A range of attractions and places to visit are a typical day tour of the city. The national Museum of Kenya which has fine exhibits of East African fauna, birds, fish and reptiles as well as a collection of cultural merit. An organized tour may also include visits to the city Hall and law courts, the locally grown fruit and flowers as well as handicrafts and many different centers of worship, including the spectacular Jamia Mosque. The Nairobi National Park which is just at the doorstep and within a short drive, visitors enter a completely different world with lots of wildlife.
Other attractions of the area include the African butterfly research institute which houses one of the best collections and displays of butterflies in East Africa.
There are plenty of fascinating homecraft industries in the area which include Kazuri Beads manufacturers of colorful ceramic jewellery, Utamaduni with a collection of carefully selected local handicrafts.
There are also a number of art galleries and some artists have private collections which can be viewed by prior arrangement.
Within the environs of Nairobi there are several excellent golf courses ,social clubs offering facilities for cricket, tennis, field hockey, squash, rugby and swimming and a popular race course set alongside indigenous forest.
There is a fascinating abundance of restaurants in and around the city. Due to the large Indian population, curries and spicy foods are very popular, but in recent years Korean, Chinese, Ethiopian, Italian and many other cuisines(including a number of restaurants serving the Kenya style menus)can be found in a variety of interesting locations, ranging from the simple to extremely sophisticated.
Nairobi
It is almost impossible to believe that just over 100 Years ago the only visitors to the area which is now Nairobi were the Maasai tribe ,who used to water their cattle at a “boggy waterhole”.They called it enkare nyarobi literally the place of cold water.
Nairobi is now a city of around 4.3 million people and the heart of commerce and industry for the whole of East Africa. It is the capital and the largest city of Kenya. Over the years,the city has developed with modern infrastructure, the executed high rise buildings, tourist hotels and many places of entertainment.
There is no doubt that that Nairobi is a lively City.
Additionally, it has a near perfect climate, laying 90 miles south of the equator at an altitude of 5451ft and 307 km from the Indian Ocean. The city has retained its cosmopolitan ambience which is not only in the different races but also the architecture and variety of religious buildings, mosques, temples,churches and synagogues.
The unique and popular Carnivore spit roast complex on the edge of the game park offers game meat as a speciality, in addition to the more normal roasts expected by dedicated meat eaters. This should not put the vegetarians off though, as their Simba Saloon has a wide menu of delicious of snacks and main courses and a popular salad bar.
Night clubs, casinos and restaurants with bands ensure a healthy night life but it is best to check on the latest in place with your tour operator or hotel bell captain as these to tend to change from time to time.
As the Safari Capital of East Africa, Nairobi has more than enough to entertain any visitor for several days, either before or after their planned safari.
Explore Nairobi