TravPa

Nairobi

Kenya's capital, where a national park with lions and rhinos sits beside the skyline, with orphaned elephants, giraffes and Karen Blixen's farmhouse nearby.

Approved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026

Itineraries

Where to stay

Westlands for food markets and the National Museum; Karen for the Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen Museum; the city center for the Nairobi Gallery and KICC.

The areas: Westlands, Karen, City center.

Where to stay in Nairobi: areas and adviceHotels in Nairobi

Places to see

All things to do in Kenya
NatureAmboseli National ParkLarge elephant herds on open plains and swamps below Mount Kilimanjaro, with over 400 bird species.Entry: USD[fee]
FoodCarnivoreOne of Kenya's oldest restaurants, where meats roasted on Maasai swords are carved at the table.Entry: Pay as you go
NatureGiraffe CentreHand-feed endangered Rothschild giraffes from a raised platform at a conservation center opened in 1983.Entry: Pay at the gate
FoodGiraffe Centre Tea HouseThe tea house at the Giraffe Centre, a place to eat before or after feeding the giraffes.Entry: Pay as you go
NatureGogo River Bird SanctuaryA nature trail through the bird sanctuary beside the Giraffe Centre, good for spotting native birds.Entry: Part of the Giraffe Centre
NatureHell's Gate National ParkCliffs, gorges and geothermal features near Naivasha, where you can hike, cycle and rock climb.Entry: USD[fee]
TransportJomo Kenyatta International AirportNairobi's international airport, which KWS lists with Wilson Airport as the air route to Nairobi National Park.Entry: Free to visit
MuseumKaren Blixen MuseumThe 1912 farmhouse of the author of Out of Africa, below the Ngong Hills, with guided tours.Entry: KES[fee]
NatureKarura ForestA 1,041-hectare forest in north Nairobi with walking trails and about 200 bird species.Entry: KES[fee]
ViewpointKenyatta International Convention CentreThe 1973 convention center on Harambee Avenue that defines Nairobi's skyline, with a helipad viewpoint.Entry: Ask at the visitor desk
NatureLake Nakuru National ParkA lake park north-west of Nairobi that was Kenya's first government rhino sanctuary, with about 450 bird species.Entry: USD[fee]
NatureMaasai Mara National ReserveGrasslands with the Big Five, where the Great Migration crosses the Mara River from July to October.Entry: USD[fee]
MuseumNairobi GalleryA 1913 building at Kenya's point zero, showing the Murumbi African heritage collection and new art.Entry: KES[fee]
MuseumNairobi National MuseumKenya's flagship museum on Museum Hill, covering early humans, wildlife, cultures and the country's history.Entry: KES[fee]
FoodNairobi National Museum restaurantsThree restaurants in the museum grounds serving fast food, Kenyan dishes and international meals.Entry: Pay as you go
NatureNairobi National ParkKenya's first national park, where lions, buffalo and black rhinos roam within sight of the city skyline.Entry: USD[fee]; pay online, no cash
MuseumNairobi Snake ParkSnakes, crocodiles, tortoises and an aquarium in the Nairobi National Museum grounds since 1961.Entry: KES[fee]
FoodNairobi Street KitchenA Westlands food market of more than 11 kitchens and bars, with live bands and artisan stalls.Entry: Pay as you go
TransportNairobi TerminusThe Nairobi station of the Madaraka Express, with daily trains to Mombasa.Entry: Free to visit
NatureSheldrick Wildlife Trust NurseryOrphaned baby elephants come out for their midday milk feed and mud bath, one hour a day.Entry: Book by email; donation paid in cash