Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city, one of East Africa’s major travel hubs and one of the few places where breakfast in the city can be followed by a game drive before lunch. Nairobi National Park sits about 10 kilometres from the city centre, with lion, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and black rhino roaming open grassland against a skyline of towers.
Nairobi Highlights
- City-edge safari in Nairobi National Park
- Orphaned elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
- Rothschild’s giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
- Kenyan history at the Nairobi National Museum and Karen Blixen Museum
- Food, markets, galleries and colourful city culture
Best time to go
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Frequently Asked Questions
We've taken the liberty to answer everything you may need to know about visiting Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital of Kenya, in East Africa. It lies in the south-central part of the country and is the main international gateway for many travellers beginning safaris in Kenya, including trips to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and Laikipia.
Yes. Nairobi National Park sits beside the capital and offers authentic game drives with lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, zebra and other wildlife. Elephants are the only member of the Big 5 not found in the park.
It’s an excellent half-day safari, particularly at the beginning or end of a Kenya trip.
For a non-resident adult, the current Nairobi National Park entry fee is USD 80, before the cost of your vehicle, guide and transfers. Kenya Wildlife Service also offers separate rates for residents, African citizens and children.
A privately guided Nairobi safari therefore costs more than the park fee alone. We would quote the full experience according to your group size, vehicle and itinerary.
Nairobi is energetic, busy and far more rewarding when you plan what you want to see rather than treating it as a walkable sightseeing city. Attractions are spread between areas such as Karen, Lang’ata, Westlands, the city centre and Nairobi National Park, so private transfers make exploring considerably easier.
For tourists, its appeal lies in that variety: wildlife in the morning, Kenyan history or conservation before lunch and a very good dinner without ever leaving the capital.
Most people visit Nairobi using planned transport, reputable hotels and guides, but it is a large city where security conditions vary by area. We use vetted drivers and guides, avoid unnecessary walking with valuables and adjust arrangements when local conditions require it.
Yes, particularly if you have one or two nights available. Nairobi National Park, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Giraffe Centre, Nairobi National Museum, Karen Blixen Museum and the city’s food scene can turn what might otherwise be an airport stop into a worthwhile part of the itinerary.
Most itineraries need one or two nights in Nairobi. Stay one night if your priority is recovering from your flight or making a comfortable connection. Choose two if you want a game drive plus cultural or conservation experiences.
Nairobi is best known internationally as Kenya’s capital city and safari gateway, but it’s also famous for Nairobi National Park, its conservation organisations, its role in Kenya’s railway history and its position as one of East Africa’s major commercial and cultural centres.
Private transfers with an experienced local driver are the most comfortable option for most international guests. Nairobi’s attractions are spread across the city, traffic can be heavy and travel times vary considerably by time of day.
That matters particularly when transferring between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport.
The Nairobi Safari Walk is about 1.5 kilometres long and usually takes around 1–2 hours, depending on how much you stop along the way.
