Though not a specific tourist destination in its own right, from the wildlife to the nightlife, Nairobi is a city unlike any other. With a good music scene, excellent international restaurants and an endless and colourful array of shops and markets, there is plenty on offer for the visitor.
Moreover the hustling bustling capital of Kenya is the gateway to not only the country but also East Africa with Jomo Kenyatta International Airport being one of the main hubs on the continent. Domestic flights usually operate from Wilson Airport which is nearer to Karen (a suburb of Nairobi).The city centre is small and accessible. Some of the places you may want to visit in Nairobi include:
Nairobi National Park : Next door to the international airport, it's somewhat unusual to be viewing zebras and giraffes with the backdrop of city skyscrapers and the airport control tower! There are no elephants here but there are many plains species including zebra, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes and gazelles and a cat list including lion and cheetah. There are a few black rhino and some white rhino (introduced). Spotted hyaenas and leopard also occur, though seldom seen. The Athi River runs through the park, providing home for hippos and crocodiles. Monkeys and many species of birds enjoy the trees and riversides in the park.
The Ngong Races still take place and are an entertaining day out if you happen to be in the area at the time.
Things to see include:
The National Museum of Kenya with its large collection of artefacts, including the remains of a homoerectus boy.
Karen Blixen Museum in the suburb called Karen. The remains of the coffee farm and Karen's house can be seen, made famous by the film 'Out of Africa'.
Daphne Sheldrick's Animal Orphanage where you can see baby elephants and the nearby Giraffe Centre.
There are great craft shops and markets in and around Nairobi including Utamaduni Craft Centre in Karen which is a huge house containing about 15 local arts and crafts shops, there is also Kazuri Beads centre where you can buy hand made painted ceramic jewellery. Kitangala glass is based on the edge of the city where hand blown recycled glass products are made (many of the safari lodges you visit will use these products). In the shopping malls are good clothes and fabric shops and there are street markets too.
Eating out - you often find there is time for a last dinner in Nairobi before late night departure flights back to the UK, so why not sample one of the best restaurants? The world famous Carnivore Restaurant is close to Wilson domestic airport if you are flying back from the parks or Lamu and nearer the international airport is the Sierra Brasserie, the first boutique brewery and restaurant in East Africa, also close is Le Pampa, a Brazilian restaurant. In Karen area are the popular Talisman and The Rusty Nail the city also offers some authentic Indian restaurants.
