13 Unique Places to Visit in Nairobi Kenya That May Surprise You!
What other capital city has a national wildlife park within 5 miles of town? Or a luxury Giraffe Manor for overnight stays? Along with world-famous museums like Karen Blixen and Masai street markets, there’s countless unique places to visit in Nairobi!
Honestly, we managed to pack in so much of Nairobi following our Safari in Mara North Conservancy. After wildlife drives and a brilliant stay at Karen Blixen Camp, our Nairobi activities were a fantastic finale to our Kenya trip.
We’ve spent time in African cities as diverse as Luanda (Angola) to Cairo (Egypt), Kigali (Rwanda) and Johannesburg (South Africa). And we’ve learned a lot about travel on this continent, discovering that each destination has fantastic adventures and hidden gems you can’t find elsewhere.
Nairobi is no different and totally lives up to its ‘The Green City in the Sun’ label. Due to its size though, you might be finding it hard to decide what to spend your time doing.
So rather than long lists, we have curated a focused varied set of experiences that you can pick from and easily create your own Nairobi activities itinerary!
This post describes 13 Unique Places to Visit in and near Nairobi that offer real Kenyan experiences. Along with suggested well-located hotels and transport tips, we help take the hard work out of planning your amazing city adventure.
Getting Around Nairobi
We’re putting this info upfront for you because it’s important! Don’t use public transport to get around town. It’s not safe, neither are local taxis.
We suggest using Uber for city trips so you have everything on your phone and Uber account.
Or, if you can afford it, hire a car/driver to take you around Nairobi. We recommend local tour company Asilia Africa who have been in business for decades. We found they went beyond what we expected to help us see as much as possible and will have no hesitation using them on our next trip.
Alternatively, consider booking day tours around Nairobi that pick you up from your accommodation. We recommend several great ones below so read on.
Use this Nairobi Map to get an orientation of where our suggested activities are located around the city. We also highlight combinations of places that fit well together to help you plan your time.
1. Nairobi National Park Kenya
Entrance: Jul to Mar- USD $60Adults; Kids under 12 $20;
Other Months USD $40 Adult & $20 for Kids. Under 3 Free.
Credit Card Only. Additional fee if you bring your vehicle.
Open: 6am to 6pm (go early if you can)
Even if you have been on safari, if you’re like us and never tire of seeing wildlife in open spaces, you have to experience Nairobi National Park.
Less than 5 miles from town, it’s a wonderful half-day or day out. Imagine watching elephants, giraffes, leopards, and zebras. Behind them are 21st-century glass fronted city skyscrapers. This is a totally unique Nairobi activity!
You’re can spot white and black rhinos here! So if you don’t manage to do this in Masai Mara, come here and you shouldn’t be disappointed. It’s a constant battle to protect these against poaching but the park is making progress!
Nairobi National park is also a great place to come for a few hours hiking and while you are here you can also enjoy picnic within the park.
Driving in Nairobi National Park? Honestly, we don’t recommend driving yourself here because you can’t get out of your car in the parks. Also you won’t see much without a Landcruiser style vehicle with a roof that opens up
So, it’s probably easiest to organize a tour that picks you up from your hotel.
🎒TPOP Tip:
Combine Nairobi National Park with the Sheldrick Orphanage Trust as they’re both in the same location of town.
➡️ Check Nairobi National Park Tour Prices and Availability
2. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (Elephants)
Public Visiting Hours: Daily 10-11am (closed Christmas Day)
Cost: 12 years+ US$20; <12 years USD $5.
I love elephants and collect them – well not the real ones, but it’s my go to souvenir from every country where these incredible animals live in the wild!
Sadly. some baby elephants get orphaned or lost from their families; others get injured and are abandoned.
Thankfully the Sheldrick family saw the need for a sanctuary and set up this family-run conservation organization which is almost 50 years old! Over 350 elephants so far have returned to full health and many have been rewilded.
Visitor hours are scheduled to coincide with meal-times. Come to watch these elephants feeding up close – what a special experience. You can also adopt an elephant as another way to support these conservation programs.
➡️ Check David Sheldrick Tour Prices & Availability
Don’t miss the orphaned black rhinos living here; also being cared for and hopefully able to return to the wild once older.
🎒TPOP Tip:
Consider staying in one of the Sheldrick Trust Eco Lodges overnight if you have time for a longer visit during your stay in Kenya.
3. Karen Blixen Museum Tour
Seen the film Out of Africa? It’s hard to believe it came out back in 1985 but the autobiography written by Karen Blixen was published years earlier in 1937 and is a classic to read before coming to Kenya.
Hours: Tues/Wed 11am-9pm; Thur-Sun 11am-5pm (closed Mondays). Free Parking.
Cost: Adults DK100; Students <27 DK60 & Under 18 FREE!
Set in the foothills of the Ngong, this is certainly one of the most unique places to see in Nairobi on a first visit.
A personal favourite in Nairobi was our tour around the Karen Blixen Museum, her actual home here which is set in 15 acres of stunning gardens.
➡️ Check Availability and Prices For Karen Blixen Museum
You get transported back to the 1930s when Karen, a Danish national, came here intending to grow coffee.
As you tour the property, it is fascinating to learn about the challenges she faced and how her life evolved.
As well as the main museum, you can see the original coffee processing area and check out art displays at a small market on the lawn.
We visited Karen Blixen Museum around 4pm on a Sunday and it was pretty quiet with plenty of car parking space.
4. Ngong Hills Safari Hike
Park Hours: Open Daily From 6am to 5 pm.
Entrance Fee: 200Khs; Hiking 200-600 Khs; Ziplining 600 Khs
Come here if you love nature and we suspect you do if you’re heading to Kenya.
You will be rewarded with views over the one and only Rift Valley and the city of Nairobi. On clear days you might also catch a glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya!
With peaks at just over 8,000 feet, it’s only 25km from town, so you can easily fit in a half-day hike with perhaps a picnic lunch on the grassy slopes.
Other activities include cycling, zip-lining, and even archery so you won’t get bored. You can easily spend a day here if you prefer this to Nairobi city activities.
➡️ Check Ngong Hills Day Tour Prices & Availability
Also, if you’re at Karen Blixen, you’re pretty close to the Ngong Hills so if you enjoy a hike, why not continue on to here? Or swap this around and visit the hills first, and enjoy an afternoon at the Museum.
🎒TPOP Tip:
Wear a windproof jacket as it can be windy and cold on these hills and bring plenty of water. This goes for Nairobi National Park trips too.
5. Nairobi National Museum
Open Mon-Sun 8.30am to 5.30 pm. Closed Mondays.
Entrance Fee: Adults 1200 Ksh; <Age 16 is 600 Ksh;
We enjoy visiting at least one museum wherever we go because it is such a great way to appreciate past and often current cultures.
Although we decided to head to Karen Blixen as our first choice, the Nairobi National Museum is one of the best places to visit in Nairobi for history fans.
With permanent exhibitions like the Cradle of Life and Rift Valley to rotation items, it’s worth a few hours of your time.
🎒TPOP Tip:
The museum is close to the Nairobi Arboretum so consider combining these in the morning with a picnic lunch at the Arboretum.
6. Masai Market – Shop Til You Drop!
Markets are an adventure in themselves and if you have an opportunity to visit the open-air Masai market take it! The location of the market moves around day to day across the city so your advice is to ask at your hotel when you arrive.
It started as a market for Masai people to trade and has grown to represent a stunning array of handicrafts from across East Africa. Expect to see pottery, wood carving, paintings, beadwork, fabric and a whole lot more.
Be prepared to haggle a little as initial prices will likely be outrageous 🙂
If you prefer not to barter, then head to the Utamaduni Craft Center in Karen. It’s a treasure trove of colour from wood-carved animals to Masai themed paintings, intricate beadwork, and more!
We bought some beautiful souvenirs here and the staff were so helpful in wrapping everything ready for a flight back to London and on to the USA.
7. Giraffe Center
Open Daily From 9am – 5pm. Busiest from 11am to 1pm.
Costs: Adults 1500 Ksh; Ages 3-12 is 750 Ksh.
Want to kiss a giraffe? Here’s where to come – another of our places to visit in Nairobi not to miss.
For a more personal wildlife interaction head to the Giraffe Center – great for kids as it’s quite interactive. Yes, you get to feed them. So cool, we’ve done this with little kids and they love it – us big kids did too!
For more than 40 years, this sanctuary has worked to protect the endangered Rothschild species of Giraffe. Daisy I was the first guest here and today visitors can meet Daisy IV.
➡️ Check Giraffe Center Tour Prices & Availability – this is a great tour that combines the Elephant Orphanage and The Bomas.
Giraffes born here are released back into the wild at around ages 2-3 and herds are growing so it is a great success.
As well as the giraffes, they have a short hiking trail you can enjoy as well as a cafe for a cold refreshment.
8. Visit a Kenyan Coffee Farm
You’re going to love the java scene in Nairobi as Kenya is a top coffee producer. Some of the top cafes currently in Karen and Westlands are:
- Karen Blixen Coffee Garden – from coffee up to a full dinner menu and you can stay in the cottages on site.
- Tin Roof Cafe – a beautiful spot with an organic menu & friendly staff.
- Java House – a more authentic Kenyan coffee experience on Langata Road.
Alternatively, book yourself onto a coffee farm (or tea) tour and get up close to the farmers who grow the plants.
We have also done these types of tours in Costa Rica Road Trip recently. And if you combine Rwanda with your Kenya travels, include a visit to Question Coffee on your Kigali Things To Do planning List.
➡️ Check Coffee Farm Tour Prices & Availability with Transport
The growers are fascinating to chat with and work so hard. If you love coffee and want to learn about a specific region’s industry in more detail, this is for you.
🎒TPOP Tip:
Don’t leave without buying some organic Kenyan coffee to enjoy back home. It’s a great souvenir.
9. Walking Tours in Nairobi
Yes, we did say earlier not to walk around Nairobi on your own. But we also know slow travel is such a great way to get the feel of a new place. So why not take a walking tour?
A guided Historical Walking Tour is a perfect way to appreciate how the city has grown over the past century. You pass by cultural, important religious and awesome market spots and visit inside some depending on which tour you select.
➡️ Check Out Availability For Historical Walking Tour
A highlight is the 360-degree view from the top of Kenyatta Convention Center. Keep your phone charged for these views!
10. Picnic in Nairobi Arboretum
Opening Hours: Open Daily From 6am to 6.15pm.
Entrance: Adults 65 Ksh & Children 25 Ksh.
A unique experience in Nairobi is to enjoy a walk, jog, or relaxing picnic in the diverse 30 hectares that is Nairobi Arboretum, located in Westlands.
It was created in 1907 and is loved by visitors and residents alike due to being so accessible. If you choose to stay at the Radisson Blu Arboretum, you likely see this park from your hotel!
Or how about enjoying a yoga class early in the day in the central lawn area which is where many people meet up at weekends in particular.
If you love birdwatching, you will likely notice many species and kids will enjoy spotting butterflies, chasing them and watching the antics of monkeys that call this spot home.
11. Check Out Bomas of Kenya
Hours: Daily 10am to 6pm. Cultural Shows: Mon-Fri @ 2.30-4.00pm; Weekends/Public Holidays @ 3.30-5.15pm.
Price: Adults 1000 Kenyan Shillings/USD $10; Kids/ Students 500 Kshs.
If you love social history, and dance and want to appreciate the traditional and cultural diversity of Kenya, you’re going to enjoy an afternoon at the Bomas. Back in 1971, the government created this site and it is, for sure, one of the more unique places to visit in Nairobi.
The word Bomas means ‘enclosed area/home’ in Swahili. Tour 20+ such structures, each with individual design and decor to match regional heritages.
Combine your visit and catch a traditional dancing and story telling show performed in the biggest Auditorium in Africa. It looks like one giant hut!
There is a bus service to Bomas, but it is quicker to have your hotel get you a taxi. Or take a tour with transport included to avoid having to bother with return taxi arrangements.
➡️ Check Bomas Tour Prices & Availability with Transport
🎒TPOP Tip:
Combine with a Karen Blixen Museum visit in the morning. Or visit the National Park in the morning if you prefer this option.
12. Visit Hell’s Gate National Park
Hours: Daily 6am to 6pm. Entrance Fee $30 USD for Adults & $20 for ages 3-18 years. $5 less in low season.
Overnight camping is available. Guided Tours from $50 USD.
Daily Car Rental USD $150+ Self-Drive in Park.
Hot Springs USD $50 ($30 for children)
What we love about Kenya is the open spaces and freedom to explore so much of the countryside.
Hells Gate National Park, a UNESCO heritage site, is fairly new only opening in 1984. But did you know that the waters running through here were the supply to ancient humans in the Rift Valley? Yes, we’re talking prehistoric-era life!
As it’s around 100km from Nairobi, we weren’t able to carve out the time on our last trip but it’s top to see next visit! As the inspiration for the Lion King animation, it’s got to be cool!!
Olkaria Geothermal Hot Spa is also a lesser-known hidden gem near Nairobi and definitely worth enjoying as part of your visit here.
➡️ Check here for prices and availability of Day Trips from Nairobi.
In addition, if you have more flexibility to stay longer, you can come here to bike, hike, rock climb, and even camp overnight and hire a car to drive around. There’s wildlife to spot, birds, and incredible scenery. We think from talking with our Kenyan friends and local operators, kids will love it here too!
Use a local tour operator who can pull it all together for you like Asilia African Travel.
13. Cooking School In A Kenyan Home
The food in Kenya during our adventures here has been fantastic. The combination of local produce and creative cooking results in enticing flavours, sweet, savory, and with lots of variety.
If you are a foodie who enjoys cooking too, why not visit a Kenyan home and cooking school in town?
We didn’t book early enough for this experience so make sure you do!
➡️ Check here for prices and availability of Cooking Classes In Nairobi.
Map of Nairobi Kenya
Nairobi is a sprawling city and if this is going to be your first visit, here’s a simple Google map showing the layout of the main districts.
Pick a hotel based in Karen or Westlands Districts. We have 3 excellent suggestions a little further below for you to check out. These areas of town are safe and easier to get to/from the international and Wilson airports.
They also are well positioned to see as many of our suggested best places to visit in Nairobi without long drives every day across town.
Is Nairobi Safe?
We have personally found Nairobi to be safe to visit. However, we had a driver with a car, so didn’t attempt to use public transport or get ourselves around town from airports etc.
Driving around town it’s clear there is huge poverty, shanty housing on show, and people struggling to get by. We’re not trying to put you off! Just be aware that the city has, like many around the planet, its struggles.
Although Business Day ranked Nairobi as one of the 7 safest cities in Africa, there is crime here and we are not going to hide this fact. There is also a history of political unrest and demonstrations can blow up quickly around the country.
However, we feel that each of us can evaluate our level of risk for any trip and make our own informed decision. Make sure to read your own Government Travel Advisory websites and ask tour operators.
Altitude in Nairobi
It might surprise you to know that much of Kenya including Nairobi and Masai Mara is at a fairly high altitude.
In Nairobi, you’re going to be at 5,500 feet (1,680m) – think similar to Denver, Colorado in the USA.
However, this is not high enough for most of us to cause any altitude sickness so it shouldn’t be a problem.
As always, we recommend you check with your own Dr if you have any medical questions.
Accommodation in Nairobi
Here are 3 places to stay that are always popular with visitors and have excellent locations for our Nairobi activities.
📍Ole Sereni Hotel – next door to National Park as you can see from our dining view! Swimming Pool, Free Parking and Great Staff. Close to the main airport too.
📍Radisson Blu Hotel Arboretum – in Westlands and convenient for several of our Nairobi activities including the National Museum and of course Arboretum.
It’s a quiet area despite the central location with a pool, gym, and free parking. Under 5 miles from the international airport too.
📍Hemingsways Nairobi – if it’s an old-style luxury you are after, and your budget is generous, this is your perfect hotel. Exceptional service, beautiful grounds and attentive staff make this a place of dreams to sleep at when in Nairobi.
What About An Airport Hotel?
📍Nairobi International Airport 4 Points Sheraton Hotel is convenient for a first night as it is within the airport perimeter. This means you get to your bed quickly after a long flight and can sleep/freshen up without any traffic issues.
There are several other airport based hotels but we found this one very comfortable for a night coming or going from the country.
Places to Eat in Nairobi
Like any capital or major city around the world, there’s going to be an overwhelming choice of places to eat. So here’s our suggestion. Once you decide on your hotel and itinerary, build in options for lunch and dinner around these.
For example, if you decide to stay at Ole Semani (next to the National Park), you can eat here one night and enjoy the views of the park.
Just remember it gets dark around 6pm here most of the year, so eat early or enjoy a sundowner cocktail.
Alternatively in Karen, try the highly recommended Tamarind Brasserie or CJs Waterfront both restaurants close to the Karen Blixen Museum.
What Next After Nairobi?
We’re thrilled you got to the end of our article and we hope that you’re much clearer on the range of unique places to visit in Nairobi, Kenya.
If you are still working on your safari options, do check out our 3 Day Masai Mara Itinerary from Nairobi for more inside tips and ideas.
We feel combining a couple of days in the city with safari adventures is the ultimate way to discover Kenya on a first visit.
Bon voyage!
