Nairobi, the capital of Kenya and one of the most vibrant cities in Africa. It has a combination of urban life and a connection with nature. In Nairobi, there are many places of interest for everybody. Whether you are a fan of wildlife or want to know much more about the city's history, the place caters to both. So, here are some of the top things to do in Nairobi that you must explore when visiting the country of Kenya.
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is one of the city’s highlights. Only 7 kilometres from the city centre, it is the only national park that borders a capital city in the world. Species to be sighted include lions, rhinos, giraffes, and zebras, all set against the backdrop of Nairobi's skyline. One of the things to do in Nairobi is birdwatching, birdwatchers here can delight in more than 400 species recorded, and the park’s game drives and bush walks allow visitors to escape the urban havoc and recharge amid various ecosystems. Overall, we highly recommend visiting Nairobi National Park, especially if you are a photography enthusiast.
David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is one of the most touching places to visit in Nairobi. Established by Dame Daphne Sheldrick, the orphanage rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants whose mothers were killed by poaching or illegal human-wildlife land conflicts. Visitors at this Nairobi attraction can watch the baby elephants being fed as they play with the mud and have a chance to adopt an elephant to support their survival. The orphanage is open to visitors between 11 AM and 12 PM and is a great opportunity to see the mighty jumbos directly at the edge of the Nairobi National Park.
Giraffe Centre
Giraffe Centre is a definite must-visit in Lang’ata when exploring things to do in Nairobi. Visitors at this Nairobi attraction have a chance to see the Rothschild giraffes, which are one of the endangered species of these animals. Although the centre is not very big, established in the 1970s, it is aimed at breeding and conservation. Visitors are encouraged to feed the giraffes from a specially-created platform and can learn about the centre’s efforts to reintroduce these giraffes into the wild. There is also a nature trail at this place to visit in Nairobi, which was constructed to allow the guests to have a walk and see the variety of flora and fauna of the area.
Karen Blixen Museum
The Karen Blixen Museum is a wonderful place to visit in Nairobi for those who enjoy literature. It is an old house in the Ngong Hills, which belonged to the Danish author Karen Blixen, of the famous account ‘Out of Africa’, and currently serves as a museum. Guided tours including all the rooms are available. The house features much of its ordinal furniture, labels, and decorations. This magnificent Nairobi attraction is surrounded by a garden where you can walk or just relax.
Nairobi National Museum
The Nairobi National Museum is the top destination for things to do in Nairobi as it provides an excellent introduction to Kenya’s rich cultural and natural heritage. This Nairobi attraction is considered to be one of the earliest sites that gave people the opportunity to learn something about the history of their country, as well as to contemplate the masterpieces of art. At his Nairobi attraction, one may find a lot of interesting facts concerning anthropology, as well as palaeontology. It is intriguing to see a great number of fossils of early humans, found by the Leakey family, and a huge collection of stuffed birds.
Kazuri Beads Factory
If you happen to visit the Karen Blixen Museum, the Kazuri Beads Factory is an excellent place to visit in Nairobi to get to know some local culture. Being situated next door to one of the most famous and visited museums, Kazuri Beads is an exposed workshop where one has an opportunity to witness the manufacturing of handmade ceramic beads and pottery. This enterprise provides a job for local women, most of whom are single mothers. Seeing the process from the beginning when the forms are shaped out of clay, till the very end when the product is finally painted is another one of the things to do in Nairobi.
Ngong Hills
If you want to escape the noise glaring at every turn of the city, we recommend the beautiful Ngong Hills for Nairobi sightseeing. With their rolling green peaks and stunning views of the Great Rift Valley, you will always find a beautiful view there. Hiking and picnicking are some of the things to do in Nairobi at Ngong Hills. This Nairobi attraction provides several walking trails from where you can also do Nairobi sightseeing of wildlife such as buffalo, gazelles, and even giraffes. The cool, fresh breeze and the beautiful views make this a perfect place to visit in Nairobi for nature lovers.
Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC)
One of the best places to see the Nairobi skyline is from the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. Named after Kenya’s first president, this iconic tower covers a 360-degree view of the entire Nairobi from its rooftop viewing deck. Not only is the KICC an architectural marvel, but it is also an event and conference venue, which is worth seeing in its own right. It is a 32-storey tower with a cylindrical shape and terracotta façade reminiscent of traditional African huts.