Nairobi 5-Day Itinerary

How this 5-day Nairobi plan works

Nairobi + Masai Mara safari

Each day below is grouped geographically so you spend your time in Nairobi rather than in transit. Uber + Bolt + Little Cab all reliable in Nairobi (KES500–1,500 per ride). Traffic notorious — allow 2× time 7–9am + 5–8pm. Matatus (minibuses) local + cheap KES50–100 but crowded — use only with local. Domestic safari flights (Safarilink, AirKenya, Jambo Jet) from Wilson Airport hop to Mara + Amboseli + Nanyuki + Diani in 45–75 min.

Day by day

• Day 1

  Day 1 — Nairobi (Sheldrick + Giraffe + Karen).

• Day 2

  Day 2 — Fly Wilson to Masai Mara (45 min); afternoon game drive.

• Day 3

  Day 3 — Full-day Mara (river crossing Aug–Sep peak).

• Day 4

  Day 4 — Sunrise balloon safari + return Nairobi flight.

• Day 5

  Day 5 — Nairobi National Park half-day + departure.

Where to base yourself

• Karen

  Leafy colonial suburb — Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Centre, Elephant Orphanage — Hemingways Nairobi, Giraffe Manor, House of Waine.

• Westlands / Parklands

  Restaurants, nightlife, shopping — Sankara Nairobi, Villa Rosa Kempinski, Trademark Hotel.

• Kilimani / Upper Hill

  Business district + embassies — Radisson Blu Upper Hill, Fairmont Norfolk, DusitD2.

• Gigiri / Runda

  UN + diplomatic zone, safest at night — Tribe Hotel, Trademark Hotel Village Market.

Best time to run this itinerary

January–March is dry hot — 26–29°C, best game viewing (concentrated water). July–October is dry cool — 20–26°C, Great Migration in Masai Mara peaks August–September. April–May long rains, November short rains — safari lodges cheaper, roads muddy. Nairobi altitude 1,795 m keeps evenings cool year-round.

Before you go

• Apply eTA at etakenya.go.ke 3+ days before arrival — US$32.50; old visa system discontinued Jan 2024.

• Traffic murderous 7–9am + 5–8pm — allow 2× time or plan flights around it.

• Yellow-fever certificate mandatory if arriving from endemic country; malaria prophylaxis for Mara + coast add-ons.