Places to Visit in Nairobi For short term Visitors

Nairobi is turning out to be a major business/ conference capital, if you are in Nairobi for a few days and you have 1 or 2 days to spare what can you do? There are numerous nice places to visit in Nairobi and around Nairobi and its environs to learn and enjoy what Kenya has to offer. Below is a choice of some places to visit.

1. Nairobi National park is the only park in the world within a city, if you have half a day before you catch your flight this is the best way to experience the wild right in the heart of an ultra-modern city. The Park is home to the big 5 and only 15 minutes’ drive from the CBD. Inside the park there is Nairobi Orphanage which serves as treatments and rehabilitation centre for wild animals. The Orphanage hosts lions, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, serval cats, rare Sokoke cats, warthogs, leopards, various monkeys, baboons and buffalo. Various birds can also be viewed including parrots, guinea fowls, crowned cranes and ostriches.

2. Sheldrick Elephant & Rhino Orphanage

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust was established more than 40 years ago and is best known for its Orphans’ Project, the first and most successful elephant orphan rescue and rehabilitation program in the world. The Sheldrick Trust is a pioneering conservation organization, dedicated to the protection of wildlife and the preservation of habitats in East Africa.
This is a good way to spend your mid-morning since the center open to public between 11am and 12pm every day. Be part of the conservation effort visit this center experience conservation at its best.

3. Giraffe Center

Located just 40 minutes’ drive from Nairobi CDB in the exclusive area of Karen, the Giraffe Centre is open from 9 AM to 5 PM, seven days a week. The activities here can occupy a good part of your day from Feeding the Giraffes and getting kissed by them to a nature trail for fun and adventure seekers. You can also attend a lecture/short film on the giraffe to learn how and why we are taking care of this endangered animal. There is also a tea house where you can get refreshment and a gift shop to buy your friends back home some to show them where you visited.

4. Bomas of Kenya

Located only 10km from the CBD, you will experience the cultural diversity of Kenya at the Bomas of Kenya. Experience the rich diversity of Kenyan traditional music and dance with daily cultural performances. The repertoire consists of over 50 dances from different ethnic communities. With live percussion, string and wind instruments, and diverse, authentic and energetic dancing. You can also enjoy the traditional cuisines of Kenya at the Utamaduni restaurant.

5. Karura Forest.
The Forest gates opens between 6am and 6pm every day. The Karura Forest Reserve is an urban upland forest on the outskirts of Nairobi. This remarkable geographical location and natural resource is one of the largest gazetted forests in the world fully within a city limits. It covers an area of about 1,000 ha (2,500 ac) and today is a shining example of how country-based corporate social responsibility and individual philanthropy can serve to secure and protect a country’s natural resources. The forest offers eco-friendly opportunities for Kenyans and visitors to enjoy a leafy green respite from the hustle and bustle of the city to walk, to jog, or simply to sit quietly and experience the serenity of nature in all its diversity.

To crown it all enjoy the authentic Kenya Nyama choma (roast meat) in many of the local establishment in Nairobi or visit the Carnivore restaurant for a taste of variety meats. The carnivore is the ultimate ‘beast of a feast’ a variety of meats including ostrich, crocodile and camel, are roasted over charcoal and carved at your table.

For Fast Foods lovers we have KFC, Pizza in, Chicken inn, subway, Kenchic to name but a few of the joints you can head to for a quick bite.
Enjoy Kenya no matter how many days you have to spend in this beautiful country.