic views of wildlife against Nairobi’s skyscrapers—showcasing the harmony between wilderness and urban life. Its location near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport makes it ideal for travelers on transit who want to experience African wildlife.
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (Elephant orphanage)
This attraction offers an enriching and memorable experience that is suitable for visitors of all ages, making it an ideal destination for families seeking both education and entertainment. Conveniently situated at the Nairobi National Park, it serves as a sanctuary for orphaned elephants and rhinos. These vulnerable animals are rescued from the wild by the dedicated conservation trust, which provides them with a safe environment where they can be nurtured and protected until they have matured sufficiently to survive on their own in their natural habitats. Once these magnificent creatures reach adulthood and are deemed fit to thrive independently, they are carefully reintroduced into the wild. The project was established in 1977 by Daphne Sheldrick as a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, David Sheldrick, who served as the esteemed warden of Tsavo East National Park. His legacy lives on through this vital conservation initiative. During your visit, you will have the unique opportunity to observe these delightful young animals at play within their enclosures. It is particularly heartwarming to watch them interact with their caregivers, enthusiastically drinking milk from large bottles provided by attentive handlers who play a crucial role in their development. Additionally, visitors wishing to make a direct impact on wildlife preservation can choose to adopt one of the elephant or rhino orphans. All funds raised through adoptions are channeled back into further conservation efforts undertaken by the Trust. Please note that visiting hours are limited. The facility is open daily from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM—so plan your visit accordingly to make the most of this extraordinary experience.
Karen Blixen Museum
Nairobi’s rich culture and vibrant history are carefully preserved and vividly brought to life through the numerous museums scattered throughout the city. These institutions serve as custodians of Kenya’s diverse heritage, offering both locals and visitors an opportunity to connect with the stories that have shaped the nation. Among these repositories of history, the Karen Blixen Museum stands out as a particularly significant landmark. Situated along Karen Road, this museum is housed in the former home of Karen Blixen, a Danish author best known for her memoir “Out of Africa.” The site holds special appeal for admirers of both her literary works and the acclaimed film adaptation. Karen Blixen resided in this house from 1917 to 1931, during which time she managed a coffee plantation on the estate. Today, visitors are welcomed into a beautifully preserved colonial farmhouse that evokes the atmosphere of early 20th-century Kenya. The property also features a separate kitchen building, an agricultural college within its grounds—a testament to its historical role in local agricultural education—and an old coffee drying plant nestled in the surrounding woodland. Inside the farmhouse, original furniture belonging to Karen Blixen and her husband has been meticulously arranged to reflect their life during that era. These authentic pieces offer patrons a tangible connection to Blixen’s legacy and daily existence in colonial Africa. The museum warmly welcomes guests every day from 9:30 am until 6:00 pm, including weekends and public holidays. Guided tours are available throughout operating hours; knowledgeable guides lead visitors through each room and garden area at flexible intervals based on arrival times, ensuring an informative experience tailored to every guest’s schedule.
Nairobi National Museum
It is regarded as the place where heritage lives on, offering educational tours whenever needed. The museum aims to interpret Kenya’s rich heritage and present it in a way visitors can easily understand. The Nairobi National Museum is located at Museum Hill, about a ten-minute drive from Nairobi City Centre, and is accessible by both private and public transport. The museum displays a diverse range of cultural and natural history exhibits, including stuffed birds and mammals, ethnic displays from various Kenyan tribal groups, fossils of early humans from Lake Turkana, and local art. The Geology Gallery offers insight into an impressive collection of rocks and minerals. The Hominid Vault contains a collection of prehistoric bones and fossils, including a preserved elephant fossil.
Adjacent to the museum is the Snake Park, where visitors can view a variety of Kenya’s most common reptiles and even hold some of the snakes for an added thrill. In addition to the museum and Snake Park, visitors can enjoy shopping and dining facilities, offering a glimpse into Kenya’s cuisine. The museum is open to the public every day of the year from 08:30 to 17:30.
Giraffe Centre
The Giraffe Centre in Nairobi is a renowned conservation and education center dedicated to protecting the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Located in the quiet suburb of Lang’ata, about 20 kilometers from the city center, it offers visitors a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with these gentle giants. Established by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) in 1979, the center focuses on breeding and reintroducing Rothschild’s giraffes into Kenya’s national parks and reserves.
At the Giraffe Centre, visitors can feed the giraffes from an elevated platform, learn about their behavior and conservation, and even enjoy the thrill of being kissed by one! The site also features a nature trail leading to the nearby Gogo River Bird Sanctuary, making it a perfect blend of education, adventure, and nature. It’s a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience Kenya’s wildlife conservation efforts up close while enjoying a fun and interactive encounter with one of Africa’s most iconic animals.
Bomas of Kenya
The Bomas of Kenya offers an opportunity to experience the rich diversity of authentic Kenyan music and dance. Located about ten kilometres from Nairobi, it is an ideal place to learn about the music, arts, culture, crafts, and lifestyles of the country’s various tribes. An acrobatic team entertains visitors with their jaw-dropping, heart-stopping skills. Traditional villages spread throughout the area provide insight into the appearance of different tribes’ homesteads. There is also an amusement park for children, making it a truly family-friendly attraction. At the cultural centre, you will enjoy vibrant traditional music and dance shows. You can also dine at the Utamaduni restaurant, which offers a variety of Kenyan cuisine you may not have tasted before. Exciting performances of traditional music and dance take place in the arena every afternoon, so if you are free, head down for an unforgettable experience!
The National Archives
Housed in the historic former Bank of India building, the National Archives showcases Kenya’s rich heritage. It highlights vibrant tribal traditions, explores national art, history, and politics, and features a main floor gallery with historical documents and photographs that chronicle Kenya’s past. The collection includes paintings and artifacts from Joseph Murumbi, one of Africa’s renowned collectors, offering insight into Kenyan and African culture. The second floor displays more artwork spanning various eras and a stamp collection tracing postal history. Central to this level is the reading room—a valuable resource for researchers and students accessing archival materials. Overall, the National Archives is both a repository and a hub for learning about Kenya’s diverse story.
The Carnivore Restaurant
Situated along the bustling Langata Road in Nairobi, The Carnivore Restaurant stands out as a culinary landmark that discerning visitors should not miss during their stay in the city. Renowned for its exceptional focus on a diverse array of meats, this establishment offers guests an indulgent all-you-can-eat meat buffet, making it a true haven for meat enthusiasts. Earning the apt moniker “the ultimate ‘Beast of a Feast,’” The Carnivore lives up to its reputation by serving an impressive selection of grilled and roasted meats—often including game meats—prepared to perfection over traditional charcoal-fired pits. The ambiance within the restaurant seamlessly blends serenity with rustic charm, creating an inviting and distinctive environment that elevates the entire dining experience. Wooden furnishings and open-air seating evoke an authentic African atmosphere, allowing patrons to relax and enjoy their meals amidst unique décor and lively yet unobtrusive background music. In addition to its gastronomic delights, The Carnivore is also celebrated for its signature cocktail known as the ‘dawa,’ which translates to “potion” in Swahili. This refreshing concoction has become a staple among both locals and tourists alike; many visitors make it a point to savor this drink while basking in the restaurant’s vibrant setting. Overall, The Carnivore Restaurant delivers not just a meal but an immersive culinary adventure steeped in local flavor and tradition.
The Kenyatta International Convention Centre
Named after Kenya’s first president, the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC) is a Nairobi landmark recognized globally for hosting conferences, meetings, and exhibitions. Though not Kenya’s tallest building, its 28-story cylindrical tower dominates the city skyline and overlooks an amphitheatre used for major cultural and political events. The KICC’s terracotta façade echoes traditional African huts, blending modern design with Kenyan heritage. Its central plenary hall resembles the Roman Senate chamber, offering a grand yet functional venue for prominent gatherings. Visitors can ride high-speed elevators to a rooftop platform with panoramic views of Nairobi and enjoy dining at several on-site restaurants, making KICC both a business hub and leisure destination.
Kazuri Beads Factory
Travelers often collect souvenirs as personal mementos, home décor, or gifts. For those seeking unique keepsakes, Nairobi’s Kazuri Beads Factory offers a convenient shopping experience with handmade jewelry and a profound social impact. Located in Karen district, Kazuri supports disadvantaged women artisans by providing fair wages and sustainable employment. Visitors can take a free guided tour of the factory to witness the bead-making process, interact with artisans, and gain insight into their craftsmanship and stories. Prices are reasonable given the quality and community benefits. Situated near attractions like the Karen Blixen Museum, Kazuri is an ideal stop for meaningful shopping and cultural experiences in Nairobi.
The Railway Museum
The Railway Museum is a remarkable tribute to Kenya’s railroad history, highlighting the railway’s impact on the nation’s growth. As custodian of Kenya’s rail heritage, it preserves artifacts that narrate railroads’ pivotal role in shaping modern Kenya. Its collections include ship models, photographs from the Kenya-Uganda Railway construction, maps, engineering drawings, and unique items like a silver service set once used for luxury onboard dining to Mombasa. Restored steam locomotives and rolling stock demonstrate steam-powered progress and invite visitors to imagine journeys through time. A notable exhibit is the carriage from the dramatic hunt for the Maneater of Kima—a story involving Captain Charles Ryall, who was tragically killed by a lion while staking out inside this very carriage. Through such artifacts and stories, The Railway Museum offers immersive connections to Kenya’s rich past.
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